Shifty

Registration opened on Wednesday for the Cycle Oregon rides for this year. The registration process was a bit rocky with some major computer glitches, but I secured my spot on the week ride, so woo hoo! There may still be time to register, but act fast.

Anyone else going this year? The route looks nice, an area that I've not ridden, so I'm stoked.

https://www.cycleoregon.com/week-ride/

DoubleTap

I'm in for both the week and the weekend ride. Rode them both last year and had a blast. The 2013 week route looks much easier than last, about half the climbing, so I'm looking forward to "smelling the roses" a bit more along the way. Last year, I was grinding on some of those climbs and was wiped out by the finish each day.

B. Carfree

I haven't ridden along those roads in nearly a quarter-century. It was mighty nice riding back then, and there's no reason to think it isn't just as good today.

2thGrinder

I was also able to get through the registration mess. Looking forward to the ride.

Shifty

This is the flattest Cycle Oregon I've been on, a few days of climbs, but generally pretty flat. It's beautiful country and we won't see car traffic on any of the days. I'm also happy to see that the lay over day will be on a ranch in the middle of nowhere, that should be interesting considering the massive camp that we bring along. They say that the night sky in that area has the lowest ambient light of anywhere in the country (must mean lower 48), so looking forward to star gazing like last year in Silver Lake. I'm pretty happy about the ride and can't wait to get to John Day in September.

jppe

I registered on a whim without even reading about the route and logistics...... From what you are sharing I'm getting more and more excited. I was thinking it filled up pretty quickly and I was only able to get to a computer around 45 mins after registration started so focused on getting registered. Maybe the computer glitches worked in my favor???

It's pricey for me to fly in, get a couple nights hotels and take the bus but what the heck. Looking forward to the ride. Now if I can just get in the Ride the Rockies lottery I'll be set for the year!

I like and don't mind hills so was a little disappointed about the CO route being so flat. But it sounds like it will be scenic and a good week on the bike so no complaints here. What are the temps generally like for that time of the year? I have all the stuff so it's just a matter of knowing what to bring.

Shifty

Expect a wide range of temps that time of year. The days should be near perfect in the 70's and 80's and dry air ( think Colorado). Nights will be cool, as low as 30 degrees, so pack a good sleeping bag. CO offers drop service, so you can shed layers as the day warms, mornings will be cool, bring clothing like RtR, same deal. I pack a folding chair in my duffel bag, it's nice for evenings in camp.
I've also done RtR a couple times, this is a better overall week IMHO, and the cost is actually better on CO when all meals are included, I think it's a good value for what is included. Great entertainment at night, bring bucks for tipping kids that do things for you and for trips to the beer garden.

Let me know if I can help with anything on this end, I hope to meet up with you.

PDXaero

Im going for that scholarship, no way I can put aside $1000 unless I sell a few bikes.

C0500

If your looking for some more opportunities to ride Oregon check out the Central Oregon 500. Way smaller and each day is a out and back from Bend Or. 5 days 500+ MILES. 6/5 to 6/9 2013

https://www.mbsef.org/events/central_oregon_500/
https://www.mapmyride.com/events/543802/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Centra...49231508440401
centraloregon500@gmail.com

Jeff Wills

It's Oregon high desert, so it can be close to freezing in the morning and into the '90's during the day. It's a dry heat- if you're coming from the East Coast, you'll be quite comfortable.

The route is a near-duplicate of Cycle Oregon 14, which my wife and I did in 2001. The hills may surprise you (especially if you do the "bonus" miles), but the scenery through the Malheur Wildlife Refuge and around Steens Mountain is fantastic.

FWIW: I have odd memories of Cycle Oregon 14. The third day, from Crane to Diamond, was September 11th, 2001. It's the quietest day riding I've ever experienced.

jppe

Thanks to you all for the feedback. Looking forward to it and it should fit very nicely with my riding schedule. I usually back off riding in July and August and play golf so this fits perfectly frm that perspective. It sounds like I just need to pack like I do for RtR and I should be in great shape. I have a great down sleeping bag plus all the riding accessories so I should be fine. I thoroughly enjoy doing different venues so since it will be my first experience in Oregon anything new and different should terrific.

How strict are they with strapping a bag onto a bag. I have a smaller backpack that with well placed velcro can be strapped onto my rolling duffel bag and it almost looks like one larger bag. The duffel bag only weighs 50 lbs but the little extra space in the backpack really helps. The duffel bag is not oversized which helps me avoid the extra airline baggage fees. I can probably get it all down to one my bag but it is really hard on colder mornings getting the darn thing all zipped up. I've already had to restitch some of the seams in the rolling duffel bag due to the extra stress I've put on it from time to time. I guess I could leave out my blowup mattress but that really does help tremendously.

Shifty

The key to your baggage is that it doesn't go over the weight limit and that it doesn't come apart. If you put two bags together well I doubt that anything will be said. I think that the bags endure a fair amount of pain stacked in the trucks, so put them together well and you'll be OK. The people who handle your bags are community volunteers, and they change every time we move to a new town, they won't complain to CO unless they get a broken back from lifting your bag, or if it comes apart during travel and loading/unloading.

TJClay

I'm coming up from Southern California for my first CO and really looking forward to it. Most likely coming solo so looking forward to meeting some new friends.