We missed going to Sportbike Northwest this year, but having spied the crown jewel of motorcycle roads a few weeks ago on our gorge bike ride, this event will definitely be on our radar next summer.

“What is the crown jewel of motorcycle roads?” you ask. The Maryhill Loops Road, of course! Built in 1913 by Sam Hill, founder of Maryhill Museum of Art, the historic Loops Road was the first paved road in Pacific Northwest. It winds through the Klickitat Hills just north of the Stonehenge Monument near the junction of Washington Scenic Route 14 and U.S. Highway 97, offering a dozen hairpin turns in a mere 3.5 miles.

It was deemed unfit for travel by the DOT in the 60s and closed. In the late 1990’s the DOT reground the entire surface and paved it anew. Today it’s only open to walkers, bicyclists and few select motor vehicle events a year (including Sportbike Northwest).

According to Sound Rider’s Web site, motorcyclists wanting to ride this amazing piece of asphalt are let loose every 30 to 60 seconds. After 3.5 miles of twisties, you have to turn around and ride back down (the road deadends). 24 hairpins in seven miles - yipee!