In addition to the normal scheduled rides, GEARs will offer several overnight trips or tours throughout the year. These trips are only open to GEARs members. If you have any questions about a trip, contact tours@eugenegears.org or the ride leader.
Day Tours
Albany to Eugene via Corvallis and Hiatt Bakery – Friday, May 15
Ride from the Albany Amtrak station to Eugene, with a stop at Hiatt Bakery. Train departs Eugene at 7:45 AM, and arrives at Albany at 8:25. Riders will need to make their own Amtrak reservations, or find an alternate means of reaching Albany.
| Date | Start Time | Start Location | Route Link | Ride Pace | Distance & Grade | Ride Leader | Sign Up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, May 15 | 8:40 AM | Albany Amtrak Station | Albany Amtrak to Hiatt Bakery, return Eugene | 10-12 mph | 68.7 mi 1620 ft C | Jackie Murdoff |  |
Albany to Eugene via Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway – Wednesday June 3
Ride from the Albany Amtrak station to Eugene, following the Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway. Train departs Eugene at 7:45, and arrives in Albany at 8:25. There will be a lunch stop at Randy’s in Brownsville. 67 miles, 1300 feet elevation gain, 11-13 mph pace.
| Date | Start Time | Start Location | Route Link | Ride Pace | Distance & Grade | Ride Leader | Sign Up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, June 3 | 8:40 AM | Albany Amtrak Station | Albany Amtrak to Eugene via Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway | 11-13 mph | 64 mi 1320 ft C | Larry Diffie | |
Wild Rivers Coast Scenic Bikeway – August 8
Explore the Wild Rivers Coast Scenic Bikeway from Port Orford. Highlights include Cape Blanco, the westernmost point in Oregon, and Elk River Road, which runs through a scenic coastal valley. Elk River Road is also the western end of the Golden Gravel Trail bikepacking route.
Ride Leader: Larry Diffie and Craig Congdon
61 miles, 3,030 feet elevation gain
Overnight Tours
Cottage Grove Weekend – June 26-28
A 2 night trip to Cottage Grove and back. Ride out and camp for two nights at Schwarz Campground. On Saturday, enjoy a ride up the Row River trail, or around Dorena Reservoir and Cottage Grove lake. This is a great trip if you have been enjoying riding with GEARs and want to give self supported touring a try. The main ride will start from Pleasant Hill (parking available at Mark LaPage’s house). There will also be a Eugene start option available.
Ride leader: Mark LaPage, phone (541) 556-5569
- Day 1: Pleasant Hill to Schwarz Campground: 20 miles, 600 feet elevation gain
- Day 1 alt: Eugene to Schwarz Campground: 32 miles, 815 feet elevation gain
- Day 2: Day ride, options TBA
- Day 3: Schwarz Campground to Pleasant Hill, 20 miles, 345 feet elevation gain
- Day 3 alt: Schwarz Campground to Eugene: 32 miles, 485 feet elevation gain
Aufderheide Mixed Surface Bikepacking Loop – July 20-24
A 4 night trip through Cottage Grove, Oakridge, and Fall Creek. This tour includes the Row River Trail, two long gravel climbs up ridges followed by fast gravel descents, and a day of riding along Lookout Reservoir and Aufderheide Drive. This trip is ideal if you have done a few self-supported bikepacking trips, and want to try something longer or more adventurous. The main ride will start from Eugene, but there will be an option to start from Pleasant Hill to shorten the first and last days (parking available at Mark LaPage’s house).
Ride leader: Sam McCamant
- Day 1: Eugene to Rujada Campground: 51 miles, 2280 feet
- Day 2: Rujada Campground to Sand Prairie Campground: 32 miles, 4220 feet
- Day 3: Sand Prairie Campground to Kiahanie Campground: 41 miles, 2620 feet
- Day 4: Kianahie Campground to Bedrock Campground: 37 miles, 3460 feet
- Day 5: Bedrock Campground to Eugene: 41 miles, 1620 feet
- Total: 204 miles, 13,120 feet elevation gain. 61 miles gravel, 143 miles pavement.