T. Kenji Sugahara
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Clackamas County Tourism & Cultural Affairs
Date: Fri, Mar 27, 2015 at 10:01 AM
Subject: Bicycle Tourism News for Clackamas County
To: kenji@obra.org
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*March 2015*
[image: Bicycle Tourism News
from Oregon's Mt. Hood Territory]
*We Want Your Input!*
Let us know if you have any ideas for topics you would like to see us
cover. Have an upcoming event? Let us know, and we'll include it below.
*Fighting for Mountain Biking Trails*
*About an hour from Portland, Sandy Ridge is currently one of the few
mountain biking spots for riders. Photo by Anna Laxague*
For years, mountain bikers in the Portland area have advocated for
increased trails closer to the city. Currently, enthusiasts must get in
their car and drive 45 minutes to an hour in order to find quality mountain
biking.
Portland was nowhere to be seen in Singletrack's
2014
list of the top 10 mountain biking cities in the U.S. and Canada.
In recent months, the mountain biking community has banded together to push
even more strongly for increased trails closer to Portland. In December
2014, over 200 individuals gathered at the North Tualatin Mountain Project
interactive community event hosted by Metro, who owns the property. Nearly
everyone in attendance indicated they had come to support plans for single
track riding in the natural area, according to Bike Portland
editor, Jonathan Maus.
Most recently, on March 16, over 300 riders gathered at the River View
Natural Area
to peacefully protest a riding ban imposed by Commissioners Nick Fish and
Amanda Fritz. For over 20 years, mountain bikers flocked to River View,
given that it was the only place to ride within close proximity to
Portland.
Typically, reasons given for limiting cycling in natural areas include
increased erosion, infringement on wildlife, and/or inability to share
trails with other users. Studies, however, have shown that mountain biking
causes no more environmental harm
than hiking or running. Moreover, many mountain bikers carry tools to
remove road blocks like fallen trees and volunteer to plant native species
or design trails that discourage erosion from usage.
Located just 15 miles from downtown Portland, Oregon City potentially faces
a similar fate as River View Natural Area. Like the North Tualatin Mountain
project, Metro owns the 300-acre parcel of land known as Newell Creek Canyon
.
Currently utilized by a transient population, the land is otherwise
unusable by the public. Metro plans to open the land to public use by
mid-2016.
*After many years of overgrowth and little use, Newell Creek Canyon in
Oregon City will soon offer recreation opportunities that may include
mountain biking. Photo by Kirill Ignatyev*
In a series of community visioning events hosted by Metro, the government
organization has asked for public input as to how the land should be used.
In the October 2014 meeting, attendants were given stickers to indicate yes
or no votes on particular features for the park, one of which included
mountain bike trails. In the beginning, green 'yes' dots littered the
mountain bike proposal, however, by the end, the 'no' votes seemed to have
caught up.
Once the Orange MAX line begins running in September 2015, the ride to
Newell Creek Canyon from the Park Ave Station stop is 10 miles away. In
addition to its close proximity to Portland, Oregon City has also proven
its status as a dedicated cycling destination with First City Cycles,
The
Bike Concierge
,
Oregon City Trail Alliance
,
and First City Central Marketplace and Bistro
,
located at the Oregon City Amtrak Station and slated to open June 1st.
Trails out in Oregon City may still require riders to load up their car and
drive to a mountain biking destination, but it would be the closest option
other than Powell Butte. Metro will host another community meeting this
spring, date still to be announced. Like North Tualatin Mountain and River
View, riders must demonstrate their desire and continue the fight for
nearby mountain biking trails.
Stay tuned to the Mt. Hood Territory Bicycle Tourism Newsletter for
continued updates.
*Featured Recipe of the Month*
*Strawberry Sunrise Smoothie. Photo by Sarah Britton of My New Roots*
Strawberry season is near and Oregon has, without a doubt, the most
delicious strawberries in the world. As the weather warms and smoothies for
breakfast begin to replace warm bowls of oatmeal, consider this Strawberry
Sunrise Smoothie from Sarah Britton of My New Roots
.
This smoothie is sunshine in a glass. The squeeze of lemon adds a hint of
tang, while the dates slightly sweeten the drink to perfection. Use almond,
or another kind of milk in place of the almonds + water, if you like, and
definitely add the lemon. Drink slowly and enjoy.
*Updates and Events*
*Oregon Active Transportation Summit Oregon Bicycle Tourism Partnership
Meeting*
Join transportation enthusiasts and professionals for two days of
discussions, sharing best practices, learning, and networking with
transportation leaders throughout Oregon. The summit takes place March
30-31, 2015 mobile workshops on March 29 and the Oregon Bicycle Tourism
Partnership meeting on March 31
. Learn more at the OATS website
.
*Oregon Bicycle Tourism Partnership Meeting*
Those interested in working collaboratively to help make Oregon an even
better place to ride are invited to join the Oregon Bicycle Tourism
Partnership
(OBTP) meeting on March 31, 2015. The purpose of OBTP is to make Oregon a
premier cycling destination in North America, increasing Oregon's economic
prosperity, particularly in rural areas. The meeting will be held at the
Sentinel Hotel. For more information and to RSVP, please visit the webpage
.
*Free Event - First Friday Film Viewing of Pedal Driven in Oregon City *
On Friday, April 3rd, Oregon City Library's First Friday film
will be Pedal Driven
.
This free event begins at 6:30 at the End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive
Center in Oregon City. Representatives from Oakridge and IMBA will
facilitate discussions afterward.
*Ride Oregon Ride Survey*
Take the RideOregonRide.com
website survey for a chance to win a GoPro Hero!
*Stay Connected*
www.mthoodterritory.com
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*Staff Questions?*
Jae Heidenreich
Tourism Development Lead
503-319-7977
jh@mthoodterritory.com
Jim Austin
Community Relations Specialist
503-742-5901
jim@mthoodterritory.com
Jeannine Breshears
Destination Marketing
Manager
503-655-8419
jeannine@mthoodterritory.com
Jen Sotolongo
Tourism Development Specialist
503-742-5920
jen@mthoodterritory.com
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Clackamas County Tourism & Cultural Affairs | 150 Beavercreek Road | Suite
245 | Oregon City | OR | 97045
--
Kenji Sugahara
Executive Director
Oregon Bicycle Racing Association
Phone: 503-278-5550
http://www.obra.org