Oregon Bike Tours – Page 2

As you may be aware there are exciting new bicycle projects underway in the Columbia River Gorge, and more on the drawing boards. In 2013 almost two miles of paved trail was opened in the I-84 corridor completing the connection between Troutdale and Cascade Locks, and providing a much safer and more comfortable route for cyclists and pedestrians

More projects are in the works, including a new trail segment between Wyeth (Exit 51 on I-84) and Starvation Creek State Park (Exit 56 on I-84). Future projects will include completion of the trail between Viento State Park and Hood River, allowing complete passage through the Gorge without ever having to ride or walk on the I-84 shoulder. This last segment will include a tunnel, parking and other amenities and will have similar appeal to the Hatfield Trail east of Hood River. These trails and improvements also provide more parking and access for Gorge area mountain biking trails.

Travel Oregon and the Friends of the Historic Columbia River Highway are supporting research to analyze the benefits of these bicycle enhancements.

If you have ridden a bike somewhere in the Columbia River Gorge during 2013, or bike the Gorge regularly

please help us by going to the link below and completing the questionnaire.

Take the Survey

The information you provide is not available from any other source and will be a vital part of the research project. Your responses will be used for research purposes only and will be kept strictly confidential.

The Text in this post was provided by Travel Oregon, of which Cycle Portland is a strong supporter.

Thank You!

Cycle Portland Bike Tours is inviting the public to help them celebrate their expansion and opening of a new location in Old Town at 117 NW 2^nd Ave. Tour the shop and meet local bike powered entrepreneur Evan Ross during this months First Thursday Art Walk Event on March 7^th 2013 from 5 – 9 pm. Join Portland’s oldest and most celebrated Bike Tour company for an Oregon Microbrew from the new mini-bar, featuring beers from Hopworks Urban Brewery and check out the new Cycle Portland Visitors Center, offering guide books, suggested tour routes, and a map printing station for travelers from around the world.

Based in Old Town, Cycle Portland Bike Tours has been helping visitors explore America’s cycling capitol since 2007 with sightseeing and culture tours of Portland’s urban areas as well as extended trips to Oregon’s Wine Country and Columbia Gorge. Tour themes include historical and cultural perspectives as well as visits to Portland’s famous breweries, food carts, and doughnut shops. Custom tours are always available and have ranged from Coffee and Chocolate Tasting, to Portlandia Show Tours, and even Simpsons themed rides.

Evan Ross, a Cascadia native started leading sightseeing tours by bike in 2007 after earning a degree in Outdoor Leadership, and traveling the world- taking bike tours in Asia, Europe, and Central America. He returned to Portland to find that no one provided this simple service – taking visitors on casual rides to experience the vibrant city or beautiful countryside. Ross saw the opportunity to start a carbon neutral business that provided a real benefit to the community-by showing examples of livable streets and healthy neighborhoods in a true leadership by example model. Customers of Portland Bike Tours choose to rent bikes for transportation instead of renting a car and help reduce their vacation’s carbon footprint while getting some light exercise instead of sitting on a tour bus. “ Providing affordable transportation and recreation opportunities for visitors and locals alike has always been the mission” says Ross, “and the sustainable tourism economy is booming – more and more people want healthy, green, and affordable family activities when they travel. That great, because that’s what we do. ”

weather you live in Portland but have friends that are visiting, want your bike serviced while at work downtown, or just want to know more about cycling the city you live in- Stop by the new shop for free smiles, friendly advice, and all the bike commuter accessories you need to Cycle Portland. More information and tour tickets available at www.cyclepdx.com

Federal Tourism Initiative To Be Led By
Travel Oregon CEO

SALEM, Ore. – Jan. 19, 2012 – Following President Barack Obama’s Executive Order laying out a strategy for increasing international travel to the U.S., Secretary of Commerce John Bryson tapped Oregon Tourism Commission (dba Travel Oregon) CEO Todd Davidson as chair of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board to help implement the initiative.

The Advisory Board will work closely with a federal intra-agency task force charged with developing a National Travel & Tourism Strategy taking advantage of the booming global travel market. Designed to make it more efficient for international travelers to visit and experience the nation’s attractions, the program holds the potential to generate 1 million new jobs over the next decade by increasing international travel to the U.S.

“I have a steadfast belief in tourism’s ability to boost and diversify local economies and generate good jobs that can’t be outsourced. I’m honored to serve the travel industry and our country during this pivotal time,” said Davidson. “In leading the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board, I’ll continue working closely with the Department of Commerce and other federal agencies. We’ll take the bold steps necessary to improve the travel process and unlock our nation’s potential.”

Travel and tourism is a $1.2 trillion sector of the U.S. economy or nearly three percent of Gross Domestic Product, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. Critical to the nation’s overall economic health, tourism is one of the top employers for more than half of the U.S. states and territories and is on pace for a record-setting year. Through November 2011, international visitors spent an estimated $139.4 billion on U.S. travel and tourism-related goods and services year to date, an increase of 13 percent compared to the same period in 2010. The U.S. recorded a $38.4 billion trade surplus for travel and tourism through November 2011.

“The travel industry is an important part of Oregon’s economy,” said Governor Kitzhaber. “Appointing Todd Davidson to Chair the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board was an excellent selection. Todd is a thoughtful and effective leader who will continue to promote Oregon’s tourism advantages in his national position.”

Davidson was appointed Executive Director of Travel Oregon in June 1996 and was named Chief Executive Officer in September 2004. Under his leadership, the tourism industry in Oregon has flourished into an $8.7 billion industry that employs more than 90,000 Oregonians; in 2011 more than 2,000 jobs were created. In 2003 he helped lead an effort to establish dedicated and stable funding for the Commission. This funding has been crucial in Travel Oregon’s ability to grow the state’s tourism industry through strengthening its base of international markets; leadership in sustainable tourism initiatives; and award-winning publications, niche-oriented websites and advertising campaigns.

In addition to continuing his role as CEO of Travel Oregon and Chair of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board, Davidson also serves on the Board of the U.S. Travel Association, the National Council of State Tourism Directors and the Western States Tourism Policy Council.

The Oregon Tourism Commission, dba Travel Oregon, works to enhance visitors’ experience by providing information, resources and trip planning tools that inspire travel and consistently convey the exceptional quality of Oregon. The commission aims to improve Oregonians’ quality of life by strengthening economic impacts of the state’s $8.7 billion tourism industry. www.traveloregon.com

Contact:
Linea Gagliano
(503) 729-6021
Linea@TravelOregon.com

From the Travel Oregon Blog By Eileen Garvin

Roadies rejoice! In September, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department announced five new scenic bikeways.

The 132-mile Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway, which was the first in the state (and in the nation, no less) is now joined by five more: Sisters to Smith Rock Scenic Bikeway, Metolius River Loops Scenic Bikeway, McKenzie Pass Scenic Bikeway, Old West Scenic Bikeway, and Blue Mountain Century Scenic Bikeway.

Sisters to Smith Rock Scenic Bikeway covers a 36-mile high desert route from Sisters to Smith Rock State Park near the town of Terrebonne. The rolling ride includes views of the beautiful Deschutes River and Smith’s breathtaking red rock spires.

Metolius River Loops Scenic Bikeway is a series of loops that starts and ends at the historic Camp Sherman Store and Fly Shop. These family-friendly rides follow paved Forest Service roads along the scenic Metolius River and range from three to 22 miles.

The McKenzie Pass Scenic Bikeway covers 35 miles between Sisters and the Limberlost Forest Service Campground. The route includes a challenging climb, amazing views of Mt. Washington and the McKenzie River and a fast descent through dense forests.

The Old West Scenic Bikeway, a 178-mile loop, starts in John Day and travels in a counter clockwise loop through Austin Junction, along the Middle Fork of the John Day River, through Monument and the John Day Fossil Beds.

The 108-mile Blue Mountain Century Scenic Bikeway starts in Heppner and heads south to Ukiah, north to Nye Junction and back to Heppner. The route travels through forest, rangeland and eastern Oregon’s rolling hills.

The routes highlight the dramatic and varied natural beauty of Oregon. Route descriptions are available on the Oregon Parks and Recreation website, and signage is currently being installed along the routes.

The program is a partnership between Cycle Oregon, Travel Oregon, the Oregon Department of Transportation and Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.

For more information on cycling in Oregon, visit rideoregonride.com

Join us this Saturday for a ride to the Vernonia Salmon Festival! We will ride the beautiful Banks to Vernonia trail, which is a short shuttle ride away from our shop in Downtown Portland. Ride with us as we navigate this beautiful rails to trails project that winds its way through the heart of the Oregon countryside. Join Vernonia locals and spectators from all around to watch the returning Salmon fight their way up- stream to spawn, a spectacular sight indeed. Tickets are $89 per person and include: bike, shuttle, guide, and light snacks. Need to get out of town? Join us on this weekends ride, or on another. Questions? info@portlandbicycletours.com

Another beautiful view at crown point

Check out this sweet BikePortland.org story about NBA Legend Bill Walton cycling in Oregon. It turns out Bill loves to ride his bike and on a recent trip he joined one of our ride leaders, Jeff on an epic ride through the Oregon country side. We love to set up custom routes for people, and are happy to share Oregon’s cycling infrastructure however we can.

Cycle Portland

Rentals, Tours & Bike Shop in Downtown PDX

Bike the Gorge? Travel Oregon wants your feedback!

Cycle Portland Expands with New Tours, Visitors Center, and Microbrews on Tap!

Federal Tourism Initiative to be led by Travel Oregon!

Oregon Rolls Out Five New Scenic Bikeways!

Join us this Saturday for a ride to the Vernonia Salmon Festival

Columbia gorge tour today

Bill Walton Rides with Oregon Bike Tours

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