Tonight was the route announcement for Cycle Oregon’s 30th anniversary ride. There’s a large loop that includes Crater Lake and Sisters/Bend. The start/finish is at the town of Tumalo, just north of Bend. The route is very similar to the 2007 route; here’s the breakdown.
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Day 1: The route proceeds in a clockwise direction to Bend and onto the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway, ending in La Pine. 55mi3400ft. gravel option on a climb
Day 2: This is a long day, La Pine to Diamond Lake. 96 miles with 3600 feet of climbing.
Day 3: Layover day with an optional lollipop ride around Crater Lake. 59mi/6500ft.
Day 4: Another long day, heading northwest from Diamond Lake to Dorena Lake, just outside of Cottage Grove. 91mi/3900ft.
Day 5: Dorena Lake to the mountain biking town of Oakridge, Oregon. 55mi/5200ft. gravel option on a descent
Day 6: Oakridge to Aufderheide to Rainbow, Oregon. 66mi/3300ft. gravel option adds a climb
Day 7: Rainbow to Old McKenzie Highway to Tumalo. 67mi/4800ft.
Overall? Wow. There are some long days, and the can’t-miss ride to Crater Lake is sandwiched between the biggest days. The other thing that stands out are the gravel options. Has that ever happened in the past?
Thanks for reading.
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Sounds like fun! I wish I could go.
One day I WILL do cycle Oregon on a skateboard!
Ted – I don’t speak for Cycle Oregon nor am I a rider, but I know there have been several gravel options in the past. For example, 2 years ago going from Farewell Bend to Cambridge ID (or maybe from Baker City to Farewell Bend), there was a dirt road that paralleled a river.. (Others that year may have been disrupted by a fire in Halfway, Oregon.) Other years there have been Mountain road options. I also know CO knows folks want dirt road options and will try to program them when feasible (as long as there is a demand I assume). Generally, as you know, options are usually to make a longer ride. On layover day, there may be short, long and medium options (as they have on the Weekender.)
Does anyone know if there is washboarding on this years gravel sections?
Good luck with this Sept. ride. My daughter and friend are riding it.