An average daily ascent of 4000 feet over four days of competition may not appeal to a lot of us who want to get out for a day in the woods, but for the adventure-seeking mountain bikers TRANS-CASCADIA 2016 gets the juices flowing. Hosted in Oakridge for the second consecutive year, Trans-Cascadia features more than 20 race stages and 100 competitors. All 100 race positions filled within one hour for the September 29 kick-off to the four-day event! Making this event more than just another bike race is its trail stewardship component. In April, Trans-Cascadia, Shimano and Santa Cruz Bikes combined forces to host a trail rehab work party. The public can play a role in furthering the stewardship program through the Ten for Trails raffle. A $10 donation enters you in a raffle for a custom Santa Cruz-Shimano XTR bike, but more importantly the proceeds are dedicated to the Trans-Cascadia trail rehabilitation program with 10 percent going to the trail advocacy program selected by the raffle winner.  

Oakridge is known as a mecca for mountain biking in the northwest.  Visiting cyclists, mountain and road, are finding the community and its bike friendly businesses are just what they are looking for. Whether staying at the Best Western Oakridge Inn or the historic Westfir Lodge and Kitchen, accommodations are family friendly and provide access to trails and roads to explore region.  

Furthering efforts to create bicycle connectivity within Oakridge, and between Oakridge and neighboring east Lane County communities, Mayor Jim Coey has spearheaded a group of mayors, business owners, forest management & stewardship professionals and interested cyclists. The group applied for and received funding through Travel Oregon's Bicycle Tourism Studio program. While its called the East Lane County Bicycle Tourism Studio, the project will look to include interested parties from all communities in eastern Lane county. The sessions are free, but people will need to sign-up.  

Three workshops are planned:

Cycling is a growing economic engine in Oregon.  A 2012 study of The Economic Significance of Bicycle-Related Tourism in Oregon noted $400 million in annual economic impact and a 2014 study, The Economic Significance of Cycling on Oregon Scenic Bikeways, illustrated that 79,000 day and overnight trips made along Oregon's 12 Scenic Bikeways contributed $12.4 million in economic impact. As Mayor Coey says, "Cyclists are the perfect visitor. They play hard, eat your food and drink your beer, then go to bed early and get it up and do it again!" 

Travel Oregon's Bike Friendly Business Program recognizes and promotes businesses that provide amenities to support local and visiting cyclists. This free program is also available to groups of businesses in close proximity to one another. Visit Ride Oregon Ride or Travel Lane County's Cycling page to find more resources for cycling in Oregon.

And remember to GO Oakridge!

Trans-Cascadia 2015 Video.