2022 Ride Guide Vol III
There are a million little details that make every Cycle Oregon event unique. This volume will take you through the final details of planning – entertainment, community info, meals and more. If you’re new to Cycle Oregon, it’s a great investment of your time to go over these details. Even if you’re a veteran, peruse the guide as a reminder of the things you’ll need to make your journey a great one. If you missed the first two Ride Guides, take a look:
Previous Ride Guides: VOL I // VOL II
Important Updates
- Only registered Rider Guests can bring vehicles on the event. Do not plan on driving along the route or entering camp (regardless of the vehicle make and size).
- The deadline to receive a refund for registration has passed.
Connectivity
You will be traveling through rural Oregon. Cell towers are sparse on the route and WiFi is non-existent in camp.
This is not to say that you’ll be cut off from the rest of the world, just that you should have lower expectations. You may not be able to post that sweet video of your ride to the Painted Hills to Instagram right away.
Pro tip 1: If you’re trying to meet up with a group of people in camp, send texts. They tend to get through more reliably than phone calls. Or go analog and leave a note on the Rider Services message board.
Pro tip 2: If your Garmin, iPhone, Kindle, etc. is an absolute necessity, consider signing up for the charging service with the Community Cycling Center. There are very few places to plug in around camp.
Pro tip 3: Bring a book or a deck of cards! It is still possible to entertain yourself without the internet.
Directions to John Day
Long term Parking is located adjacent to the the overnight site. Please follow these directions when you arrive into John Day. Porters will move your bags to the overnight site (located at Grant County Fairgrounds), and you will be able to ride your bike.
If you would like to google driving directions, please set JOHN DAY COMMUNITY GARDENS as your destination.
From the Portland Area:
- From I-84 East, take Exit 97 to OR-206
- Follow OR-206 E to OR-19S/S Main St in Condon
- Continue on OR-19 S until it ends at US-26, then turn left on to US-26
- As you enter John Day, US-26 turns in to W Main Street
- Go through the main stretch of town, past the traffic light, then turn left onto NE 3rd Ext
- Follow signs to parking.
From Eugene Area:
- From Eugene, follow US-126 E which will join US-20 E
- Follow US-20 E to OR-126 in Sisters
- Follow OR-126 E to US-97 N in Redmond (from Bend join at US-97 N in Redmond)
- Follow OR-126 E to US-26 E/NW 3rd St in Prineville
- Merge on to US-26 E/NW 3rd Street
- As you enter John Day, US-26 turns in to W Main Street
- Go through the main stretch of town, past the traffic light, then turn left onto NE 3rd Ext
- Follow signs to parking.
If you are coming from the Salem, Corvallis, Eugene area and plan on taking US-20 to get to John Day, there will be a full road closure between Sweet Home and Santiam Junction. Click Here to view the details of the closure and detour information.
Accommodations in John Day
Planning to arrive early or stay late? We’ve got you covered. Book with one of the many local options in town, all located within about a half mile from the overnight site.
Dreamers Lodge: 144 N Canyon Blvd, John Day // (541) 575-0526
John Day Motel: 250 E Main St, John Day // (541) 575-9000
Sunset Inn: 390 W Main St, John Day // (541) 575-1462
Entertainment
Main Stage and Headliner Schedule
Join us each evening at the main stage for some amazing music. There will also be guest speakers each night, important announcements, and information about the next day’s ride. Take a look at Rider Services each day for a full schedule. One note, there will not be a bike rodeo this year.
- 4:45 p.m. – Opening band
- 6:00 p.m. – Guest speaker
- 7:00 p.m. – Short set from headliner band
- 7:30 p.m. – Nightly announcements
- 8:00 p.m. – Headliner band
Community Information
Cycle Oregon would not be as special as it is without the support and flavor of each local community. They have put in a lot of effort and creativity into making their community an inviting place for us.
Community Projects
This year on our layover days in Fossil and Mitchell, riders can take a little time off the bike and lend a direct hand to our host communities!
In Fossil, on Tuesday the 13th we’ll be getting dirty with a little creek clean up and walking trail maintenance, and on Thursday the 15th in Mitchell, we’ll be lending a hand in helping with some remodeling work at the Mitchell Community Hall, doing some painting and clean up.
So if you want to do some good off the bike, as well as on, bring some work clothes along and join us on these community projects! There will be more details on the event, so check in with the community booths in both Fossil and Mitchell.
Route Information, Maps, and GPS Files
With a focus on sustainability and an appreciation for what Ride with GPS offers our community we will NOT be handing out printed maps at the event. All daily routes will be thoroughly signed by Cycle Oregon so, if you choose, you don’t need to have maps in any form for navigation. If you would like a hard copy of the route maps, you can download and print the files below.
COVID-19 Information
Rider health and safety is paramount on Cycle Oregon events. Working within the guidelines from the Oregon Health Authority, we have developed COVID-19 safety plans and protocols which we will amend as new updates and guidelines are announced leading up to an event.
Updated 8/26/2022 – As of March 11, 2022 masks are no longer required for indoor settings or group activities in Oregon. There are exceptions, masks are required in healthcare settings, and we ask that you are mindful of additional requests you may encounter while in Eastern Oregon as we visit communities during Classic.
Masks are not required at Classic, but we support those who choose to wear them for any reason they may have. We recognize members of the Cycle Oregon community and those associated with support of this event hold varying views on face covering. Out of respect for one another and in the spirit of the Cycle Oregon mission we ask that you honor our mask-friendly policy at Classic – Do what’s best for you.
Teasing, mocking, harassment, or intimidation from any position towards others will not be tolerated.
Attending events with people outside of your household carries risk of COVID-19 transmission, so it is important to know how to protect yourself & others.
Please note we are passed the deadline to receive a refund for cancelling your participation in Classic. We do not make exceptions to our cancellation policy (including COVID-19 related issues, family, medical, or employment situations). We cannot offer credits or transfers.
Rules of the Ride
The number one priority of Cycle Oregon is your safety. Therefore, here are a few rules we insist you follow:
1. Only bicycles propelled by human power are allowed to participate in a Cycle Oregon sponsored event. (In 2022, up to ten e-bikes will be allowed to participate in a pilot program in Classic. These bikes must be approved prior to registering for the event.)
2. Helmets and two water bottles (or equivalent) are required on Cycle Oregon. The use of rear-view mirrors is recommended as a safety measure.
3. Cycle Oregon uses a group of Safety Patrol volunteers on motorcycle who provide an on-course presence and are a good source of information or assistance during the ride. They enhance the overall safety of the ride by interacting with riders who may pose a hazard by unlawful or unsafe riding. Heed their advice.
4. By Oregon law, bicyclists are operators of vehicles and must comply with all traffic laws. Cycle Oregon reserves the right to expel any participant who demonstrates a reluctance to ride in a safe and lawful manner. Riders who violate safety laws in the Oregon motor vehicle code are also subject to citation by law enforcement officials.
5. The Cycle Oregon course is open for designated hours. Course support vehicles and other support services are available only during course hours. Any cyclist(s) still on the course after the designated closing time will be offered a ride to camp; if you choose not to take it you are on your own to get into camp and no course support services will be available for those who choose to stay out.
6. SAG support is to be used for mechanical and/or medical reasons only. Excessive use of SAG support (3 or more times) for any other reason may exclude participants from registering for future Cycle Oregon events.
7. The course will be clearly marked. If you leave the official course, you are not part of the ride and will not receive any services or support.
8. We try to direct as much vehicle traffic as possible off the route. Nevertheless, the tour travels on public highways. Therefore, ride no more than two abreast. Ride beside a pal only where it is safe to do so, and where you do not block traffic or force other riders to swing far out to pass.
9. Never draft behind a vehicle. Pace lines are prohibited in areas of high vehicle or cyclist traffic and are limited in size to a maximum of seven riders. Be especially careful at railroad tracks, cattle guards, and busy intersections. Course monitors and safety vehicles may be stationed in areas of special concern.
10. Call “ON YOUR LEFT” to alert a rider you intend to pass. The call “CAR BACK” passes the message forward when a vehicle is approaching from behind. Use arm signals to indicate turns. Point out potholes, broken glass and other hazards to those behind you. Signal your intention to stop, and pull off the roadway.
11. Use of headphones while riding on Cycle Oregon is highly discouraged. Safe group riding in an event such as Cycle Oregon depends on communication between cyclists. Headphones interfere with that process and make it difficult for people to hear instructions such as “CAR BACK” and “ON YOUR LEFT.” Headphones also make it difficult to hear approaching cars or trucks, negatively impacting the safety of cyclists and motorists.
12. Cycle Oregon enjoys a reputation for leaving our campsites, lunch spots, rest stops, and course spotless. Please dispose of all trash, recyclables, and compostables in the appropriate places.
13. Cyclists must keep the roadway clear when stopping at an event-designated stop or any other location. Please ensure that bicycles are parked off the road and that cyclists do not congregate on the roadways.
14. Cycle Oregon includes at least one roadside water stop each day, along with assorted drinks at meals and all rest stops. Still, the responsibility for carrying sufficient water and remaining properly hydrated is yours. Make sure you drink extra fluids before, during, and after the ride to reduce the risk of dehydration. While in the saddle, you should consume an average of one liter of fluid for each hour of riding. Drink before you become thirsty. By the time you feel thirsty, you are already slightly dehydrated. Muscle cramping can also be a sign of dehydration. If at any time you run low on water, signal a SAG van with a “thumbs down” and ask for a fill-up. Do not be tempted by roadside rivers and streams, as the water may contain bacteria or parasites.
Emergency Information
In extreme emergencies, family members can contact a rider by calling the Oregon State Police at 541-776-6111. Please ask them to send an urgent message to Cycle Oregon officials. Bear in mind that it may take up to 12 hours to locate a rider and relay a message.
Extensive Communications – HAM radio operators provide emergency and logistical communication for Cycle Oregon. HAM radio operators ride in most Cycle Oregon vehicles so that event managers, medical services, and all staff are in touch at all times.
Medical Service – Adventure Medics provides around-the-clock medical support on the course and in camp. If you require medical attention on the course, you should notify a SAG, ambulance, or staff vehicle with the “thumbs down” signal.
There is no charge for medical services rendered by Adventure Medics on the course or at the campsite. Adventure Medics will not transport you to a medical facility unless it is a critical situation. If you require transport using Adventure Medics, a local ambulance or helicopter, you will be financially responsible for any resulting charges. You are also financially responsible for any services provided by local medical facilities.
You can help in an emergency. If you witness an accident on the course, please do the following:
- Do not hesitate to call 911 on route. Often this will be the fastest way to get help.
- Do not move the injured rider, especially if you suspect a head or spinal injury.
- Notify a passing ambulance, SAG wagon or staff vehicle with the “thumbs down” signal.
- Take care of yourself. Do not step into the path of vehicle traffic.
- Keep the injured person calm.
- Once a Cycle Oregon official is on the scene and you have given a statement, please continue on the ride.
Medical Emergency in camp: Go to the medical tent, as a medic will be on call at all times.
Evacuation: PA announcements throughout the campsite will alert the riders to prepare for evacuation. Please go immediately to the Main Stage for instructions.
Severe Weather: Harsh weather may warrant the use of contingency facilities for shelter, if available. Details will be announced from the Main Stage.