Cycle Oregon made several big announcements at their annual Kickoff Party that was held at the Portland Art Museum tonight.
In addition to their 27th annual Week Ride and their newer, family-oriented, Weekend Ride, there’s a brand new event aimed at a much more exclusive audience. “CO3” — which will be held June 19th through 24th — is billed as an “intimate” event that will be a way to “take your level of support for Cycle Oregon and its philanthropy even higher”. The ride will be limited to just 30 people, who will pay $3,000 each to take part.
Here’s more about CO3 from Cycle Oregon:
“… you’ll enjoy an intimate, high-end tour at the same time! This ride takes the CO experience and intensifies it in three ways: deeper community connections and impacts; more challenging routes; and amenities like farm-to-table meals and deluxe lodging. And you’ll even help choose a project that Cycle Oregon will donate $30,000 toward – from the proceeds of this ride.”
Announcing the new event at the kickoff party tonight, Board President Keith Ketterling said the purpose of CO3 is to “Challenge riders not just physically but to challenge their commitment to our mission.”
The inaugural CO³ ride will take participants through Walla Walla and Waitsburg, WA; and the small towns of Enterprise, Halfway and Baker City in Oregon. The five days of riding will cover 331 miles and over 24,000 feet of climbing. Along the way, riders will get “delectable, fresh dinners and stay in historic hotels [no tents!] and rustic lodges”.
The Week Ride will help stoke momentum for cycling’s economic impact in the Gorge with its start in The Dalles (Mayor of The Dalles, Steve Lawrence was at tonight’s party). Check full details of the ride below:
Our 2014 theme for the Week Ride (September 6-13) is “The Magnificent Seven,” in reference to seven Cascade peaks, at least one of which is present on the horizon every day. It’s also an ode to the famous Western movie – and you might feel like you’re riding through a larger-than-life Hollywood set. You’ll cross the wind-carved expanse of the Columbia River Gorge, pedal through the lush green canyons of Washington rivers, and camp in the shadow of Mt. Adams. You’ll traverse the endless forest of Mt. Hood’s eastern flanks, roller-coaster over the gently undulating grasslands on north-central Oregon, and ponder the stark beauty of the high desert. You’ll marvel at the scale of Smith Rock and the Crooked River as it rolls alongside the powerful Deschutes River, and marvel at the bounty of orchards above The Dalles. The best seven days of your year.
- Day 1- September 7 – The Dalles to Glenwood, WA (63 miles)
- Day 2- September 8 – Glenwood, WA to Dufur (61 or 86 mile options)
- Day 3- September 9 – Dufur to Tygh Valley (73 miles)
- Day 4- September 10 – Tygh Valley to Madras (77 miles)
- Day 5- September 11- Smith Rock Loop (62 miles – optional)
- Day 6- September 12 – Madras to Tygh Valley (85 miles)
- Day 7- September 13 – Tygh Valley to The Dalles (43 miles)<./li>
And here are the details of the Weekend Ride:
The weekend ride (July 11-13) held at Linfield College in McMinnville, is our version of Summer Camp on wheels, and for all ages. Escape for a three-day immersion into the good life, with a perfect balance of riding and playing. There are routes for everyone from hard-cores to kids, and everyone gathers to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and unmatched amenities Cycle Oregon is known for. And this year we’re hanging out in Wine Country – come and take in some great views and some tasty vintages!
Route Descriptions
Day One: “South Yamhill Sojourn” (12/51/83 miles)
Saturday’s routes follow the general contours of the South Yamhill River, southwest from McMinnville, including several sections of riding beside the water. The first 7 miles are shared by all, and then short-route riders take a shortcut home. The medium and long routes head to Sheridan, where the long-route riders tack on an additional loop that features a good dose of climbing. From Sheridan, both routes loop back across the river on the way back to camp.Day Two: “Wine and Wings” (11/42/64 miles)
The second day showcases several vineyards as well as the Evergreen Aviation complex, which includes a museum housing the Spruce Goose plus a water park. Everyone starts out the day heading east; the short option cuts back to the north to rejoin the other routes returning to camp. Interestingly, the medium route has the only “climb” of the day (and a corresponding descent), on its shortcut through Amity. The long route spins past several wineries and historic communities.
Registration opens at 9:30 pm tonight at CycleOregon.com.