(Photos: Jonathan Maus – Click for captions.
So often while driving down Interstate 5 south of Portland my mind wanders: Could I ride to Eugene? What would the roads be like?
Cycle Oregon
BikePortland is an official 2015 Cycle Oregon Media Partner
Since 1988, Cycle Oregon has brought together people who love riding bicycles and people who live in our state’s beautiful rural communities. More than just a ride, Cycle Oregon is a non-profit organization that has doled out millions in grant funds to many worthy projects and causes.
Over the course of this year we’ll bring you original stories, reports on bicycling’s impact around the state, coverage of the Cycle Oregon Weekend and Week rides, and more.
Our Cycle Oregon coverage dates back to 2006. Check out our past stories below.
Cycle Oregon goes ‘Gravel’ and heads to eastern Oregon in 2018
(Photo: J. Maus/BikePortland)
Like a phoenix from the ashes of forest fires that caused the cancellation of last year’s ride, Cycle Oregon announced their 2018 season to much fanfare in front of hundreds of fans at the Portland Art Museum tonight.
(Photo: J. Maus/BikePortland)
Before the meat of the presentation began, Executive Director Steve Schulz addressed the controversy around last year’s abrupt cancellation. Schulz humbly and fully apologized. “We learned we can always make improvements on how we do things and how we say things,” he said.
Then, as he appeared to choke up with emotion, he thanked the Cycle Oregon community for their support. Last year alone, in large part through riders who opted to donate $500 (half) of their entry fee, over $128,000 was donated to the Cycle Oregon Fund. “The money went back to those communities who suffered — not just from Cycle Oregon not being there, but from an entire season of wildfires.” “It reinforced to us,” he continued, “That you care about your fellow riders, you care about this state, you care about the communities, you care that we can continue to explore this state every year from the seat of a bicycle. This is your brand; and this brand is strong.”
At route reveal party, Cycle Oregon will look to roll past tumult of 2017
(Photo: J. Maus/BikePortland)
Tomorrow night Cycle Oregon will celebrate the 30th running of their week-long “Classic” ride. At least they hope it will run this year.
It’s Cycle Oregon’s 31st year in existence, but last year’s ride was cancelled at the last minute due to wildfires that ravaged several sections of the planned route. This year the nonprofit is back with lessons learned and hopes that their fans are willing to give them another shot.
They’ll get a chance to make their pitch for the 2018 ride at the annual Kickoff Party at the Portland Art Museum Wednesday night.
2017 Cycle Oregon ‘Classic’ ride cancelled due to wildfires – UPDATED
Cycle Oregon 2017 has been cancelled. Below is the statement from Executive Director Steve Schulz:
Wildfires in Central Oregon Force Cancellation of 2017 Cycle Oregon Classic Ride
A Weekend(er) of friends and fun in McMinnville
Lars Larson with that, there’s-only-10-miles-to-the-finish-line, smile.
(Photos: J. Maus/BikePortland)
(Photos: J. Maus/BikePortland)
Cycle Oregon is many things. The organization — in the midst of its 30th year — is dedicated to helping all of Oregon reach its economic and cycling potential while putting on events that bring people closer to new places and faces.
Cycling is at the heart of what Cycle Oregon does; but they’re really in the people business. When you “do” a Cycle Oregon event it’s entirely possible to come away with more memories of the people you rode with than the roads you pedaled on. That’s especially true on their Weekender event. Without the physical challenge of the much more grueling Classic ride (the seven-day event they’re most known for), Weekender is much more accessible in both price ($199 versus $999) and pain (120 miles over two days versus 490 miles over seven days). This means it might be doable for friends who aren’t as nutty about cycling as you are.
This past weekend I invited a few friends to join me on the ride. We chose to ride 78 miles from Portland to the base camp at Linfield College in McMinnville on Friday (thankfully someone drove our bags down for us). We followed that up with 73 miles on Saturday and a 52-miler on Sunday. None of the days had a significant amount of climbing and we kept our average speed chill and conversational (13-15 mph). It’s also worth noting that we chose the longest of three possible routes both days. (This event would be great if you have friends that would rather ride just 15 or 40 miles a day.) In between miles in the saddle we relaxed, got to know each other a bit better (easier to do than at home where our kids and other responsibilities constantly loom), soaked up the small-town charms of McMinnville, and let Cycle Oregon’s legendary hospitality do the rest.
Guest Post: Recap of my second ‘Joyride’
(Photos and words by Abby Koonce)
This post was written by 14-year-old Sellwood resident Abby Koonce.
My name is Abby Koonce and I am sharing my story of the 2017 Joyride as a way to encourage other people to join us for next year’s edition. I am 14 years old and I am going to Benson High school this year. My parents are cycling fanatics so I suppose it kind of rubs off.
This was my second year doing Joyride with my mom. The ride is organized by Cycle Oregon, the organization mostly known for their big week-long ride.
Pedaling Yamhill County: A preview of Cycle Oregon’s ‘Weekender’ event
Friday afternoon traffic jam on SW Muddy Valley Road southwest of downtown McMinnville.
(Photos by J. Maus/BikePortland)
(Photos by J. Maus/BikePortland)
The Willamette Valley is no stranger to great bicycling. After all, it’s home to the first official “scenic bikeway” in America. But until this past weekend there was a large chunk of it which I had yet to pedal through: the western section of Yamhill County south of Forest Grove.
Cycle Oregon unveils routes for 30th anniversary rides
Cycle Oregon turns 30 years old this year and organizers unveiled their big plans last night to a standing-room-only crowd that packed into an elegant ballroom at the Portland Art Museum.
In Brief: Cycle Oregon 2017 is at Bend/Crater Lake
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.
Bear Camp backroads and the Old Agness Store: Wrapping up Cycle Oregon 29
Roads like this one between the small towns of Glendale and Azalea are what bind urban bike enthusiasts to Oregon’s rural residents.
(Photos: J. Maus/BikePortland)
(Photos: J. Maus/BikePortland)
Cycle Oregon 29 is in the books. It happened last week and now there are 2,000 or so people sitting at work with souvenirs, sore legs, and constant questioning from co-workers who ask, “You did what?! Why?!”.
A tour of the coast with Brookings Mayor Ron Hedenskog
I’ve seen a lot of elected officials on organized bike rides over the years. Usually they look uncomfortable and their bike doesn’t quite fit: As if it’s obvious they’re doing it mostly for the photo-op.
Brookings Mayor Ron Hedenskog is different.
Today on Cycle Oregon, Mayor Hedenskog joined us for the ride from Gold Beach to Brookings. The last time he did the ride was 1988 — the inaugural edition.
I accompanied him for about 30 miles and got a personal tour of the route. Hedenskog knows the area well. He moved to the coast in 1966, his dad was a commercial fisherman and his father-in-law ran a 400-acre sawmill on the coast in the 1950s — a full decade before the Coast Highway was even built.
Cycle Oregon takes over the southern coast
Bonfire on Gold Beach to end day three.
(Photos: J. Maus/BikePortland)
(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.
Comment of the Week: ‘Right on red validates impatience’