Here three recently-approved perm routes to tickle your imagination!
#3547 - Oklahoma Panhandle Patter 105km Perm Populaire
The Oklahoma Panhandle Patter (RWGPS route) is a point-to-point permanent populaire from the SE corner of Colorado, through the Oklahoma Panhandle, into the Texas Panhandle. It is admittedly designed to tag any of these three states you do not have for the RUSA American Explorer award.
In Colorado - notice remnant of spring snow.
Note: not all of the route is this flat!
Landscape is some flat, some cliffs and hilly terrain, some agricultural, some grazing, yucca plants, rocky outcroppings. It's quite open and expansive! The only intermediate services at all are in Boise City, OK, which is why our route goes into that town rather than taking the bypass.
Boise City was also a RAAM (Race Across AMerica) timestation a number of times, this stretch being a trying period for riders who've survived New Mexico or the Rockies, and now face the prospect humidity and flying insects ahead ... and more climbs!
US-287 is in excellent shape with wide shoulders. It's concrete in Colorado. There is some truck traffic, on the whole light traffic overall.
A 210k out-and-back route would also be possible. Also a 150-mile / 240km four-state loop including Kansas is conceivable.
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#3546 - Guanella Pass Gambol 100km Permanent Populaire
The Guanella Pass Gambol (RWGPS route) is an out-and-back over Guanella Pass (11,670 ft.) with 7,200 ft. total climbing.
The segment to/from Downieville and Georgetown is fairly shallow in comparison with the rest of the route, and is included to reach 100km. It also gets you warmed up outbound.
There is a jog at the pass to Square Top Lakes trailhead - yes, we needed that extra couple tenths of a mile; perhaps you will be encouraged to hike this alpine trail (another time, not in the middle of the ride)!
At the turnaround in Grant, there are BBQ and other places to eat.
Choose fine, stable weather to ride this one!
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#3522 - Kailua - Pololu Lookout 202km Permanent
The Kailua - Pololu Lookout 202km Permanent (RWGPS route) is an out-and-back featuring the North Kona coast on the island of Hawaii.
This route spans the fairly built-up area of Kailua-Kona to the more sparsely settled North Kona area, to the old (former sugar cane) village of Hāwī on the north end of the island, and to Pololu Lookout on the windward side (lush and moister). Most of the route is on the sunny, dry, volcanic Kona coast.
Modern resort life on the Kona coast.
Pu'u wa'a wa'a volcanic cinder cone above the clouds,
viewed from north Kona coast.
Pololu Lookout on windward side.
A sheer dropoff and roadless valley beyond your turnaround point.
You can also start from Hāwī if you're staying there, or one of the resorts midway up the coast.
Services are not a problem - available in Hāwī, at Kawaihae, the resorts, and in Kailua. Just remember to stay hydrated and bring sunscreen.
-jle
Map images © Google Imagery, Terra Images; routes produced by RideWithGPS.
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