GETMAD
TL;DR
Redmond Cycling Club is proud to announce a new gravel event that takes riders from Enumclaw through Buckley and South Prairie via the Foothills Trail before climbing to Mowich Lake in Mount Rainier National Park along a private access road exclusive to cyclists.
This new event is designed to challenge riders on gravel while restoring access to an area that has largely been cut off since the closure of the Fairfax Bridge.
RCC has been working closely with local communities and Mount Rainier National Park to help bring this event to life.
Registration will open May 21, 2026, at 10:00 AM. The ride will take place on July 23, 2026, starting at 7:00 AM in Enumclaw.
Hi Riders,
We’re excited to share an important update regarding a new event from the Redmond Cycling Club.
We’ve been following our riding community, and gravel has become one of the biggest movements in cycling. We wanted to create an experience that embraces gravel, so follow us for the genesis of what we hope becomes a new tradition: GETMAD - Gravel Enumclaw To Mowich in ADay.
Access to the incredible Mowich Lake was effectively cut off following the unfortunate closure of the Fairfax Bridge. That closure also impacted the surrounding local communities. With the support of local leaders, private landowners, community members, towns, Mount Rainier National Park and especially the mayor of Wilkeson, Jayme Peloli, we are bringing this event together to provide cyclists with exclusive access to one of the region’s most stunning destinations.
The Route
This event will cover 80+ miles with 6,300 feet of total climbing. Approximately 50 miles of the route will be off-road gravel. The ride begins in the familiar town of Enumclaw before traversing the Foothills Trail, a route many riders will recognize from the past few years when RAMROD was reversed. Riders will warm up with an initial 700 foot climb, with their gravel bikes, as they pass through Crocker before reaching the start of the gravel at the opened Patterson Gate and the first rest stop.
Patterson Gate
The gravel road will take riders through the private lands of Hancock and the TTG area. After approximately 10 miles and additional 1,000 feet of elevation gain, riders will rejoin SR 165 through the opened Montezuma Gate, the original route visitors used from the Fairfax Bridge before it was closed. Riders will then tackle the final 13 miles and 3,000 feet of climbing to reach the top. We hope the mountain is out to greet you.
The Winter Gate will be opened for riders as they enter Mount Rainier National Park. Some of these areas haven’t seen many visitors since the Fairfax Bridge was closed.
Evans Creek Rest Area
Take a moment at the top to visit Mowich Lake before turning around and heading back to Enumclaw. Please use caution on the descent, as some sections can be technical and your fellow riders may still be climbing in the opposite direction.
This ride is not intended for inexperienced riders. The course is demanding, and gravel riding presents its own unique challenges. Participants should be prepared to be as self-sufficient as possible and capable of handling any mechanical issues they may encounter during the event.
Tire choice will be important, and bicycles equipped with tires in the 38mm to 42mm range will likely provide the best overall experience on the course. However, the final route is still being planned and we can update the riders as we get closer to the event. Although we will work with local communities, the Park and group to clean up the road as much as possible, riders should expect off road gravel conditions.
The area you will be traversing through is private forest land and there is a risk of fire danger thus e-bikes will not be permitted.
The Name
The name comes from the late and longtime cycling commentator Paul Sherwen, who described brutal climbs by saying riders needed to “get mad” and attack them with anger and determination as they suffered.
The name also mirrors the same style as RAMROD (Ride Across Mount Rainier in One Day). We are excited to put on this type of ride for the first time, but this is not a replacement for RAMROD. GETMAD is a standalone ride, and depending on interest and support, we hope to make it an annual event along with RAMROD.
The Event
Things are coming together quickly, and planning is happening over the next few weeks, which is different from RAMROD, where the club has months to prepare. There is still much to do, including organizing cleanup efforts, bringing in equipment to help grade and prepare sections of the road for the event, finalizing the necessary permits, and continuing to work with local communities and the Park.
Registration for the event will open on this website on Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 10:00AM. There is no lottery for this event and it will be first come, first serve until we reach the rider cap for the event.
We will see you out there!
Rick Duong
President, Redmond Cycling Club
