Bicyclists are on notice: the countdown is on with nine months to prepare.

The Mount Hood Cultural Center and Museum is staging the inaugural Barlow
Road Ride to be held Aug. 25-26 of 2012 to raise funds in support of the
Government Camp museum.

The BRR is a two-day, out-and-back century (100 mile) road bike tour from
the end of the Oregon Trail in Oregon City to Government Camp, with an
optional trip up West Leg Trail to Timberline Lodge.

“As you embark on this extraordinarily scenic and historic route you will be
riding the paved route of the famous Barlow Road – once followed by many
pioneers around Mount Hood to reach Oregon City,” said Gene Grant, ride
director, avid biker, and newest member of the museum’s board of directors.

“You will travel along the cool Clackamas River, to the gateway city of Sandy,
and then up the sparkling Sandy River valley via the Marmot Ridge to Zigzag,
past open fields and vibrant forests, and finally up Laurel Hill to majestic
Mount Hood.”

More than 1,000 bicyclists are expected to tour the world class route on this
newest tour on the Pacific Northwest’s list of premier cycling events.

Three different routes are being offered to accommodate all skill levels:
The Trail Scout route is for experts who are trained for the challenge of 120
miles and 7,000 feet of elevation gain in a single day.

The Trail Boss route is the main two-day ride with the first day being 50 miles
uphill to Government Camp for a great dinner, followed by the second day’s
big reward of 50 miles downhill finishing around noon.

The Pioneer route will start in Sandy to reduce the hill climbing to 25 miles the
first day.

For those who are not into much hill climbing, the junior-senior route will start
Sunday morning in Government Camp for a thrilling downhill ride to Oregon
City with only a few short hills along the way.

Almost the entire ride will be on quiet rural roads with little vehicular traffic.
The only time the route follows Hwy. 26 is from Zigzag to Government Camp
up Laurel Hill, which is newly paved with a wide shoulder.

The event will be fully supported with rest stops approximately every 10 miles
where riders will be provided plenty of food and energy drinks.

The BRR will provide experienced volunteers who will welcome and sustain
riders as they pedal away the miles. Along the route riders will be supported
by food, drinks, toilets, sag wagons, massages, mechanics and medical help.
The finish line will feature dinner and live music, plus a professional massage
team.

The maximum number of riders is set at 2,000 and is likely to be reached, so
early registration is recommended. Fee is $75 per rider, and riders can be
sponsored by making additional donations to the museum. Fees will be tax
deductible in the amount of $50 per rider based upon the value of the goods
and services you will receive as a rider.

Contact the museum at 503-272-3301 to become a volunteer or to register
for the BRR.

Now, start training.