By DANA TIMS/YachatsNews
More than 1,000 cyclists will sweep into Toledo, Newport and through Waldport on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday as the week-long “classic” edition of Cycle Oregon pedals to the end of its 33-year run.
Riders, who started their sojourn with a Sunday send-off in Albany, will spend their final layover day either enjoying a quiet day in Toledo or pedaling into Newport along Yaquina Bay Road to take in the sights ranging from sea lions barking on the bayfront docks to Pacific Ocean waves.
“It’s a bitter-sweet moment, for sure,” said Cycle Oregon executive director Steve Schulz of the event’s final lap around the state. “But cycling has evolved a lot since we first started this in 1988 and we need to evolve with it.”
He urged motorists approaching the well-signed course – some of which will include brief stretches of U.S. 101 – to be patient and take their time.
“No one wants to get hurt out here, that’s for sure,” Schulz said. “A little patience will go a long way for everyone.”
A certain sense of nostalgia has pervaded this year’s ride said Schulz, noting that many of the more than 1,000 cyclists taking part are wearing T-shirts and jerseys acquired decades ago.
As in previous years, an army of about 100 longtime Cycle Oregon volunteers is traveling the entire route to help with provisions and related services at each stop. They are joined by an additional 50 people who are employed by food, beverage and related vendors.
The precise route for this year’s ride was set in December. It will end up covering anywhere from 350 to 454 miles, depending on which options riders choose. It will also include elevation gains of anywhere from 14,814 to 21,393 feet.
Schulz said he expects that alternatives to Cycle Oregon’s weeklong, “classic” event, such as weekend gravel-riding events, will help the organization to continue its annual distribution of $125,000 in the form of grants to applicants statewide. One grant, allotted some years ago, helped place bicycle racks at key locations around Yachats.
“You couldn’t pick a more beautiful spot to conclude this than cycling along the Oregon coast,” he said. “Everyone is enjoying themselves and getting a great treat.”
Tips and routes
Cycle Oregon organizers ask motorists traveling along the route to reduce their speeds in an effort to avoid collisions with the hundreds of cyclists who will be strung out along the well-signed roadway.
On Wednesday, cyclists will make the 78-mile ride from Cloverdale to Toledo. They will avoid Highway 101 by instead making a climb east of the highway in the Coast Range before making a sweeping descent into Toledo from the north.
Thursday’s layover day in Toledo will give riders a chance to bike into Newport for the afternoon via Yaquina Bay Road.
Friday’s 74-mile ride from Toledo to Alsea will include stints on Highway 101 from Newport to Waldport and then Oregon Highway 34 from Waldport to Five Rivers Road, which will take bikers through the Coast Range into Alsea. Friday’s route brings cars and bikes close together, with organizers urging special caution to slow down.
Highway 34 from Corvallis to Waldport is far too dangerous for the bikes and the riders. No bike lanes, curvy road and narrow for cars, trucks and bikes. It made for an anxious drive yesterday.