Event Policies & FAQs

All cyclists will be asked to sign a waiver when registering. To review the waiver beforehand, click on the link above. You must show picture ID in order to check in.

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 2026 we can only accommodate pedal-assisted e-bikes and will have 35 e-bike spots available at Rally for $125 per spot. We do allow pedal-assisted e-bikes at GRAVEL and Joyride but you are responsible for bringing and charging your own batteries. We recommend 2 fully charged batteries, one for each day of riding.

 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 five 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.

If you or someone near you is having an emergency, do not hesitate to dial 911. Often one of our medical team will pick up the call on their radio.

Extensive Communications

Cycle Oregon has lots of help on the road in case of an emergency. 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 staff are in touch at all times. If no one is around to assist in the event of an emergency, call 911.

Medical Service

Medical services will be available on the course, and at the overnight site. If you require medical attention on the course, you should notify a SAG van, ambulance or staff vehicle with the “thumbs down” signal.

Please note: There is no charge for medical services on the course or at the site. If you require transport to or from a local medical facility, you will be financially responsible for transport and medical services there. You will not be transported to a medical facility unless it is a critical situation. If you require transport by 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 move the injured rider, especially if you suspect a head or spinal injury.
• Notify a passing ambulance, SAG van or staff vehicle with the “thumbs down” signal. If there is no one around to help, call 911.
• 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

Go to the medical tent, as a medic will be on call at all times. If no one is in the tent, please use the provided radio at the tent to contact the nearest medical provider.

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. In the event of lightning, seek low ground and get away from metal.

Each event provides unique experiences, please refer to the individual event page for up-to-date information on specific amenities.

Your registration fee for all events includes hearty and well-balanced breakfasts and dinners. On the course, there are Rest Stops with a variety of prepared and packaged foods and drinks to keep you fueled. Also included friendly course support that includes a signed route, SAG vans, mechanical and medical assistance if needed, and an idyllic overnight site that includes a camping area, restrooms, beer garden, daily entertainment, other food vendors, bike mechanics and medical tent. And part of your fee goes directly to help Oregon communities and parks.

This is the fee charged by the credit card companies and registration provider to process your registration and payment. Processing fees are included in price of registration and purchases. 

Cycle Oregon is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bicycling enjoyment, safety and education. All proceeds from the ride go to the Cycle Oregon Fund at the Oregon Community Foundation, which helps preserve and protect the special places of Oregon and support community development projects in the regions through which we ride.

OUR MISSION 

To bring the joy of riding a bicycle to all of Oregon. 

OUR VISION 

Cycle Oregon is Oregon’s most inspiring, empowering, and impactful non-profit supporting people who want to ride a bike.

OUR CORE VALUES 

• Riding a bike connects people and communities, in your neighborhood, in your city and across Oregon
• Riding a bike is really good for your health, mental and physical
• Riding a bike should be accessible to everyone; we should work together to create opportunities to ride regardless of age, race, gender or zip code
• Riding a bike is good for the planet; we should make it easier and safer for people to choose bikes over cars
• Riding a bike is so much fun; it brings freedom and leads to personal discovery and adventure…everyone deserves to experience this

We view our mission of bringing the joy of riding a bicycle to Oregon as being so much more than delivering events. We teach kids to safely ride bikes, give away bikes and safety gear, put on summer bike camps, provide scholarships to participate in our events, invest in community projects that support developing safe places to ride and working to attract bike tourism, partner with likeminded organizations, and yes, continue to put on our signature events. Everything we do layers together to help people and communities overcome barriers such as cost, accessibility, knowledge and safety that get in the way of someone experiencing the joy of riding a bike.

No. Purchasing trip insurance through a provider like Allianz is recommended.

From Allianz: Don’t wait too long to buy travel insurance! The best time to buy travel insurance is immediately after you’ve completed your travel arrangements. The earlier you buy insurance, the bigger your coverage window. Also, you must buy your plan within 14 days of making your initial trip deposit in order to be eligible for the pre-existing medical condition benefit (not available on all plans).

Course support services are available only during the course hours. If you leave before the course opens or are still riding after the course closes, there will be no support services available. All Cycle Oregon riders still on the course after the course closure will be offered a ride to camp. If you choose to not take the ride you will be on your own to get back to camp.

There are SAG vans on the course each day. They’re available to transport cyclists as needed due to mechanical problems or medical injuries. The vans also have extra water and snacks, if needed. If at any time you need assistance, please signal a SAG van with a “thumbs down” signal. If you do get into a SAG van, you might not be transported directly to camp; the SAG vans usually wait until they are full to go to camp.

There will be a SAG van available each morning to transport cyclists from site to site if cyclists are not feeling well or are injured. Go to the Medical tent and get a medical release for riding the medical SAG . Bring that form to Rider Services before 8 a.m. to sign up for this shuttle option.

Of course, this depends on your style of traveling, but we have several resources for you to tap into. Some of our long-time repeat riders have compiled a packing list. Remember that this list is just a guideline, and also remember the 65-pound limit for your one bag on the Rally event.

The Tent + Porter service includes a tent and two chairs. But the best part is that you’ll never have to carry your bag on the event. It will be picked up and dropped off at your tent each day. You’ll need to bring a sleeping bag and pad.

If you are staying with someone in a tent, only one rider needs to sign up for T+P. Signing up alone? We will NOT pair you with another rider.

No. Serious. Each rider may bring only one bag (duffle bags are ideal). Your bag must not weigh more than 65 pounds. This weight limit includes your tent and sleeping bag.

We ask you to be considerate of the baggage people and volunteers who will be handling your bags each day by honoring this weight limit (this includes Tent & Porter – same weight limit). If honor is not enough to keep you under 65 pounds, well, you might end up carrying some extra poundage in your jersey pockets if your bag gets weighed.

Only if they are a registered Rider Guest for our Rally event. We have very limited space for non-riders. Please do not attempt to “tag along” on your own. In recent years we’ve experienced an uptick in bad behavior from a few people trying to “poach” the event.

Rider Guests and Support Vehicles are not to drive the route the riders take each day; they must drive a different way to each night’s site. Alternate driving directions will be sent to registered Rider Guests and Support Vehicles before the event start date. Guests are also asked to not ride the route each day on a bike – they are not registered riders.

Cycle Oregon supplies plenty of food and beverages each day, but there are extras you may want to buy along the way. That includes the beer garden, wine, pizza, coffee, ice cream and other food vendors, the Cycle Oregon retail tent, and services such as massage (all of whom take cards).  In addition, you should plan to tip local residents who help with your bags ($2-5 a bag is the suggested minimum). And most host towns have local crafts and foods available. So the amount will vary, but bring some spending money.

You shouldn’t expect to have uninterrupted cell phone and/or Internet access. In fact, we often overload networks in the smaller overnight communities, yielding spotty connections at best. Text messages work best in these situations. We are offering electronics charging punch cards for your phones, Garmins, bike lights, and other small electronics, but space is limited, due to electricity constraints on-site.

You will need to make a new purchase on the registration site for the additional items.

If you’re flying or don’t want the hassle of dealing with your bike on the way to the event, ship your bike directly to the starting location. We are proud to work with Bike Flights for shipping all bikes to and from our event. Look for the link on the event page under Getting There.

We’re excited about the experience e-bikes offer riders and while we welcome e-bikes on all courses, we are limited by the access to power outlets in many of the small communities and remote locations where we will be making camp for each event.

Visit our e-bikes page for up to date information. We will be updating our terms of support as we learn more and increase capacity as we develop improved systems. This is a complicated challenge with numerous variables but it is a challenge we are excited to take on!

No one knows Oregon riding and Cycle Oregon like Trek Bicycle Portland. They’ve supported Cycle Oregon since our first mile in 1988 and have all the up-to-date bicycle products and information to have you rolling smoothly no matter what style of bike you bring this year.

Road Routes

Rally’s routes were designed with road bikes in mind: 25c to 28c tires will be ideal each day. For comfort, we’d recommend up to 32c if your bike has the clearance, while strongly recommending against tires under 23c.

Just as with gravel, every rider has their own preferences based on their own needs and experience. The best tires are the ones you are familiar with, but if you’re looking to make a change to the rubber hitting the road, the experts at Trek Bicycle Portland are a great resource.

Wider, low-pressure – The new age of road cycling tire

A lot has changed with bicycle technology since our first Classic in 1988 and though it may not be as obvious as the flashy frame and components, a lot of development has gone into tires and accounts for the majority of how your bike feels and performs. Please consider a wider, lower-pressure tire as a great upgrade for Rally this year.

Rene Herse Cycles “Myths Debunked: Higher Pressure is NOT Faster”  – This PNW brand is run by local legend Jan Heine who has been advocating for wider tires with lower pressure for quite a long time.

Cyclist Magazine UK “Can Wider Tires and Lower Pressure Make You Faster?” – tl;dr: YES!

Trek Bicycles Road Tire Selector – Trek has a fantastic online overview of road bike tires and technology. Give this a read and then head into one of their Portland stores to see more.