Cascade Cycling Classic brings cyclists and community together in downtown Bend
(Update: adding video, comments from race director)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Downtown Bend streets closed to traffic Sunday as cyclists took over for the Cascade Cycling Classic Downtown Criterium, drawing top racers and community members alike to the heart of the city.
The downtown event featured a fast-paced, one-mile course looping through Bend’s core, with the start and finish line set on Wall Street near the Tower Theatre. Riders competed in timed races ranging from 45 to 80 minutes, depending on their category.
“They go super fast and they go as long as they can,” said Molly Cogswell-Kelley, race director for the Cascade Cycling Classic and executive director for the Horner Cycling Foundation. “Some of the best cyclists in the country are here. And it’s just a really fun time.”
This year, organizers expanded the event with an “All-Bikes Ride,” giving community members of all ages and skill levels a chance to take laps on the same course — no racing required.
“We don’t want to be exclusive to just road biking,” Cogswell-Kelley said. “Let’s celebrate downtown. Let’s celebrate this race. And you don’t have to race to be part of it.”
The day’s events also included the Kiddie Crit, the FootZone Mile Challenge, and races featuring the Horner Cycling Foundation junior team.
Organizers say the junior program is a key part of the event’s mission, focused on growing the sport by making cycling accessible to young riders.
“We have now 26 kids that are going to race,” Cogswell-Kelley said. “We’re trying to revive the sport of road cycling and junior cycling. It’s the most rewarding and exciting thing to see all these kids train eight months out of the year and then race on the big stage in front of their friends and family.”
According to organizers, participants in the Horner Cycling Foundation Junior Program receive bikes, cycling kits, and training at no cost, helping remove financial barriers and build skills, teamwork, and a lifelong passion for cycling.
While elite racers remain a highlight, organizers say the event is just as much about community involvement. Whether cheering from the sidelines, volunteering, or riding in the open event, participants are also supporting the next generation of cyclists in Central Oregon.
