Cycle Oregon’s Classic returns to C.O. in September
This September, hundreds of cyclists will get close-up and personal with the majesty of the Cascade Mountains, Crater Lake National Park and the charming rural communities of Central Oregon, thanks to Cycle Oregon’s Classic ride, which takes place September 7-14. Registration is open now through August 20 at www.cycleoregon.com.
“For cyclists who want an unparalleled bicycle experience at their own pace, Cycle Oregon offers a unique perspective of the state, all the while managing every last detail,” says Steve Schulz, Cycle Oregon executive director. ” For many who come from around the United States and the world, completing Cycle Oregon’s weeklong Classic is a bucket list experience. For others, the ride is an annual pilgrimage to new places and an opportunity to reconnect with friends. “
Cycle Oregon’s flagship ride, the 2019 Classic, begins and ends in the town of Oakridge . In the hundreds of miles that follow throughout the week, the ride takes participants over mountain passes, through lava fields, alongside scenic rivers, past hot springs, across covered bridges and through the communities of Rainbow , Tumalo , La Pine , Diamond Lake , Dorena Lake and others. The highlight of the ride: the opportunity to pedal around Oregon’s sole and spectacular national park, Crater Lake National Park.
Cycle Oregon – An Unforgettable Experience
With more than 30 years of event logistics experience and deep roots within the state, Cycle Oregon is one of the top multi-day cycling events in the country. Each day’s route is carefully curated and allows cyclists to set their own pace and become fully immersed in the ride knowing Cycle Oregon has taken care of all the details. The fully supported ride includes meticulous directions, nourishing rest stops, and roving bike mechanics.
Participants return year after year, not just for the well-organized rides but also for the evening festivities. Healthy and hardy meals await cyclists every evening. After a hot shower, cyclists can sit back and enjoy an excellent meal, live entertainment, and craft-brewed ales, including Pelican Brewing , plus a selection of great wines and daily cocktail specials. The headline music kicks off on Saturday, September 7, with Etouffee , featuring Oakridge’s own Kelly Thibodeaux, who tours and teaches fiddle around the country. Oregon-based brands, including Nossa Familia coffee, Humm Kombucha and Riff Cold Brewed , will be showcased throughout the week.
Rural Connection & Support
When people sign up for Cycle Oregon they are pedaling with a purpose. Unlike for-profit events, Cycle Oregon is a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming individuals and communities through bicycling. Each year, Cycle Oregon has a significant local economic impact in the communities where it holds its events. It provides approximately $175,000 per year to community groups for the services they provide during the rides. And, cyclists themselves contribute to the local economy: On average, Classic ride participants spend $250 in local communities during the weeklong event.
Proceeds from Classic and Cycle Oregon’s other rides go to the Cycle Oregon Fund, which helps preserve and protect the special places of Oregon and supports community development projects. Over the last 20 years, Cycle Oregon has awarded more than 300 grants totaling $2.2 million, supporting projects ranging from bike racks in Baker City and Yachats to helping purchase land for the Wallowa Band Nez Perce Trail Interpretive Center.
“Cycle Oregon is more than just a series of awesome bike rides. Embedded in our DNA is becoming part of the fabric of Oregon’s rural communities. That means hiring local organizations to assist with event logistics, buying food from local farmers, featuring local beer and wine, and supporting local nonprofits through the Cycle Oregon Fund, ” Schulz says. ” Each and every Cycle Oregon participant can know they are supporting a range of good causes when they register for one of our rides. Plus, they’ll be making personal connections with each community they visit along the way. “
About Cycle Oregon
Cycle Oregon is a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming individuals and communities through bicycling. For riders who want an unparalleled Oregon bicycle experience at their own pace, Cycle Oregon hosts a series of fully supported rides that offer a unique perspective of the state, all the while managing every last detail. Established in 1988, Cycle Oregon’s 30-plus years of event logistics and deep roots within the state create an authentic Oregon experience that strengthens communities—on and off the bike. Cycle Oregon attracts more than 4,500 riders from all 50 states and around the world. www.cycleoregon.com # ridecycleoregon
