[Story and photos by Russ Roca of The Path Less Pedaled]

This is what the bike tourism revolution looks like.
(Photos © Russ Roca/The Path Less Pedaled)

Eastern Oregon is known for its dry climate; but there's something taking root along its gorgeous backroads that could help grow the economy of its many small communities: bicycle tourism.

A makeshift meeting room in the Outpost Pub and Grill in John Day (pop. 1,744) is probably the last place you'd expect talk about the need of a bicycle friendly business program, community bike share or bike racks. However, this is the sort of quiet magic that a small, road-weary crew comprised of representatives from Travel Oregon and the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department have been performing through many rural Oregon communities over the past year. (more...)

Your hut awaits.
(Photos: Cascade Huts)

Mountain biking on Mt. Hood isn't exactly the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a family-friendly summer bike adventure; but that might change thanks to Cascade Huts.

Since their launch five years ago, the founders of Cascade Huts — James Koski (yes that James Koski) and Don Bain — have attracted quite a bit of media attention. Earlier this month, Outside Magazine named Cascade Huts the 2nd best hut-to-hut mountain biking system in America.

And now, in partnership with the US Forest Service, the company has announced the addition of two new huts that are set to open for riders this summer. The new huts are in the Surveyor's Ridge area to the east of Mt. Hood. (more...)

Councilors listen to a staff presentation on the project.
(Words and photos by Patrick Croasdaile)

At their work session last night, the Wilsonville City Council voted to accept a $1.25 million federal grant to perform a feasibility study on the French Prairie Bike-Ped Emergency Bridge over the Willamette River. As we shared last week, this was a crucial step in this project's evolution and it wasn't a sure thing. In the end, it seems like the potential bike tourism this bridge would make possible is what made councilors comfortable with voting yes.

When the topic of tourism came up at the meeting, Councilor Richard Goddard said that it had changed the conversation about the bridge and allowed him to think about the bridge as a different kind of asset. Council President Celia Nuñez was also supportive of the grant. "[This bridge] gives us an economic development opportunity," she said, "and allows tourism dollars to pour into the community". She continued, "if we can be visionary enough to expand transportation options for the city, then that is right on spot." (more...)

Cover of the French Prarie Bike-Ped Emergency
Bridge Briefing Booklet (PDF).

This coming Monday, the Wilsonville City Council will convene an important work session that could determine the future of the French Prairie Bike-Ped Emergency Bridge over the Willamette River.

The City of Wilsonville was awarded a $1.25 million federal grant in 2009 to develop a feasibility study and design alternatives for the bridge. At Monday's meeting, the Council is expected to vote on whether to formally accept the grant and invest the required 10% local match ($125,000) to keep the project moving forward. Or, they could choose to hit the pause button. (more...)

Riding the new Grande Tour Scenic Bikeway.
(Photos by Kristin Dahl/Travel Oregon)

In case you missed it, the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department released their ninth Scenic Bikeway last week. The Grande Tour Scenic Bikeway is a 134 mile, figure-eight loop between Baker City and La Grande that winds between the Wallowa and Whitman National Forests in eastern Oregon.

The Scenic Bikeway program was made into law back in 2008 and the first route, the Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway, was designated a year later. These routes, while they don't come with physical infrastructure changes, are the backbone of Oregon's larger effort to become the premier bicycle touring destination in America. (more...)

Cover

With all the rain we're having, I'm sure some of you are scheming how to make the most of the sun once it returns. On that note, I want to share an update on an exciting new bike touring guide book that is set for release on May 8th. Cycling Sojourner is the work of Portland travel writer Ellee Thalheimer and it's poised to usher in a wave of bike touring, just as rural communities throughout Oregon are beginning to recognize its economic potential.

Like we shared back in July, Thalheimer's book is one of four bike guide books coming out this year covering rides in Portland and throughout the state. While each one of them will help plan bike adventures, Cycling Sojourner is the only one that focuses on self-supported, multi-day rides. (more...)

Wilsonville Mayor Tim Knapp (R) chats with OHSU Nursing student Jen Akeroyd about active transportation links in the region.
(Photos: Patrick Croasdaile for BikePortland)

(more...)

Todd Davidson.
(Photo: PureTravelNW)

President Obama announced a new initiative yesterday aimed at boosting U.S. tourism. With an eye on job creation and economic stimulus, the White House unveiled a host of strategies to make it easier to visit the U.S. and encourage cities and states across the country to roll out the welcome mat.

The man picked to lead the effort is none other than Travel Oregon CEO Todd Davidson. According to a statement released today by Travel Oregon, Davidson has been selected for the post by U.S. Secretary of Commerce John Bryson.

This news is not only validation for the work Travel Oregon has done to make Oregon a premiere travel destination, it also bodes very well for raising the profile of bike tourism in Oregon and beyond. (more...)

Detail of flyer for upcoming training event.

Sandy, Estacada, Molalla, West Linn and Wilsonville are among the cities in Clackamas County lining up to learn more about how to position themselves as bicycle touring destinations.

Travel Oregon, an organization that promotes tourism statewide, is co-hosting a 'Bicycle Tourism Studio' event on November 8th along with Clackamas County Tourism and Cultural Affairs. The Bicycle Tourism Studio concept is part of Travel Oregon's focus on tourism development in rural communities. Funded by our state's 1 percent lodging tax, the initiative aims to train local agencies, governments, and organizations to capitalize on sustainable tourism.

Kristin Dahl is Travel Oregon's Sustainable Tourism Development Manager. She says Clackamas County has a big advantage over other counties when it comes to bike tourism. "They've got public transportation connections to Portland like the MAX line and the Springwater Corridor." (more...)

Illustration by Russ Roca/PathLessPedaled.com

(more...)

On the road to economic development.
(Photo © J. Maus)

The Washington County Visitors Association has awarded a $20,000 grant to the organization that puts on the Harvest Century bike ride.

Rebecca Miller, the Development Director for Community Vision, Inc. the organization that puts on the ride, says they'll use the money to try and lure 300 out-of-town visitors to Washington County. Those visitors come for the ride and end up spending money on lodging, food, and other products and services. Community Vision will use the grant money to pay for marketing of the ride and hire staff to handle PR. (more...)

Job Title: Tour Guide/Mechanic
Company/Organization: Pedal Bike Tours
Job Description: Love Oregon, history, people, local culture and showing off your town? (by bike of course!) Know how to fix bikes? Come work for Trip Advisor’s #1 tour company in Oregon!

Skills
Sociable/personable/friendly- Can bond with and entertain visitors from different places, backgrounds and attitudes over a 3-8 hour tour.
A broad knowledge of Portland/Oregon/NW history and culture, local restaurants, sights, shops.

Job Duties
Bike Tours - Safely and knowledgeably lead one or more of our tours consisting of 1-10 guests including Historic Downtown, Columbia Gorge, breweries, Wine Country, The Oregon Coast and culinary tour.

The winning candidate will also possess knowledge on:
Food- Portland’s restaurant scene and food shed
Beer- styles, history, local scene, brewing process
Wine- Varietals, winemaking process, Willamette Valley winemaking and history
Flora, Fauna and Geology of the Columbia Gorge, Willamette Valley and Oregon Coast

How to Apply:
If interested, please send your resume to info[at]pedalbiketours[dot]com or come in person to our shop at 133 SW Second Avenue

Bikes? Dancing? Fun?
Must be Pedalpalooza.
(Photos © J. Maus)

With our lingering winter weather, it might be hard to get mentally focused on Pedalpalooza; but that's just what you ought to be doing!

The big event(s) — organized by the community and extraordinary volunteers with Shift — happens from June 9th to the 29th. The ride calendar is already filling up (109 at current count), and the deadline to submit rides for the printed version (which will be inserted into the Portland Mercury) is May 22nd!

If that doesn't get you fired up for Portland's seminal celebration of bike fun, perhaps this will: Organizers just unveiled the official 2011 poster (created by Agnes Barton-Sabo)... (more...)

Tourism draw.
(Photo: Evan Ross/Portland Bicycle Tours)

Travel Portland has announced that the Banks-Vernonia Trail is a recipient of a 2011 Tourism and Hospitality Industry Award.

Travel Portland recognized the trail with a "President's Award," for, "creating a new opportunity for our visitors to experience the natural beauty that is so accessible from Portland."

The trail is a 21-mile linear state park created on a former railroad line between Banks and Vernonia. As of last October, the entire length of the trail is complete and offers people the ability to roll or walk the entire route without worrying about motor vehicles. (more...)

Event Name: The Amgen People's Coast Classic to benefit the Arthritis Foundation
Event Start Date: 11 Sept, 2011
Start Time: AM
Web Site: http://www.thepeoplescoastclassic.org/
Event Description:
The Amgen People’s Coast Classic is a multi-day charity event benefiting the Arthritis Foundation’s mission to improve lives through prevention, control and cure of arthritis.

Choose from:

• Six-Day Classic: September 11-16, Astoria to Brookings
• Two-Day North Coast Ride: September 11-13, Astoria to Newport
• Four-Day Central-South Coast Ride: September 13-16, Newport to Brookings

This ride follows the Oregon Coast Bike Route as marked by the state Department of Transportation, which is graced with incredible scenery and fun attractions. Your vacation with a cause will touch the lives of over 50 million people in the United States, including 300,000 children living with Juvenile Arthritis.

Event Name: Tour de Hood
Event Start Date: 4 June, 2011
Start Time: 1:00:00 PM
Web Site: http://www.tourdehoodride.com/
Event Description:
Ride one of Oregon's most beautiful and challenging recreational rides! Experience two of the same courses that challenge racers in the popular Mt Hood Cycling Classic stage race. This is a one-of-a-kind Oregon recreational riding experience!

Elliott and Daniella Crowder, owners of Bike Newport.
(Photos © J. Maus)

Bike Newport, an independent bike shop based in Newport, Oregon has been named the winner of a 2010 National Bicycle Travel Award by the Adventure Cycling Association.

Bike Newport has received the Sam Braxton Bike Shop Award for "incredible services and amenities that they offer bicycle tourists on the Pacific Coast Bicycle Route." This is the first time since the awards were first given in 2003 that a shop on the West Coast has taken home the honors. (more...)

Imagine: A bicycle-only trail
along the entire Oregon Coast.
(Photo © J. Maus)

I love Big Ideas. Without them we'd be stuck in the rut of merely working on what's possible instead of peering out to new possibilities. When it comes to moving biking forward in Oregon, we've got to dream big.

It was with that spirit that I hosted a contest recently asking for your Big Ideas for Biking in Oregon. We got a ton of fantastic responses! Thanks to everyone for playing along (see list of winners and others below the jump). (more...)

Every city should have five of these
racks in front of their City Hall.
(Photo © J. Maus)

Oregon is a state on a mission. For the last few years, the movement to make this the premiere state for bicycling has been gaining some serious momentum. We've got nearly every piece of the puzzle on the table and we're working to put it all together -- but we need some big ideas, rallying points, an idea so exciting that it captures the attention of everyone in the state.

So I'm announcing a contest to find the best Big Ideas for Biking in Oregon. (more...)

The site features interactive route
maps of the best rides in Oregon
and much more.

RideOregonRide.com, a website that promotes bike tourism in Oregon is set to receive the 2010 President's Award from Travel Portland.

The Ride Oregon site was first officially conceived at the Oregon Bike Summit in 2008, where attendees said having one place to feature all the great rides in Oregon should be a high priority. From there, Travel Oregon provided start-up funds and hired local interactive brand strategy agency Substance to develop it.

The site has a myriad of features, including interactive maps, the ability to create a personal profile to share favorite routes, and much more.

RideOregonRide was unveiled at last year's Oregon Bike Summit.

If you want to hatch big ideas about biking in Oregon -- and who knows, maybe they will become a reality just like RideOregonRide.com -- attend the upcoming Oregon Bike Summit in Portland on June 4th.