For those who can’t make it, you can now watch a live video feed of the announcement at www.cycleoregon.com.

As a reminder, this year registration is being handled ONLINE ONLY. This includes registration for the weekend event, the week event and Tent & Porter service. Registration opens at 9:00 pm Pacific.  Based on the last few years, we expect this event to sell out very quickly — most likely in a matter of hours. If you want to make sure you get a spot, be online at the top of the hour. Here are some things you might also want to consider:

• The Nike Campus does not have a public wireless connection (though plenty of nearby places do — just make sure you pick a place and confirm they have service and will be open in advance).
• The registration system DOES work on mobile devices.
• There is no limit to the number of people a single person may register. However, the reservations aren’t made until payment is accepted at the end of the session, so dividing and conquering might be a better strategy than a single mass registration.

Although you won’t be able to sign up at the event, there are still plenty of reasons to be there these include — but are not limited to:

• Rekindling relationships with your extended Cycle Oregon family
• New friends
• Beer and wine
• Seeing photos of where we’ll be riding on the big screen (someone needs to be there to “Ooooooh and Ahhhhh” for the folks watching at home)
• Checking out this year’s jersey design in person
• Getting STOKED for training if you haven’t started already.

Who’s in?

On any given hill during Cycle Oregon, both types of riders will be sharing the road, and it’s important that each take a moment to consider the other’s mindset.

For an accomplished rider, a fast downhill is something special. It’s a little bit like riding a motorcycle and a little bit like flying. Being in the zone and in control as the miles fly by is one of the best parts about riding in places that have long climbs and descents. Getting behind a slow, nervous rider is a lot like getting behind an RV in a national park: It’s a total buzzkill. If you’re a slow rider, be aware that others likely want to pass you; accommodate them as soon as you feel comfortable doing so. If you hear someone behind you calling “On your left” or “Passing,” acknowledge them with a nod or by giving them a little extra room.

Conversely, if you’re a fast rider, realize that there are some people who are terrified by going downhill and ripping by them at 50 mph in a tight, steep corner when they don’t even know you’re there is a pretty serious party foul that puts you both in unnecessary danger.

When you’re overtaking someone else, make sure they know you’re there, and hang back until you get to a spot where you can cruise by safely. Be particularly leery of passing two riders at once. It’s entirely possible that the second rider has just caught up to the first and is in the process of getting ready to pass as well. They might not be focused on uphill traffic (though they obviously should be).

As the faster rider, the onus is on you not to endanger your fellow rider or make a bad situation worse. You’ll have other opportunities to grip it and rip it, so if circumstances dictate, take a minute to enjoy the view.

For more on this topic, check the discussion about safe descents on the Cycle Oregon forums. And for those of you who are looking to improve your downhill skills, read on.

Tips for slow/tentative descenders:

• Take your time. Don’t let the fact that you’re being passed persuade you to go faster than you should.
• Be aware that you’re going to be passed; where it is safe and comfortable for you to do so, stay to the right and hold your line.
• Conversely, when you don’t feel safe and comfortable staying to the right, use the whole lane. On a tight right-hand turn, for example, the left-hand part of the lane is the best and safest place to be – it gives you a bigger turning radius.
• Take brake breaks. When/where it is safe to do so and traffic in both directions can clearly see you, pull over and chill out for a minute partway down. This will give you a chance to check out the scenery and gather yourself. It will also give your hands a rest. When someone crashes on a hill, they often feel is if their brakes “just went out.” The reality is that, short of a broken cable, brakes rarely “go out.” More often than not, the rider’s hands become fatigued from having a prolonged death grip on the brakes. Without realizing it, they pick up speed and then aren’t able to slow back down.

This video, from Lance Armstrong’s former coach, offers some additional tips. Give them a try, and before long you’ll be bombing hills with the best of ‘em.

Set Objectives and Ground Rules – The goal of my group to prepare for Cycle Oregon and have a good time doing it. It’s as organized as it has to be to keep going, but disorganized enough that it doesn’t start to feel like a job. We’ve reached a common understanding on things like:

• How long at the start we will wait for stragglers
• How we deal with people who ride at different speeds
• What is expected of each rider (self-sufficiency)
• How we deal with breakdowns
• What is expected of the organizer
• What to do when the weather doesn’t cooperate

Everyone who rides with us knows this isn’t a club or an “official” organization, and that everyone is more or less on his or her own. That has worked well for us. If you feel ambitious and want to eventually grow your group into a club, there are other things to consider such as dues, waivers, service and support, etc.

Maps – Everyone in the group needs to know where they’re going. We started out with simple cue sheets but quickly graduated to printed maps created with mapping software. After a year of occasional wrong turns and confusion I discovered the wonders of  the GPS bike computer, which provides turn-by-turn directions and other useful information – PROVIDED you know how to use one and understand its idiosyncrasies.

Now we that have several riders with GPS computers and others with maps, we rarely get lost and are able to keep moving with very few stops.

If you want to take it to the next level, you can map the rides using programs such as www.mapmyride.com or www.ridewithgps.com. Those maps can be printed and shared, OR downloaded on to GPS bike computers. Getting it all set up is a TREMENDOUS amount of work, but once you get it all done planning for future seasons is really, really simple. If you’re in it for the long haul this is a great way to go.

Having other people around is good in many ways. It helps you stay motivated, it’s safer and it’s simply a lot more fun to share the joy (and the occasional agony) with others. But finding the right group can be a challenge, depending on the type of rider you are.

It seems like there’s no shortage of training groups/clubs that cater to the hard-core hammerhead. These groups typically go far and fast and are simply not suited for everyone. At the other end of the spectrum are groups that are geared more toward learning how to become an endurance cyclist. If you are brand-new to cycling, these groups can be invaluable.

But what if you aren’t a beginner and also can’t – or don’t want to – spend your season chasing faster riders? The best solution I’ve found is to start your own training group.  Provided you’ve got the time, energy and some organizational skills, it’s pretty easy to do. And you might be surprised how quickly you can acquire a great collection of cycling buddies. If you build it, they will come.

The first step is to find a few others who are in the same boat. All you really need is 3-4 people.  Perhaps these are people you know from a previous beginner training group or have met at other events. Or perhaps they’re people you recruit from the Cycle Oregon forum or the Facebook page, or even a local bike shop.

The next critical step is to plan the routes. I’ve found that by using a combination of rides I’d done before, routes from a book I purchased from my local shop, and routes I found online that I had more than enough for an entire season.

When building the schedule, start out with short rides (30 miles or less) with little elevation gain. Spend a few weeks building up mileage and then introduce climbing into the mix. Save the long and challenging rides for later in the season, then taper off a few weeks prior to Cycle Oregon by doing shorter rides with greater frequency.  Be sure to find a few weekends where you can ride several days consecutively.

Planning the whole season at once takes a little extra work upfront, but it’s the best way to make sure you’ll be ready come September. Once you’ve got your schedule, figure out the best way to share it with the group, keep things organized and make sure everyone is on the same page in terms of goals and objectives.

Next week I’ll cover tips and techniques for turning your fledgling training group into a well-oiled machine.

Q: Cornelia and Rhonda Kromm

Cornelia (left) and Rhonda (below left) are sisters-in-law who are tackling Cycle Oregon for the first time, and Cornelia, at least, is beginner enough that she’s only recently bought a road bike (“So many things to learn!” is how she sums it up). Because the two women live “across the state” of Washington (Lynnwood and Pullman, respectively), they don’t get to ride together regularly – which will make a week of Cycle Oregon even more fun for them.

A: Kimball and Shelley Rasmussen

Kimball and Shelley, from South Jordan, Utah, have done all of their Cycle Os on a tandem. Their first was CO VI in 1993, from Baker to Oregon City. They did that one on two Burley tandems, with each of them (mom and dad) riding with a child. Must have been a good family memory – their son came back to do CO a few years ago as an adult.

What should I bring along in the way of spare parts for my bike?

You need to bring a basic flat repair system: A pump, plastic tire levers and a spare tube (and possibly a patch kit). I prefer CO2 “pumps” rather than a frame-mounted pump, and I bring a couple of spare CO2 cartridges. You should also carry a compact Allen wrench set for simple repairs and adjustments. Beyond that, Cycle Oregon is very well supported, so they can handle spare parts. Bring a little bit of cash for parts and tips to the mechanics.

What kind of riding clothes should I pack for the week? How many pairs of riding shorts? Will there be a way to wash things out after riding for the day?

CO has buckets for doing simple laundry. You might also spot a laundromat (but these can get crowded). And some towns sponsor laundry services. We have had good luck with four changes of cycling clothes, plus one or two changes of rain clothes. We pack a jersey, shorts and socks – one set for each day – in zip-lock baggies. Arm warmers and leg warmers work very well for cold mornings, and then can be peeled off on warm afternoons. You can layer a jacket on top of a lightweight vest, and then peel down to your jersey when the day gets warm. CO has a gear-drop station for excess clothing. You can drop items off at lunch and then retrieve them when you arrive in camp. For rainy days it is also nice to have foot protection (booties, or similar).

I have lots of yoga tops – are those good for riding, too?

The key is your personal comfort. If your yoga wear does an adequate job with moisture and performs in a variety of situations (wet, cold, hot, etc.) then go for it. One thing I like about Cycle Oregon is that you can dress however you want and nobody really cares. One guy showed up on CO VI in a Speedo! I wouldn’t be caught dead in his “outfit,” but to each his own. Be aware, however, that temperatures at the start of a ride can be in the 30s or 40s and can end up in the 90s or higher by the end of the ride. I suspect this year’s ride will be more moderate than the high desert. So dress accordingly.

Should I bring my own supply of energy bars and road food?

The general answer to this question is no. However, it can be a good thing to have a couple of snack items on hand for emergencies. But CO is well stocked with food and water stops. You should carry two water bottles, and try to drink BEFORE you feel thirsty, with a goal of refilling at every stop. One of the bottles can be dedicated to energy drink or Gatorade. The other should be for water.

What sorts of sports recovery drinks do riders prefer?

Sports drinks are available at rest stops and at Bike Gallery. But my favorite has been the chocolate milk that is often provided at the finish line. It is also nice to buy a “smoothie” from the Ben & Jerry’s stand at the end of a day’s ride.

What was the hardest thing the first time you (a veteran rider) did Cycle Oregon.

Our first experience was CO VI, which went from Baker City to Oregon City. There were no “rest days,” and the ride accumulated about 29,000 feet of climbing. My wife and I each rode as “captain” of a tandem, and our “stokers” were our children, ages 11 and 13. We didn’t realize how hard that was until we came back and did CO VII the next year as a couple (without children) and found ourselves getting into camp at 2 p.m. rather than 7 p.m. To me the hardest thing about CO is the climbs. At 6’3″ and 250 pounds, I probably belong in the Clydesdale division. So my advice: Grab a low gear and spin at a good cadence.

And if you find yourself grinding up a hill, remember to stand out of the saddle at least once every 10 minutes or so. As a tandem team my wife and I take turns standing (we avoid standing at the same time because it throws the bike around and can interfere with other riders). When I sense that my wife wants to stand, I click into a higher gear. When she is done I will typically take my turn standing. This really helps; it’s good to get out of the saddle periodically.

But whatever else, enjoy the ride and avoid getting caught up in pacelines. After all, you’re on vacation!

Exactly how scared should I be of the big climb on this ride?

You should not be scared, but you should be prepared. Some climbs can last for 20 miles or more, with sections of 12% grade (Editor’s note: Not this year. The hardest Day 6 climb is about five miles long, and generally more in the 6%-8% range.) So be patient and prepared to endure to the top. In your training you should do some sustained climbs, if possible, of at least 1,000 feet. You should also log at least one or two centuries before starting CO. On the downhill section, if necessary, pull off in a safe, open area to rest your hands and to cool your rims, tires and brakes. It is not worth it to ride past your skill level and then get hurt in an accident. Be safe and know that the most difficult climbs can also create the most amazing memories.

Can you tell me about chafing and chafing products I see advertised?

If you’re talking about chamois butter, then yes, go for it! And it is helpful to take a mini-tube for additional application at rest stops. My wife and I are big believers in chamois butter. You can also minimize chafing by having a good-fitting saddle. Go to your bike shop and get your “cheek bones” measured for width and then try out saddles until you find the perfect fit. Avoid the lure of the big cushy saddles – they actually add to the chafing problem. Find your best saddle and don’t be afraid to spend $100 or more on that item. It may be the single most important component on your bike. And then log the miles so that you can avoid soreness on Cycle Oregon. It would also be very helpful to be professionally fitted to your bike.

To me, Cycle Oregon isn’t an event that happens in September. It is an experience that begins in February and doesn’t end until I unpack and wash all my gear sometime in December. Getting ready is a satisfying part of the journey and a good in and of itself. It deserves full commitment.

“I’m signed up” is not a commitment and more often than not, people who aren’t committed don’t go. Even if they defy the odds and end up riding, they still miss out on looking forward to the ride all season long, which is part of the fun.

Picturing the event in your mind’s eye provides great motivation. It helps get you through the hard days and gives you an incentive to train even on the days when you’ve got opportunities for more immediate satisfaction. Holding open the option to bail can become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

On top of that, since Cycle Oregon sells out signing up when you aren’t fully committed deprives someone on the waiting list of the full experience. Are they really going to train as seriously if they don’t know if you are going to make it? Even if they do, they’ll have that senses of uncertainty hanging over them. Where’s the pleasure in that?

So do yourself, your friends, and your fellow riders a solid – just say “yes.”

Q: Nick and Mike Massaro

Yes, they are brothers – Nick is older than Mike by two years. And while this is their first time on Cycle Oregon, the two have done other organized multi-day rides together, including Ride the Rockies. When Mike did the Cycle North Carolina ride two years ago, he rode with several people who raved about the Cycle Oregon ride. “These were people who had done lots of multi-day rides, and to a person they said the Cycle Oregon ride was by far the best,” he recalls. “How could I not be interested?”

Nick adds his perspective on how they ended up in Oregon: “Mike, who lives in California, thinks Oregon is halfway between his house and mine in Colorado. So it made perfect sense!”

The brothers tried to get into the Cycle Oregon ride last year but waited too long to register and the ride filled up. Undeterred, they set aside that week last September, met in Oregon and spent the week cycling in and around Ashland and the Crater Lake area. They had a great time and decided to sign up quick for CO this year.

A: Mike and Gail Williamson

For answers, we turned to Mike and Gail Williamson. Mike, too, had heard from several sources that Cycle Oregon was not to be missed, so he tried to ride COs VI and VII, but both filled before he could get in. When he got in for Cycle Oregon VIII, he “found out what all of the fuss was about. I knew Gail would love the CO experience, but also knew that we rode at different speeds, so we bought a tandem and signed up for CO IX. It was all we’d expected, and I’ve now ridden in CO 12 times, nine of those as half of a tandem team with Gail.” The couple has done other rides during this period, but they keep coming back to Cycle O. They attribute this as “50% due to the roads/communities/terrain of rural Oregon, 25% due to quality organization/food/support/entertainment, and 25% due to the ride’s philosophy and that of the Cycle Oregon Foundation.”

Having done several multi-day rides, the brothers Massaro don’t have a lot of training questions, but they do have a few CO-specific ones. Here are their questions, followed by the Williamsons’ answers.

Are there any secrets to getting the best food? What should we expect?

Getting the best food is simple – just get in line. The caterer, OK’s Cascade, sets up fire camps for the USFS during fire season, and they know all about feeding hungry folks with very good food in ample portions. Of course it’s fun to sample the local fare provided by some of the communities, but you will do very well just sticking to the CO chow line.

What’s the best strategy to avoid shower lines?

The portable shower facilities are also those used at fire camps, with plenty of hot water and a setup to accommodate 2,000+ riders with generally manageable waiting times. Of course, lines can be avoided by waiting for slack periods (during dinner or evening), but the lines really are not too bad.

Are pumps plentiful, or should we pack our own?
Pumps are adequate in number and quality for topping off in the morning, but many riders do bring their own. Waiting for a pump, a Blue Room (slang for “portable toilet,” for our newcomers), showers, laundry bucket and meals is really part of decoupling from the urban existence most of us are escaping. By the second day most riders are in the groove and enjoying the moment, even if that moment happens to be waiting in a line.

What sort of weather should we expect? How low will the temps be?

Weather – yeah, this is always a tough one to answer properly. The 2011 route is west of the Cascades, so lower elevation and warmer nights than the more typical high-desert and mountain routes. September is generally a pretty good month, with daytime highs in the 70s, lows in the 50s, but there is always the chance of “marine disturbance” – i.e., rain, wind and 50s for both day and night temps. Bring your rain fly, a good rain jacket and some warm layers. We’ve experienced a nasty day or two over the years of COs, but a hot shower, good food and a dry tent can make all right with the world again.

But you’ve got a lot to learn. One of the best things you can do is to hook up with a professionally run training group such as STRADA or a coach. Many bike shops also offer clinics for new riders. If you’re in Portland there are even a number of clinics geared just toward our event. There is a lot of knowledge to be gained by books and magazines as well. The faster you pick up the basics, the more fun you’ll have training.

Much of the information you’ll need can also be found on various blogs and websites. www.livestrong.com contains a wealth of great information on exercise, health and nutrition. Livestrong also has a good YouTube Channel. There are many great videos from Lance’s old coach, Chris Carmichael, but they are so deeply buried that they are hard to find. Most of them can also be accessed via a great promotion Nissan did with Chris a few years ago.

www.sheldonbrown.com is another good place for all kinds of general and technical information, and there’s even a series of articles for beginners.

Bicycling Magazine puts a lot of excellent articles from the print magazine on www.bicycling.com. It also has a good blog directory at http://www.bicycling.com/bloglisting.

Each of these blogs and websites should be perused as time permits. Below are links to specific posts from some of my favorite blogs (including my own personal cycling blog) on subjects with which a new cyclist will definitely need to become familiar ASAP:

Rules of the road/general cycling safety
Pre-ride bike check
How to shift
How to fix a flat tire
How to avoid the dreaded “bonk”
Paceline riding tips
How to ride on gravel
Tips and tricks for using a GPS bike computer
Building a relationship with a good mechanic
Packing and getting ready for Cycle Oregon

Do you have a favorite resource or blog post you’d like to share? If so, please let us know by commenting on this post.

Photo by John Spooner

Welcome to the beginning of Cycle Oregon 2011! This year’s ride is going to be a treat. Now, more than a few people have mentioned that the course looks easy. Let me tell you that there are many words the intrepid Cycle Oregon staffers who have actually already ridden the route have used to describe it. These include “bucolic,” “stunning” and “epic.” Noticeably absent is “easy.” Make no mistake; this year’s course will deliver a swift kick to your hindquarters if you aren’t ready for it. Days 2 and 3 may not look huge, but they will test you. If you want to get the most out of the experience, training is essential. The time to get started is now.

The first critical step is developing a solid plan of attack for your training season. The goal is to hit your peak fitness during the event itself. You’ll recognize the moment it happens. All of a sudden and without warning, you are a better and stronger rider. Pure magic.

If you’re new to Cycle Oregon – or new to cycling in general – your biggest question at the moment might simply be “Can I do this?” The answer is simple: Yes, you can.

There are many resources to help you get started. There’s a special section on the Cycle Oregon website, and a wealth of information on the Cycle Oregon blog. And, of course, there is the community itself, which is easily accessed from the Facebook page and the forums. Bicycling Magazine is also a tremendous resource for information and inspiration. There’s a lot of excellent information on their website, but nothing beats the magazine itself. There are lots of great books by Ed Burke and Ed Pavelka such as The Complete Book of Long-Distance Cycling that I highly recommended.

In fact, the blog already features a series of training recommendations you can use to form the basic outline of your plan from March through August.

March
April
May
June
July/August

You can wait until March if you want, but those who are in the know are already working on building their base fitness.

Happy trails!

We can, however, all work together to make a comprehensive photographic record of this year’s ride for everyone to enjoy. Everyone is encouraged to share their best snapshots on the Cycle Oregon Facebook page. You can post them during the ride via your phone or The Blogmobile, or from your computer when you get back.

More importantly, we’d also like to ask that riders upload their very best photos to the Cycle Oregon 2010 flickr group. Flickr is a great place to store and share high-resolution images. Using flickr is free and easy. All we ask is that you avoid adding skinny-dipping shots (at least to the Cycle Oregon group).

Videographers are also encouraged to share their video on the Cycle Oregon YouTube page. If you’ve got a video you’d like to see posted, please contact us at info@cycleoregon.com.