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Elgin gears up to host Cycle Oregon
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Cycle Oregon was founded 21 years ago. The non-profit organization is dedicated to transforming individuals and communities through bicycling. Proceeds from the ride go to the Cycle Oregon Fund, which helps preserve and protect special places of Oregon and supports community development projects in hosting regions. This is the first time that Elgin has served as a Cycle Oregon host city. The cycling begins and finishes in Elgin. City officials and residents hope to show their 5,000 guests the kind of Western hospitality that will keep them coming back. “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.” Preparations that started last March are firming up. The Elgin Chamber of Commerce, members of EDGE, the Elgin Rural Fire District, the Women’s Service Club, Elgin School District’s FBLA and other community groups and businesses have made donations of time, materials and labor to create a clean, festive environment for their cycling guests. Elgin’s Chamber of Commerce President Christy Piercey and Kem Brainerd of EDGE and the Elgin coordinator for Cycle Oregon are heading up an 11-member hospitality committee. “We have the most awesome volunteers I’ve ever worked with,” said Brainerd. “We couldn’t do it without them.” The committee has addressed a multitude of details to accommodate the needs of a large crowd like this. They are expecting the arrival of about 900 vehicles beginning Sept. 5. Vehicles will be directed to park at the Stampede grounds and overflow parking lot across Highway 82 (previously the D&R Auto lot). On Friday and Saturday, cyclists will be exploring the American and Chinese restaurants and drive-ins, the Opera House performances and museum along with other commercial activities in downtown Elgin. “This event will bring approximately 5,000 cyclists and crew into our community,” said Piercey. “Be prepared and extend a warm welcome to our visitors.” 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 attend a number of other dining options 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. “On Saturday the 6th we have the 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. We’ll also have live music and a beer garden,” said Brainerd. Following the welcome address at 7 a.m. Sept. 7 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 cyclists will take off from the high school, traveling down 17th Street and taking a left on Highway 204,” said Piercey. “They will go up to 3-mile bridge and through Summerville. The first day’s ride is from Elgin to Union.” 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 and Albertsons as well as local clubs, businesses and citizens who helped with the preparations for this event.
Participant Profile based on 2006 rider survey
Women — 38 percent Average age — 48 years Repeat riders — 96 percent 48 states represented 69 percent from Oregon 8 countries represented: Canada France Holland Switzerland Germany Japan Italy England
Occupations of riders:
Health care — 22 percent Civil/Government — 6 percent Retirees — 4 percent Skilled labor — 7 percent Sales/Marketing — 6 percent Students — 3 percent Administrative — 2 percent Teachers — 1 percent Homemakers — 2 percent Other — 6 percent
Income levels:
20 percent make $60-90,000 20 percent make $40-60,000 5 percent make $20-40,000 3 percent make $0-20,000
Schedule of events In ElginSept. 4Cycle Oregon work crews arrive
Sept. 5Some cyclists arrive Spaghetti Feed at Nazarene Church, 5-6:30 p.m. “The Sound of Music” at Opera House, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 6Welcome Cycle Oregon Eagle Cap Excursion-Two Rivers, 10 a.m., call 963-9000 Vendors and Community Market — Elgin High School, 11 a.m. Powder River Pistoleros train robbery gun show, 1:30 p.m., train booth “The Sound of Music” at Opera House, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. shows Live music, beer garden, 4-9 p.m. Sig’s Restaurant - live music
Sept. 7Starting Ceremony, 7 a.m. Cyclists take off, 7:30 a.m.
Sept. 13Finish Line — north side of Stella Mayfield School Entertainment begins at finish line Vendors, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
