Southern Oregon welcomed over 470 cyclists this weekend for the annual Cycle Oregon Rally, a five‑day, multi‑day ride that began in Grants Pass, wound through Jacksonville and Ashland, and returned to its starting point. The event, now the organization’s largest, draws participants from the Portland metro area and dozens of other states, highlighting the region’s appeal to outdoor enthusiasts.
Veteran riders share memories and new motivations
Andrew Dumitru, a longtime participant who completed his 12th Rally this year, recalled his first bike ride in 1959 in Barstow, California, when a single‑speed bike required him to pedal backward to stop. “I crashed into a parked car the first time I tried to turn around,” he laughed, adding that the experience sparked a lifelong love of cycling. Today, Dumitru, who moved to Eugene in the 1990s and once baked pies at the Alphabit Café during the inaugural 1988 ride, says the rally offers a “vacation” and a chance to “comb out” his mind, especially with his touch of ADHD.
Dumitru’s story mirrors that of many riders who have found community and purpose through the rally. Dawnetta Rios, a Springfield resident and chief operating officer at Influents Innovations, has ridden the event ten times. She first discovered cycling after years of running and triathlon training, joining a local running club in 2008 that later evolved into a group of friends who now ride together regularly. “Cycle Oregon is like summer camp for adults,” Rios said. “You can get away from regular life, have no responsibilities other than riding and eating.”
Volunteer spirit fuels the rally’s success
Volunteers are the backbone of the rally, with many returning year after year. Eva Frazier of Portland, who first rode in 2009, now spends a week each spring volunteering. She praised the event’s unique blend of sport, music, and camaraderie: “Where else can you volunteer, be fed, hear live music, make lifelong friends, and sleep under the stars?”
Since its inception nearly three decades ago, when Ashland innkeeper Jim Beaver imagined a ride that would showcase rural Oregon and support small towns, Cycle Oregon has adapted to changing circumstances. After the challenges of COVID‑19 and seasonal wildfires, the organization retired its seven‑day Classic ride in 2023 and introduced the Rally format, which requires fewer logistical resources while still delivering a rich experience for participants.
Supporting local economies and youth programs
Each year, the rally’s route changes, bringing cyclists to different small communities and providing a boost to local businesses. In 1988, riders swarmed the Alphabit Café in Mapleton, ordering pies, soups, sandwiches and coffee. Today, the event continues that tradition of supporting rural economies.
Beyond the ride itself, Cycle Oregon runs the Jumpstart program, which introduces children in small communities to cycling. Since its launch in 2020, Jumpstart has distributed more than 9,000 bikes and helmets, encouraging a new generation to experience the freedom of riding.
Looking ahead
Organizers say the rally will keep evolving, offering more gravel options, accessible bikes and a growing presence of women riders. Yet the core mission remains unchanged: to connect people with Oregon’s scenic towns and foster a sense of community on two wheels.
“I love that cycling is a wonderful way to see the world,” said Danielle Curran, a longtime participant. “You can see so much more from the seat of a bicycle than from a car.”
Original reporting: Homepage – Lookout Eugene-Springfield — read the source article.
