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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (April 21, 2004)
Hot on the trail wmmm $■ mmmm m imcat « mn *»* .fcr,.i Spandex shorts aren’t required to have a good time biking in Eugene By Joshua Rose Freelance Reporter nMMHHHMi * mmmm » mmmmi m mmmm s the weather heats up, the days grow longer, piles of soggy leaves L ^.disappear from Eugene's streets and paths and cyclists take to the streets. Mild weather, an abundance of bicycle facilities and active and en . vironmentally conscious residents contribute to making Eugene a popu lar place to ride. * "There's an environmental mental ity here that draws people who don't want to drive a car," said Noah Jack, Outdoor Program bike resource coor dinator and environmental studies major. "It draws serious cyclists, and it's just a beautiful area with a lot of beautiful country roads and not that many cars." Eugene offers more than 30 miles of bike paths, 68 miles of on-street bike lanes and 21 miles of designated bike routes. "Whenever we build a street, we build it to accommodate biking and walking," Eugene bicycle and pedes trian coordinator Diane Bishop said. Eugene's extensive bike program be gan in 1970 when the City Council formed a bike committee composed of city staff and Eugene residents to plan and develop bike paths, Bishop said. Three popular rides offer cyclists varied terrain and beautiful scenery. The Fem Ridge Bike Path follows Amazon Creek from 15th Avenue for about seven miles west through the West Eugene Wetlands. The ride is flat and not too difficult offering a mix of 1 scenery, traveling through residential and scenic wetlands areas. Interpreta tive signs along the path detail birds one might see, including great blue herons, western meadowlarks and belted kingfishers. Plants such as die camas, fragrant popcorn flower and the Nootka rose can also be spotted during the spring or summer. The path ends at Meadowlark Prairie Overlook. The overlook area is complete with sheltered benches and port-a-potties. "I like being out in the beautiful wedands area," said Springfield Faith Center youth worker Aaron Stevens, who usually rides the Fem Ridge Bike Path three dmes a week. "It's cool to get away from the business of traffic and cars." To ride the Fem Ridge Path, simply follow East 15th Avenue west from campus. The path briefly connects with 16th Avenue before following Amazon Creek past North West moreland Park and Garfield Park. From there, the path continues west for about six miles to the West Eu gene Wedands. Another popular but more chal lenging ride is the Spencer Butte loop. The 16-mile ride begins in Amazon Park and travels south, connecting with Fox Hollow Road. The ride is steep in parts and is not separated from the road by a bike path. Traffic is usually light, however. Riders travel in the shade of tall trees surrounding Spencer Butte before be ing rewarded with expansive views of pastures and the Lorane Valley. To ride the Spencer Butte loop, fol low Hilyard Street south to Amazon Park. There, bike paths continue south before meeting with West Amazon Drive. Follow West Amazon Drive to Fox Hollow Road. The ride follows Fox Hollow Road for about six miles before traveling north along McBeth Road. Continue on McBeth Road for three miles and make a right onto the Lorane Highway. The ride follows the Lorane Highway through scenic pastures for about six miles before returning to Eugene and connecting with 29th Avenue. Fol low 29th Avenue east toward Ama zon Park and the Spencer Butte loop is complete. Finally, the Ruth Bascom Riverbank Trail, named after Eugene's former mayor and bicycle supporter, is a great place for a leisurely ride on a warm spring day. The north and south bank paths allow riders to choose their own route as they cycle past Alton Baker Park on the north bank and Skinner Butte Park on the south bank. Several bridges connect the north and south bank paths across the Willamette River, letting riders travel as far as a 12-mile loop from the Owasso Bike Bridge, the northern most bridge, to the Knickerbocker Bike Bridge, southeast of the Autzen Footbridge. Getting to the paths from the University is easy. Simply follow Agate Street north across Franklin Boulevard toward the Autzen Footbridge. For those interested in cycling with a group, the Greater Eugene Area Riders bicycle club, or GEARs, offers training rides on Saturdays during the spring. Ride schedules Ruth Bascom Riverbank Trail Park on the north bank of the Willamette River and Skinner Butte Park on$» south bank. The 16-mtie Spencer Butte loop j in A l ride Is the road, but traffic and meeting places are posted Thursdays in The Register-Guard's sports section. The rides are free but require a road-worthy bike and a helmet, water and snacks. Mountain bikers looking to hit the trails this spring may want to check out the University's Outdoor Pro gram, which is offering a mountain bike maintenance clinic May 22 at 9 a.m. Participants will ride and learn to fix common trailside breakdowns. Riders can pre-register at the Outdoor Program office in Suite 37 of the EMU. The clinic costs $7. Joshua Rose is a freelance reporter for the Emerald. An environmentally conscious atmosphere and the beauty of the Cascade Mountains come together on 86 acres of lush wilder ness at the Breitenbush Hot Springs Retreat and Conference Center in western Oregon. "You are rejuvenated and cleansed by the waters there," said junior Ash ley Whitty, who has been traveling to the springs for 10 years. "It is a place where you can truly be removed from the everyday stresses of life, and I can't imagine a more incredible place to get away to." Located off Hwy. 46 North near the Breitenbush River, the natural rock lined meadow pools, medicine wheel tubs, natural steam sauna and sacred sweat lodge are close enough for a fairly inexpensive day trip. Prices start as low as $8 per day, with opportunities for hiking, kayaking, camping and biking. Boiling Point Clothing is optional at the Breitenbush Hot Springs By Jamie Nash Freelance Reporter A hike that begins from Breiten bush's base camp leads to Devil's Peak and through the ancient cedars along the southern portion of the Breiten bush River toward Opal Creek. People of all ages can enjoy a Bre itenbush retreat because of its acces sibility and welcoming community Breitenbush offers what it calls a Per sonal Retreat, which includes a stay in one of the 42 geothermally heat ed guest cabins, three organic, vege tarian meals and use of all facilities. The Villa, or kitchen, is stocked with fresh produce, breads, hot entrees and herbal teas. Meals are an additional $8 with a day use pass. "It is incredible, very wholesome and nurturing," Whitty said about the food. For a lodge, room prices start at $41 per night, while cabins start at $66 per night Friday though Saturday — reservations required. Peak rates run May 28 through Oct. 31, when the option of bringing a tent is avail able, starting at $51 per night. Daily well-being programs are included in the fees. Programs consist of classes in yoga and meditation and tutorials about the hydroelectric systems that carry heat and water to the cabins and the electricity used by the retreat gen erated by the Breitenbush River. To make a reservation or to get di rections, call (503) 854-3314, or visit the Web site at http://www.breiten bush.com. Jamie Nash is a freelance reporter for the Emerald. Premier Travel & Cruisel - /viuaic specials: * Chicago - $108.00* Las Vegas - $148.00* San lose, CR - $332.00* Cancun - $399.00* tax and Ices not included, restrictions apply. Subject to change w ithout notice. Eurail Passes issued on-site!!! E-mail: fares® luv2travel.com Services We Offer: Airline Tickets, Cruises, Hotel & Car Rentals, Tours, Amtrak, World Wide Rail Tickets and Much Much More... We Bring the World to YOU 1011 Harlow 747-0909 Student Travel Experts 008737| Willamette Valley’s Largest Flyfishing Shop A great selection of flytying and flyfishing supplies (SdmsFiy Mckenzie River guided fishing trips 1/2 and full day available Fly fishing classes: May 12, 13, & 14 W/Th/Fri 6-8 pm each evening (SdmsRy V 342-7005 168 West 6th Avenue, Eugene, OR 97401 theCaddisflV.COm Weekdays 9am-6pm Saturday 1 Oam-5pm Sunday 10am-3pm Amazon Park: Spencer Butte Loop 349-YOGA FOR MORE INFORMATION Welcome to BikranVs beginning yoga class.Thls is the most exciting, challenging, hard working 4 effective yoga class in the world. Created by Bikram Choudhury, this posture flow features two breathing exercises 4 26 hatha yoga poses designed to work every muscle, joint, ligament, tendon, gland 4 organ in the body. This is a 90 minute total body workout In a room heated to body temperature.Taught by certified instructors. INTRODUCTORY PACKAGE 2 weeks for $20 Sun Mon Tues Wed Thur Fri Sat Come Celebrate “Hiking Day” Sat. April 24th Come in and enjoy a day of FREE discussions, seminars and resources for getting the most out of hiking in Oregon. * 11am -12 pm * Shoe/Boot Fitting and Foot Health Clinic. * 12 pm - 2 pm * Book Signing - Bill Sullivan local author of 12 books including “Cabin Fever”. * 2 pm - 3 pm * Effective Packing Tips for a Day Hike. * 3 pm - 4 pm * Hiking Safety Clinic. * 4 pm - 5 pm * Wilderness Navigation Clinic. - FREE PARKING - Hours: 10-6 Mon-Sat /12-5 Sun www.mckenzieoutfitters.com 566 Olive St. Downtown Eugene 343-2300
