Category : Cascade Cycling Classic

Great Benefit Ride – Providence Bridge Pedal

Hey there all you cyclists -My husband and I recently rode in the 2009 Providence Bridge Pedal which a portion of the proceeds benefit the Providence Heart and Vascular Institute as well as the Bicycle Transportation Alliance. You could chose between a 6, 8, or 11-Bridge ride. We chose the 11-Bridge ride which takes you across every bridge in Portland (including the Sellwood and St. John’s bridges). This picture is the beginning of the 11-Bridge ride. It was estimated that there was a total of 20,000 participants this year.

It is an amazing ride through many different areas of Portland. The route takes you through industrial areas, idyllic neighborhoods, the University of Portland and as you cross several of the bridges (yes, they do close the freeway- how cool is that!) there is the opportunity to take photos and drink in the vistas.

I hope that someday you may get to ride it. Not only is it fun for adults, but it is a great ride for families (especially the 6-Bridge Ride, very easy). But as always it is great to get back to Central Oregon.

Cheers!
Katie

Cycling in Central Oregon

If you are a cyclist then you probably already know that Central Oregon has some of the best cycling ( both road and mountain bike) around. My husband and I recently attended the Cascade Cycling Classic Criterium in Bend and it was an awesome display of strategy and skill. They had several different levels of racing from women’s amateur and pro to men’s amateur and pro (even former Tour de France rider Floyd Landis was there – photo courtesy of Jim Williams). It was a very hot afternoon and I certainly did not envy those men and women having to give it their all that day. The coolest thing about all of this is that it says Central Oregon is a great place to cycle. The week after the Cascade Cycling Classic, Bend hosted the USA National Road Cycling Championships. Wow, what a follow up.

If you are staying here at the Ranch or are planning a visit this summer or fall, don’t forget that we have 18 miles of bike paths (great for all levels of riders, even the wee ones). If you didn’t bring your bike, just head out to Glaze Meadow Recreation Center and see Eric to rent an amazing Marin comfort bike for touring the Ranch( we even have an on- site bike repair shop). For the more adventurous ones Eric can guide you to some of the best mountain bike trails in the area. Click here for a pdf of the Ranch bike path map. You just never know what you might see along the way.

See ya around the Ranch!

Katie