PORT ANGELES – Ride the Hurricane is sold out, but don’t be discouraged if you had planned to take part in the annual ride to Hurricane Ridge on Aug. 7, but hadn’t gotten around to registering.
Leslie Robertson, Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce events manager, encouraged anyone who is interested to get on the waiting list.
“There are about 50 people on the list at any one time, but we’re processing applications every day,” Robertson said. “We’ve had an unprecedented number of cancellations this year.”
The event is an annual opportunity for cyclists to tackle the challenging 17-mile climb to the 5,242-foot summit of Hurricane Ridge without worrying about motor vehicles: the entrance gate to Olympic National Park comes down at 7 a.m. and for the next five hours there is no traffic on the steep, scenic road other than bicycles.
Cyclists can start the round-trip ride to Hurricane Ridge from either the Port Angeles City Pier or the Olympic National Park Visitor Center.
An after-party on the pier for cyclists will feature a taco bar catered by Little Devil’s Lunchbox and beer garden from Barhop Brewing.
Olympic National Park caps the number of cycling entrants to 800, but there is no cap or waiting list to volunteer for the event, Robertson said.
There are currently 25 volunteers and they could use more help, she said.
Volunteers can assist at one of the five aid stations along the route or at a water and snack station at the summit, participate in a cheering section on the final leg or help with event packet distribution.
To get on the waiting list, go to ridethehurricane.org or email events@portangeles.org.
More information on Ridge the Hurricane will become available closer to the event date.
