I Made the Grade is a bicycle ride that starts at Chief Timothy State Park on Highway 12 West of Clarkston, Washington, travels up the Lewiston Hill along the Old Spiral Highway, and ends at the scenic vista at the top of the Hill.  The route covers 18 miles and climbs over 2,000 feet as riders twist and turn up the historic Old Spiral Highway.  The ride began in 1980 with the vision of the Seekers college age group from the First Presbyterian Church of Clarkston and the encouragement of Pastor, Will Ackles.  Approximately 250 riders participated in the first ride in 1980 with that number increasing to over 500 in the 1980s.  224 riders completed the course in 2007 with the 1st place finisher completing the course in less than 51 minutes. This year Jeremy Pinto who also competed in 2007 returned to be the first to cross the finish line in the 30th annual I Made the Grade bike ride. Wow!
 
The ride is designed to be a ride of accomplishment rather than a ride for speed.  Families are encouraged to ride together for an experience they can talk about and remember for years.  Water holes, refreshments and encouragement are provided by volunteers from the First Presbyterian Church.  About 50 volunteers from the church and the local communities provide the staffing necessary to for the ride to "Happen" each year.  Many of the volunteers wear IMTG shirts that proclaim "I Made the Grade Happen."  Riders are proud to wear their "I Made the Grade" shirts, which are prized like colorful trophies.

Riders from all over the Northwest converge on Clarkston on the 3rd Saturday in June of each year to Make the Grade.  Many riders are veterans who have completed a dozen or more rides.