2021 Century Challenge

86.4 miles, 5933 ft elevation gain (without optional climbs)

109 miles, 10,000 ft elevation gain (with McNeil Canyon and other optional climbs)

The 2021 Chelan Century Challenge route is a cloverleaf design passing through orchards and vineyards into the mountainous terrain surrounding Lake Chelan, one of the world’s most spectacular glacial carved lakes with some of Washington State’s most impressive scenery. Each leaf is completely different – Loop 1 is 39.4 miles long with an elevation gain of 3995ft (including McNeil Canyon), Loop 2 is 32.5 miles in length with an elevation gain of 2380ft, and Loop 3 is 29.3 miles long with an elevation gain of 1945ft. Each loop combines challenging hills with captivating scenery. The signature climb is McNeil Canyon – this climb is 6 miles long starting at 850ft and finishing at 3100ft. It is rated as a “Cat 1” climb, and the ascent will be timed with age-group prizes for the fastest times. Riders should ride all three loops in sequence, but are free to ride only the first loop or two of the loops in combination if they wish.

Loop 1

24.6 miles, 1572 feet without McNeil Canyon climb

39.4 miles, 3995 feet including McNeil Canyon climb

This loop heads north from Chelan and part of it is the highway along the Columbia River (nice wide shoulder!) and may be ridden in either direction. If you do not wish to do the climb, skip McNeil Canyon. If you wish to have more warmup, do the loop clockwise with McNeil Canyon at the end. If you want to tackle the climb early in the ride, do the loop counterclockwise. The McNeil Canyon Climb is professionally timed by BuDu Racing.

Loop 2

32.5 miles, 2416 feet without optional climb

37.7 miles, 3318 feet including optional climb

Loop 2 winds through the hills above Chelan and Manson, and is considered by many the most scenic of the three. You may choose to include the optional climb up Ivan Morse Road. The return route is back along the Manson highway. Lots of turns, so watch carefully for directional signs!

Loop 3

29.3 miles, 1945 feet without optional climb

31.9 miles, 3577 feet including optional climb

Loop 3 starts along the south shore, up Knapps Hill then back down to the river through the tunnel. Then there is a bit of a climb up Navarre Coulee Road and roughly 10 miles later back to the south shore at State Park. Heading back toward Chelan, if you have anything left in the tank there is an optional climb up Chelan Butte Road to the end of the pavement.

2021 Century Challenge

86.4 miles, 5933 ft elevation gain (without optional climbs)

109 miles, 10,000 ft elevation gain (with McNeil Canyon and other optional climbs)

Route Maps

Loop 1

Loop 1 with McNeil Canyon Climb

Click below for printable map

Loop 1 without McNeil Canyon Climb

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Loop 2

Loop 2 Without optional Climb

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Loop 2 with optional Climb

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Loop 3

Loop 3 with optional climb

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Loop 3 without optional climb

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ALL RIDERS MUST WEAR AN ANSI OR SNELL APPROVED BICYCLE HELMET AND OBEY ALL TRAFFIC LAWS