The Pacific Northwest is a paradise for outdoor sports, from hiking to climbing to cycling. In Washington State, organized bike rides range from touring level landscapes filled with the cheerful colors of blooming tulips in the spring, to maneuvering the ups and downs of hilly Bainbridge Island in the winter (Chilly Hilly), to a 2-day, 200-mile ride from Seattle, WA to Portland, OR, (STP). There are also various multi-day tours around and through the state offering riders the chance to experience the varied terrain and stunning landscapes. There’s even an annual organized ride around Mount Rainier National Park called RAMOD (Ride Around Mount Rainier in One Day), a challenging 154-mile (247.8 km) ride with nearly 10,000 feet (3,048 m) of elevation gain.

The starting line to RAMROD / RCC Facebook page

Back in 1984, a cyclist named John Dixon organized this inaugural event with 52 starters and 45 finishers. In 2024, the event’s popularity was such that the ride was limited to 800 cyclists on a first-come, first-served basis.

Organized by the Redmond Cycling Club, this annual ride (some call it a race and others call it an ultramarathon ride) has experienced its ups and downs, not only literally, but figuratively as well. On ride day, motorists will find their drive times considerably slowed or detoured. Many believe a large event like this should be prohibited, and a 2024 permitting dispute with the park prompted ride organizers to move the traditional ride date of the last Thursday in July to a day in September. Sometimes, the event itself is in doubt of occurring at all, since organization depends upon participation and park permitting. For 2025, though, it looks like RAMROD is on and scheduled for Tuesday, September 23.

Redmond Cycling Club offers a web page filled with videos of past ride experiences, and you can read more about the event here, and about the cycling club.