We will see more than just the big peaks on this year’s Washington Bicycle Ride. We start by crossing the high plains of sagebrush, juniper and scrub oak before descending into the Yakima River Valley and its verdant rows of vineyard and tall stands of hop bines. The area around Sunnyside is the heart of the hop growing region of Washington and has a burgeoning wine industry. From the valley, we climb up into the Cascade Mountains into the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, passing by mountain lakes with fantastic views of the Cascade volcanoes. The layover ride brings us up close to Mt. Saint Helens, with views well worth the hard effort, overlooking the crater that remains from the 1980 eruption. The ride continues down to the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area before ascending back to the start in the wonderful little town of Goldendale.