You may have heard that Cycle Oregon’s weeklong Classic ride was sunsetting in 2023 after a legendary 33 years.
That hardly means their beloved summer bike events are going away.
Cycle fans, rejoice: Cycle Oregon is back in 2024 with a series of four epic rides, each including food and drink, live music, baggage transport, signed routes, SAG vans, mechanical and medical assistance if needed, and overnight sites with camping amenities, beer garden, vendors, bike mechanics and more support.
In short, all you have to do is show up and pedal.
In 2024 you can pick your poison. There’s a 5-day Rally ride (replacing the 7-day Classic) in Eastern Oregon’s Wallowa Mountains; a 2-day Gravel grinder to get your adrenaline going; a 2-day Joyride at a dreamy Central Oregon outpost; and a family-friendly Weekender ride in the Willamette Valley. Limited access for e-bike riders is available.
Riders can feel great about the impact they are making: Proceeds from Cycle Oregon rides are placed in a dedicated fund at the Oregon Community Foundation. Since the fund’s creation in 1996, Cycle Oregon has awarded 382 grants totaling $2.9 million through its community and signature grants. In addition, Cycle Oregon provides about $150,000 each year to community groups for the services they provide on the events.
Cycle Oregon events draw riders young and old, from all backgrounds. The event is a true opportunity to experience Oregon’s stunning landscapes up close, challenge yourself mentally and physically like you haven’t before, and find joy with new and old bicycle-loving friends from across the globe.
Here’s the skinny on each ride. Make this the year you check it off your bucket list.
Rally
Sept. 8-13, 2024, the Wallowas
198-298 miles, with options
This 5-day event is designed with daily road and gravel route options set amidst the Umatilla and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests. Riders will get to soak up the landscape of peaks and rivers through forested climbs and open prairies. As always with Cycle Oregon rides, a big focus is on immersing yourself in the communities. Set against the Blue and Wallowa Mountains, the communities of Elgin and Enterprise will welcome riders at iconic destinations like the Elgin Opera House, Elgin Stampede grounds and Terminal Gravity brewpub. Get early-bird registration before May 15.
Weekender
July 12-14, 2024
McMinnville
30-127 miles, with options
Round up the family or group of friends for a weekend of riding the rolling hills of the Willamette Valley. This ride makes its basecamp at Linfield University in downtown McMinnville, and the focus is on fun, live music, food and drinks with a campus atmosphere. Ride the friendly roads by day and check out the region’s best restaurants, cafes and shops by night.
Gravel
June 7-9, 2024, Big Summit Prairie
65-115 miles, with options
Gravel riding has soared in popularity in recent years, and Big Summit Prairie promises a grand gravel adventure. Riders will enjoy the sights and sounds of gravel crunching amidst Central Oregon’s Ochoco Mountains with wildflowers prairies, forested high-desert and a star-filled sky at night.
Joyride
August 9-11, 2024, Tygh Valley
27-98 miles, with options
Calling all women, female-identifying and nonbinary people for a fun-filled weekend on two wheels at Justesen Ranch. Tucked into the White River Canyon, this high desert in Central Oregon’s Tygh Valley is curated by women for female-identifying and nonbinary people, designed to create a fun and welcoming environment in a space that centers the experiences of women. Riders can choose their route each day, along wild and scenic rivers, across high plateau fields and picture-perfect views of the Cascades. Post-ride, you can hike, raft, fly fish or hang out in camp and enjoy the live music and party vibes.
