Cycle Oregon: Notes and photos from base camp

Cycle Oregon 2009 - Day 0-14

Bags, tents, and a bit of controlled
chaos is typical for Day 0
at Cycle Oregon.
-Slideshow below/Gallery
(Photos © J. Maus)

Cycle Oregon‘s 23rd year got started Saturday when 2,200-plus riders (and a few hundred volunteers, staff, and vendors) showed up in Medford. In front of them was 437 miles of epic riding through southern Oregon and northern California (a.k.a. the State of Jefferson).

I missed the ride last year (after doing it in 2006 and 2007) but I was quickly re-acquainted with the familiar sights and sounds — people lugging around their huge bags, the hum of generators, the mini-Bike Gallery retail shop and service center, tent city, and of course, bumping into old friends.

But this year, there are also several new things I noticed while walking around camp.

Cycle Oregon 2009 - Day 0-27 Cycle Oregon 2009 - Day 0-31 Cycle Oregon 2009 - Day 0-22 Cycle Oregon 2009 - Day 0-11

Responding to rider feedback, Cycle Oregon staffers are now on a mission to reduce waste. They’ve set up little recycling tents all over camp and each one has a volunteer waiting to help you sort your trash. All food is served on plates made from sugar cane, utensils are made from potatoes, and the beer cups are made from corn. All of which will be composted and mixed into a local farm to be used as fertilizer.

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Cycle Oregon 2009 - Day 0-18

KATU-TV’s weatherman Dave Zalesky
(middle) and friends put roses in
their saddles to remind them to
slow down and enjoy the ride.

Another eco-friendly innovation this year is the use of re-usable musette bags for carrying lunch (instead of putting all the food items into a plastic sack like in years past).

The ride’s coffee sponsor, Portland-based Nossa Familia has something new going this year — personal French press service. This little luxury will get you a carafe of fresh coffee waiting for you at the Nossa Familia truck each morning (after waiting the required four minutes for brewing of course).

Another new Cycle Oregon tradition born this year is the rider passport. Each rider was given one at registration. Once you get your photo put into it (for a mere $5), you can stamp all the years you’ve done the ride and then each town will put its unique stamp in it when you arrive. It’s a fun keepsake.

For more of the sights from Cycle Oregon base camp in Medford, browse the gallery or watch the slideshow below (click through to the Flickr page to see the photos captions).

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car owner and driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, feel free to contact me at @jonathan_maus on Twitter, via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a supporter.

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Jeff Bernards
Jeff Bernards
14 years ago

It’s about time Cycle Oregon did something about the amount of trash it generated at every meal. It sounds like they’re working very hard to reduce their carbon/trash footprint. congrats.
Ride On.

Lisa G
Lisa G
14 years ago

Jonathan,

Who is the dancer? If it was in Medford it is likely that she is part of my friend’s troupe and I’d like to e-mail her copy of the picture.

Adams Carroll (News Intern)
14 years ago

Hi Lisa,

Sorry but I didn’t get the dancer’s name.

Lisa G
Lisa G
14 years ago

In photo is Emily Alrick, director of Circus Tribal Belly Dance from Ashland. My friend Idena (of Tasseled Camel) dances with her regularly.