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 .
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FIFTH STREET
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296 E. 5th Ave
Eugene 683 1124
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