WATCH THIS > Danny Macaskill
Danny Macaskill: The Ridge, the latest from this insanely talented rider.
Our WATCH THIS > series is made possible by Filmed by Bike, a series of events and the best bike movies from around the world. Watch more on the Filmed by Bike website here >>
COOL ROUTE: Old Dalles
48 miles
Moderate difficulty
Best from Spring to Fall
Terrain: Dirt road, double track, gravel road
Starting in Hood River, this route does a big figure eight through the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area, providing you with amazing views of the Columbia River Gorge, Mt. Adams and Mt. Hood. Additional highlights include several sections of lightly used gravel roads, the Mosier Twin Tunnels bike path and the long, paved descent down 7 Mile Hill Road towards The Dalles.
Services are limited along the route unless you include a short out-and-back into The Dalles. We also recommend exploring Ketchum Road when you reach the top of the last long climb on Chenoweth Road. Although this will require an out-and-back trip — trust us, it’ll be worth it —it has some of the prettiest riding anywhere around Mt. Hood.
A sturdy bike with wide-ish tires, preferably 32C or higher, is recommended for this route.
This route comes to us courtesy of Ride Oregon Ride, Travel Oregon’s subsidiary website devoted to finding cool routes.
Oregon Triple Crown
Every once in a while, an event comes along that truly tests the mettle of the competitors, but rarely is it as beautiful as the Oregon Triple Crown.
The Oregon Triple Crown is comprised of three Oregon races, each with varying difficulty and terrain, spread out within a four month time period. There is plenty of time to train and recover – and you’re certainly going to need it. But don’t worry, the organizers have built in some much-needed revelry, too, so there is plenty of opportunity to celebrate with others at the end of the grueling day.
Wall of Honor
Few people have ever attempted the Oregon Triple Crown, now in its third year, and even fewer (approximately 50) have earned a coveted spot on the Wall of Honor. Is this your year to give it a shot? We think so.
Race #1 Oregon Gran Fondo: May 31
(Cottage Grove)
Starting from the historic town of Cottage Grove, the course heads west into the Coastal Range. This race gives riders the chance to kick start the season with a bang: 117 miles and 5,700 feet of merciless climbing. The route is gorgeous, and either that will be what keeps you going, or you may not even notice. [more info]
Race #2 Willamette Gran Fondo: August 2 (Philomath)
Last year’s second race in the series, the Tour of Aufderheide, has been replaced with the prestigious Willamette Gran Fondo, an amazing journey through the foothills of the Willamette Valley and into the Oregon Coast Range. The course takes you past wineries and gorgeous sweeping vistas. The 85 mile loop features 6,200 ft of climbing including a steady effort past Mary’s Peak. [more info]
Race #3 Oregon Coast Gravel Epic: September 26 (Newport)
ORbike contributor Robert Underhill last year said of this race, “This is the one that will keep me awake every night leading up to it.” Fortunately you’ve got all summer to train for this rugged adventure, the shortest in the series at only 73 miles. Short though it is, the Oregon Coast Gravel Epic more than fills its quota in terms of climbing with 10,000 feet of elevation gain primarily along gravel roads.[more info]
Varying Routes – Bring Friends!
The Oregon Triple Crown is comprised of the most intense routes of all three of these races, but there are shorter routes, including a 24-mile and 9-mile route on the Willamette Gran Fondo. Bring along your friends and family – even if they’re not competing in the overall series they can still enjoy a day of riding, and the revelry that comes at the finish line party.
A Supported Challenge
The Oregon Triple Crown makes for a very approachable personal challenge. Aid stations with food, sometime entertainment, meals and a finish line beer garden keep these races within the reach of all skill levels. And if you’re feeling up for the challenge, sign up to compete in the longest routes of each race and vie for the Oregon Triple Crown.
What You Get
In addition to major bragging rights, everyone who successfully completes the Oregon Triple Crown gets:
- A 2015 limited edition, custom-designed Pactimo jersey.
- Your name listed (forever almost) on the Oregon Triple Crown “Wall of Honor”.
- An annual invitation to the Oregon Triple Crown “inductees, alumni and partners-only” November 2015.
Race Basics
To qualify for the Oregon Triple Crown, you must sign up for the longest courses of each race by May 27, 2015
Various lengths and course styles – see the individual websites for details
HOT TIP Registration increases on February 15. Register for the series in advance to save.
Stay Tuned – We’re Here For You
Have you been upping your game over the last year? You’ve got this. You can totally conquer the Oregon Triple Crown, or any of the individual races.
We’re here for you. We’ll be bringing you race-specific training tips and strategy.
Are You Racing?
Are you racing the Oregon Triple Crown or any of the individual races? What are you most looking forward to?
Free Beer Challenge
Come on, what beer drinker doesn’t want a free beer?
The Worst Day of the Year Ride (February 8 – Portland) has issued a delicious challenge: If 3,000 people sign up to ride, everyone gets a free Portland craft beer from the Lucky Lab, hosts of the ride.
And, they’re half way to that goal because everyone who registered for last years weather-canceled ride is automatically signed up for this year’s ride!
So, what are you waiting for? Sign up today >
25 Years of Ti Cycles in Portland
Congrats to our Portland friends at Ti Cycles on 25 stellar years!
Check out this hilarious video they recently released.
Dave Levy has been working as a professional frame builder since 1986. Ti Cycles was founded in Seattle in 1990 as a means for Dave to focus on constructing lighter, higher performance frames in titanium, while continuing to craft custom frames in steel. Ti Cycles caters to all levels of bicycling enthusiasts, offering custom or production-built frames and forks in both steel and titanium.
Dave has been very active in the Oregon Bicycle Constructors Association and is one hard working bike builder. Oregon has a strong handmade bike community thanks in no small part to his endeavors over the years.
Congrats, Dave and crew, from all of us at ORbike.
ORbike Winter Warmers
How do you stay warm and dry during the winter biking season?
We love to cozy up with a warm drink after a cold bike ride, and here’s one of our favorites. We resisted the urge to make a chamois butter reference. You’re welcome.
Hot Biking Buttered Rum
Yield: 2 rich servings
2 tablespoons packed dark brown sugar
Approximately 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (we recommend a quality butter like Tillamook), room temperature
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Pinch salt
1/2 cup spiced rum
2 cups boiling water
2 cinnamon sticks
Muddle: brown sugar, 1 tablespoon butter, honey, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a large thick glass. Add 1/2 cup for boiling water and stir well.
Pour evenly into two mugs. Add 3/4 cup of water to each mug and stir. Add 1/4 cup of spiced rum to each mug.
Cut a thin slice of butter and place gingerly on the liquid so it floats on top. Add a cinnamon stick and serve.
Kick back on the couch and enjoy.