Modified version of the Cherry of a Ride. Optimum day for this ride due to minimal wind. Start from St. Mary's Academy, which is the start for the original ride. The first 8.25 miles goes through the east part of The Dalles and crosses Eight Mile Creek and continues to the Emerson Loop Rd turn-off. Steady 2-mile climb at 6-8% grade, gaining 650 feet. Short downhill to the Kelly Cutoff Rd corner then another steady climb to just past Roberts Market Rd. Then it is a long downhill to the Eight Mile Road junction. Continue southwest on Eight Mile Rd to the Highway 197 junction (mile 20.4) for a rest stop. Next is a 4.5-mile out-and-back on Eight Mile Rd, a little past Endersby. The original ride goes to the pavement end (8.5 miles). Return to the rest stop and then continue on Eight Mile Rd, which follows Eight Mile Creek. At mile 35.3 the route passes the Emerson Loop turn-off. Continue through east The Dalles. The original ride goes west to the Riverfront bike path and then to the Discovery Center. Opted to cut out that loop and returned to the Academy.