---
title: "The Haul-a-Day Elite takes its first ride over the Cascade mountains"
url: https://bikefriday.com/the-haul-a-day-elite-takes-its-first-ride-over-the-cascade-mountains/
type: post
date: 2023-06-13
modified: 2025-05-30
markdown_url: https://bikefriday.com/the-haul-a-day-elite-takes-its-first-ride-over-the-cascade-mountains.md
author: "Hanna Scholz"
---

# The Haul-a-Day Elite takes its first ride over the Cascade mountains

### The Haul-a-Day Elite carries the load for a two day adventure through the most spectacular Cascade Crossing in Oregon for a group of friends from Eugene!


![](https://bikefriday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/HAD-Willie-8.jpg)
**The McKenzie Pass Scenic Bikeway** is almost a 4,000 foot climb from the west and a 2,000 foot climb from the east. Tons of breath taking views, and cruising through lava fields. Each side of the climb has a distinctly different feel: The west side starts in rain forest and ascends into the Lava Fields with something like 19 switchbacks. The east side is a dry, Ponderosa forest. The road is open to bicycles and closed to cars for several weeks in the spring each year.


![](https://bikefriday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/HWY-242-Map.jpg)
**Check out more details on the McKenzie Scenic Pass Bikeway **[HERE](https://traveloregon.com/things-to-do/outdoor-recreation/bicycling/mckenzie-pass-scenic-bikeway/)


 

[![](https://bikefriday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Watch-Willie-ride-down-the-East-Side-decent-into-Sisters-2.jpg)](https://youtube.com/shorts/4C0lin-yJUo)

#### "My friends and I have been riding Highway 242 for years now. Many locals fill the pass for these few car-free weeks in spring, and for me the tradition includes taking the bus out and back for a car-free trip, camping along Whychus Creek, and eating a delicious vegan breakfast at Angeline's in Sisters. This year was special because the Haul-a-Day Elite let me carry food, water and gear for my friends, so we could all ride together and have a great time, no matter our starting fitness or bike setup."


**- Willie Hatfield, Bike Friday Engineer**


 

![](https://bikefriday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/HAD-Willie-2.jpg)
**The Haul-a-Day Elite took a scenic stop at the Dee Wright Observatory.**


 
![](https://bikefriday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/IMG_3551_edited.jpg)**The peak of the climb 5,325ft**


 

![](https://bikefriday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/HAD-Willie-5-450x450.jpg)  ![](https://bikefriday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/HAD-Willie-9-338x450.jpg)  ![](https://bikefriday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/HAD-Mountain-1-338x450.jpg)

### Day 1 ended the 38 mile adventure in Sisters, Oregon where the crew spent the night camping.



### Day 2 was the return journey back home and the opportunity to do it all over again!


 

## For details on the NEW Haul-a-Day Elite, come check out the web page HERE