Overview:

 The NCW 250  is a 250 (ish)-mile self supported bikepacking event,  starting and ending at Pybus public market in Wenatchee.  The route covers diverse backcountry riding terrain in North Central Washington,  running counterclockwise and traveling primarily on backcountry roads and singletrack, bypassing the towns of Waterville, Chelan, Plain, Leavenworth and Cashmere.  This years grand depart will start at Midnight, Saturday morning at Pybus market by the loop trail.  

My primary goal for this event is to showcase the riding potential and diversity of the region, and to encourage the growth of this sport. All individuals are encouraged to participate. For those wishing to race, there will be a link for tracking sent out via email two weeks before the start. If you want to complete in the ride, and don't wish to race, we would love to have you. In that case, you are not required to carry a tracking device. Standard self supported rules apply. If you're unsure what that means, there are a multitude of resources on the web.  A GPS unit is strongly encouraged.

If you plan on showing up, please fill out a registration form, donate 25$ to Wenatchee Outdoors (link below), and email me a screenshot proof of donation.  ITT's  are also welcome. Happy riding!

2026 Registration link:

Registration will open up June 1st. 

Donation link: (25$, or 10 cents per mile)

https://wenatcheeoutdoors.org/donate/ 

Email proof of donation (screenshot) to: cdesmarais1991@gmail.com 

(What the heck, I thought bikepacking events were free?!) Every year a decent chunk of people sign up early to get a spot and then don't show up, potentially taking that spot from someone else. I'm hoping that 25 bucks (10 cents a mile) keeps folks a little more thoughtful before signing up. Every penny of your contribution goes towards local trail organizations. 

Special considerations: 

1) This route is difficult, with the most challenging aspect likely being the climbing, with 27,000+ feet of vertical gain. There is a good mixture of everything to be had on this route, from smooth gravel to engaging doubletrack/singletrack and a little bit of pavement. Some of the climbs are unrelenting and highly rewarding. Every year I hear from folks that the climbs were steeper and took longer than they thought.

2) There are several decent bailout options available, however you are expected to be self-sufficient in the backcountry. Most towns have a free bus system (Link Transit) that'll get you back to Wenatchee. 

3)  Late September is prime fall colors. Although the decision is entirely yours, I wouldn't dare ride it without some form of picture-taking device. 

4) Why are we starting at Midnight? Yep, start is at 0000 Saturday.  In addition to the "adventure" element, through my experience this gives folks a good window to make it to most resupplies while they are still open. Also, Shady pass and the subsequent descent is  more fun in the daytime than the dark.

 Map:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50812561 

Stay tuned for route updates.

Required Gear:

-Helmet 

-Front/rear lights

-Phone or oh shit SOS device

-Navigation device (this can be your phone, but I strongly suggest a backup navigation system as well (Wahoo, Garmin, Coros, etc)

-at least 2L water carrying capacity (this doesn't mean 2 small bottles)

-repair kit (at least tire/tube repair, multi-tool, pump/CO2)

-First aid kit (at least  gauze, coban or ace bandage)

- Jacket

Strongly recommended:

-SOS emergency tracker (oh shit button). The choice is up to you. 250 miles is a long way, and things happen.

-Sleep system

-Water filter

-warm layers (puffy jacket, fleece or wool midlayer: it can get cold up high in September)

Bike choice: 

I'm not a bike expert, so here's what has worked for me. I've ridden all terrain on this route with a rigid bike on 2.0-2.35 inch tires. Use your own judgement, and work with what you got. Expect sections of the route to be sandy, rutted, wet, rocky, chunky, smooth butter, churned butter...with a lot of nice dirt and a little bit of pavement sprinkled in. It's likely you know your bike better than I do.  

Rules: 

1) The ride must be self supported:

A) You complete the ride under your own power. Riding with friends or people at times is completely fine. This ride encourages inclusivity. Sharing gear is NOT self supported, nor carrying anything for someone else, nor friends/family providing aide stations, nor stashing gear or food for later on. But if you have friends that want to show up and cheer you on, hell yeah.

B) In general, ask yourself the question: Is this fair to others? You want to get a hotel? Go for it. Sleeping at your house because it's on route is a no-no. 

2) Tracking is optional. As I mentioned, my primary goal is to get people stoked on bikepacking, and gps trackers are expensive if you don't have one. If you choose not to use a tracker, you must provide proof of route completion via gps of some sort.

3) Media crews need to be approved by the race director first. Filming the ride yourself is great.

4) The RWGPS route must be followed in it's entirety. You can add miles to go resupply or sleep, but must return to the point in which you left the route.

5) Standard backcountry etiquette applies: LNT

6) Don't be an idiot. (Don't break the law, respect others on the road... you get the picture)

Detailed Route Description: (Subject to changes)

The first miles from Wenatchee to Chelan capture the beauty of eastern Washington agriculture country—stellar views and wheat fields—with a brutal climb up Rock Island grade to start the day. From there, point your internal compass north and maintain that direction, until descending down pristine gravel down to the town of Waterville.  If you came for the wheat fields and sunshine, you won't be disappointed. From Waterville, the route remains high on the eastern plateau before careening sharply down McNeill canyon to the Columbia river. From there it travels to the town of Chelan along the Chelan gorge road, and right into downtown. From town, the route takes you along the lakeshore on South lakeshore road before the big climb up shady pass. Enjoy these flatter miles. They won't last long.

As you head NE towards 25-mile creek state park, look up. This is the ridge system you ascend as you move into NCW high country. This next portion of the route will provide a stark contrast to eastern plateaus. This is mountain country.

Consider a stop by 25 mile creek state park before ascending NFD 5900 towards Shady Pass. This is your last option for snacks before Ardenvoir.  The climb up to Shady pass is long and beautiful, with 360 degree views up high on the ridge before descending rapidly down into the Entiat valley.

The route follows Entiat river road, and your next refueling option is Cooper’s general store, just past the turnoff for Mad river road.  Cooper's hours of operation vary, so be sure to plan accordingly.  From the Mad river turnoff, follow this road for 2 miles, before turning left onto Tillicum USFS 5800.  The Mad river area has camping options. Continue up to the junction with USFS 5200, which heads up towards Sugarloaf lookout. This area has some of the best views of the route. The enchantments stand at arms length away, and Glacier peak guards the north.

Follow NF-5200 out to Sugarloaf peak lookout (5814’). *YOU MUST RIDE OUT TO THE SUGARLOAF LOOKOUT*

 Continue along NF-5200 to Maverick saddle, and descend down NF-6101  to its junction with Chiwawa loop road, leading into Plain. The road offers a nice reprieve before Leavenworth. Pack in those calories, and have your camera ready, this next section offers some of the best views of Leavenworth. Head up Mountain home road, which has a brutally steep beginning, and levels out after a couple miles. Follow Mountain home road up to NF 7300, and enjoy the speedy descent down to Blewett pass highway. Continue up Blewett pass for 1.25 miles (it goes rather quick and has a nice shoulder) until turning left onto Camas creek road. Climb Camas creek road up to a fork, and take a left onto Camas meadows natural area preserve. Give yourself a pat on the back.  You've done most of the hard work. The decent down Brender Canyon towards Cashmere is rowdy, sandy and steep, and feels like it was made for biking.  A well deserved dinner (or snack) at the local brewery might be necessary. 

  The final climb out of Cashmere begins gradually up mission creek, before merging with FS 7101 with a steep grunt up the infamous Peavine, before descending to meet with the Horse Lake Mountain trailhead. Continue along this trail system up over Horse Lake mountain, down NF 7107 before meeting up with the Sage hills trail network. This final section will sample excellent singletrack before meeting up with Number 1 canyon. From here, it is a short coast down to the loop trail and finish.

 Refueling:

primary refuel points:

1)    Waterville (~mile 39.5)

2)    Chelan (~mile 76); (Highly suggest refueling in Chelan, the next climbs are tough, with less options for resupply)

3) Pat and Mikes gas station (~ mi 80)

4) Chelan state park/Alpenhorn cafe (~mi 89.5)

4)    25-mile creek state park (~mile 99)

4)    Ardenvoir (~mile 146)-Cooper's general store (very small, odd hours, plan accordingly)

5)    Plain (~mile 180)

6)    Leavenworth (~mile 194 )

7) Cashmere (~mile 215)

8) Mission creek all the way until mile 226 (water only)

Towns like Chelan, Leavenworth and Cashmere have many more amenities available, whereas smaller stops like Waterville, Plain, 25 mile creek and Ardenvoir are more limited. Hours of operation for each store should be noted.

Camping:  

There are endless amount of places to camp (or bivvy sprawl) along the route. Particularly notable spots include: 

-Lake Chelan State Park

-the ridge heading up to Shady Pass (multiple pullouts), and a yurt at Junior point

-Entiat river road drainage (tons of camping)

-Mad River

-Ridge along Sugarloaf

-Mountain Home road

-Mission creek (no designated sites, but a few pullouts)

Water Sources: 

Water is available on much of the route, but I would recommend planning your refill points strategically. Many of the ridge systems won't necessarily have great water sources.  I always carried a backup reservoir system in my bag, and was thankful for it. 

Grand Depart FKTs:   Time Format: days:hours:minutes   

Women: Kathleen Dolan 1:12:58

Non-Binary: Kit Rutter 1:18:07

Men:  Domenick Dematteo 1:01:31

Singlespeed:  Christopher Mitchell   3:00:47