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Classic Route Talk: Day 7 – Dorena Lake to Oakridge

TRAILS, TIMBER, AND TRIUMPHS

Well, this is it. Day 7. The bittersweet finale to a week full of experiences you’ll be talking about for years to come. Soak it all in and savor every pedal stroke because after today, it’s back to reality.

Today, we leave the sparkling, glassy waters of Dorena Lake behind and pedal our way to the town of Oakridge, nestled in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. The first 11 miles of the day may look familiar–that’s because they are the last 11 miles of yesterday’s ride, only heading in the opposite direction. This will give you a chance to appreciate Dorena Lake’s beauty from every angle. The Row River Trail will escort us along the banks of Dorena Lake until we are almost to our first stop at Wildwood Falls.

At around mile 19, the route enters the Umpqua National Forest. Make yourself right at home amongst the stands of Western Hemlock, Douglas Firs, Cedars and old-growth Ponderosas because most of the day will be forest riding, with the occasional stream, on lightly used US Forest Service roads.

Shortly after the second stop of the day, you’ll encounter a climb–nothing major, but you will notice that you and your bike are working a little harder now. As you approach the summit, there are some steep climbing sections for three miles before you reach the (first) top of the hill at mile 36. Just take it at your own pace and fantasize about fresh legs and cool breezes.

At mile 39, you’ll crest the second (and final) hilltop of the day at which time you can confidently shift from “uphill mode” to “downhill mode”. Take a minute to look to your left where you may just be able to make out Crater Lake in the distance. Hey, remember when we rode around Crater Lake? That was awesome! Now, sit back and let gravity take over as you cruise the remaining 20 downhill miles, being mindful of some steep stretches along a tree shaded road into Oakridge, where lunch and the rolling caravan of bicycle enthusiasts that is Cycle Oregon awaits your triumphant arrival.

Once back at Oakridge, you will have thus completed a most epic loop – consisting of mountains, wild rivers, ancient volcanoes, deep, blue lakes, and cascading waterfalls. You will have sweated, camped, and traded tails with somewhere around 1,500 of your new closest friends. You will have pedaled 430 miles, and climbed 24,186 feet of altitude. And you will have created memories to last a lifetime, all while helping transform each of the amazing Oregon communities that we pass through.


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3 Comments

  1. Bob Smith says:

    I am super excited. Our team (Team Ferrari) has been training for months. Lots of climbs:) See you Saturday ! Bob Smith, Sonoma County California

  2. Peg and Greg Demagalski says:

    What a great group of people!! We volunteer as a group of 38 people from Circle Bar Golf Club. We served dinner, bused tables and sorted garbage. I have to say it was a great experience, we will definitely do it again. Ride on to all the great people in met and encounter. Greg and Peg Demagalski

  3. Lauri O’Neill says:

    I live and work in Oakridge. I volunteered Saturday and Sunday. It was so exciting to see all the bikers in our small town. I had an awesome experience visiting with the folks from all over. Everyone I met was courteous. There are a few people complaining about the bikes and traffic around town but most of us are glad you picked our town to ride and spend some $.