Club Ride Detail

Blackberry bRamble

Date(s): August 3rd, 2008
Location: EWEB, Eugene, OR, Contact: Rob Roy, Phone 541-484-1734

Description: Full Century Starts 7 - 8 AM
Metric Century Starts 8 - 9 AM
Coyote Creek Starts 8 - 9 AM
Family Ride Starts 9 AM

Sponsored by GEARs Cycling Club of Eugene

Both metric and full century riders start at the riverfront plaza at Eugene Water & Electric Board, then go South through the University of Oregon Campus. You climb slowly out of the Willamette Valley with a scenic view of Eugene below and then pass into the farms and vineyards of the Lorane Valley. Sixteen miles into the ride, the Wolf Creek Century riders will leave the metric riders and head to the small town of Lorane for their first rest stop. From Lorane they follow lightly traveled roads along the Siuslaw River under the full canopy of the forest. Wolf creek is a strenuous climb followed by an exciting descent.

Near the rest stop in Crow the 100 mile riders rejoin the metric and Coyote riders who have been enjoying moderate rollers and not the strains of Wolf Creek. Riders go through the hamlets of Crow and Noti, and then meander up Poodle Creek Road. The ride continues through forest and hills to the third rest stop at Fern Ridge Reservoir. The last 23 miles of the ride are back in the flat Willamette Valley usually with a tail wind to help the tired. You re-enter Eugene on the bike paths on the East bank of the Willamette.

Your ride ends when you re-enter Alton Baker Park and cross the Peter DeFazio bicycle Suspension Bridge, returning to the EWEB Plaza. Blackberry pie awaits you at the finish to top off a wonderful day of scenery, cycling and camaraderie with both nature and fellow cyclists.

Getting Here:
The starting point, Eugene Water & Electric Board's Plaza, on the Willamtte River, is at 500 East 4th Street, next to the Ferry Street Bridge.

If traveling on I-5, take exit 194 to travel West on I-105 and then take Exit 2 (to UofO, then Downtown to Coburg Rd.) Traveling south on Coburg Road, cross the green bridge. Take an immediate right onto 3rd Avenue. Turn left on Mill, then left on 4th Avenue and proceed one block to EWEB's entrance.

Mileage: 100 miles
Terrain: Rolling w/ Hills
Fee: $30