Park's road project paused for bicyclists

Work on the Nisqually to Paradise Road in Mount Rainier National Park had a rare weekday off last week for a day of bike riding.

The project was shut down July 27 to accommodate the RAMROD long-distance bicycle ride. The annual ride started and ended in Enumclaw and took participants on a 152-mile, daylong trek through the park, Eatonville and other areas of southeast Pierce County on a round-trip leading back Enumclaw.
Other than the day of RAMROD and weekends, resurfacing and other improvements of the park road is scheduled to continue on weekdays until late September. Park officials say visitors should expect traffic delays as long as 30 minutes between Longmire and Paradise, as well as limited access to trailheads and parking areas on that route.

RAMROD (Ride Around Mount Rainier in One Day) is sponsored by Redmond Bicycle Club.