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.

Covered Bridge

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.

Siuslaw River

Sunday, August 10 - Cottage Grove to Reedsport
 - 90 miles and 3,110' 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.

Umpqua Lighthouse

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.

Cape Arago

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.

Powers County Park Lake

Wednesday, August 13 - Bandon to Powers
 - 68 miles and 2,708' 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.

Huckleberry Mtn View

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.

Millpond Camping

Friday, August 15 - Riddle to Millpond Campground
 - 67 miles and 4,940' 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.

Typical Riding

Saturday, August 16 - Millpond Campground to Cottage Grove
 - 53 miles and 3,630' 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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