Well folks, it’s all over.

After yet another major climb and an exhilarating downhill, we made our way back into Sisters where we started one week ago. I can’t wait to get home. I’m jumping in a car to drive back in a few minutes.

Check out the slideshow below from today’s ride…and thanks for following along all week. On Monday, it’s back to business as usual.
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Dropping into the forest.
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The Cycle Oregon folks called today’s ride “the Magic Carpet Ride” and I can’t think of a better way to put it.

Last night in the beer garden I talked about scenic byways with the founder of Cycle Oregon, Jonathan Nicholas. Jonathan and I agreed that the future of bicycling in Oregon is to designate a network of backroads as official Scenic Bikeways. It’s an exciting possibility that will not only provide an amazing recreational opportunity, but will give an economic boost to many small towns throughout the state.

Today, we rode on a Scenic Byway. Our 65 mile route took us from Oakridge to Rainbow via Aufderheide Memorial Drive.
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DeFazio and Oberstar seemed
more like running-mates
than Congressional colleagues.
(Photos: Jonathan Maus)

Last night’s ride report was cut short and I didn’t get a chance to share more thoughts and photos of Congressman Oberstar and Representative DeFazio from last night.

The two members of Congress joined Cycle Oregon for a grueling climb yesterday and then spoke on the Main Stage after dinner.

DeFazio spoke of his admiration for Oberstar and told us about opportunities for bicycles in the Federal Transportation Bill despite, “being saddled with Bush.” [Read more…]

Above the clouds on our way into Oakridge.
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I got a late start this morning, but the timing turned out to be fortuitous.

At our lunch stop today at Steamboat Creek (I’m sure you’ve heard of it) I walked past the Bike Gallery service tent and guess who I saw? None other than U.S. Congressman James Oberstar. He was being fitted to a new Trek Madone by Bike Gallery owner Jay Graves.

As I waited for Oberstar to get rolling, I looked back and noticed U.S. Representative Peter DeFazio.
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This was the ride I’ve been waiting for. My ride up to and around the Rim of Crater Lake awoke not just my dormant leg muscles, but my love of riding.

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Ahearne’s off-road touring machine.
See all my photos from the show.

Today was a layover day on Cycle Oregon. That meant that we could either do a ride up and around Crater Lake (which I did; it was awesome), or hang out at Diamond Lake.

Ride organizers thought this would be a perfect opportunity to showcase some Oregon-made bike products; especially the work of our large and talented crop of framebuilders. [Read more…]

A sub-freezing start.
Full slideshow below

The two numbers I will always remember from today are 28 and 94. 28 is how many degrees it was when I woke up and 94 is how many miles I rode.

To say it was cold this morning would be a vast understatement. My tent and my bike were covered in frost. People piled on the layers and tried standing in the rising sun, but it was little help. It took me about 8 miles of riding before the feeling came back into my fingers (my feet took quite a bit longer).

But once I got rolling and the sun found its strength, it was another memorable — but not particularly beautiful — day of riding. Our route took us from La Pine (“Oregon’s Newest City”) south to Diamond Lake. It was by far the longest ride I’ve done since last year’s Cycle Oregon.[Read more…]

Mechanic Matt Cardinal offers
service with a smile
(Photos: Jonathan Maus)

There are many important parts to the well-oiled Cycle Oregon machine, but perhaps none is more essential than the mechanical support provided by Bike Gallery.

These guys work just for tips and they’re committed to keeping everyone on the road. With fully-stocked mini-vans they set up at water stops, rest stops, and wherever their help is needed. Then at camp each night — when everyone else is headed for the beer garden and some R&R — they’re faced with a daunting workload. Right now, while riders settle into their tents for the night, they’re working under the lights triage-style to get bikes ready for the morning.
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View slideshow below.
(All photos by Jonathan Maus)

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