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About Wallowa County chieftain. (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Or.) 1943-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 9, 2015)
Wallowa County Chieftain News wallowa.com September 9, 2015 A3 Get ready to love Lycra CYCLE OREGON BRINGS ‘HELL ON WHEELS’ BACK TO THE ROAD By Kathleen Ellyn Wallowa County Chieftain Look out Wallowa County, 2,200 bike riders are headed our way for Cycle Oregon’s second “Hell on Wheels” ride. 7he ¿rst ride was in 200 and Cycle Oregon is pleased to re- prise it. “This is a popular area for us. We know by our numbers that this is a good route because people are eager to sign up,” said Tara Corbin, community liaison and event manager for Cycle Oregon. The ride departs from Bak- er City on Sept. 12 and circles through Farewell Bend, to Cambridge, Idaho, to Half- way. Then the riders face their toughest challenge, up the hill from Halfway to Wallowa Lake — 77 miles and a gain of ,00 feet in elevation. This is the “Highway to Hell” section, which features a stop at the Hells Canyon Overlook. Hell is both challenging and stunning. According to the of¿cial guide for the ride, “the climb from Pine Valley to the High Wallowas is the most memorable we’ve ever laid wheels on.” “That hill is a challenge with lovely scenery,” said Corbin. “I think it both scares riders and excites them.” Jerry Peacock of Baker City recalls his ¿rst ride through Wallowa County as one of “majestic beauty.” “I think it’s one of the pret- tiest and majestic places in the state,” Peacock said. “It’s prob- ably one of the best kept secrets in the state. The people are very welcoming and when you get to experience it with 2,000 oth- er people it’s even more fun.” Once the riders arrive at Wallowa Lake State Park on Wednesday, Sept. 16, they get a rest day — the only rest day on the route. “When they wake up on Thursday, they don’t have to ride their bikes,” Corbin said. Cycle Oregon has an or- ganized ride to Enterprise for those who want to go, and a special lunch will be served on the courthouse lawn (Enterprise FCCLA will assist in serv- ing), “but we really encourage our folks to go to local sites,” Corbin said. “I know the Li- ons Club is serving barbecued salmon in Joseph and there are plenty of things to see.” In addition to the Lions Club fundraiser, the Wallowa County Humane Society is set- ting up an information booth at Wallowa Lake, Sept. 16 and 17. They will offer local informa- tion, maps, brochures and Wal- lowa County Visitor Guides. Money donated to the Humane Chieftain archives Cycle Oregon riders enjoy a ride down Hurricane Creek Road during the 2008 trip. Society during this time will be earmarked for a future sanctu- ary. Businesses that work with Cycle Oregon also bene¿t. The of¿cial guide for rid- ers encourages them to visit Enterprise for lunch and a few rider-favorites have built early relationships into events. “Last time they came through we were packed all day long,” said Jacey Bell, pub manager at Terminal Gravity in Enterprise. “We got in touch with Cycle Oregon to try and prepare for this year. This time we’re planning on having extra staff on and an outside barbe- cue in addition to our regular menu. We’ve also made Ter- minal Gravity cycle jerseys for riders.” Visiting the local towns is one of the big draws to the Cy- cle Oregon, Peacock said. “Having a layover day is ex- citing because I can’t think of a better place to have a layover day,” he said. “You have such a diverse downtown in Joseph. It’s fun to tour in and out of shops and restaurants. The food provided by Cycle Oregon is delicious, but it’s fun to go into the communities and sample what they’ve got.” On Sept. 18 the group heads for La Grande, and winds up back at Baker City. “It’s a cool route,” Corbin said. “It’s just nice. We’re stay- ing at a couple of state parks, the communities are great; it’s a lot of nice things.” In addition to adding a bit of money to the local economy through dinners out and shop- ping, the 2,200 riders in the Cycle Oregon group take home their rave reviews of Wallowa County, boosting tourism among their friends and family. And ¿nally, Cycle Oregon gives direct aid to communities through grants. “Most people are aware that we put on the best bike ride in the country,” said Alison Graves, Cycle Oregon’s exec- utive director. “But our orga- nization’s purpose is actually twofold. We exist to showcase Oregon’s lesser-known areas. And second, we work to cre- ate economic opportunities, such as our efforts to establish the Scenic Bikeways Program (SBP), which was recently recognized for generating $12 million in 201 and enabling 150 jobs. “We want to expose people to the special places around the state and give people the tools and the reasons to come back again. And we want to do our part to support these commu- nities, which are the heart and soul of Oregon.” Cycle Oregon has invest- ed a total of $1.6M through- out the state with more than $50,000 in the communities along this year’s route. Proj- ects range from $1,500 for bicycle racks in the downtown Baker City area to $50,000 for improvements to the Halfway Fairgrounds. Peacock has seen the ben- e¿ts of Cycle Oregon money ¿rst-hand in Baker City but ad- ditionally remarked upon the sense of being part of some- thing good that riders got from riding with Cycle Oregon. “Cycle Oregon is very well organized and has a great repu- tation of supporting communi- ties and helping them fundraise from outside sources instead of having to ask their own towns- people over and over,” he said. “Riders from foreign countries and probably every state in the union ride with Cycle Oregon — though probably the ma- jority are from Oregon. I think one of the real advantages you have in Cycle Oregon is you get to see parts of the state you didn’t even know existed.” Cycle Oregon has dedicated more than $10,56 to Eastern Oregon University for research on the Rails-with-Trails project along the 6.5 mile route of Wallowa Union Railroad Au- thority (WURA) track. Cycle Oregon also granted $7,229 to NEOEDD for their research and support of the project in 201. “We are excited about the day when we can ride the Joseph Branch Trail,” said Graves. “This is an important project that promises to create economic opportunities while also highlighting a hidden and Chieftain archives Cycle Oregon riders enjoy some time in Joseph during the 2008 ride. stunning landscape along the river.” NEOEDD in conjunction with Eastern Oregon Visitors Association (EOVA), and other regional partners plans a two- day Bicycle Tourism Studio workshop to help local busi- nesses learn to capitalize on bi- cycle tourism later this fall. 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H Home • Garden SEPTEMBER 11-12-13, 2015 35th Annual Free Raffle Ticket With HCMD Program Purchase Sept. 7-12 30% off Sept. 14-19 40% off FALL it IS When comes COMING! to your home GET YOUR or business, the Safe FILLS! Way PROPANE is 1 the Best Way! Aug thru Sept 30 Enterprise, Oregon Featuring Tennessee Mule Artist Bonnie Shields Gifts • Antiques 201 East Hwy 82 Enterprise, OR 97828 541.426.0320 Wallowa County Fairgrounds All Day Events 9:00 am Old World Oxen Living History Company 9:00 am Exhibitors/Artisans & Western Gear Show 10:00 am Vintiques Show, Cloverleaf Hall Friday 9:00 am 541.426.0320 Open Monday-Saturday, 10am - 5:30pm 305 N. Main Street Joseph, OR 97846 541-432-3211 Call NOW for information about Energysaver® Direct Vent Wall Furnaces. 6:00 pm Mule Show – Full day of competition Driving Events - Singles, Teams & Youth Classes Trail & Timed Trail Classes Log Pull, Mule Races & More! Max Walker Memorial Cowboy Poetry Gathering Traditional toe-tappin’ cowboy tunes & western poetry Saturday 8:00 am 9:00 am 11:00 am 12:31 pm 1:00 pm Halter and Showmanship Events Matt Fournier Mule Clinic - Warm Up Arena Non-Motorized Parade - Downtown Enterprise Spectator Kids Events - Main Outdoor Arena Grand Entry & Mule Show - Main Outdoor Arena Improved Diagnostics, Lower Radiation… 2:00 pm 5:00 pm 6:00 pm Cowboy Poetry Gathering - Exhibitors Barn - Open Mic Pit B-B-Q Dinner - $10.00 • Scholarship Fundraiser Mule and Horse Sale - Indoor Arena - Managed by J Arrow Livestock tĞ Ž ī Ğ ƌ Ă Ɛ ƚ Ă ƚ Ğ Ͳ Ž Ĩ Ͳ ƚ Ś Ğ Ͳ Ă ƌ ƚ ͕ d ^ Đ Ă Ŷ Ŷ Ğ ƌ ƚ Ž ď Ğ Ʃ Ğ ƌ Ɛ Ğ ƌ ǀ Ğ LJ Ž Ƶ 7:30 am 8:00 am www.simplysandys.com An afternoon of fun and entertaining events • 64 slice capabilities es means me impr oved diagnostics • Fasterr , so you spe end le time on the table • New technology r educ amount of radiation Sunday 9:00 am 10:00 am 4:00 pm /Ĩ LJ Ž Ƶ ƌ Ɖ Ś LJ Ɛ ŝ Đ ŝ Ă Ŷ Ž ƌ Ě Ğ ƌ Ɛ Ă d ^ ƚ Ś Ğ ď Ğ Ɛ ƚ ƚ Ğ Đ Ś Ŷ Ž ů Ž Ő LJ Ž Ŷ ƚ Ś Ğ ŵ Ă ƌ Ŭ Ğ ƚ ͙ Cowboy Church - Exhibitors Barn Mule Show – Full day of competition Barrel Racing, Pole Bending, Death Valley Race, Jump-off Challenge and lots more family fun! Dutch Oven Cook-Off - 2 member teams Levi King Mule Clinic - Warm Up Arena Show Awards Presentation W e trr eat e you like family f 601 01 Medical Parkway y , En Enterprise, E nterprise, ise, OR 97828 • 541-426-31 541-426- 1 1 • www w .wchcd.or g W allowa a Memoria al Hospital is an equal opportunity oppor pr ovider and employer SONDRA LOZIER 541-426-3271 / 541-263-0104 • Visit our website - HELLSCANYONMULEDAYS.COM Souvenier Admission Button - Weekend return privileges Children 6 & Under - FREE • Youth 7-12 - $3.00 • Seniors - $8.00 • Adults -$10.00 Daily Admission - Children 6 & Under - FREE • Youth 7-12 - $2.00 • Adults & Seniors - $5.00 Free parking • Covered seating