Text by Scott Stroming as told to shiggy, photos by Scott Stroming.
112K, 4000′ of climbing.
A beautiful spring ride that exceeded my expectations, south to Douglas Creek all the way north to the ancient glacial moraine, magnificent views west and north, lots of single lane double track—and I thought I already knew the Waterville Plateau!
Its a great course running through the upper part of the Douglas Creek canyon into the sage steppe and wheat fields to the Withrow Marine at the north end and back. Ever changing surfaces and vistas. Plus the wildflowers are popping, the canola in bloom (yellow fields) and the wheat is knee high.
There are three types of gravel and I want people to know that I feel like this isn’t a fast course. I think the course needs to be ridden with wide tires and attention:
- There is the gravel for the wide roads which has pretty high rolling resistance.
- Then there is dirt, which is a lot of fun.
- The third is the silt, almost sand. It has been packed down by rain, but you can’t easily tell when it’s going to get really deep and soft.
Be cautious when going into dips and the steeper descents which can have rocks and ruts with sand at the bottom so you really can’t let it rip.
I wish I had tires with a bit more tread and width for traction.
The forecast is good of Saturday with mild temperatures, light winds and the possibility of scattered thundershowers.