On Thursday, July 25, RAMROD, an organized recreational bicycle ride, will bring 800 participating bicyclists through the roads of Mount Rainier National Park and surrounding areas.

This will be the 30th year that RAMROD (Ride Around Mount Rainier in One Day), sponsored by the Redmond Cycling Club, has been conducted.  Due to safety concerns and to minimize impact to other park visitors, the number of riders participating in this non-competitive recreational ride has been limited to 800 pre-registered riders—all rider slots have been assigned and registration for the 2013 RAMROD has been closed.

Motorists coming to the park that day should expect some traffic delays, congestion around designated checkpoints and support areas, long lines of bicyclists sharing the roadway and extra emphasis by Law Enforcement of speeding and other traffic violations that could pose a risk to riders.

The ride originates and ends in Enumclaw, Washington.  Riders will pass through Eatonville and will head toward the park on State Route 706.   After entering the park at the Nisqually Entrance, they will proceed up the Paradise Road to the junction with the Stevens Canyon Road.  The route continues east on Stevens Canyon Road to State Route 123 and north on State Route 123 over Cayuse Pass.  The last leg of the ride follows State Route 410 westbound for a return to Enumclaw.

Park roads and facilities will remain open to the general public while the one-day ride is being conducted.  Drivers and pedestrians are cautioned that bicyclists in large numbers will be sharing park roadways including the road east from Nisqually Entrance, Stevens Canyon Road, State Route123 and State Route 410 throughout the day.  Slow traffic along the riding route should be expected, as road shoulders are narrow or non-existent along many sections.  Drivers may encounter bicyclists walking their bikes up the long grade or riding slowly to maintain control over sections of the roadway.   Motorists are requested to use extra care when passing bicyclists, and to do so only when there is sufficient road clearance and an unimpeded line of sight to do so safely.

Additional information on RAMROD can be found at the Redmond Cycling Club website at:  www.redmondcyclingclub.org/RAMROD/RAMROD.html