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About Cottage Grove sentinel. (Cottage Grove, Or.) 1909-current | View Entire Issue (June 5, 2019)
COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL | WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2019 | 11A Fondo from A1 from Italian to “big ride” and traces its origins to 1970 in Cesenatico, Italy. While many serious riders participate in such events to push their limits, they are open to riders of all abilities. As such, Gran Fondos are considered less of a race than an op- portunity to bring com- munities together and ex- perience the joys of riding on the same course as pro- fessionals. “It’s really just about having a good day on the bike,” said event director Mike Ripley. “It’s a group ride.” Ripley is owner of Mud- slinger Events, a con- sulting and coordinating company which specializ- es in running and biking events and has managed the Oregon Gran Fon- do in Cottage Grove for about eight years. Around 70 local vol- unteers helped run the event, which included the Cottage Grove Bohe- mia Sunrisers Kiwanis, the Cottage Grove Aqua Lions, the Rotary Club of Cottage Grove and other community members. Riders began trickling back into town around noon and continued through the day as Plank Town Brewing podium glassware awards were given out to top finishers. While the Gran Fondo attracted many from out of town, more than two dozen local businesses participated in a “Show Your Race Bib” program in which participants and spectators were en- couraged to shop, eat and drink locally. The promotion pro- gram offered discounts and deals to customers who showed their race bibs and spectator cards to participating businesses. “Since the first time that the Gran Fondo has been SOUTH LANE COUNTY FIRE & RESCUE SAVE MONEY. SAVE LIVES. cool. I’ve never been down here. It’s really beautiful,” he said. “Everybody’s real- ly friendly and it’s a really scenic route, so it’s been fun.” The community nature of rides like the Gran Fon- do is part of what attracts Rens to them. “It’s fun to see how fast you can do it, but for the most part it’s just like a big group ride that has sup- port. It just makes it more fun,” he said. “It’s a little easier when it’s a group, so it’s a different dynam- ic that you don’t usually get without going to an event.” Ripley echoed the sen- timent that these events bring a lot of positivity. “It’s just a good day of getting outside and un- plugging,” he said. “That’s what people need more DAMIEN SHERWOOD/COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL than ever right now.” On top of the personal Cottage Grove local Rick Bondeson crosses the finish line Saturday afternoon, benefits, Ripley hoped to completing the Medio route. see positive local impact. in Cottage Grove, we’re fi- tive director Travis Palm- sponsorship will contin- “These businesses nally starting to see some er. “It’s what we’ve been ue to grow in the coming downtown, they need community buy-in to hoping for all along.” years. support,” said Ripley, help create more activity The Oregon Gran Fon- “I think it was around mentioning that he puts and generate some traffic do event has also made a 20 percent of sponsorship on similar events in other down there,” said Cham- commitment to donate to goes back to the fundrais- Oregon cities. “Commu- ber of Commerce execu- Project Hero, a nonprofit ing,” he estimated. nities don’t have nearly supporting PTSD aware- Cycler Jesse Rens from as much local support as ness and physical and Portland included Project they used to.” mental health treatment Hero as part of his reason Exposure, he said, was for first responders and for participating. a big part of energizing a The Lowest Rates in Lane County military veterans. “I’ve been cycling for town. The group hosts its own quite a long time and “It puts Cottage Grove PUBLIC MEETINGS, rides nationwide, but Rip- it’s always fun to just do on the map,” Ripley said. ley, a veteran himself, was events here and there,” he “We had a couple from the TRUSTEE NOTICES, moved to find a way to said. “And I’m loosely af- Netherlands last year start PROBATE, help its Portland-based filiated with Project Hero.” their first American expe- AUCTION & affiliate. Rens is a also veteran rience in Cottage Grove.” “We set up just a and works with the Veter- Ripley sees the capac- FORECLOSURE third-party fundraising ans Affairs office. ity for exposure like this NOTICES, platform that allows all “I’ve seen first-hand to give magnetism to the AND MORE. the money we raise just the positive changes that community. to go straight through to cycling can have for peo- “People see the poten- Published weekly in the them,” he said. “So it’s nice ple,” he said. “It’s really tial in things and want to Cottage Grove Sentinel that it can be earmarked therapeutic; it’s physically make it their own,” Ripley and online at cgsentinel.com and used for the Portland good. You automatical- said. “And so I think that’s area and greater Willa- ly have community. So what’s really cool about C ottage G rove mette Valley to connect I think for veterans, it’s Cottage Grove is that peo- people to cycling.” kind of priceless if we can ple do have the chance to Fundraising efforts col- get them in there.” make Cottage Grove their Contact: Meg Fringer lected close to $3,000 for Rens cycled the Medio own and that’s a wonder- Project Hero, according route for Saturday’s event. ful thing.” 541-942-3325 x1200 mfringer@cgsentinel.com to Ripley, who hopes that “The course is really Public Notices Ground Ambulance Memberships $65 per year Ground Ambulance & Air Membership $115 per year Call 541-942-4493 for info. FOR EMERGENCY DIAL 911 Serving South Lane County. Special Deal! S entinel 25% SENIOR DISCOUNT SAVE NOW ON SUBSCRIPTION RATES! Valid for One-Year New & Renewal Subscriptions! YES! I am a senior, and would like to subscribe to the Cottage Grove Sentinel at a 25% discount rate. 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Special introductory off ers are limited to no more than two special subscriptions in a twelve month period and must be paid in advance to qualify for special rate. Once the above discounted period ends, you will be billed at the regular subscription rates. 1 Yr. In Lane County w/Senior Discount: $32.63 1 Yr. Out of Lane County w/Senior Discount: $42.38 PAYMENT METHOD: Credit Card (Please Circle One) Check Enclosed Mail this coupon and payment to: Credit Card # Cottage Grove Sentinel Name on Card: P.O. Box 35 Cottage Grove, OR 97424 (541) 942-3325 Mailing Address: Signature: Exp. Date S entinel C ottage G rove