Sandy is a small city on the road between Portland and Mount Hood, and it does the job of a gateway very well. It sits at the point where US 26 leaves the suburbs and heads into forest, with the Sandy River running nearby, and for a rider coming down off the mountain it is the first place where fuel, food and flat ground come together. It has about ten thousand people, and the main street, with its murals, shops and bakeries, has the air of a town that knows most of its visitors are passing through and has decided to be friendly about it.
History runs through here in a quiet way. The Barlow Road, which opened in 1846, was the final overland route of the Oregon Trail, built by Sam Barlow to let pioneers avoid the dangerous rafting of the Columbia River. It crossed the shoulder of Mount Hood and came down to the valley near here, and the settlers who made it often arrived exhausted, with a few belongings and a lot of nerve. A toll was charged, and the road made its builder some money. Markers and museums in the area tell the story, and the old route still exists in places as trails and back roads.
On a ride, Sandy marks the return from the mountain. The road from Government Camp descends in long, gentle curves through forest, with the traffic building as you approach the city. The run down is relaxed after the climb, with good surface and clear lines, but it can be busy on Sunday evenings when skiers and hikers head home. Deer and elk occasionally cross at dusk, so keep your eyes open.
Fuel is plentiful, with several stations along the highway, and there are fast food outlets, cafés and a few local restaurants for a proper meal. Parking is easy, and the town has a grocery store if you need supplies. Bakeries are a good choice for a pastry and a coffee. Estacada and Damascus are close alternatives if Sandy is crowded.
Check your gear before you continue. The temperature in Sandy can be ten degrees warmer than at Timberline, and it is worth taking off a layer. The ride on toward Portland is straightforward, but the traffic grows heavier, so settle in, and keep the mountain in your mirror as long as you can.