About RAW

Ride Around Washington

RAW started in 1999 when Marshall Brown, who had participated on a cross state ride over the North Cascades Highway six years earlier, wanted to re-create that experience (this time without the freezing rain of the first trip!). In 2005, Peter Verbrugge was hired as the new ride director to head the event. A strong volunteer committee is still essential to RAW's success, helping us develop new routes every year.

RAW is a ride created by cyclists for cyclists. The routes are chosen because they look scenic, challenging, and fun. The event is produced by a volunteer committee and Cascade Bicycle Club staff. We look forward to new routes and revisiting some of our popular past rides also.

RAW History

1999: RAW 1, Cascade Bicycle Club's First Ever Cross-State Event!

In late 1998, a small group of volunteers, spearheaded by Marshall Brown, decided it was time for Cascade Bicycle Club to have a cross-state event and RAW was born. Following a route similar to that made popular by the "Great E.S.C.A.P.E. rides staged in the late '80s and early '90s, RAW left Bow-Edision in August of 1999, crossing over the Cascades on Highway 20 and Okanagon mountains to Newport.

2000: "Oysters to Onions - Ilwaco to Walla Walla"

In its second year, RAW passed through some of the most dramatic scenery in the Pacific Northwest and locations made famous by Native Americans, Lewis and Clark, and Northwest engineering pioneers. It is said the Lewis and Clark Expedition was one of the most dramatic and significant episodes in the history of the United States. In its scope and achievements, the Expedition towers among the major explorations of the World. RAW's route followed the Expeditions path with variety and diversity for all participants. Riders had the opportunity to visit Historical sites, Native American Heritage sites, modern hydroelectric projects, American War Memorials, and world famous museums.

2001: "Cranberries to Apples"

RAW 2001 began rolling away from Westport on the Pacific Ocean and headed east through cranberry country. The route continued east crossing over White Pass with majestic views of Mt. Rainier and a wonderful descent along the Naches River into Yakima. Yakima offered a first for RAW; a lay-over day with optional riding in the rain. Yakima is famous for 100 degree summers but RAW experienced gray skies and wet conditions. As skies cleared, riders enjoyed a bright morning spin up the "old canyon road" and on to Roslyn, the filming location for the fictional town of Cicely, Alaska in the hit television series "Northern Exposure". RAW 2001 finished with another climb up and down over Blewitt/Swak Pass and finished in the Washington apple country in the Bavarian city of Leavenworth. What a trip ... Cranberries to Apples!

2002: "The Forgotten Corner"

RAW 2002 traveled through unspoiled climatic regions of Washington State with vast tracks of coniferous forest; including a haven for the last herd of wild caribou in the country and home to scores of eagles nested beside salmon-rich rivers. Along the way, riders enjoyed quaint and historical cities, beautiful rivers and lakes, and experienced views ranging from mountains filled with Ponderosa Pines to wild flower covered lava flows. One highlight of the ride was having the opportunity to ride across the top of Grand Coulee Dam, one of the largest structures in the continental United States.

2003: “Follow The Sun”

2003, RAW returned to its roots in Washington’s North Cascades but with a special twist - in reverse East to West. Washington’s North Cascades is one of the most spectacular cross-state bicycle routes in the country and 2003 was no exception. The route had three days of new country from our original in 1999 but still traversed four mountain passes with the week’s total elevation gain in excess of 22,000 feet. RAW2003 offered majestic rivers, unspoiled scenery, multiple climatic zones, ghost towns, and stunning mountain views. RAW was again blessed with warm weather and great overnight locations to relax and swim.

2004: The Palouse

RAW 2004's riders experienced a fun, albeit warm, week riding from Newport on the Pend Oreille River to Walla Walla via The Palouse. Overnights were at Nine Mile Falls outside of Spokane, Cheney, Palouse for two nights, Washtucna and Walla Walla. The layover in Palouse was for many the highlight of the week. The town came all out for us, opening museums at night and hosting live music at a local tavern. A local farmer offered wheat harvester rides -- we were there at high harvest -- which many riders enjoyed tremendously. Those cyclists who enjoy climbing took off on the 110 mile Palouse to Palouse loop by way of the Spiral Highway just inside Idaho off the Snake River; others toured WSU and Pullman. The last day was a tough one in high-90s heat with a strong headwind in the morning. The week's route, however, through and around rolling wheat field after rolling wheat field gave new and personal meaning to "...amber waves of grain." RAW had completed three of four sides of Washington State.

2005: "Closing the Loop-Olympic Peninsula"

For the first time in its seven years RAW stayed completely west of the Cascade Mountains. Already having ridden the north, south and east sides and points in between, the RAW Committee decided this year to ride the far west side of Washington State. RAW followed the Puget Sound shoreline and around the Olympic peninsula; leaving Bellingham on renowned Chuckanut Drive, crossed Deception Pass Bridge and onto Whidbey Island. Rolling around Discovery Bay and through the Dungeness Peninsula, RAW spent a well deserved day off in Port Angeles atop the Peninsula. Some brave souls rode up Hurricane Ridge, others headed for high tea in Victoria, British Columbia. Leaving Port Angeles, RAW headed west to the legendary timber town of Forks. Riding through part of the Olympic National Park and along the coast through Ocean Shores, Westport and Raymond, finishing up with a grand Salmon dinner in Ilwaco.

2006: "Canada to the Columbia"

The tour started on the shores of Lake Osoyoos near the Canadian border, in the town of Oroville. The first day’s route takes a westward trip to visit the beautiful Sinlahekin valley. After cruising past Palmer Lake and through the Okanogan valley at Tonasket. Day 2 veered westward, up to Loop Loop Pass on SR-20, over the pass & down the lower Methow valley to the banks of the upper Columbia River to the day’s end in Chelan. On the third day we followed Lake Chelan and then climbed out of the Chelan valley, returning to the Great River. Once again we headed south along the Columbia to Wenatchee, where we will say goodbye to the river until the end. Turning right up the Wenatchee valley, we will ride past Ohme Gardens and through Cashmere by way of available back roads, to come to rest in Leavenworth. Day 4 was the longest day (95 miles). Via SR-97 south over the Wenatchee Mountains, by the old Blewett Pass road. Once over the pass, we headed into the Kittitas valley, and through Ellensburg to Yakima. The day ended with a glorious ride down the river canyon, through the Basalt ridges to Yakima. Day 5 headed east crossing the Rattlesnake Hills wine country by way of Konnowac Pass, then traveled down the Yakima Valley to Mabton. From Mabton we climbed over the Horse Heaven Hill to end in Bickleton, the Bluebird capitol of World, and site of the Bluebird Inn. The final day continues southwest on the scenic Goldendale Bickleton Highway, then south for a final 4-mile plunge to Maryhill State Park.

2007: "Oysters to Onions" Columbia River Valley tour

In its sophomore year of 2000 RAW offered riders a wonderful route from the Washington coastal town of Ilwaco all the way to Walla Walla via the Columbia River Valley. This "Oysters to Onions" route was one of the most popular routes we have offered so this year we brought it back for a much deserved encore performance! This time around we started slightly north in the Coastal town of Raymond, but then pretty much followed the same amazing route. What this route lacked in big mountains it more than made up for in pure scenic beauty as we headed east from the coast skirting the Mighty Columbia all the way. We also cross into Oregon for a day, enjoying United States' first ever scenic highway along the Multnomah Falls area. This SOLD OUT ride enjoyed amazing beauty around every corner and riders agreed it was one of the best organized RAW rides ever! Our overnight venues included Raymond, Skamokawa, Battle Ground, Stevenson, Maryhill State Park, Crowe Butte Park and Walla Walla. The highlight of the tour for many, was the multiple wine tastings in camp and the amazing taliwind we enjoyed along the river!

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