McKenzie Pass
My friend Russell and I rode McKenzie Pass yesterday. I can't recall how many times I have over but it must be close to a hundred as the first time a rode it was 37 years ago. Back then I probably knew all of the Bend riders who would ride it regularly. We used to do a loop, over Santiam and then return via McKenzie. 86 miles, it was a highlight of the year. I've raced it, toured it, ridden in the snow, the rain and the blazing sun. I've been there close to tragedy ( a rider on a ride I was supporting crashed and died of his injuries), humor, a tourist fully loaded stayed with a break during the Cascade Classic for a mile or so, feeling strong and feeling weak. As Bend has become a cycling Mecca, McKenzie Pass has become one of the to do rides in our area. The state keeps the road closed well into the summer so cyclists can enjoy it car free. Not many do the loop as the traffic on Santiam is quite busy, and why would one not go out and back on a road closed to cars. I do