The Road
The Mt. Baker Highway is one of the most scenic roads in the world. It winds up and along the Nooksack River, through giant old growth cedar groves dripping with vibrant moss and life and passes under calving glaciers. 4,300+ ft. of climbing mark the course, with gradual grades dominating until the last 2.5 mi. the road turns skyward. 23 miles are through undeveloped wilderness area managed by the USDA Forest Service and Washington Department of Transportation. Artist Point is the western most access to the North Cascades National Park and the view is awesome. RIDE 542 is a clean sponsor event and thus will post no sponsor signage beyond the start and finish areas; so it's just you, the open road...and a few other cyclists.   

Getting Down
If you are up to it, we recommend cycling back down 542 to Glacier after you finish. Please ride within your limits. It should take you just about an hour to get back to Glacier. The roads are very nice and fast, so please take it easy on the way down, as there will be riders and event vehicles en route. Riding down must be done with extreme caution. ALL riders must obey the rules of the road at ALL times.

National Forest Recreation Day Pass
You are required to get a permit if you are planning on driving up and parking in any of the mountain parking lots; otherwise, you will be issued a ticket. Day Passes can be purchased at REI or other retailers before the event or at registration/check-in the morning of. Cost is $5 per car.

The Town (and where to park)
The sleepy mountain town of Glacier is very small with limited parking space. Please be as QUIET as possible on an early Sunday morning. The townsfolk live in the country to enjoy the tranquility--please be respectful and courteous of the peaceful nature of the residents and the town. We will do our best to park you effectively and efficiently. PLEASE CARPOOL if at all possible and arrive plenty early. Your arrival will be awaited by plenty of parking staff to help you.

Road Closures
The road will be closed just past Glacier at Canyon Creek Road at 7:45 a.m. If you are sending a vehicle to the top you will need to get your vehicle past that point by 7:45 a.m. NO vehicles will be allowed on the road between Canyon Creek Road and the ski area between 7:45 a.m. and 12 p.m., up or down. At 11:45, there will be a rolling closure that will follow the last rider up the hill. No vehicles will be allowed down the mountain at ANY point until that last rider (escorted by a Washington State Patrol vehicle) passes that point. There will be several 'event' vehicles on the road at all times. Be aware.

There are numerous camping sites and small roads that vehicles may be on. Please be aware. Spectators are welcome to park along side the road and cheer riders on but please for everyone's safety please DO NOT drive once the first rider comes by.

Spectators
We love Spectators! This is an amazing ride to watch and enjoy. Find a good spot to park and set out some chairs to cheer and jeer the riders on. The best area for watching will be the last 3 miles of the ride. Park at the Ski Area and hike up...the Austin Pass lot or the Lake Ann trail head also offers excellent views. Limited parking is available at Artist Point. Dress warmly--it can be chilly.

The timeline of all of the riders provides a great opportunity to cheer on the all the riders as they near the top. Bring your camera and your family--the views and action are amazing! Please don't PAINT the roads--chalk, hand signs, and roadside espresso buffets are encouraged.

Pre-Race Meeting
A pre-race staging and meeting will be held 15 minutes prior to your start-time in front of Glacier Ski Shop. This is for ALL riders! No exceptions. You miss it...you will be politely disqualified and not allowed to ride. We will go over course updates, traffic rules, sponsors, and introductions. HELMETS are REQUIRED. Don't forget it or you will not ride.
At ten minutes to start we will, as a group, roll to the start line. WE ARE ON A TIGHT TIME-LINE that must be adhered to. If you're thinking of poaching the course without registering ...please reconsider. We have special-use permits for this event and any persons attempting to skirt the event, will be handled appropriately by the local Sheriff. Quite frankly, it's embarrassing for everyone, so be a good sport and avoid poaching.

Food Stations
There will be plenty of coffee, teas, and breakfast goodies for sale at the Wake 'n Bakery near the registration area before the race. There will be a neutral water and snack station at the DOT station (mile 14) and at the ski area (mile 22). Grab a bottle and/or a little nibble on your way --don't hang out too long as it will only make those last three miles more difficult. Food and water will be available at the finish line.

Gear Truck
Each rider may send a bag (provided by the event staff) to the top in the truck. The descent can be much colder than you expect...so send warm stuff up for the ride down. We will provide a vehicle for gear heading to the top that will leave Glacier promptly at 9:30 a.m.

If you decide not to use your gear, we will bring your unused gear back down. However, PLEASE REMEMBER TO PICK UP YOUR UNUSED GEAR; otherwise, it will be donated.

Weather
We are five for six on amazing weather. We hope the 2009 RIDE 542 holds to that standard. However, the mountain weather can be, shall we say, 'epic' at times. Three years ago (2006), the Wednesday following the event, there was an inch of snow on the road! In 2004, it was pouring down rain, 40 degrees, and miserable for the ride...and ALL but three riders (out of 170) finished! It was definitely a testament to the human spirit. Be prepared for the worst and hope for the best. We will accommodate to weather conditions as best we can.

Rewards

The Green Reward - Presented by SSC: Competitive riders have a $10000 cash purse. $$$ to the woman who wins AND breaks Leah Goldstien's 2008 record time of 1:26:36. $$$ to the man who wins and breaks Ian McKissick 's 2008 time of 1:16:32. A cool $1000 for a tandem team that wins and breaks the 1:25:00 threshold. $250 each for the top KOM/QOM. And cash five deep in each age category, plus top 15 overall!

Recreational riders will be awarded medals and there will be lots of goodies to go around.

Results will not be provided until we are back in Glacier at about 2pm. So please, don't bother asking. A timing clock will be displaying your time (as close as possible), so pay attention as you cross the line. Grab some food, warm clothes , and head back to Glacier...or hang out and watch the competitive riders summit.

We will have the awards ceremony and results posted back down in Glacier at the stage behind Graham's . There will be food, vendors, and music to keep you entertained until we get the results. So, in the meantime...eat, relax and enjoy.

Ride Categories

**Categories are self-seeding within each category. Your decision on which category to ride in should be based on your fitness level, your expectations, and your experience. In general, men should ride in the Competitive division if they expect to finish in under about two hours. Similarly, women should ride in Competitive division if they expect to finish in less than 2 1/4 hours.

The D.U.M.B. Century Ride 6:30 a.m. START. This ride is not for the untrained. Down and up Mt. Baker (DUMB) will be a very strenuous ride and is limited to eight hours. Riders will travel two full laps of the course, from Glacier to Artist Point. Those seeking 10,000 feet of climbing may do an additional short lap from the Mt. Baker White Salmon Lodge to Artist Point. Riders must check in at Artist Point on each lap.
The D.U.M.B. Century Ride -8 hour time limit.
All men/women road bikes, recumbents, and tandems.
This event is untimed. However, the first lap up the mountain will be timed for your information only.
6:15 a.m. MANDATORY on-bike meeting at Glacier Ski Shop
6:30 a.m. Start

Summit Ride 7:30 a.m. START. Ride time over 3 hours and just want some extra time to get up to the top. You're still encouraged to ride for your best time. We'll post your time and you'll be in the drawings for some good swag. You may be passed by lots of riders and MUST ride to the right side of the road. Youth 12 and under are encouraged to ride the Summit Ride and MUST be accompanied by an adult rider at all times. Please contact race director for information regarding riders 12 or under who wish to participate.
Summit Ride -
All men/women road bikes, single speeds, recumbents, fat tires (mountain bikes) and tandems.
Men: (8-9, 10-12), 13-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85-89, 90+
Women: (8-9, 10-12), 13-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85-89, 90+  
Weight: Athena (W): 160 lbs.+ or Clydesdale (M): 200 lbs bs.+
7:15 a.m. MANDATORY on-bike meeting at Glacier Ski Shop
7:20 a.m. Roll to start line
7:30 a.m. Start

Recreational Ride 8 a.m. START. This division is a non-competitive ride but we encourage you to challenge yourself and ride for your best time (within your abilities). This division includes recreational tandems. There are no maximum time cut-off times. Ride time between 2 hours and 3 hours 30 minutes.
Recreational-
All men/women road bikes, single speeds, recumbents and tandems
Men: 13-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70+
Women: 13-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70+ 
Weight: Athena (W): 160 lbs.+ or Clydesdale (M): 200 lbs bs.+
7:45 a.m. MANDATORY on-bike meeting at Glacier Ski Shop
7:50 a.m. Roll to start line
8:00 a.m. Start

Recreational Fast Ride 8:30a.m. START. This division is as fast as you can get without being competitive. Ride times between 1 hours 45 minutes and 2 hours 45 minutes.
Recreational Fast-
All men/women road bikes, single speeds, recumbents and tandems
Men: 13-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70+
Women: 13-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70+ 
Weight: Athena (W): 160 lbs.+ or Clydesdale (M): 200 lbs bs.+
8:15 a.m. MANDATORY on-bike meeting at Glacier Ski Shop
8:20 a.m. Roll to start line
8:30 a.m. Start

Tandem Ride 9 a.m. START - competitive tandems. Recreational tandems may ride in the Summit or Recreation Rides. Ride times between 1 hours 30 minutes and 2 hours 30 mintues.
Competitive Tandems-$1000 prize purse
Categories: M/M, M/F, F/F
Cumulative Age: <40, 40-59, 60-79, 80-99, 100-119, 120+
8:45 a.m. MANDATORY pre-race meet meeting at Glacier Ski Shop
8:50 a.m. Roll to start line
9:00 a.m. Start

Competitive Ride 9:30 a.m. START- This division is for both men and women. This ride is fast and furious. Ride times between 1 hour 15 minutes and 2 hours 30 mintues. Please ride cautiously.
Competitive- $10000 prize purse
All men/women road bikes, single speeds
Men: 13-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70+
Women: 13-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70+ 
Weight: Athena (W): 160 lbs.+ or Clydesdale (M): 200 lbs bs.+
9:15 a.m. MANDATORY on-bike meeting at Glacier Ski Shop
9:20 a.m. Roll to start line
9:30 a.m. Start

**All riders should arrive at the top sometime between 9:45 and noon.

Volunteers
As with any event, volunteers are essential to the success of this event. Please recruit family and friends to volunteer and cheer riders on. The more help we can get, the better the event becomes. Swag for all volunteers. Contact info@norkarecreation.com for volunteer opportunities.

Our Thanks

NorKa, LLC (dba: NorKa Recreation) produces RIDE 542 with help from local businesses, volunteers, and sponsors along with county and state officials. We cannot thank enough the volunteers and the residents of Glacier that put up with us for a Sunday in September. Please patronize local business and thank a volunteer.