Congratulations to Lee Marple of Milwauki, Oregon for winning our August "Editors' Choice" award for his ride submission "Portland Or to Windy Ridge." For simply submitting a great ride, Lee will receive over $200 in merchandise and gift certificates from Draggin Jeans and Buymoto.com as well as a fancy SMR T-shirt! Nice job Lee.

Lee's formula for success was pretty simple...great road, nice pics, good advise...sounds like a winner to me. I just love the Pacific Northwest in general, but Mt. St. Helens is obviously a special place. We dug it, and here's a few comments from Lee that may peak your interest as well.

Overall, "I would recommend this trip for a number of reasons. Most of the roads are in good shape and it's a fun ride with great scenery. You get right up to Mt. St Helens and Spirit Lake, which is still covered with blown down trees from the blast. You also get to see the devastation that Mt. St Helens caused when it blew, and that was around 20 years ago or more."

"There are a number of lookouts along the way, and the closer you get to the Windy Ridge Lookout (end of the road) the more pullout and lookouts you will find. Most are on Forest Service road 99, which turns off of Forest Service road 25. This is the road that takes you to the Windy Ridge Lookout. It is also the road that is in the worst condition."

In terms of general road conditions, "be very careful of dips, gravel, and some potholes not to mention traffic coming the other way. From Carson Washington to the Windy Ridge Lookout you are riding on two lane forest service roads that are winding, narrow in places and with many potholes after you turn on to Forest Service road 99. I would say the skill level is at least above the beginner stage."

Click here to goto the ride mapper to download the GPS file and view photos from Lee's ride. We've also published Lee's ride as a "Ride Report" in our articles page.

The Editors' Choice competition is our way of expressing our gratitude for your great contributions. Keep on sharing your rides and your pics. You may be next winner! Thanks again Lee! Enjoy your gear from Draggin Jeans and Buymoto.com.