Making the grade on the way to Castle Rock
May 30, 2026
By Ellen Hanson
Oh what a day!! We started in Astoria with a carb loaded breakfast provided by Peace Lutheran Church and boy, would we need those carbs!!
The ride was beautiful. We started along the ocean in Astoria and then headed northwest. The sun came out! The wind died down! We road along beautiful grassy valleys….for about 10 miles. And then the climbs started.
We had a warmup of a 845-foot climb with a 5% grade over a couple miles. The elevation, length of climb and % of grade increased from there! After a ferry ride over the Columbia River we had a quick lunch at a restaurant stop and the riding got serious culminating in a incredibly steep climb that was mostly 17% grade but got as steep as 20% near the top. Whew!
68 miles and 5600 feet of ascent later we were ready to roll in to St Paul Lutheran church in Castle Rock, where we were served a yummy lasagna dinner and still warm chocolate chip cookies provided by some of the church attendees. We are well fed and will sleep good tonight!
we love Our sponsors!
we love Our sponsors!
