Olympic National Park hosts the "Ride the Hurricane" event on Sunday, Aug. 1.

The event is a 12-mile recreational bicycle climb up Hurricane Ridge Road.

"Ride the Hurricane" is centered around the ascent from the Heart O’ The Hills entrance station to Hurricane Ridge. From the starting point just higher than 1,800 feet above

sea level, bicycle riders climb more than 3,300 feet to Hurricane Ridge, which stands 5,242 feet above sea level.

After completing their summit, riders follow pilot cars on their descent back down the ridge. Pilot cars leave Hurricane Ridge approximately every 20 minutes, with 15-20 riders following each pilot car.

The ride starts at the Heart O’ The Hills entrance station at 6 a.m. Access to the Lake Angeles-Heather Park trailhead and Heart O’ The Hills campground remain open.

To provide a safe experience for the event, the road is closed to all vehicle traffic between the Heart O’ The Hills entrance station and Hurricane Ridge, starting at 4 a.m. and ending at noon. This applies to both uphill and downhill travel as well as cyclists who are not a part of the ride.

To register to ride, visit the Port Angeles Chamber Web site at www.portangeles.org/ride-the-hurricane.html. The registration cost is $25, which must be received by the chamber before July 15.

The Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce is organizing the ride, with sponsorship from several local businesses.

"We are excited to partner with the chamber to present a safe and enjoyable event," said Olympic National Park Superintendent Karen Gustin. "Cyclists will have the road to themselves all morning and it will give participants a unique way to enjoy their national park."