OREGON Sample 7-Day Cycling Tour

Transcription

1 OREGON Sample 7-Day Cycling Tour

2 TOUR SUMMARY OREGON The natural wonders of the Pacific Northwest TOUR LENGTH 7 Days / 6 Nights The landscapes on our Oregon tours are as varied as they are stunning. There are hilltop wineries, bucolic orchards and laden hop trestles; a bounty that can also be enjoyed off the bike with some of the country s best wine, food and beer. You cycle quiet lanes and bike paths including the Historic Columbia River Highway one of Bicycling magazine s best bike rides. And, whether you are in the Willamette Valley or deep in the Columbia River Gorge, snowcapped Mount Hood will be the backdrop to many of your spectacular photographs. START & END Portland, Oregon BEST TIMES TO VISIT June to September SERVICE HIGHLIGHTS Private transfer from your hotel with full route briefing and bike fitting at the start of your ride Accommodation and breakfasts On-call roadside assistance and guide available via phone Optional transfers along the routes GPS units, maps, directions and a comprehensive guidebook Expert guides delivering superior service DAY-BY-DAY FLOW Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Vernonia to McMinnville McMinnville Loop Day Estacada to Welches Welches to Hood River Hood River Loop Day Hood River Loop Day Stevenson to Troutdale * Epic * The hilly terrain means that Riders may prefer to use an ebike BIKES AVAILABLE Hybrid Road Premium Road** ebike** ** Limited availability. Please check when booking. OPTIONAL EXTRAS Alternative start/end locations including airports Wine tours Hot-air balloon flights Customize your route 2

3 ABOUT US WHY LIFECYCLE ADVENTURES OUR SELF-GUIDED TOURS At the start of your tour, your guide transfers you from your hotel, does your bike fitting, and gives you a full route briefing. They then take care of all the behind-the-scenes logistics while you guide yourself along the routes; riding at your own pace and choosing the route difficulty that best suits you. Our support vans are nearby should you need extra support. Your detailed guidebook tells you about the towns you will visit, sights along your route, and suggests places to eat and we are happy to help with reservations. This support and insight helps make our self-guided tours some of the most personalized and wellsupported in the industry. Feature LifeCycle Adventures Typical Group Tours Dates & Duration Fully flexible Fixed Accommodation A range Set Group Size Just your group 12 to 24+ Routes Up to four levels Some choice Ride Briefings Ride Support Lunches & Dinners Day 1 in person Daily by phone Van on call Not included (Help with reservations) Daily in person Van(s) trailing and guide on bike Some included (No choice) OUR COMPANY For 14 years, our unique blend of custom itineraries and personal service has been creating perfect cycling vacations for those who want to explore on their own terms. From the moment you contact us until the end of your trip, you will find us responsive, attentive and totally focused on ensuring you have the perfect cycling vacation. Our expert guides live in the areas in which they operate. They have the passion and dedication to deliver superior service and exceptional insight. As a company, we donate 10% of our profits to bicycling advocacy and other community causes. 3

4 DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1 Vernonia to McMinnville As this is your first day, the ride is relatively easy. It starts in Vernonia at the start of the Banks-Vernonia State Trail. This car-free trail that travels through Stub Stewart State Park is built on an abandoned railroad that stretches 21 miles and has a gentle grade through scenic fields and forests. The trail also features 12 bridges including a 600- foot long, 80-foot high railroad trestle. The trail ends at Banks where your guide will meet you for your transfer to McMinnville. riders will start at the Stub Stewart State Park Headquarters halfway along the Banks- Vernonia trail and, from there, join the route described above. riders follow the route to Banks and from there ride a further 10-miles; cruising along quiet lanes to Forest Grove. This section of riding is where you ll see your first vineyards. Your guide will transfer you from Forest Grove to McMinnville. Those looking for a more Epic start to their tour will ride all the way from Vernonia to McMinnville. Enjoy 21 miles of carfree riding along a railsto-trails state park 10 miles with 150 feet of climbing 20 miles with 675 feet of climbing 30 miles with 900 feet Epic 70 miles with 2,000 feet McMinnville McMinnville is at the heart of Willamette Valley Wine Country and the largest town in the area but still not so big. It has a historic downtown with maple-lined streets. Attractions include galleries, an aviation museum, tasting rooms, breweries, and a couple of excellent restaurants. There is a farmers market every Thursday. DAY 2 McMinnville Loops Today s ride meanders along the quiet lanes of the Amity Hills and the Dundee Hills. There are stunning views across fields of vines to the snow-capped peak of Mount Hood and you have the chance to visit a host of family run and organic wineries. Towns you visit include Dayton and Lafayette both of which have good lunch options. Alternatively, take a picnic to one of the wineries. Stoller Estate is a great choice: on a hill with stunning views. Domaine Serene and Domaine Drouhin are also nearby. riders take a more direct route to Stoller Winery avoiding the Amity Hills and ride back on the route described above. An even shorter ride takes you to the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum. Museum exhibits include the Spruce Goose. This Howard-Hughes-inspired plane was the largest flying boat ever built and was almost entirely made from wood. riders head into the Coast Range for a series of ups and downs through forests and past remote farms. Once through the hills, the ride heads east to join the ride from Amity and back to McMinnville via the Stoller Estate Winery. Stunning views across fields of vines to the snow-capped peak of Mount Hood 10 miles, 150 feet (Space Museum) 30 miles, 1,000 feet (Stoller direct) 40 miles with 1,300 feet of climbing 80 miles with 2,700 feet of climbing McMinnville McMinnville is at the heart of Willamette Valley Wine Country and the largest town in the area but still not so big. It has a historic downtown with maple-lined streets. Attractions include galleries, an aviation museum, tasting rooms, breweries, and a couple of excellent restaurants. There is a farmers market every Thursday. 4

5 DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY DAY 3 Estacada to Welches Your day starts with a van transfer to rural Clackamas County. Exactly where you start riding will depend on how far you choose to cycle. Strong riders will start in the small lumber town of Estacada. After leaving Estacada, you ride along back roads climbing steadily past open farmland to the town of Sandy: a good lunch stop. From Sandy, you head west on quiet lanes through an area known as Little Switzerland for its U-shaped valley and mountain-framed horizon. You end the day riding through conifer forests; through gaps in the trees you get glimpses of a snow-capped Mount Hood. riders (or riders looking for an easier day) will join the ride described above in the town of Sandy. For an even more leisurely ride, asked to be dropped at Marmot, in Little Switzerland. riders follow the ride (above) to near Welches where they add on a loop up the slopes of Mount Hood. This Lolo Pass loop adds 20 miles of climbing & descending. Your reward for all this effort? Stunning views and tired legs! Through the gaps in the trees you will catch glimpses of snowcapped Mount Hood 10 miles with 750 feet (Marmot) 20 miles with 1,900 feet (Sandy) 40 miles with 3,100 feet of climbing 60 miles with 5,750 feet of climbing Welches The small community of Welches is a cluster of houses alongside the Salmon River. There is little to see outside of the Resort at the Mountain: your accommodation. The resort includes a golf course that was the first in Oregon. It was built in 1928 and the bar at the first tee is a pleasant place to sit and enjoy the view down the valley. DAY 4 Welches to Hood River Today you have the choice of riding anything from an easy cruise to a real epic. Whichever way you choose, you ll enjoy some spectacular scenery on the slopes of Mount Hood. riders will take a transfer to Cooper Spur a cluster of cabins at the base of the Mount Hood Ski area. From here you descend down the Hood River Valley past orchards, wineries and lavender farms. The area is famous for growing apples, pears, cherries, peaches and other fruits. The many fruit stands make great rest stops. riders will join the ride described above after the main descent, in the small town of Parkdale. Parkdale is also a good place for lunch. riders transfer up to Government Camp - a ski town at 4,000 feet. From here, you ride around the southern flanks of Mount Hood. The ride peaks at 4,600 feet before descending down to join the route at Cooper Spur. Those looking for an Epic ride will simply ride all the way from Welches to Hood River; riding up Highway 26 to Government Camp and joining the route there. Descend past the bucolic orchards, wineries and lavender farms of the Hood River Valley 20 miles with 920 feet of climbing 30 miles with 950 feet of climbing 50 miles with 3,000 feet Epic 65 miles with 5,600 feet Hood River Outside magazine named Hood River one of America s Best Towns. There is plenty to do with antique stores, wine bars, shops and galleries. It is also a haven for wind surfers, kite surfers, whitewater rafters, hikers and mountain bikers. There are several craft beer brewers and wine makers in and around the town. 5

6 DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY DAY 5 Hood River Loops (A) All today s rides start out heading west along the spectacular Columbia River Gorge; along a route described by Bicycling magazine as one of the best rides in the U.S. Much of the riding is along the Historic Columbia River Highway (HCRH) bike path. How difficult you make the ride depends on where you turn around and what route you take back. Strong riders will ride to the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum. This is a fine place to take a break, have a browse and eat lunch. You then return to Hood River on a route with stunning views at every turn as the road twice climbs high above the Gorge before descending back down to the river. riders will follow the ride described above but turn around in the town of Mosier. A small café here provides a pleasant rest stop. riders will ride the HCRH all the way into The Dalles. You then return either along the Gorge or over the aptly-named 7-mile hill. There is also an Epic ride that follows the route of the Hood River Grand Fondo - all 100 miles and 7,500 feet of it! A route described by Bicycling magazine as one of the best rides in the United States 15 miles with 1,200 feet of climbing 40 miles with 3,100 feet 50 miles with 3,500 feet (HCRH) 50 miles with 4,100 feet (7-mile Hill) Epic 100 miles with 7,500 feet Hood River Outside magazine named Hood River one of America s Best Towns. There is plenty to do with antique stores, wine bars, shops and galleries. It is also a haven for wind surfers, kite surfers, whitewater rafters, hikers and mountain bikers. There are several craft beer brewers and wine makers in and around the town. DAY 6 Hood River Loops (B) & Transfer to Stevenson You spend the first part of the day riding out of Hood River and then transfer to Stevenson at the end of the day. You can do any of the rides listed yesterday Hood River Loop (A) or venture into the Hood River Valley on the routes described below. Strong riders will ride up the east side of the Hood River Valley to Parkdale, which makes a good lunch stop. From here you head back down the west side of the valley. On this route you pass many fruit farms, some wineries and a lavender farm. The ride is known locally as the Fruit Loop for its many farm stands. riders will follow the ride described above but turn around at the town of Odell. This is a shortened version of the Fruit Loop. The Apple Valley Country Store makes a good lunch stop. riders will head up the slopes of Mount Hood to the aptly-named Lost Lake. On this ride you climb on car-free National Forest Development Roads and through countryside little changed since Lewis and Clark came exploring here. We also have a route to ride directly to Stevenson, if you would prefer that. Ride the Fruit Loop passing many fruit farms, some wineries and a lavender farm 20 miles with 1,400 feet of climbing 40 miles with 3,000 feet of climbing 60 miles with 4,700 feet of climbing Stevenson Stevenson is an unassuming town on the Washington side of the Gorge. The small downtown has nice views of the river as well as an antique store, an art gallery, a pub, and nice café. There are activities at the Skamania Lodge including zip lining, an aerial park and axe throwing! 6

7 DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY DAY 7 Stevenson to Troutdale Last Day You return to Oregon for the final leg of your journey; crossing the Gorge on the impressive Bridge of the Gods. The route follows the Historic Columbia River Gorge Highway. This starts as a bike path through forests and then becomes a quiet lane that passes many waterfalls: Moffett, Horsetail, Bridal Veil, Latourell and Multnomah Falls. At 620 feet, Multnomah Falls are the highest in the state and can be seen from the road. There is also a short hike up to a viewing bridge. After the falls, a beautiful twisting lane brings you to Crown Point. This imposing bluff stands over 700 feet above the river guarding the entrance to the Gorge. A great place to snap an iconic photograph before descending into Troutdale to meet your guide for your end-of-tour transfer. The route follow the route to the Multnomah Falls where the ride ends. Here you can either hike up to the falls and enjoy lunch at the historic lodge before being collected by your guide. We have a route that takes you all the way into Portland, for those looking for an Epic urban ride to end their tour. At 620 feet, Multnomah Falls are the highest falls in the state 15 miles with 850 feet of climbing 35 miles with 2,200 feet of climbing Epic 55 miles with 2,300 feet of climbing None As this is the last day of your tour, there is no overnight accommodation unless explicitly requested on booking. 7

8 ACCOMMODATION CLASSIC McMinnville: A Tuscan Estate Stay as guest of Erin Gilchrist at the A Tuscan Estate in McMinnville. The 1928 colonial-style house is tastefully decorated in a European style and is located just five blocks from McMinnville s historic downtown. The grounds include gardens, porch and patio to relax in. The three-course breakfast features many local-grown ingredients. McMinnville - Upgrade (see notes): Atticus Hotel A boutique hotel in the heart of McMinnville s historic downtown. Owner, Erin Stephenson has personally crafted each room using local artisans in a style she describes as, a sexy spin on an Oregon vibe. Service is attentive and discrete. NOTE: the hotel does not have a restaurant for breakfast, so we provide vouchers for a nearby eatery. Welches: Mount Hood Oregon Resort The Mount Hood Oregon Resort has recently completed a $14 million renovation and it shows; from the guest rooms to the restaurant and lounge. There is also a full-service spa and Oregon s first golf course. There are a couple of restaurants on the property one of which overlooks the fairway. ACCOMMODATION NOTES Properties in the Classic category are typically smaller hotels or luxurious B&Bs with very personal service sometimes including wine tasting or evening hors d oeuvres. See page 2 for prices. Mix & Match You can choose accommodation in different categories in different towns. Please ask for prices. Tips & Notes A hotel upgrade is available in McMinnville to the Atticus Hotel for $100 per room per night. See description opposite. Hood River: Lodge 902 Lodge 902 B&B is a cozy, welcoming space in a beautiful Victorian house. Most rooms have rain showers and river views and there are nice common areas including a pleasant porch and a balcony. The property is just a few blocks from the restaurants & shops of the downtown area. Excellent breakfast in a room overlooking the Gorge. Stevenson: Skamania Lodge Set in a 175-acre woodland in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, facilities include an indoor swimming pool, saunas, tennis courts and hiking trails. Rooms are well appointed and many have views of the Mountains. NOTE: The hotel is a mile from the center of Stevenson but has the best restaurant in town. 8

9 ACCOMMODATION BUDGET McMinnville: Hotel Oregon - McMenamins On McMinnville s main street, Hotel Oregon has a pub on the main floor and 42 simple guest rooms on the upper levels. There is also a rooftop bar, shuffleboard tables, and live music most weekends. Artwork, photographs and architectural wall hangings complete the saloon-like atmosphere. Welches: Mount Hood Oregon Resort The Mount Hood Oregon Resort has recently completed a $14 million renovation and it shows; from the guest rooms to the restaurant and lounge. There is also a full-service spa and Oregon s first golf course. There are a couple of restaurants on the property one of which overlooks the fairway. Hood River: Hood River Hotel A restored hotel right in the middle of town; convenient for the many restaurants, cafés, and shops in a 3-block radius. The interior is appointed with antique reproductions and decorations evoking European charm and the hotel s history. Few frills but a great location and lots of history! NOTE: Breakfast not included. ACCOMMODATION NOTES Properties in our Budget category are typically simpler B&Bs and more modest inns or hotels. However, all the properties are well-kept with en suite facilities. See page 2 for prices. Mix & Match You can choose accommodation in different categories in different towns. Please ask for prices. Tips & Notes Stevenson: Riverside Lodge These studios offer basic but comfortable accommodations in modern log cabins right on the river. Each studio has a kitchenette, gas fireplace, and outdoor decks. The Lodge is within easy walking distance to the town s shops and restaurants. NOTE: Breakfast is not included. 9

10 BIKES BIKE CHOICES HYBRID BIKE Hybrids bikes are a cross between a mountain bike and a road bike. They have a relaxed riding position and are great for beginners and intermediate riders. A typical model is the Trek 7.3 FX with Shimano components and high-pressure road tires for better cycling efficiency than your typical hybrid. ROAD BIKE Our road bikes are a racing style bike with drop handlebars. The road bikes are faster bikes than the hybrids with a less upright riding position and will be enjoyed by intermediate and experienced riders. A typical model is the Émonda ALR 5 with aluminum frame, carbon forks, and Shimano 105 components. PREMIUM ROAD BIKE Our premium road bikes are light and fast racing bikes. A typical bike in this category is the Specialized Roubaix: full carbon with Shimano Ultegra components. Experienced riders will appreciate the lightness, stiffness and mechanics of these high-end bikes. NOTE: There is very limited availability for these bikes please check when booking. ebike Our ebikes are designed to give you a little extra assistance when climbing hills. The ride position is very similar to our hybrids. We typically rent izip E3 bikes equipped with a 250W Shimano motor. If one rider in a couple is stronger than the other, an ebike can be a great choice for the less-strong rider. YOUR BIKE If you have a favorite bike, we can help you get it to your destination as well as set it up once it is there. Please ask about options for bike shipping and assembly. BIKE RENTAL RATES Bike Per Day Per Week Hybrid $30 $180 Road $45 $270 Premium $70 $420 ebike $55 $330 OPTIONAL EXTRAS Receiving & Assembly $100 per bike charge to receive bike from shipper, assemble the bike and repack it and deliver it to a shipper at the end of the tour. Bike Boxes $100 a per box charge for the extra logistics needed to handle bike boxes during a tour. Note: this fee can be avoided if you leave your box with your start/end hotel. Tandem Bike $100 a per bike fee for the extra logistics to handle a tandem bike that is brought by a guest. 10

11 INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS SERVICES & OPTIONS THE TRIP PRICE INCLUDES: GPS units, cycling maps, directions and a custom guidebook; one set per couple. Private transfer from downtown Portland. Transfers are also available from Portland (PDX) Airport for an additional fee (see Optional Extras below). Detailed map briefing and bike fitting at the start of your tour. Accommodation for each night of your tour with breakfast the following morning (unless breakfast is explicitly excluded in the accommodation description earlier). Prices quoted are per person but assume there are two people sharing a room. We book standard rooms unless an upgrade is requested and then extra charges may apply. Accommodation is subject to availability at the time of booking. As accommodation costs are significantly higher at weekends, there is a $150 per room supplement for Friday and Saturday nights. Guide available via phone 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. On-call roadside assistance 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM for mechanical issues. NOTES: Luggage transported between lodgings and wine collection service. Transfers along all or part of the route to coincide with luggage moves to be arranged at least 24 hours in advance. THE TRIP PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE: Lunches and dinners. Our guidebooks are full of great recommendations and we are pleased to make reservations for you. An on-bike guide. Activities such as wine tours, balloon flights and spa treatments. We are pleased to make reservations on your behalf. Transfers to wineries or sites to which it is not practical to ride. We are pleased to arrange for such transfers for a fee. OPTIONAL EXTRAS: Transfers from Airports There is a $100 charge per couple, per transfer for pick-ups or drop-offs at Portland Airport (PDX) or Hillsboro Airport (HIO). Balloon Flights Please ask for details if you are interested in arranging a balloon flight across the Willamette Valley. Wine Tours Please ask for details if you are interested in arranging any personal wine tours. 11 Route Customization If you would prefer alternative routing staying in different overnight towns or with more or fewer loop days we would be pleased to customize this itinerary.

12 THE AREA ABOUT OREGON WHERE TO STAY BEFORE THE TRIP Guests typically stay in Portland before and/or after their trip. We have had good feedback for the following hotels: Portland Hotels The Nines Heathman Hotel Hotel Monaco River Place Hotel Lion and Rose B&B CLIMATE The best months for a biking vacation in Oregon are from June through September, when the temperatures are pleasantly warm and the risk of rainfall much lower. Spring and fall are still great, but you need to be prepared for some rain and lower temperatures. We do not recommend touring here in winter. The charts to the right show the monthly average temperatures (in Fahrenheit) and rainfall ( in inches) for Hood River, a town at the center of our tours. ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE INFORMATION Most guests fly into Portland (PDX) Airport. If we are not collecting you from the airport, there are a number of good options for getting into downtown Portland: A cab will cost between $30 and $40 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes. There are a number of companies including Radio Cab - (503) / Blue Star Transportation operates both a scheduled services ($14pp reservations not typically required) stopping at major hotels and a door-to-door service ($36 for two people reservations required) / The MAX Light Rail service goes from the airport to the center of Portland in about 45 minutes and costs $2.40pp. You can ride your bike to and from the airport for free. This being Portland, there is a multi-use path as well as secure bicycle parking, and a bike assembly and repair station right by baggage claim! Uber and Lyft operate throughout the Portland area. 12

13 THE FINE PRINT TERMS & CONDITIONS PAYMENT A payment of 10% of the total price is required to secure a reservation. Payment of the balance is due 60 days prior to the start of the trip. BOOKING FORM Once your deposit is paid, we will send you a booking form requesting details such as bike rental requirements, dietary restrictions, and an emergency contact. The booking form includes a Cycle Tour Accident Waiver and Release of Liability. A copy of this form can be found at Guests who fail to provide a signed waiver prior to the start of a trip will not be allowed to take part in the trip and the cancellation policy will apply. CANCELLATION POLICY We give a full refund less a $150 administration fee for any trip canceled over 90 days before the start of the trip. After this date, refunds are made according to the following schedule: From 61 to 90 days: 90% of the full trip price is refunded unless you choose to rebook a trip with a start date within 18 months of the original start date in which case your current payments will be applied to the new trip less an administration fee of $150. From 15 to 60 days of the start of the trip your choice of EITHER a 50% refund or 75% of the trip price applied towards a future trip with LifeCycle Adventures. The latter option only applies when the canceled trip has been paid for in full. Within 15 days of travel: sorry, no refund. We strongly recommend you take out travel insurance to cover you in the event of having to cancel your trip. Unless other arrangements are mutually agreed upon, the failure of a participant to be present at the start of the trip at the time and location agreed in the booking process will be treated as a cancellation and the cancellation policy will apply. Leaving your trip early for any reason will be treated as a cancellation and no refund will be given. TRAVEL INSURANCE In signing the Cycle Tour Accident Waiver and Release of Liability form you certify that you either have insurance to cover you in the event of needing medical treatment and to cover any losses associated with participation in the trip or you are prepared to cover these costs yourself. We recommend checking with your current insurance providers to understand your coverage. Should you choose to purchase travel insurance, the following sites aim to compare travel insurance policies and might be helpful: and ITINERARY CHANGES We reserve the right to make route, accommodation, date, and bike model changes as caused by circumstances beyond our control or unforeseen circumstances. If such changes become necessary, we will make like-for-like substitutions to ensure quality is maintained. In the event that we cancel a trip for any reason other than Force Majeure, you will be given a full refund that will constitute full settlement. We will not reimburse you for any personal expenses such as airline tickets, hotels or other travel expenses. We shall not be liable for any refunds or compensation in the event we cancel your booking due to reasons of Force Majeure. Examples of Force Majeure include Acts of God (including fire, flood, earthquake, storm, hurricane or other natural disaster), epidemics, health risks and pandemics, government orders or actions, civil disturbances, war or threat of war, acts of foreign enemies, or terrorist activities. 13