“Five years ago Cycle Oregon spent five of its seven days in Klamath County, and to my knowledge it has only visited once in the previous 25 years,” said Jim Chadderdon, executive director of Discover Klamath.

The 2017 ride is being dubbed “The Crater Lake Adventure,” taking riders on a nearly 500-mile loop Sept. 9-16 through Central Oregon. The trek begins and ends in Bend, proceeding south to Crater Lake, then on to Oakridge before looping back through Sisters into Bend.

The ride costs $999, with an additional tent and porter service available at reserved camping spots with all luggage delivered tent-side.

The event is not only a social affair, but a tremendous Oregon showcase and testament to the bike-friendly efforts made by the state over the past decade.

Scenic bikeways a draw

Oregon was first to promote bicycle tourism on a national and global level, establishing scenic bikeways and bicycle tourism partnerships. Scenic bikeways have popped up all over Oregon, promoting scenic rides for tourists to enjoy, including most recently a 90-mile designated loop in Lake County known as the Oregon Outback Scenic Bikeway.

While Lake County’s scenic bikeway is drawing crowds, Klamath County remains without an official designated route. An effort made in 2015 resulted in a proposed Crater Lake Scenic Bikeway being one of three finalists for the distinction in 2016, but didn’t make the cut.

According to a 2012 study by Dean Runyan Associates, commissioned by the Oregon Bicycle Tourism Partnership, annual bicycle tourism contributes $400 million to Oregon’s annual $9 billion tourism industry. Of that, an estimated 15 percent is distributed in Southern Oregon, equating $12 million added to the Klamath County economy.

“The economic impact of Cycle Oregon to rural Oregon’s communities is well-documented, measuring in the tens of thousands of dollars,” Chadderdon said. “Cycle Oregon’s fees from its participants get redistributed back through the smaller towns through which they travel. They have infused thousands into the Klamath economy for food, entertainment, local transportation, ride support, venue rentals and so much more.”

This year’s ride doesn’t travel south of Crater Lake. When Cycle Oregon came to Klamath Falls five years ago, a special Klamath Village was setup at Moore Park to help educate participants about all the tourism opportunities in the area.

The village welcomed 2,000 cyclists and provided information about local museums, parks, forests, schools, medical centers and transportation hubs. Prizes were distributed, and according to Chadderdon, the effort proved invaluable in providing exposure to cyclists in sparking interest of a return trip to take in the sites further.

Ride the Rim at the same time

This year’s big ride just happens to coincide with another cycling frenzy in Southern Oregon, an annual Ride the Rim celebration hosted by Crater Lake Park.

For two weekends in September, (Sept. 9 and Sept. 16) 25 miles of Rim Drive will be closed to motorized traffic, encouraging walkers, joggers, bikers, skaters and more to revel in the scenic beauty of traversing Crater Lake’s rim without the interference and pollution of vehicles in the way.

The event is drawing upwards of 6,000 participants.

“This year our Ride the Rim will book-end the Cycle Oregon ride, we’re very supportive of that event,” said Craig Ackerman, Crater Lake National Park superintendent. “The 2,200 cyclists from Cycle Oregon will be sandwiched in between the 3,000 or so we expect each weekend.

“We’ve seen unicycles, quad bikes, people pulling their dogs on trailers…it’s an interesting crowd that shows up each year.”

Ackerman warned prospective riders to be prepared for the effect of altitude, as well as rapidly changing weather conditions. With an elevation of around 8,000 feet, riders accustomed to low-altitude long treks may not be prepared for a 33-mile trek around the rim at high altitude.

Relief stations will be located at designated points providing snacks, water and bike repairs if needed.

“We want to make sure people have a great time, and don’t overextend themselves due to the elevation,” added Ackerman. “It’s a very desirable and sustainable way people can enjoy their park and in reduced emissions they wouldn’t get to experience if we had 5,000 people driving the rim.”