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Touratech-USA GPS Ride for 2004
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The CycoActive/Touratech-USA GPS Ride is a self-led ride, created by the crew at CycoActive Inc, manufacturer of fine dual-sport products and the US Importer for Touratech AG.
This TWO-DAY camping ride follows paved and un-paved roads through some of the most beautiful areas in the Cascade Mountains. We try to get off the pavement wherever possible, and head for the ridgetops where the views are the best, in search of the road less traveled.
A detailed description of the route is linked below. It would be good to print and read this before you leave on the ride.
About this year's ride: it's a bit longer than previous years, but those extra miles are pavement miles. Still, leaving early is a good idea...or get yourself some good auxiliary lights. If don't want to ride that many miles in one day, consider staying over near Leavenworth on Friday night. A sharp mind = safe riding.
Who can come? Anyone with a dirt-road capable motorcycle, such as a BMW GS, V-strom, DR or KLR. Feel free to pass this email on to anyone you think might be interested.
About the weather: The ride will go on as scheduled unless weather gets severe (snow or torrential downpours). That being said, all the off-road is on the Eastern side of the Cascades, so even if it's raining here, it's likely to be dry over there. Camp is at 6000 feet though, so be sure to pack warm clothes. That little map on the right is a link to the route for this year's ride.
Aside from that little electronic gadget on your handlebars, it's a self-guided tour.
At the end of the first day, cold beverages, nourishment, camping and your faster friends await. Day two of the ride will be shorter, with more of the same - excellent roads, and beautiful scenery on our way back to Seattle. About 500 miles all together this year.
To participate, you will need a GPS. The Garmin Mapsource routes are downloadable from this website. If you don't know how to use your GPS, this "trial by fire" will get you up and running very quickly! We have a test-route you can download, we advise that you try it before you do the actual ride. If anyone can translate our routes to Magellan, please email ASAP.
Kick-off party on September 24th: For those who want to come download the routes manually, or if you have questions about using GPS, we will have a little gathering at CycoActive HQ on Friday starting around 5 PM. We are located at 701 34th Ave (corner of 34th and Cherry) in Madrona.
PLEASE RSVP!!! As always, the GPS Ride is free, put on by the folks at CycoActive/Touratech. We provide food (Lin's awesome chili) and beverages on Saturday night, and now that we have confirmation that someone is driving a truck up there, we are going to provide breakfast this year as well...so please let us know if you are coming by Monday, September 20th if possible. We know how you get when no coffee in the morning. :) (PS. We get the same way!).
Don't have a GPS? Come to the kick-off party and you might find a riding partner with one.
Here are the Garmin MapSource files for the 2004 Touratech-USA GPS Ride. Note that these files are in the new .gdb format. You may need to update your MapSource software from Garmin to the latest version (6.3 as of September, '04) in order to read these files. Updating is a good idea anyway, as the software has improved a great deal in recent versions. Support for USB transfers is one new feature. Click here for the latest MapSource update from Garmin.
2004 Early Start Route We recommend you start Friday if you want to ride this section in addition to the main route.
Note: You may need to right-click and choose 'Save As..." if you don't have Garmin MapSource software installed on the PC you are currently using.
Print these and bring them with you.
We recommend you pint and read these before you head out on the ride.
Route Description - plain text
Route Description - MS Word format
