PRESS RELEASE: Best Regional Bike Rides

Candi Murray

2017-12-07

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

*From:* "Ayleen Crotty, ORbike Editor"
*Subject:* *PRESS RELEASE: Best Regional Bike Rides*

*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*
December 6, 2017

Oregon -- Oregon is home to a wealth of supported bike rides that get
groups of cyclists out riding their bikes on sanctioned routes through the
gorgeous landscape. But which rides are the best? ORbike.com
, a resource that promotes bike events, asked readers to
vote for their favorite rides and the results are now in with some
surprising results.

>From well known rides that have been around since the 70's, like Monster
Cookie Metric Century in Salem, to brand-new events like the hip Swift
Summit in Lebanon, more than 57 events were on the list and 575 riders cast
their votes.

*RESULTS: *See below. Five events won awards, with three ties for a
sixth-place Honorable Mention. Wining events have been awarded the
prestigious Best Bike Rides badge of honor (attached) that they will
display on their website for the year.

*IMAGES: *Below or contact us for high res versions.

*MORE INFORMATION:*
Ayleen Crotty, Editor ORbike.com
971-221-7228
Ayleen@ORbike.com

First Place: Strawberry Century

[image: strawberry century]

*25 years strong!* Strawberry Century’s reputation shone through in this
year’s contest; they earned a whopping 40% of the votes and came in first
place by a landslide.

This ride out of Lebanon, hosted by the Santiam Spokes club, takes riders
on a gorgeous ride snaking along the swift Santiam and Calapooia Rivers.

*Strawberry Century
happens every June.
*
Second Place: Swift Summit

[image: swift summit]
*Out of the gate strong!* Part brevet
, part gran fondo, part
self-supported endurance road race, Swift Summit debuted in 2017 to rave
reviews. The two courses, 100 and 200 miles, offer scenic views of the
Cascades Mountain range and moderate elevation.

Unlike most events on our list, Swift Summit challenges participants to
self support for stretches of 40 miles at a time. With 20% of the vote, the
event solidly earned second place statues – very impressive for a
first-year event, and clearly a keeper!

*Swift Summit is August 11, 2018. *
Third Place: Monster Cookie

[image: monster cookie]

*A season opener.* The first ever Monster Cookie Metric Century was held in
1977, which is why we’re so pleased to see the event high up on the ORbike
Best Bike Rides results.

The event begins at the State Capitol Mall in Salem and snakes along back
country roads to Champoeg Park and back to Salem. So what’s with the cookie
theme? Well, as legend goes, in 1982 some volunteers baked monster-sized
cookies for the riders. The treats were such a hit that the name stuck.

*Monster Cookie
is April 29,
2018. *
Fourth Place: Tour de Fronds

[image: Tour de Fronds]

*Proof that size doesn't matter!* This hidden expedition takes riders
through the forested region of the Southern Oregon Coast Range, stationed
out of the little-known town of Powers, Oregon. This volunteer-run event
pours gushing waterfalls of heart and soul into the beloved ride every year.

With a ridership hovering just around 200, we were astounded to see little
Tour de Fronds snag first place (by a landslide) last year. “Well, the
secret’s out now!” said one fan of the ride.

It may not be easy to get to the start line, and that’s definitely part of
the magical adventure that is Tour de Fronds.

*Tour de Fronds is June 16, 2018. *
Fifth Place: The Art of Survival Century

[image: art of survival century bike ride]
*A very special weekend experience*, so it’s no wonder you selected it as a
top ride. The event takes place on the border of Oregon and California,
staged out of the tiny town of Tulelake, CA – just outside of Klamath
Falls. The ride, now entering its fourth year, is part of a movement to
bring economic vitality and positivity to the region.

Because the ride is in such a remote setting and on a holiday weekend, it
makes for an awesome getaway adventure of exploring other parts of our fine
state.

Art of Survival Century is a quiet, introspective adventure like no other
with birds diving and swooping along the road in front of you, meandering
backcountry farm routes, friendly drivers who pass with wide berth and a
friendly wave and ranger-led talks and information at each information
point along the way.

*Art of Survival Century happens every
Memorial Day Weekend. The 2018 event is May 26. *
Honorable Mentions

The following rides all tied for 6th place with exactly 57 votes.

- *Weekender – by Cycle Oregon*
*(pictured)* out of
McMinnville
- *Petal Pedal* out of Silverton
- *Harvest Century* out of Hillsboro

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