It’s here! Cycle Oregon’s (CO) annual seven-day bicycle tour through rural Oregon. Today we gather and tomorrow we roll out from Myrtle Creek, westward to the Southern Oregon Coast. Bandon, Gold Beach and Brookings are just a few towns waiting for our arrival and ready to showcase their hospitality, uniqueness and gems in their little corner of the world.  It is my sixth consecutive year participating in this delightful and priceless experience called, “Cycle Oregon”. 

The theme this year is, “Go for Gold” which evokes a spirit of going and digging in hopes of finding priceless treasures. For me, the treasures lie all around, and certainly, ahead of me. The training journey of preparing for the rigors of miles and climbs, connecting with and encouraging other girlfriends along the way have brought laughs, tears and cheers as we’ve progressed together and anticipate the next seven days together. 

While I’ve been in some of these towns previously, the ever-inspiring Oregon scenery never disappoints, is sure to renew and compel photo stops as we attempt to capture what only the eye can truly see. Meeting and greeting the townspeople makes for connecting with folks whose paths you may never otherwise have crossed. Surely, smiles, encouragement and stories will be exchanged as mediums too often undervalued. Oh, and the friendships; new and familiar will be discovered, forged and deepened as we embark on this common experience together. 

Finally, perhaps the most exquisite treasure of all, rare and priceless is the opportunity to become a kid again. Cycle Oregon assumes charge of all those logistics and chores that give us a freedom likened to the unencumbered days of childhood. Precious volunteers, staff and communities will cook, serve, schlepp bags, set up showers, beer gardens and bring live music nightly to the CO stage. All we need to do is show up with a bike and a helmet and a pile of bike garb. Car key gets tucked away, cell phones usually disconnect (for lack of wifi and cell towers) and it’s seven days of play-time!

Let’s give a BIG shout out to the volunteers, vendors, hosting communities and the amazing CO staff, led by Steve Schultz, that have worked harder than most of us will ever know. It is this amazing team that enables the rest of us to don our seven, eight and nine-year old personas, hoot, holler and enjoy a careless spin for the next seven days.

Follow along with us and I’ll share some of the iconic moments and gold nuggets lying in wait for the watchful eye. This is sure to be another treasure-filled week where we will bag memories, stories and awesome experiences. We will return home richer, with treasures to share and an experience that reminds us why we love to ride our bikes.

Then next year, you can join us!?!?