Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (April 26, 1994)
Eugene’s bicycle paths offer spectacular scenery Biking is serious business in Eugene Every morning there are hundreds, per haps even thousands, who begin their daily commute or exercise routine by fastening their helmets and pedaling long miles to their various destinations. Some bike to work, some to school, and oth ers relax by coasting along the edge o( the river Numerous publications on the subject appear everywhere. They come in the form of newsletters, brochures, fliers, maps and mag azines. Just about anywhere in the city, at any given time, you can find current articles on local bike races, clubs, conferences, alternative transportation propos als and classes on bike repair and safety Yet, there is one question which is seldom asked or even answered in the many resources available: What inspires all these articles and this ever-growing number of cycling-converts who are happily abandoning their cars for this popular alternative? One reason is that cycling is good exercise, an easy way to get in shape without taking time out of a busy schedule for a dance or aerobics class. Another explanation could be that more people are getting involved in helping to clean up the environment and are discov ering that more biking and less driving means a reduced ozone problem. But possibly, it's the scenery here that's the most important reason many people are choos ing to bike around Eugene Bike paths are everywhere Some of Eugene's most beautiful sights, in fact, can be discovered while riding a bike. For many, some of the prettiest routes are those that parallel the Willamette and McKenzie rivers. These paths provide some spec tacular views of the Mohawk and Willamette valleys. Other people may favor the ride on Lorane Highway which leads into the Lane County Vine yards Tour The trail follows the highway to Territorial Road, up past Fern Ridge to the Clear Lake Road Spanning many miles, this path is rumored to be an incredible ride in the summer Lorane Highway, in fact, is the work-out route for a group called "The Coffee Crew," which meets every Tuesday and Thursday at 6 30 a m. where Lorane Highway and Bailey Hill intersect. Where 29th Avenue intersects Eugene’s ■ Biking Experience RATTLESNAKE BUTTE TERRAIN: Rolling Hills ELEVATION GAIN: 900 leet TOTAL MILES: 43.4 White the area southeast of Eugene is not as well known or visited by cyclists as other parts of the Willamette Valley, it does offer pleasant country riding The rural roads followed by this route allow you to work your way out to Dexter and the Lost Creek valley without having to negotiate much of Highway 58 McBETH ROAD TERRAIN: Hilly ELEVATION GAIN: 1490 (eel TOTAL MILES: 14 4 The Lorane Highway is a favorite access route to the rolling country southwest ot Eugene, and this ride lets you sample it while climbing to an impressive viewpoint overlooking it Road surfaces tor the first eight miles are rough in places on the uphill sections, smoother on the descents, and traffic volume is usually light SPENCER BUTTE TERRAIN: Hilly ELEVATION GAIN: 1040 feet TOTAL MILES: 8 8 Here's an 8 8 mile louring loop that is close to Eugene, yet gets you quickly into a rural environment Starting in the suburbs about three miles south ol tho city center, it climbs steadily lor almost six miles before dropping quickly back to the starling point Tho excellent road surface and low traffic make this an excellent route AH PA.'.iAY/f Willamette Street is also the starting point lor another good workout, which begins the 14 4 mile McBeth Road loop. This route, which essentially starts on Lorane Highway, features a steep climb ol a mile on McBeth Road and ends with an equally steep descent on Willamette Street. Despite all the torture ol the ride up, the rider is rewarded with some wonderful views ol the valleys below Other favorites in and around Eugene are the Hendricks Park and Spencer Butte loops Hen dricks Park, though mildly steep in parts, really shows oil some magnificent spring colors Aza leas, rhododendrons and terns line the route which leads to Amazon Park The 8 8 mile Spencer Butte loop, which also begins in town, has another mildly steep climb, but would provide some nice pic tures ol the Coast Range And, if you're into “country ris ing," another recommendation from Nick and Elske Jankowski's 55 Oregon Bicycle Trips is Rat tlesnake Butte It tours through some ot Willamette Valley's larm lands and takes you into the Eli iah Bristow State Park, which offers good hiking trails and pic nicking spots For those new to the biking experience, all these magnificent paths can be discovered with a quick visit to the University Out door Program (located at the EMU) The Jankowskis' 55 Ore gon Bicycle Trips gives detailed directions and descriptions of , paths listed on the Bicycle Tour Reference on the bulletin board Another excellent resource is the Eugene. Springfield and Southern Willamette Valley Roads and Recreation Map. which is on file at Outdoor Pro gram The map lists other parks and points of interest which line many of the routes. Information on weekly rides such as "The Coffee Crew" can be found in the monthly Oregon I Cycling, distributed tree at Out door Program . luiuric lio.wt BIKE 4HS Coburg Road NORCO « fj. \ -,t) rAGj*. ^4\l>ena€m • * ■ / .■: ;P REDLIISIE ai BARN f fg 3-42-5757 1 , t\,~* /» v /2/W l* ^'/Mlrviv Ak/nt/xb* itf -yjivvati 4&*+ AJ+j V* YW*. ,V‘ *V# il OPIN 7 PArj A*CUT J lrU&\ib i Wt *+ SiYMi fjHHtf Sfta»l 15 <£ i<> ■ ■ • FIFTH STREET PUBLIC MARKET 296 E. 5th Ave Eugene 683 1124 m Shutter bug’s sprincbplhSwout. Use These Gnat Money Saving coupons! iH* rwfiir we mm Better Pictures! 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