Wednesday, May 24, 2017 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Veterans
Cycling event honors mjarne Holm
ranch plans
fundraising
event
Central Oregon Veterans
Ranch is a 19-acre farm
located between Bend and
Redmond that provides peer
support, agri-therapy, and will
soon specialize in end-of-life
care for veterans.
In January 2017, COVR
obtained a state license to
open and operate an adult
foster home on the property
to provide specialized care
to terminally ill or aged vet-
erans. This spring, the Ranch
will also implement a $55,000
greenhouse project and work
with veterans and community
members to develop a sustain-
able agri-business.
On June 3, the Ranch will
host The Red, White & Blue
Ball at the Winter Range
Ranch. Patrons will enjoy
dinner, live music by Lindy
Gravelle, Doc Ryan, and
the Whychus Creek Band,
dancing, a silent auction and
raffle.
For sponsorship informa-
tion or to purchase tickets visit
www.covrredwhiteblueball.
com or email admin@central
oregonveteransranch.org.
The annual Crest the
Cascades scenic bike ride
over the Old McKenzie
Highway is back for another
year.
The riders are paying
homage to Sisters cycling
advocate and volunteer
Bjarne Holm, who died last
year. Through his work with
the Sisters Trails Alliance
(STA) and Sisters Park &
Recreation District (SPRD),
Holm dedicated his time
and energy to ensure fel-
low cyclists were able to
enjoy one of the most beau-
tiful passes in the state with-
out having to compete with
motorists.
Sponsor organization
Sisters Park & Recreation
District is commemorating
Holm’s life and work by put-
ting his name on one of his
favorite events. With STA
providing volunteers, the ride
is scheduled for Saturday,
June 17.
Crest the Cascades was
originally established under
the name The Ride for Two
Rivers. This ride began as
a benefit for the National
Forest Foundation, protecting
both Whychus Creek and the
Metolius River — iconic riv-
ers of the Sisters area. Both
rivers were in need of resto-
ration along the river corri-
dors, and fish habitat needed
improvement. Proceeds from
The Ride for Two Rivers ben-
efitted these local waterways,
helping to improve Central
Oregon rivers.
Beginning two years ago,
the ride transferred owner-
ship to the Sisters Park &
Recreation District. Proceeds
from the Crest the Cascades
Ride will benefit SPRD and
support efforts to provide
affordable recreation and
enrichment opportunities to
the Sisters community.
The Crest the Cascades
Ride begins at the SPRD
campus, which is adjacent to
the Old McKenzie Highway.
This highway used to be a
wagon toll route that mean-
dered its way through the
lava flows. That same wagon
route was turned into a paved,
two-lane highway that is
open only during the summer
months. The route is closed
seasonally between the east
and west gates, which pro-
vides Crest the Cascades
Riders 44 miles of riding
with no cars on the road dur-
ing its seasonal closure.
Riders begin the event at
SPRD and cycle toward the
east gate and first-aid station
which is about nine miles
into the ride. The climbing
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begins in earnest at the east
gate, where the pitch aver-
ages an 8-9 percent incline
and finally peaks out at the
top of the pass at 5,200 feet
at Dee Wright Observatory,
about 15 miles into the
course. A dramatic change in
landscape occurs from SPRD
to Dee Wright Observatory
with riders beginning in
large pine tree forests, pass-
ing through Douglas fir for-
ests, and finally ending in
the alpine lava landscape that
characterizes the Dee Wright
Observatory.
The observatory offers
a panoramic view of the
Cascade Mountain Range.
Mountains as far away as
Mt. Adams, a large volca-
nic mountain in southern
Washington nearly 200 miles
away, can be seen on clear
days. An aid station is avail-
able at the summit of the
ride where riders can fuel
up on water and light snacks
before continuing their
journey.
Blazin Saddles bike shop
staff will be at the summit to
assist with any maintenance
issues.
Some riders choose to turn
around at the observatory
while others continue along
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the route toward the west
gate. For riders that continue
toward the west gate on this
out-and-back ride, the scen-
ery is comprised of alpine
meadows, mountain views,
and roadside ponds as rid-
ers wind their way down the
west slopes of the Cascades.
The west gate is the final
destination of the Crest the
Cascades ride. Some riders
continue beyond the final
aid station which is approxi-
mately 31 miles outside of
Sisters. Belknap Hot Spring
is another eight miles down
the road for the ambitious
riders.
After returning from their
ride at SPRD, registered par-
ticipants are invited to enjoy
post-ride festivities including
music, soup and subs. A local
DJ will greet riders beginning
at 2 p.m., while fresh local
soups will be provided by
sponsors Melvin’s Fir Street
Market and sandwiches by
Subway.
More information, includ-
ing a course map and registra-
tion for the event, is available
at www.CrestTheCascades.
com. Registration is $40.
Participants can pre-order
T-shirts for $15 during their
registration.
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