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Features GO Magazine Here comes Cycle Oregon
Here comes Cycle Oregon
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This is the first time that Elgin has served as a Cycle Oregon host city. The cycling begins and finishes in Elgin. “We’re so excited about hosting Cycle Oregon,” said Mayor Carmen Gentry. “It is a great opportunity to showcase our community to hundreds of people from all over the world and show them our little slice of Blue Mountain heaven.” The ride, themed The Wild Wheeled West, has night stops in Union, Baker City, Halfway, Wallowa Lake and back to Elgin. The course runs 315 to 450 miles, depending on options the cyclists take. Cycling guests will camp out at the Elgin High School grounds, creating a colorful “tent city.” Beverages and food will be served at a food tent, or guests may opt for a number of other dining choices in town. A busy line-up of live entertainment and events are planned for Friday and Saturday, including three performances of “The Sound of Music” at the Opera House. Saturday there will be an Eagle Cap excursion-Two Rivers train ride at 10 a.m., and in the afternoon at 1:30 a show by the Powder River Pistoleros. There will be a quilt show at the Elgin Methodist church, displaying 100-year-old quilts from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will also be live music and a beer garden. Following the welcome address at 7 a.m. Sunday by Mayor Gentry and Kem Brainerd, the ride begins. The cyclists will be led out of town at 7:30 a.m. by teacher Bob Thomas on his Penny Farthing bicycle. Burma shave signs placed along the roadside by the Elgin Lions Club will provide riders with some amusing facts about Elgin. Cyclists will also carb-up on energy “handle bars” — 3,500 peanut crisp bars made by and provided at no charge by the Elgin Women’s Service Club. It’s all part of Elgin’s warm hospitality. The first day’s ride is from Elgin to Summerville and ends up in Union, where cyclists will be greeted by a throng of red-clad Unionites.
 File photo On Sept. 13 when cyclists complete their touring circuit and return to Elgin, they will be directed through the finish line tunnel and archway pyramid built from 60 bales of straw donated by Ben and Wendy Gunning of Elgin Boot and Saddle. The grand finale celebration, including entertainment and local vendors, will take place on the north side of Stella Mayfield School and the ball park grounds adjoining the Elgin Community Center. The hospitality committee wants to thank its donors, including Boise Cascade, Foodtown, Safeway, Grocery Outlet, Albertsons as well as local clubs, businesses and citizens who helped with the preparations for this event.
Participant Profile based on 2006 rider survey
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