Let's talk GREEN. Green can be a simple word, a color, a feeling, a practice. Can we let Green be the word, the color, the feeling and the practice of our new century?

Festival 542 is about practicing and enjoying the fruits of being active AND being green. Riding or running or otherwise enjoying a road that is dripping in moss, lined with giant old growth cedars and free of motors is a good thing...and something that should be enjoyed and appreciated.

In 2007, RIDE 542 focused on 'Green'. Green jerseys, green socks, green shirts...and a 'green' event. We researched and purchased event carbon offsets from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation in the form of Green Tags, gave a portion of the event's Green Fee to Re-Sources for the promotion of green business practices for event sponsors and participants. We recycled, reduced, reused and re-evaluated our footprint in many ways.

For 2008, all those green practices will be continued and refined. And we will add BLUE to the events spectrum. Blue for FESTIVAL 542 is about the watershed.

FESTIVAL 542 parallels the Nooksack River to its source under hanging glaciers of Mt. Shuksan and immense snowfields of Mt. Baker.

So be GREEN and BLUE. Think about it. What does it mean to you?

Cheers,
Charlie Heggem
NorKa Recreation

Why Ride?
RIDE 542 is hopefully more than just a bike ride up a hill to you. It is to us. Since its inception, we have geared this event to be environmentally friendly to our planet, supportive to our local cancer care community, recreationally fun for everyone participating and...as competitive as you want it to be.

RIDE 542 will be Carbon-Neutral, and certified neutral by Bonneville Environmental Foundation (B-E-F.org). Norka Recreation will offset all of RIDE 542 carbon footprint (estimated at over 30,000 vehicle miles alone!!) by purchasing Green Tags to offset RIDE 542 usage in the form of supporting increasingly viable, carbon-free sustainable energy production methods, such as solar and wind. Please support this important mission to help our planet with your consciencenesss about doing the best that each person can to help preserve our ever changing planet.

Carpool. Ride your bike. Use only high efficiency bulbs. Drive high mileage vehicles. Buy hybrids and scooters and electric cars. Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. Be conscience about being green...it's not just a passing fad.

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+ feet of climbing mark the course, with gradual grades dominating until the last 2.5 miles where it turns skywards.   23 of the 24.5 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 will offer no sponsor signage beyond the start and finish areas, so it's just you, the open road...and a few other cyclists.   

The road is completely CLOSED to traffic for the ride up!! SR542 ends at Artist Point (5,140ft), 2.5 miles past the Mt. Baker Ski Area. This spectacular location nestled between the towering peaks of Mt. Shuksan (9,127ft) and Mt. Baker (10,778 ft) is truly one of the most beautiful spots on the planet. The road conditions vary greatly year to year due to the heavy winter snowfalls and subsequent plowing...but it's still VERY nice!

National Forest Recreation Day Pass
If you are planning on driving up and parking in any of the parking lots, you are required to get a permit 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. They cost $5 per car load.

Getting down
We recommend cycling back down 542 to Glacier after you finish, if you are up to it. 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 it will have riders and possibly event vehicles en route. Riding down must be done so with extreme caution. ALL riders must obey the rules of the road at ALL times.

Glacier is a very small town and there is very limited space with challenging parking issues. Please be QUIET and respect the residents on an early Sunday morning. They live in the country to enjoy that tranquility.We will do our best to park you most effectively and efficiently. PLEASE CARPOOL if at all possible and arrive plenty early.

Road Closures
Road will be closed just past Glacier at Canyon Creek Road at 7:45am. That means get your vehicle past that point by 7:45am if you are sending a vehicle to the top. There will be NO vehicles allowed on the road between the ski area and Canyon Creek between 7:45am and 12pm, 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) passes that point. There will be several "event " vehicles authorized to be on the road at all times. There are numerous camping sites and small roads that vehicles may come out of that we simply cannot totally control. Spectators are welcome to park along side the road and cheer riders on but please DO NOT drive once the first rider comes by. This is for everyone's safety.

Spectators
We love Spectators!! You make this RIDE. 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. Best area for watching will be the last 3 miles past the ski area. Park at the Ski Area and hike up...or the Austin Pass lot or the Lake Ann Trail head for the best views. There is limited parking at Artist Point. It can be chilly though.
The timeline of all of the riders provides you 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.   

PLEASE DO NOT USE PERMENANT MARKINGS ON THE ROADWAY!!!!

Pre-Race Meeting
Pre-race staging and meeting will be held 15 minutes prior to your start-time in front of Glacier Ski Shop. This be 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 10 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 don't. We have special use permits for this event and any persons wishing to skirt the event will be handled by a local Sheriff who will be on-site ...please don't make me do that.

Food Stations
There will be plenty of coffee, teas and breakfast goodies for sale by the WAKE 'N BAKERY at the registration area before the race. There will be a neutral water/power gel station at the DOT station (mile 14) and at the ski area (mile 22). Grab a bottle and/or gel on your way by or stop quickly and take in some energy, but don't hang out too long as it will only make those last 3 miles harder. At the finish, there will be food and water available also.

Gear Truck
Each rider may send a bag (provided by the event) to the top in the van. The descent is way colder than you think...so send warm stuff up for the ride down. We will provide a vehicle for gear heading to the top that will leave at Glacier at 9:30. You will be provided with an ID tag (to write your bib number on) and a small garbage bag to put your gear in - or please bring your own SMALL bag so we don't produce unnecessary waste.
Up at the top, you can layer up or we will bring your unused gear back down. PLEASE REMEMBER TO PICK UP YOUR UNUSED GEAR or else it goes to Goodwill.

Weather
We are 4 for 5 on amazing weather - we hope the 2008 RIDE 542 holds that standard...but it is the mountains and the weather can be, shall we say, "EPIC" at times. Two 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 3 riders (out of 170) finished!!  It was a testament to the human spirit.  However, we learned a lot from that day... Please be prepared for the worst and hope for the best.   We will accommodate to the weather as best we can.  

Results will not be given out until we are back in Glacier at about 2pm...so don't bother asking. 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.
REWARDS!!!! We will be awarding top Men/Women in both comp and rec fields - and rewarding a number of others.
Tons of goodies, cash, and prizes will be given out.

Century Ride- We're bringing back a ramped up version of the DUMB ride (or Down and Up Mt. Baker). This ride is not for the untrained; it will be a very strenous ride and is limited to 8 hours. Riders will have two full laps of the course, from Glacier to Artist Point. Those seeking 10,000 ft of climbing may do an additional short lap from the Mt. Baker White Salmon Lodge to Artist Point. Riders must check in at designated points to verify distance.

Summit Ride- Started in 2007, is the 'get to the top' ride.This is a recreational category that will depart Glacier at 8:30am. This group is for riders that may be slower than 2 hours and just want some extra time to get up there. 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 while riding. Please contact race director for anyone 12 or under.

Categories are self-seeding and your decision 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 2 hours. Similarly, women should ride in competitive division if they expect to finish in less than 2 1/4 hours.

The Recreational 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-offs. We try to be off the mountain by 11:30am, so shooting for under a 3:30 time is recommended.  

----------

CENTURY RIDE- All men/women, single speeds, recumbents, fat tires (mountain bikes) and tandems.
Men: 13-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-65, 66+
Women: 13-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-65, 66+ 
Weight: Athena: 160 lbs.+ for women or Clydesdale: 200 lbs.+ for men.
7:30am MANDATORY on-bike meeting at Glacier Ski Shop
7:30-8:00am Start (you may start anytime within this range)

SUMMIT RIDE- All men/women, single speeds, recumbents, fat tires (mountain bikes) and tandems.
Men: 13-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-65, 66+
Women: 13-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-65, 66+ 
Weight: Athena: 160 lbs.+ for women or Clydesdale: 200 lbs.+ for men.
8:15am MANDATORY on-bike meeting at Glacier Ski Shop
8:20am Roll to start line
8:30am Start

RECREATIONAL Fast- All men/women, single speeds, recumbents and tandems -
Men: 13-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-65, 66+
Women: 13-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-65, 66+ 
Weight: Athena: 160 lbs.+ for women or Clydesdale: 200 lbs.+ for men.
8:45am MANDATORY on-bike meeting at Glacier Ski Shop
8:50am Roll to start line
9am Start

COMPETITIVE Tandems-
Categories: M/M, M/F, F/F
Cumulative Age: <40, 40-59, 60-79, 80-99, 100-119, 120+
9:15am MANDATORY pre-race meeting at Glacier Ski Shop
9:20am Roll to start line
9:30am Start

COMPETITIVE-
Men: 13-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-65, 66+
Women: 13-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-65, 66+ 
Weight: Athena (W): 160 lbs.+ or Clydesdale (M): 200 lbs.+
Single-speed or standard road bike
9:45am MANDATORY on-bike meeting at Glacier Ski Shop.
9:50am Roll to start line
10:00 - Start

...this gets all riders to top of the hill sometime between 9:45 and 12:00.

As with any event, volunteers are essential and the key to it being successful. Please recruit family and friends to being volunteers and cheering riders on. We don't need many but all the help we can get, the better the event becomes. Swag for all volunteers. Contact info@norkarecreation.com

NorKa, LLC (dba: NorKa Recreation) produces RIDE 542 with assistance from the Ken Meyer Memorial Foundation and with help from local businesses, volunteers, and sponsors along with county and state officials. We cannot stress enough our thanks to the volunteers who hang out and to the residents that put up with us for a Sunday in September.   Please patronize local business and thank a volunteer.