The Duncan Ride returns- Free Supported Century Plus
 

Suffer, Eat Ice Cream, Suffer some more

On September 21, 2013, for just the second time ever, The Duncan Ride is coming . This is a FREE (Can you afford it?) supported ride in the glorious O&C* lands west of Eugene, Oregon. 116 miles, 8700 feet of climbing (according to ridewithgps).

Route: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/3072063

Sign Up: Googledoc sign-up at https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/...0bFRYMUE#gid=0 Email us at Duncan.Rhodes@Cerrillos.net to sign up or ask questions. Ride support limited to the first 50 who sign up. We need to know who is riding so we can track you into the wilds of the O&C. We fully support pirating this ride, but please sign up with us so we know you are there and can feed you; we need to know how much ice cream to bring.

Support: Limited to map/cue sheet handout at start (or print your own from the link), two rest stops with water, soda, snacks, ice cream at one, sag vehicle to follow in case of breakdowns (no cell phone coverage in the O&C), course markings and lights/clothing drop. If we line up more support, we'll update you. (Last year, the total support crew consisted of two old men in cars and an old couple on a tandem.:50::tandem:)

Organizers (disorganizers?): The Whiteaker Community Council, a neighborhood association in Eugene, OR that represents a neighborhood with 20% bike modal share, has joined the League of American Bicyclists in order to better promote cycling of all types. This is our one "big" ride of the year. Standard LAB insurance for participants, volunteers and organizers. While you're here, enjoy one of our many neighborhood brew pubs and/or fine restaurants.

What to expect: If last year's debut is anything to go by, there will be a few hardy souls who choose to come enjoy the best cycling in Oregon with you; don't expect crowds. As you leave town, you warm up on Gimpl Hill. After a short recovery, tackle Wolf Creek and Timberline, the gateway to the O&C lands. One more small bump on the way up the Siuslaw River puts you at the first rest stop. Drop off your extra gear, refill your bottles, have a snack and then climb Buck Creek to Elk Creek. Had enough climbing for one morning? Then take a break with a thirty mile descent/flat/rollers along the Smith River. Next up is the nine mile grind up South Sister Rd. to Oxbow Summit where ice cream awaits. Don't overdo the ice cream because there is more climbing ahead. Just six miles from Oxbow Summit you climb Timberline, descend it and then deal with the false flat and headwind of Wolf Creek Rd. Descend the last two miles of Wolf Creek to Crow Rd, the only place you will experience any overtaking cars all day long (hopefully no more than ten). At the end of Crow Rd one last challenge awaits: Greenhill Rd. It has several terraces, so don't empty your tank on the first ones you see. Pitches reach 12% here. Enjoy the last descent and then recover on your way back to the start via the Fern Ridge Bike Path.

*O&C: These are the Oregon and California Railroad lands. They were originally given to a private company of the same name in exchange for building a rail line between Oregon and California. The railroad was never built, so the Bureau of Land Management took these lands back for public use many decades ago. While the O&C is actually a checkerboard of parcels, the entire region is commonly referred to as the O&C. Simply put, it is tree farms, some forest, creeks, rivers and wildlife.

Start Time: Sunrise is 7:00 AM. We recommend starting at 6:00 AM (with lights) in order to both get out of town before any traffic starts and so that you can finish at a reasonable hour. We will have a volunteer in the Red Barn Parking lot by 6:00 who will stay until slightly after 7:00 for late starters. Maps and cue sheets will be available at the start.

Shorter Options?: Yes, of course. We can route you around both Gimpl Hill and Greenhill Rds if need be. You can also just ride to the ice cream stop and back for a 70 mile out-and-back, or ride to the first rest stop and then back-track and go on to the ice cream stop for an 84 mile Y-route. Those routes and options will be posted here later this month.

What's it look like?: Since so few people venture out into the O&C, here's a few photos of where you will be riding.

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