(Photos: J. Maus/BikePortland)
We’re joining Cycle Oregon a bit late this year. The 2,500 or so people that make up this ride (about 2,000 or so riders and hundreds of volunteers, supporters, and staff) are now settled into a beachfront camp.
This is the closest to the coast Cycle Oregon has camped in the ride’s 29-year history. And from what I’ve seen so far, everyone’s taking full advantage.
After dinner the Bike Gallery put on their annual Bike Rodeo — a friendly competition aimed at entertaining a tired crowd and perhaps take their mind off muscles sore from recent climbs. Events included a slow race, foot down derby, bike limbo and jousting.
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Many of the tents are set up with spectacular views of the water. And after most people had already snuggled into those tents for bed, a huge bonfire erupted out on the beach.
The crowd amassed around the fire was a jovial mix of local high schoolers and Cycle Oregon riders. And it happened under a big moon on a clear night.
This is Oregon at its best.
Stay tuned all week as we bring you more coverage from the road. Tomorrow we’ll ride down the coast to Brookings and then we head back inland toward Grants Pass over Bear Camp Road.
— Jonathan Maus, (503) 706-8804 – jonathan@bikeportland.org
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Check out the view on the Thomas Creek bridge on highway 101.
bike limbo shot: skills!
Missing both the hard work of brewing and the lovely rolling through this beautiful state. I’d have love to have bombed the epic downhill on the cargo rig!!!
This has been no my bucket list for some time. But those tents look awfully close to each other. Yikes!
This looks fun, but I’m intimidated since I don’t think I can ride that much per day (especially given the elevations) and have never been camping before. Also, the cost is a bit of a barrier.
Funny how tent camps are suddenly okay when it’s a bunch of cyclists who have paid $1,000 for the privilege.
Wow, give it a rest dude and while you’re “resting” go online and look at all the good Cycle Oregon has done for the tiny and in many cases “forgotten” towns and villages they’re camped in and around using that $1000 you mention. And ya know what, it IS indeed a “privilege” for those who partake in the ride. A privilege many worked hard to earn both in hours worked to earn the entry fee as well as hours spent getting fit for the ride. Good for them, mentally, physically and financially. Everything posted does not have to reflect back on civic challenges, homelessness, the economy etc. Some things are much simpler, kinda like a bike ride through countryside aka Cycle Oregon.
Not saying Cycle Oregon is a bad thing at all. I happen to think it’s great. I’m just noticing an interesting dichotomy here.
Don’t hold your breath waiting for him to give it a rest, he’s one of those “I just moved here 2 years ago and everything needs to change to suit my personal needs” kind of people…
Cycle Oregon is just one of many items about which some commenters have no personal experience yet he feels the need to provide the world with commentary on every topic. No, wait. Maybe there was one article where he didn’t.
Cycle Oregon. Did it once. Never again. A mob scene that seems to be evenly split between the wealthy young eager to be noticed on their $5000 steeds, and wealthy oldsters trying to recapture lost youth, but are so stressed and out of shape they have no business even being there.
That being said, to each his own. Best to all.
Once was enough for me too.
What is the point of taking wonderful courses and jamming 2000 people on it with the limited daylight of September? Throw in the worst food you ever ate outside of stoney lonesome. It’s pure hype and bs that this is the greatest ride in America. Go do Ride the Rockies and then say that.
Bully for the advocacy and charity. Keep your zoo of a bike ride.
My husband is on his first Cycle Oregon adventure right now. His updates have been the food was good, the views were great and all of us at home have enjoyed his pictures. All the small communities involved throughout the ride also benefit in many ways from kids to adults that is a great feature of this Event. I am so impressed that he has been training since April. For a newly retired 63 year old from Central Oregon it is terrific. His family from Ashland to Portland is cheering him on.