Exciting news from Ride Director, Steve Schulz:

Cycle Oregon has been on a tear ever since the inaugural ride in 1988, when (somewhat to our surprise) 1,006 cyclists from 20 states showed up and helped generate more than $360,000 for our fantastic rural hosts. Over the past 26 years, we’ve generated millions more in benefits for communities throughout the state and we’re just getting started.

Today the Cycle Oregon Fund has more than $2 million in assets, and net proceeds from events continue to expand our ability to support more and bigger community development projects. Thanks to a strong brand and an amazing family of riders and volunteers, we’re in a better position than ever to live up to our promise of transforming lives and communities through bicycling.

After a strategic evaluation of the organization, we concluded that one of the few things holding us back from continuing on our meteoric trajectory was staff capacity. That’s why we’re pleased to announce that Alison Graves has recently joined Cycle Oregon as its new executive director.

If only all problems could contain such easy and obvious solutions… Alison possesses a high degree of familiarity with the organization, plus a strong track record of innovation and leadership – that makes her uniquely qualified for the task at hand. She comes to Cycle Oregon with the potent combo of a master’s degree in Organizational Development and 10 years of experience leading next-stage nonprofits, collaborative programs and creative fundraising campaigns.

Alison will focus on specific efforts: strategic growth, advocacy and future grants and projects. I will continue to lead the charge on rides and other events, and oversee internal operations.

Alison most recently was executive director of Portland’s Community Cycling Center, where she helped position the nonprofit as a local and national leader in making bicycling accessible to people of all backgrounds. Her volunteer time is dedicated to being a board member of the League of American Bicyclists.

She’s ridden Cycle Oregon’s Week and Weekend rides since 2007, and is married to former Cycle Oregon board member and past Bike Gallery owner Jay Graves.

Please join us in welcoming her to the CO family!