With Oktoberfest in Leavenworth in full swing and our team chef Virginia offering lodging and an amazing Friday night dinner, we decided to take in the festivities and get a ride in over the weekend.  We had decided to head out to Devil's Gulch for a Saturday ride and then post-ride celebrate at Oktoberfest afterwards.

The Devil's Gulch trailhead can be found at Cashmere, WA.  A little town best known for Aplets & Cotlets, Cashmere  is just 15 minutes or so outside Leavenworth so one can partake of the quaint bavarian atmosphere in Leavenworth and get a  great ride in as well.  Devil's Gulch can be ridden as a 12 mile road climb and down the 11 mile single track, or you can climb it as an out and back.  For a map, click HERE.  We decided to ride the singletrack as an out and back for 22 miles and approximately 3300 feet of elevation gain. 


The road to the trailhead is washed out so parking is at a premium.  We got there early and got the last two parking spots.  As we unpacked the bikes, the weather was crisp and cool.  There was the thought that the sun might peek out at some point as we headed off along the washed out road to the trailhead (this slightly extends mileage on the ride).  As we climbed along the exposed mountain side up the singletrack, crossed the various creeks, the orange and yellow leaves were out in full effect. The air remained crisp, the sun peeked out occasionally and then, about a mile or so from the saddle the hail/snow/rain decided to make an appearance.  By the time we hit the 4-way (where you can continue up to Mission Ridge, another 1500' feet of climbing) we quickly changed socks, downed some LUNA Moons, added a layer and turned , in the pouring rain, to head back down.


As we descended more than 3000' feet, the rain steadily turned the trail into a creek with sandy mud and 6" deep puddles.  By the time we reached the bottom, both bikes and riders were completely covered in mud.  While the fenders on my Kona Hei Hei 29r seemed a little silly on the way up, I was the only one with a clean face by the time we hit the bottom. We quickly shed our mud/sand soaked clothes, dipped the bikes in the river to attempt to remove a layer of sand, and headed back into town for hot showers and leftovers. 


After everyone got cleaned up, we headed into Leavenworth to partake of brats and beer.  With dirndl and leiderhosen in abundance, and crazy hats, we joined in singing and dancing with local oompa/brass band  Muenchener Marktmusikanten while they performed such classics as the Chicken Dance, Eidelweiss and other not-so-traditional songs like Sweet Caroline, Country Roads and many others.  Probably not the best post-ride recovery evening but a good time was had by all. As we piled into the shuttle van home we resolved that next year we would be back but we'd be wearing traditional garb as well.

Next on the agenda, more rainy training rides as 'tis the season in the great northwest.  Bust out the fenders, the Gortex and the arm/legwarmers Seattle, it's that time!