2008
Oregon Bicycle Ride XXII
Itinerary
Tour of Southwest Oregon
August 10 - 16, 2008
OBR presents a brand new route which provides a true sampling
of all southern Oregon has to offer. Beginning in Cottage Grove, we'll
ride through pristine old growth forests, tree farms, river valleys and
estuaries. Our travels will take us along the scenic coastline, follow
the Coquille River past several waterfalls and finish in the rolling grassy
hills of the southern Willamette Valley. The route includes some fantastic
overnight locations in small towns and rarely traveled scenic roads. Click
to view map.
Saturday, August 9 - Arrive in Cottage Grove
- Registration Day & Orientation
Cottage Grove is known as the "Covered Bridge Capital of
Oregon". Arrive early and ride the 20 mile covered bridge tour route.
There are seven bridges along the route, including Dorena Bridge, Stewart
Bridge, Mosby Creek Bridge, Currin Bridge, Chambers Railroad Bridge, Centennial
Bridge, and Swinging Bridge.
Sunday, August 10 - Cottage Grove to Reedsport
- 90 miles and 5,200' CEG
Today we'll ride along the Siuslaw and Smith Rivers on tour
way to Champion Park in Reedsport. The Siuslaw River meanders 150 miles
through Oregon from the edge of the Willamette Valley to the Pacific Ocean.
This watershed includes inland valley oak savanna forests and meadows;
the Coast Range mountains, and one of the best tree-growing areas in the
United States. The Siuslaw's stands of old-growth forest are the largest
remaining tracts of intact coastal temperate rainforest on the north coast
of Oregon. The last forty miles of the day will be along the Smith River.
The upper section is primarily a mixed deciduous forest, and then becomes
a tidal estuary as we near the ocean.
Monday, August 11 - Reedsport to Bandon
- 68 miles and 3,474' CEG
On the way to Bandon, we'll ride past Winchester Bay and
the Umpqua Lighthouse. Built in 1894, the lighthouse with its 65-foot
tower overlooks dunes from 165 feet above the south side of Winchester
Bay. The light, a first-order Fresnel lens manufactured in 1890 in Paris
was lit for the first time on December 31, 1894, with a signature of two
white flashes followed by a red flash. We'll continue down the coast past
Coos Bay to the scenic Cape Arago where the second rest stop is located.
Be sure to check out the beautiful Shore Acres, once the grand estate
of pioneer timber baron Louis Simpson. Shore Acres features lushly planted
gardens with plants and flowers from all over the world; something is
in bloom almost every day of the year.
Tuesday, August 12 - Bandon Layover Day
- Layover Day Options:
o Long Route is 82 miles and 3,791' CEG Loop to McKinley from
Bandon
o Short route is 47 miles and 1,725' CEG Loop from Bandon
to Coquille
The Oregon Islands NWR is only a five minute walk from Bandon
City Park where we'll stay for two nights. Then there's Old Town Bandon
with a great selection of restaurants and shops to visit on your day off.
Today's rides take us up the Coquille River estuary where the tidal effect
travels all the way to Myrtle Point. The long ride continues east through
the towns of Fairview and McKinley, then rejoins the short loop at Arago
for the return to Bandon.
Wednesday, August 13 - Bandon to Powers
- 68 miles and 2,706' CEG
We'll leave Bandon and the cool Pacific climate behind for
the warm southern Oregon oak and myrtle forests. On our way out of town
we'll ride down Beach Loop Road, then back into Bandon past several cranberry
bogs. Later in the day, Hoffman Memorial Myrtle Grove is right on the
route where you'll find a shaded glen canopied with spectacular myrtlewood
trees. The route follows the Coquille River and is fairly flat so you
can take your time and see the sights on the way to our overnight at Powers
County Park.
Thursday, August 14 - Powers to Riddle
- 80 miles and 7,326' CEG
An absolutely epic ride awaits us today as we follow much
of the Glendale-to-Powers bicycle route. We continue to follow the Coquille
River through the forests on superb cycling roads. Due to the remoteness
of this route, few cyclists have an opportunity to ride these roads unsupported.
The route offers an exceptional glimpse of nature's finest: waterfalls,
rivers, majestic fir trees, mosses, lichens and ferns. There are a couple
of climbs to challenge you, and then you'll finish with an easy ride down
Cow Creek to our finish at Riddle City Park.
Friday, August 15 - Riddle to Millpond Campground
- 67 miles and 4,943' CEG
Another climate change awaits us as we return to lower elevations
and the Umpqua River watershed. The route is shorter but still challenging
as we ride through foothills east of the South Umpqua River. There are
no long climbs but instead a number of short steep hills before we reach
Glide. From Glide, we'll ride along the North Umpqua then up the hill
to our final overnight at the Millpond BLM Campground.
Saturday, August 16 - Millpond Campground to Cottage
Grove
- 52 miles and 3,632' CEG
OBR 2008 is never dull, and today it's back to small forest
roads on our way return to Cottage Grove. Start the day with a steady
climb up Huckleberry Mtn, then the long descent to the Row River. Finish
the ride in style along the Row River Trail that follows the old railroad
grade past Dorena Lake and back into town.
Total miles 505 with Long Option on Layover Day
Total CEG 30,074 with Long Option on Layover Day
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