Eugene Camping Trip THIS WEEKEND!
Matt Picio
East Willamette Valley Scenic Ride to Eugene, Oregon
Greetings, campers! We have an unconventional intermediate three-day trip for Memorial day weekend down to Eugene, Oregon, returning by Amtrak. The ride is 133 miles over two days (65 and 68, respectively) with some elevation gain early on the first day. Much of the route is flat with views of forests and wine orchards, not to mention the expected Willamette Valley scenery of ample grass seed farms. Our final destination of Eugene features more bicycle river crossings than car river crossings, good cheap local food, and more than its fair share of Grateful Dead references.
The ride is 65 miles on Saturday, leaving bright and early at 7:30AM from the Clackamas Town Center (end of the Green line MAX).Please gather in the parking lot just to the south of the station (down the ramp, hang a left on the sidewalk, look for the pink haired girl with bright blue panniers. Saturday night we are staying in the very small town of Scio, Oregon. There will be no camp fees, but Scio is not a campground, so we rely on the generosity of the townspeople for our water and bathroom facilities. Luckily, the townspeople are very accommodating and are aware that we are coming. There's a very cute local dive bar and a few scattered cafes. Scio also has a whole bunch of covered bridges, in case you're into that.
On Sunday, we will be riding the last 68 miles to Eugene, which are nearly entirely flat. It is likely that we'll be into Eugene in the mid-afternoon. We'll be staying at the urban ecovillage, Maitreya (http://www.maitreyaecovillage.org/), in the large handbuilt, straw bale community room. We will have access to a sink and bathroom. Maitreya is 5 minutes by bicycle from downtown Eugene. The public library of Eugene has free computer access and wireless internet. Eugene has some delicious inexpensive organic restaurants, a group of campers will be dining out at the esteemed Pizza Research Institute. (http://www.pizzaresearchinstitute.com/)
RETURN TRIP: You are responsible for booking your own return trip via Amtrak back to Portland on Monday, May 30. The Eugene train station is a 7 minute ride from our accommodation. There are 4 different trains/coaches to chose from, all of which allow bicycles, so chose the return trip that best fits your schedule. Tickets run about $29 and it costs $5 to bring your bicycle with a pre-reservation. For the Cascade line trains, you do not need to box your bicycle but each train only fits six bicycles unboxed (if the bike spots sell out, you can box your bicycle). Please be aware that the Coast Starlight line train regularly runs hours late and requires you to box your bicycle. Boxes are available at the Amtrak station for $10. Buy your tickets at http://www.amtrak.com
If you prefer to spend an extra night in Eugene and take the early morning train on Tuesday (arrival in Portland by 8AM), a second night of (free!) accommodation in Eugene can be arranged. Please contact the ride leader for details.
Park Fees: None
Food: Each person responsible for their own food, and the grocery options are limited along the route, so please plan ahead. There is ample grocery and dining within a short distance of our final location in Eugene for Sunday evening and Monday morning.
Departure: Saturday, May 28 @ 7:30AM
Location: Clackamas Town Center MAX Station (end of GREEN line): 9375 SE Sunnyside Road, Clackamas, OR. (Please note that you will have to catch the FIRST Green Line MAX out of Rose Quarter Transit Center to arrive by 7:30AM.)
Return: Monday, May 30 by Amtrak at camper's convenience
Distance: 65 miles Saturday, 68 miles Sunday
Cost: Free. Campers are responsible for their own food and Amtrak return ticket.
Ride Leader: Lillian Karabaic, anomalily at gmail daught com
Map & Cuesheet for Clackamas -> Canby (our lunch stop): http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=250975
Map & Cuesheet for Canby -> Eugene: http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=250983
Weather for Saturday night stop in Scio: http://1.usa.gov/kkfKwo
Weather for Eugene: http://1.usa.gov/6vOQtT
matt picio
--
-matt picio
president, cycle wild
http://www.cyclewild.org
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