The Oregon Bicycle Culture Is The Real Deal

When visitors arrive in Oregon they immediately notice the lush green countryside, the fresh pine air and the telltale signs of of a crazy bike culture.

The bike racks on all public transportation, the green bike lanes on city streets and the numerous bike shops in every town; validate that you have arrived in Oregon Country.

Portland, Oregon is consistently rated at a high level in the United States for being biker-friendly, as well as being filled to the "rims" with bicycle enthusiasts. Riders have endless choices among the tree lined city streets, countless city parks; or the accessible Columbia Gorge and Willamette valley vineyard routes.

Urban riders in Oregon cities, usually find that drivers are courteous. Local governments along with bike industry leaders have done an excellent job of promoting a safe cycling environment. This has resulted in one of the better safety and per capita accident rates in the nation.

A visitor soon realizes that Oregon has several hundred miles of bicycle-friendly secondary roads, and thousands of forest acres laden with gorgeous views and bike trails.

The Bend area is a prime passageway to central Oregon's recreation areas. As such, Bend accesses clearly marked bike trails that offer quite a few biker choices, including the high-desert area that surrounds the City of Bend. Trails also flow through the primeval forests of Mount Hood and the multi-faceted terrain of Eastern Oregon.

Oregon has a temperate climate that is great for year round cycling, winter included. Those who want to experience the thrill of cold weather riding have many choices. Favorite winter rides include the Peavy Arboreturn Loop, Once around the Lake and the Hood River to Mosier trail.

As winter ends; the winter resorts in Oregon morph into fun paradises for bikers. Along with lift rides to the tops of scenic slopes, there are clearly marked bike trails. The ride down is amazing, offering fresh mountain air and unbelievable views.

All year long, bicyclists flock to Oakridge, a town in the Willamette Valley. Oakridge offers hundreds of miles of bike trails that are clearly marked and with varying degrees of difficulty, so there are trails for every skill level.

During the summer, the town holds two three day events for bicycle riders known as Mountain Bike Oregon. Both local and out-of-state visitors cram into this friendly town to take part in the events designed for riders. The 2011 event is from July 15 through July 17, then again in August, from the 19th through the 21st. The August 2012 event is likely held at the same, although readers should double check the sponsors schedule.

These two festivals include competitions, shuttles, meals, demo bikes and a nightly outdoor beer garden where riding adults can enjoy drinks and meet bikers from all over. Many friendships have started at the Mountain Bike Oregon festival!

The Oregon love of bike riding is clear by its progressive urban riding trails and the states compulsion to set up bike trails everywhere so that bike riding enthusiasts can enjoy both leisurely rides and exciting and difficult courses. Every town with a stop light has a bike shop, so visitors can readily find parts and repairs if needed. Virginia may be for lovers, but Oregon is for bikers.