About the abnormal ride series: I have been told that I am an abnormal rider. I can live with that, and this series will celebrate that. This series will be rides that are atypical of our normal club rides. The rides may be very scenic and/or long and/or hilly and/or out of the area. Or they may just be silly fun. You be the judge.
About this abnormal ride: One of the times that I did this route, one of the riders kept exclaiming about the beauty of the scenery, eventually naming this as one of the top 5 rides he has done. It is one of my favorites, too. Other riders have called this "Epic". Rose Valley Road is a route that climbs into the hills northeast of Kalama. It travels up through a valley following the route of the Coweeman River. Eventually it crosses the river and thereafter closely follows the north side of the river. The road eventually narrows to one lane wide as it winds its way along the river. It eventually becomes a gravel road, which is where we will turn around. The route has some very pretty areas that it passes through. It also has a lot of ups and downs while generally climbing to the turnaround point. The Kalama River portion is similar as it follows the Kalama River.
Route Map:http://ridewithgps.com/routes/8458155
Start Location: Street Parking, 454 N 1st St. Kalama, WA 98625
Map of Start Location:https://goo.gl/maps/CJNR7
The basic route is 49 miles. At mile 47 we return to the Kalama River Road. Those who wish to may return the remaining two miles to the start. I plan to turn east and follow the road as it meanders along the north side of the Kalama River. Eventually this road also becomes gravel, and we will turn around there. There are many pretty views of the river along the way.
Each section is a dead end and the route returns in the same way it went out. You have the option of turning around at any time, if you want a shorter ride.
You will need to carry sufficient water and food. Services are limited. There is a store at mile 8 and then we will pass that same store again at mile 41. There is another store a mile 44.5, where I will resupply before the Kalama River Road option. I do not remember any other services until the end of the ride.
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