If you’re looking for a way to enjoy the Willamette Valley, there’s no shortage of great rides this summer. The Salem Bicycle Club, a long-time supporter of the BTA, is running its traditional Watermelon Rides on June 24.
The Watermelon Rides offer routes of 50 miles, 100 miles, 125 miles and 200 miles (Oregon’s original one-day double century). The rides start and end at the Polk County Fairgrounds in Rickreall–0.7 miles south of the intersection of Hwy 99W and Hwy 22. The route map and cue sheets offer a preview of the ride.
Pre-registrations for the 2007 Watermelon will be accepted until June 14. The pre-registration fee is $16. To pre-register, complete the registration form and mail the form and fees to the Salem Bicycle Club. The day-of-ride registration fee will be $20.
Packet pickup and day-of-ride registration opens at 5:00 a.m. for 200-mile riders only. There will be a mass start for 200-mile riders at 5:30 a.m. All 200-mile riders must start by 6:00 a.m. Packet pickup and day-of-ride registration for all other routes opens at 7:00 a.m. and closes at 9:00 a.m. All riders must start by 9:30 a.m.
The routes are generally flat with some rolling hills and take riders through the central Willamette Valley. Rest stops with food, energy drink, and public toilets are spaced approximately every 25 miles. In addition, the Salem Bicycle Club provides limited mobile support.
More information on the rides, organized by BTA Board member Doug Parrow and the rest of the Salem Bicycle Club.
Also that weekend, you can get a flavor of Cycle Oregon (another long-time BTA supporter) with the Cycle Oregon: The Weekend Ride in Vernonia.
All sorts of great rides, from the Slow Poke Pastry Patrol to the Heritage Tree Tour can be found on the website of ORBike.
