RAMROD is a challenging course featuring 10,000 feet of climbing over 154 miles. Learn about the course route, elevation profile, rider support stops and time-cutoffs.
The course starts in Enumclaw, WA (elevation 720 feet) with a gradual downhill to its lowest elevation (300 feet) near Orting. This is followed by 40 miles of rolling hills through the towns of Eatonville, Elbe, and Ashford, with a gradual climb to the Nisqually entrance of Mount Rainier National Park. The climb stiffens at Longmire where riders begin the 12 mile ascent to Paradise (elevation 5,420 feet). A 12-mile descent through Stevens Canyon follows and then a quick 3-mile climb to Backbone Ridge. This leads to one of the most fun descents of the course: a swooping 5-mile run to the Grove of the Patriarchs and the intersection with Hwy 410. What follows is generally considered the most difficult section of the course: the 9-mile climb up Cayuse Pass (elevation 4,694) which starts at 100 miles into the ride. The rapid descent from the pass ends with about 30 miles to go. These last miles are gradually descending or rolling except for one final, fast descent down Mud Mountain Dam just 5 miles from the finish in Enumclaw.
| RIDER SUPPORT INFORMATION |
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Start line: Waffle feed with COFFEE, eggs, sausage, and OJ to benefit the Enumclaw Senior Center and Plateau Outreach Ministry-separate $10 donation at the door, all of which goes directly to these two community organizations. Breakfast will be served from 4 - 7 am in the Enumclaw High School Commons. Absolutely no cleats! Eatonville, approx. mile 33-open 6:30 - 10 am: Mini scones, Water, Port-O-Johns, For purchase: coffee, including coffee drinks, bakery items, the small stuff you might have forgotten, such as tubes, water bottles, gloves, sunglasses, etc. Mounthaven, approx. mile 58-open 7:30 - 11 am: Bagels with cream cheese, peanut butter, and/or jam, RR cookies-choco chip/oatmeal with nuts, craisin/oatmeal no nuts, Crackers, Fruit, Gatorade lemon/lime, water, Port-O-Johns Inspiration Point, approx. mile 75-open 9 am - 2 pm: Water, Port-O-Johns Upper Box Canyon, approx. mile 88-open 9:30 am - 3 pm: Steamed potatoes with salt and seasoned salt, Chocolate croissants, Bagels with spreads, RR cookies, Fruit, Gatorade lemon/lime, water, Port-O-Johns Deer Creek, approx. mile 104-open 11 am - 5 pm: Water, Port-O-Johns Cayuse Pass, approx. mile 110-open 11 am - 6 pm: Water, Port-O-Johns, Note: there are NO other services at Cayuse-keep rolling downhill to the Deli. Deli, approx. mile 118-open 11 am - 7 pm: Made-to-order sandwiches, RR cookies, Fruit, Soft drinks, Gatorade lemon/lime, water, Port-O-Johns Finish Line-open from when the first rider finishes until 8 pm: Ice cream truck (included in your event fee), Soft drinks, Chips, Showers-bring your own towel |
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| COURSE TIME CUT-OFFS |
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For your safety, we will be enforcing course cut-off times again this year. START LINE: 5:00am - 7:00am Gateway Food Stop: CLOSES at 11:00am Inspiration Point: CLOSES at 2:30pm Box Canyon Food Stop: CLOSES at 3:00pm Cayuse Pass Checkpoint: CLOSES at 6:00pm Deli Food Stop: CLOSED at 7:00pm FINISH LINE: CLOSED at 8:00pm This means if you are still climbing towards Inspiration Point at 2:30pm, we will sweep you up. We have some hard-working volunteers who will do their best to get you off the road. This is not an easy ride! You are responsible for getting into shape and getting yourself over the passes in good time. If our volunteers have too many riders to sweep up, you may end up with a long wait to get off the mountain! |
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