ODOT provided map

During the road project, the U.S. Forest Service will build a bicycle and pedestrian undercrossing near Forest Service Road 41. According to Mary Barron with ODOT, a two lane diversion road on Century Drive will be built to route traffic during this phase. It will be a gravel surface, but only about 800′ long.

May through June will see sections of the Highway being dug out to repair and prepare the road’s subsurface. Repaving will start sometime in July and both cyclists and motorists should note that repaving may occur at any time (day or night), seven days per week. That schedule is partially driven by the fact that construction crews won’t be working on the road during summer holidays or any of the 13 scheduled events using the Highway.

Cyclists will be provided a 5′ unimpeded lane, which will be seperated from traffic and construction zones, delineated by cones/tubular markers, on all uphill sections. For downhills, cyclists, like automobiles, will legally have to stay behind a pilot traffic control car and will be expected to ride in the same travel lane as motorists through a work area.

The project is slated to be completed by September 30th, which is ODOT’s cutoff date for paving.

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Here are a few cycling events to put on your radar screen this weekend.

Saturday

Bend Don’t Break: Now in it’s third year, this road race is part of the Oregon Cup as well as the Norm Babcock Women’s Cat 4 series. This year expect bigger prizes, more support and of course, post-race cold PBR. Race aims to provide a fast and furious (yet safe) circuit course. The Cat 4/5 groups are beginner friendly races. Therapeutic Associates Cycling Team Director and experienced cycling coach, Bill Warburton and Karey Swan from West Coast Women’s Cycling, will give a pre-ride talk for all Cat4/5 men and women to go over the basics of road racing — warming up, basic racing tactics, staying safe in the pack, and he will answer questions from riders. Meet at Registration at 11:30 for this free presentation.
Location: Bend Road Department Facility at 61150 SE 27th, Bend
Time: 9:00am to 4:00pm
Cost: $35

Kids Ride ‘N Tie: Both kids begin the race together; one riding the bike, one running. When the rider reaches a designated marker, he/she parks the bike and runs. When the runner reaches the parked bike, he/she gets on the bike and rides to the next marker, passing the runner. The racers continue through the course, “leap frogging” each other, alternating running and riding, to the finish line where they will enjoy ice cream! All riding and running occurs on wide, paved paths west of the Sisters Athletic Club.Forms can be picked up and returned to the Sisters Athletic Club. Event day registration is also available starting at 9:00am.
Location: Sisters Athletic Club, Sisters
Time: 10am
Cost: $15

Sunday

Fix a Flat: Gain confidence in your abilities to be your own support crew. Learn the basics of how to fix a flat on your bike.
Location: Sunnyside Sports, Bend
Time: 10am
Cost: free

Sisters Stampede Mountain Bike Race: This thrilling race course features stunning views of the Three Sisters Mountains, and rolling singletrack scattered with Central Oregon lava rock. This course is mainly singletrack which will test riders’ strength and stamina. Day of registration at 7:45am; closes by 10:20am. Live music from 1pm to 5pm. Kids race at 1:30pm. After party hosted at Three Creeks Brewpub.
Location: Three Creeks Brewing, Sisters
Time: 10:30am
Cost: $15 – $40

Summit Criterium: Registration starts at noon. Cat 4/5, 20 laps; Masters 40+, 50+, 60+, 25 laps; Women (Cat 4/5 scored sep), 20 Laps; Cat 1/2/, 30 laps. This is an OBRA event, all rules apply. Helmets must be worn while on bikes. OBRA membership required – annual $25, one day $5.
Location: Summit High School, Bend
Time: 2pm
Cost: $20, $10 second race

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Editor’s Note: This race report is made possible by SELCO Credit Union.

Vincent Sikorski (WebCyclery.com) | Photo © Brian Nelson, www.541images.com

SELCO’s sponsorship makes this
race report possible.

The light rain showers from earlier this week helped keep the dust at bay as we rolled up upon week four of the Central Oregon Short Track Series. While there where many familiar faces present this week it was refreshing and exciting to see some new faces out on the course.

The women’s field remained small. If you have been on the fence about racing, get out and try it next week ladies. “I think some are a little intimidated that the course may be too technical. It is challenging,” according to Laura Hagen, a category 2 Women’s Master racer, “but one that I feel all ability levels can enjoy.” She goes on to say,

“While it pushes me to race with the men, it makes it even more fun to have a solid group of women out racing. I encourage all women to come out and give it a try next week.”

Lance Haidet took yet another win this week in the ‘B’ race, his fourth in a row. Jeremy Tufts took second and Sean Lewis third.

Cory Tanler (Trinity Bikes)
Photo © Brian Nelson, www.541images.com

Haidet, at 15 years old, is having a break-through season. While the steam rolled off my piping hot cup of tea, I pulled up his results for the season on the Oregon Bicycle Racing Association website in the wee hours of the night. The screen was overwhelmed with 1st place finishes. With the majority of the races being mountain bike, I think it is fair to assume that this kid’s passion lies in the dirt.

Bike Around Bend: How long have you been racing?
Lance Haidet: This is my 3rd year, so I got into it when I was 12 years old.

Bike Around Bend: How exactly did you get into bike racing?
Haidet: Through my dad. He was racing and I would ride with him and follow him to races and that sparked my interest for racing bikes.

Bike Around Bend: I know you race cyclocross, mountain, and road. What is your favorite disciple to race and why?
Haidet: Mountain biking and cyclocross are my favorites. I just love going really fast on the dirt. The technical aspects of mountain biking are a huge draw for me as well.

Bike Around Bend: We are approaching the weekend and the Sisters Stampede XC Mountain Bike Race. What is your goal for that race?
Haidet: To have a strong race and win the category 1 Junior division.

As Haidet approached the finish Wednesday night I watched the Haidet family come barreling down to the finish;faces overwhelmed with excitement, shouting words of encouragement and praise. Keep an eye on Haidet this weekend at the 3rd Annual Sisters Stampede. He is bringing his ‘A’ game and I assure you that will make for an exciting race.

Over in the ‘A’ race, Cody Peterson took first, while Bruce Rodgers and Matt Russell took second and third respectively. It is always a pleasure to watch these racers manage leg burning climbs and gracefully navigate silt filled corners.

Don’t forget next week is the final week of the series, so grab your bike and get ready to max out that heart rate!

Cody Peterson and Bruce Rogers (Hutch's/Bend Dental/Lowes)
Photo © Brian Nelson, www.541images.com

Results

B Race (top 5)

1. Lance Haidet, BMC Total Care
2. Jeremy Tufts, Studio Nine30
3. Sean Lewis, Trinity Bikes
4. Mat Hickey, Cascade Couriers
5. Henry Abel, Pine Mountain Sports

A Race (top 5)

1. Cody Peterson
2. Bruce Rogers, Hutch’s/Bend Dental/Lowes
3. Matt Russell, BMC Total Care
4. David Cloninger, Hutch’s/Bend Dental/Lowes
5. Eric Martin, Bendbroadband/Webcyclery

For complete race results, visit the Central Oregon Racing website.

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Take the Commute Options Drive Less Save More Challenge and be entered for a chance to win gift certificates and the grand prize: a cruiser from Hutch’s Bicycles. Sign up at Drive Less Connect.

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Regional, State groups and agencies collaborate to tap cycling tourist market

view of the workshop attendees at Five Pine | Photo © Lucas Freeman

The Numbers: Cycle Tourism’s Impact

A portion of the day was devoted to illustrating the economic impact of cycle tourism. Tourism in Oregon is big business; it’s an $8.7Billion industry directly accounting for 88,000 jobs. Cycling is becoming a significant portion of that pie: 1.3Million trips in Oregon (defined as being 50+ miles from home) included bicycling as an activity. Per a 2009 Cyclist Visitor Analysis by Longwoods International, those trips equated to $223Million spent primarily on lodging, meals and at retail shops.

Whit Bazemore | Photo © Lucas Freeman

A Travel Horizons study just completed in February 2012 showed that over 25% of those who visited our State in the past two years rode a bike while visiting, which is a number that tracks with a study commissioned by Visit Bend. That study found 27.5% of Bend’s visitors rode a bike while vacationing.

How Studios Started

Five years ago, Travel Oregon held rural tourism workshops where they heard a common request: help small towns across Oregon attract more bicycling tourists. In 2009 with support from the International Mountain Biking Association and Alta Planning and Design, Travel Oregon developed the bicycle tourism studio. The day’s event in Sisters was led by three main discussion facilitators: Scott Bricker of Bricker Consulting, Kristin Dahl from Travel Oregon, and Alexandra Phillips, who runs the Oregon Scenic Bikeways Program for OPRD.

Glenn Bates | Photo © Lucas Freeman

The day started with an overview of the traits of our region’s four Oregon Scenic Bikeways: Metolius Loops, Sisters to Smith Rock, McKenzie Pass, and Twin Bridges Loop. Doug LaPlaca, President/CEO of Visit Bend, spoke about the historical context which led to the area routes eventually becoming official Scenic Bikeways.

In 2007, Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) appointed the Deschutes County Ad Hoc Committee on Recreation Assets. The main goal of the Committee was to find ways to capitalize on the recreational assets of the County as an engine for economic growth. It envisioned seven bikeways to connect Central Oregon communities and was called the Three Sisters Bikeway System.

The interconnectedness of the Three Sisters Bikeway System was a theme that Erin Borla, Executive Director of Sisters Country, showcased as evidence of the grassroots support the concept had. She cited numbers of governmental agencies, road jurisdictions, business partners as well as regional and destination tourism groups who worked together to get our bikeways approved. The vision is that level of coordination would continue after route approval.

To further that end, the Friends of the Three Sisters Scenic Bikeway Committee was formed. The Committee’s purpose is to advocate on behalf of route improvements. Chief on their list is lobbying Deschutes County to remedy the road quality on Tweed Road, which Committee Chair Glen Bates cited as simultaneously being one of the best and worst parts of the route: some of the best views with some of the worst road conditions.

Reviving Rural Communities

Laura Crawford | Photo © Lucas Freeman

The Central Otago Rail Trail in New Zealand was the focus of a video presentation by Laura Crawford and Russ Roca of The Path Less Pedaled. The New Zealand government spend $50Million dollars to transform abandoned railway right-of-way to gravel paths. Their idea: resurrect rural communities along the trail which had been dying a slow death since the trains stopped running with an injection of tourism. After overcoming resistance from local and national voices, the plan was implemented and the trail now generates an estimated $12Million in annual revenue. Part of what the video presentation highlighted was the fact that cycle amenities are crucial.

Scott Bricker seconded the idea by touching on the three key components to attracting cycle toursists: facilities, business goods and services, and marketing. That lead to a break out session where small groups came up with ideas catering to cycle tourists. Some of those ideas included signs to display in a store’s window showing an establishment’s “bike friendliness.”

In the community of Detroit Lake, which is currently submitting a route for Scenic Bikeway Program’s consideration, bike friendliness translated into benchmarks that included having water and maps, as well as ensuring front-line shop staff were trained to support the effort.

Whit Bazemore, owner/operator of Ride Cycling Tours in Bend, highlighted the idea that communities which are directly connected by low volume roads or even paths would not only mean more convenience and adventure for cycling visitors, but would also create an appeal for families as well.

While there was agreement that much work and coordination would be needed to parlay our Central Oregon’s bounty of beauty into more bicycle tourists for our region, it was also clear that those in the room possessed the will to see it to fruition.

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map provided by Deschutes County | click for detail

On the map above, the yellow highlighted roads are open as of today, while the blue highlights the section north of Lava Lake to Elk Lake which will open this Thursday. Those road openings include:

• access from the south to Cultus Lake is open
• Paulina Lake Road is open to Paulina Lake only
• the barricades will be removed allowing access to East Lake this Thursday
• access to Elk Lake from the south will be open this Thursday

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The Bend Bicycle Film Festival features local short films that highlight Central Oregon’s cycling culture. The Festival will host two all-ages shows at GoodLife Brewing on June 15: 6pm & 8:30pm.

The event is about more than just showcasing films though. Festival Director, Bill Warburton, says, “We also want to create a social gathering to reunite the community every spring when it’s time to get excited about riding.”

This year the audience will vote for the winner of the Bend Dental Group Audience Favorite Award, which is a $200 cash prize for each show. Warburton adds, “Film submissions so far have been of excellent quality, and we’re hoping for a real battle for these awards.”

Submissions range from comedies to documentaries to music videos covering a diverse array of interests: physical health, environmental stewardship, and strengthening the Central Oregon community.

Proceeds from BBFF tickets sales, raffle, and beer sales directly support the The Bend Endurance Academy, a local non-profit offering youth, junior and master development programs for cycling.

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These two films, parts one and two, give a fascinating look into the design and manufacture of Raleigh Bicycles at their Nottingham factory in the United Kingdom. They take a viewer through the bike build process from the testing of the quality of the steel to its usage for everything from frame to mudflaps to drive-train.

Released in 1945, the films are from the British Council Film Collection and were brought to our attention by Gary Bonacker, co-owner of Sunnyside Sports and founder of the Tour des Chutes.

Part 1 – How a Bicycle is Made

Click here to see the video.

Part 2 – How a Bicycle is Made

Click here to see the video.

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Photo from the COTA website

If you think it can’t happen to you, think again. Earlier today, Deputies from the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, personnel from the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue (SAR) unit, and US Forest Service personnel responded to the report of a mountain bike injury crash on the lower section of Whoops Trail in the Phils Trail network.

According to a press release from the Sheriff’s Department, Bernard Sanders, 33 fromPortland, was riding down the trail when he failed to negotiate a turn. He was launched into the air before striking a tree. He was assessed and stabilized at the scene by SAR personnel and transported via ATV Ambu-sled litter to Skyliners Road. He was then transported via Air Link to Saint Charles Medical Center-Bend with serious injuries.

While not considered a treacherous trail, the Whoops Trail is built with berm turns and jumps. It’s not common to hear of riders sustaining significant injuries on the trail, though even local riders have been known to miscalculate a jump.

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Editor’s Note: This race report is made possible by SELCO Credit Union.

Jeremy Tufts (StudioNine30-Toyota of Bend) looked strong throughout the race.
Photo © Brian Nelson, www.541images.com

SELCO’s sponsorship makes this
race report possible.

Week three of the Central Oregon Short Track Series was a sleepy one. Many are still hacking up the remnants of dirt from their lungs and tending to their sore battered legs from last weekends Cascades Chainbreaker.

While some threw up the white flag, there were still a handful of racers that came out in force for week three of the series. The clouds began to engulf the sun as familiar faces lined up for the start of the B race.

Boneyard racer finds loose corner and a soft landing
Photo © Brian Nelson, www.541images.com

Lance Haidet was out on the heels of his win at Chainbreaker. Trinity Bike riders Cory Tanler and Sean Lewis were representing the blue and white checkers while Laura Hagen and Patti Wolf held things down for the women. Way to rock it girls! The race course remained the same but things are becoming looser and dustier by the week.

Right from the get-go, Haidet took the lead and began building his gap. Sean Lewis, Cory Tanler, and Jeremy Tufts followed behind as they began to sort out who would take the final two podium spots for the week. Cory Tanler took over the 2nd place spot this week with a strong ride.

“I love these weekly series because you are able to see how you are improving from week to week”, says Tanler who has been moving his way up in the standings each week. Jeremy Tufts secured the 3rd place spot this week with Sean Lewis following close behind in 4th.

Unfortunately there was no A race this week due to lack of registrants, which gave me a chance to catch up with race director Matt Plummer and get some background on the series.

This is the 4th season for the Central Oregon Short Track Series. Plummer started the weekly series to give racers a mid-week race option that they could use for training and fine tuning for the big weekend races.

“I really enjoy the weekly short track races because they offer me a chance to get in a good work out in a fun low-key atmosphere”, racer Lewis responded in regards to what he enjoyed about the weekly series.

The Henry Able | Photo © Brian Nelson, www.541images.com

It seems that Plummer’s hopes for the series are being embraced by those racing. He commented,

“I also hope to provide an atmosphere where beginners feel comfortable coming out and giving mountain bike racing a try. It is a way to get their feet wet.”

Often times a 15-20 mile mountain bike race can be intimidating where 30 minutes of racing is much more approachable for the beginner racer.

Week three of the Central Oregon Short Track series is under the belt as we all creep into the weekend ahead. Get those legs fresh and ready for racing next week. Don’t forget 6pm at Central Oregon Community College. Ten bucks, a bike, and a smile is all you need! Until next week, happy trails.

Results

B Race (top 5)

1. Lance Haidet, Bend Memorial Clinic Total Care Racing
2. Cory Tanler, Trinity Bikes
3. Jeremy Tufts, Studio 930
4. Sean Lewis, Trinity Bikes
5. Jason Oman, The Bucklers

John Livingston (Cascade Couriers / Bend Velo)
Photo © Brian Nelson, www.541images.com

For complete race results, visit the Central Oregon Racing website.

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