I have come to the conclusion that the best way to ride this road is to rent it. (I am thinking sometime in June 2010) The cost is 250.00 for 2 hours or 1000.00 for 8 hours. Also we must take out an insurance policy and I have no idea how much that will cost. This will definitely be an overnighter either camping or moteling your choice. Before this is to happen I need solid commitments and of course $$$ when we go for it. There are no bathrooms or any water or facilities of any kind. Constructed from 1909 to 1913 by Samuel Hill (1857–1931), founder of Maryhill Museum of Art, Maryhill Loops Road is located off Washington Scenic Route 14 just east of U.S. 97. As the first macadam asphalt-paved road in the Pacific Northwest, it served as the only road between the Columbia River and Goldendale, Washington prior to the construction of U.S. 97. The historic Maryhill Loops was a part of a larger road that encompassed several miles over which seven different experimental roads were constructed.

The road itself ascends 850 feet in a series of curves with a gradient of ascent at 5%. In 1998, a 3.6 mile section of the road was completely refurbished and received the Outstanding Project of Historical Significance Award from the American Public Works Association, Washington State Chapter. It consists of 25 curves, 8 of which are hairpins.
Maryhill Loop Road be sure to also click for more information So I am putting this out there now to see how much interest there is in this ride. Stonehenge and the Maryhill Museum are also there.

I'd really love to ride it if I still had my Magna.

$250.00 isn't too much... 2 hours is kind of short, but doable.
5-Bikes @ $50.00 for 2 hours...better than the go-kart pricing.
10-Bikes @ $25.00.... really good deal..but, 10 bikes on 850ft....quite a race. Staggered departures for sure?

How about if someone wanted to join up for the weekend without the twisties part? Sounds like a great time, especially in nice weather. Would you consider mixed group (ride the road, non-ride-the-road) as long as enough paid down to rent the road?

I'm up for going to the area. Thanks for putting it out there!

Cal, et al,

What the Sam Hill???!!! I rode Maryhill Loops when I attended the sport bike Gorge Rally in '07. To be fair, as a sport touring rider, this road has a technical appeal to me but for most cruisers, I can't imagine how you would justify the long ride and expense just to scrape your pegs on this 3.5 mile long road that lacks even basic safety margins; I ride a VFR (white bike/silver helmet in front of camera bike) and have no 'chicken strips' but was challenged to negotiate several of the turns even at 30mph. On a typical cruiser, the pegs will be laying a trail of sparks at about 20mph on many of these switchbacks.

There is no reason you can't just sign up for Sportbikes Northwest for a C-note (they don't disqualify based on your bike -- yet) and ride it as part of the package. Meanwhile, there are, as in many parts of Oregon, close to two dozen longer, very scenic, winding, and well-engineered, public roads in the vicinity of the Columbia Gorge. Rowena Crest is but one nearby (and crazy fun) example:

I have relatives in Goldendale and would be interested in helping you plan and facilitate an Everett MC Riders meetup in the Gorge next summer if you are interested but am skeptical most EMcR attendees would find Maryhilll to be worth the extra effort and cost.

randy.B

Because it is thereI guess. Maybe most would not appreciate it however they can always do their own thing. I am also thinking next summer of doing a bun burner gold (1500 miles in 24 hours) The only way I can think of accomplishing this is to go approx 735 miles on I 90 and turn around and come back. How many would do this maybe another one or two. I probably will not hardly do 20 mph on the corners. It is just something different and a one time deal merely to say I did it. Those are the people I am really sending this out to. If not enough interest I will do something else. I have been known to go 200 or miles just for a burger. I am not really a canyon carver myself but it is just that few people ever ride this road

I wonder if you could work with the Gorge Rally organizers to piggyback on their rental and bring the cost down a bit. It IS a truly unique road.

randy.B

That could be a good idea I do not know who they are and may require assistance to get in touch with them. I may run it past the Victory Motorcycle club also to see how many we can get. I am also going to try to call some insurance companies today to see what it would run.

If I had a bike like Randy B's, I'd LOVE it!
My move up to the Vulcan (for cross country trips) leaves me scraping footboards on the tight corners, and doesn't allow for quick/tight turning. Cruiser...definitely not for carving corners. I'm envious now...and miss my Magna too!

I'd be game for it Cal, especially if we can get five of us so the cost is $50 each. Would depend on how much the insurance adds to the cost but definitely a fun idea.

I just found out insurance would be approx $500 I am thinking we need about 10 to 20 riders to make this palatable to people. You (Mark) would make 4 of us. I am also going to open this up to members of the GSPS meetup group also.

Presently have 6 riders
Calvin
Bill
Karen
Mark
Tad from GSPS
John from NWWVR
I figure we need at least 4 more
2 or 3 are waffling