2025 RAMROD - Update 3

Hi Riders,

Date Confirmed

RAMROD 2025 is confirmed for Thursday, July 31. We are returning to the traditional date of the last Thursday in July after last year’s event in September. This year, we are offering a different route, going in the clockwise direction and through Skate Creek.

2025 is an unusual year due to major construction along Hwy 123 between Cayuse Pass and US 12. This stretch of road will be completely closed to all traffic during September. Therefore, we will be using the Skate Creek bypass route in July.

This year, the RAMROD bike route again starts in Enumclaw and immediately heads right on to Hwy 410 to tackle the most challenging climb up to Cayuse Pass. Once you conquer Cayuse Pass, you will descend on Hwy 123 towards Packwood and the route takes you into the Skate Creek bypass route. After passing through Skate Creek, the route will be similar to last year from Ashford back to the starting point in Enumclaw.

RAMROD 2026 will include Stevens Canyon and will aim to continue our traditional date in July.

Lottery

We have made some internal housekeeping changes this year. We have a new website, new RTS Facebook page, and are using Haku as our registration system. Thank you for your patience with these changes.

The Lottery application will get assigned by March 25. 

If there is remaining space, we will keep registration open until the ride is completely full. We don’t know when that will be, so if you haven’t applied for the Lottery yet, now is the time.

Safety

Over the past year, we have been talking with our riders about the 2024 route. The RAMROD team is exploring several options to improve the 2025 course. The exact course with turns and stops isn’t finalized yet, as we will adapt to road conditions, local events, and safety measures.

One of the areas we are seeking to improve is the stretch between Elbe and the finish. We are working on better communication with the driving public in the area, better signage, prior notice to the public of our event, and exploring greater use of side roads and bike paths to decrease our interaction with traffic.

Rest assured that our organizing team of experienced cyclists will continue to work hard to maintain our tradition of a well-managed event. If you have not already registered, please support us and keep our RAMROD tradition going. You can expect further course announcements in the coming months as we refine our plans for 2025.

George, RAMROD Director