Timberline's tradition has always emphasized spectacular alpine cycling opportunities and that tradition is ever so apparent in our Oregon Coast-to-Cascades and Rogue River Ramblers. Both of these 9-day adventures combine the allure of cycling the magnificent Oregon coastline with the challenge of the majestic Cascades to the east. For those whose primary interest is the coast, we'll again offer our 7-day North and South Oregon Coast programs.

North Oregon Coast

Dates: (7 days, 6 nights; Sun-Sat) June 27-July 3; Aug. 1-7

Assembly Point: Hillsboro (airline, rail and bus service to Portland; bus or Timberline van shuttle between Portland and Hillsboro prior to tour, and to Eugene airport or Portland following tour. Note that tour originates in Hillsboro and terminates in Eugene)

Tour Cost: $1,395 (includes all lodging, breakfasts and dinners, support van, transfers, leaders, tour maps & narratives) (Optional TImberline van shuttle from Eugene to Portland following tour—$30)

Early into your first contacts with the Oregon Coast, the realization that you've come upon a truly special place will rapidly become apparent. The Oregon Coast is a progression of state parklands created to preserve and protect the extraordinary natural beauty of the region for the use and enjoyment of future generations.

One senses that the cyclist also enjoys "protected" status in Oregon. So many of the roadways seem to have been created with the cyclist in mind. Broad, well-paved shoulders and signed bicycle routes create an ideal setting for a cycletour.

North Oregon Coast assembles in Hillsboro to the west of Portland. We'll ride to the coast on Day 1, tracing the course of the Nehalem River as we head for the historic seaport of Astoria. We'll have an opportunity to explore Astoria the following morning, including a tour of nearby Fort Clatsop, where the Lewis & Clark expedition wintered during its travels through the newly-acquired Louisiana Territory. We'll continue southward along the coast to the charming seaside village of Cannon Beach and an oceanfront overnight at the Surfsand Resort. Tillamook, site of the largest cheese factory in the West, is our destination for Day 3. Along the way, we'll visit the Nehalem Bay Winery and later tour the cheese factory in Tillamook.

The Oregon Coast in its grandest form is our setting on Day 4 as we ride the Three Capes Scenic Route on the way to Lincoln City, where we'll overnight at the oceanfront Shilo Inn. On Day 5, we'll tour a progression of small seaside villages, including the picturesque harborfront in Newport, enroute to Florence at the gateway to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area.

We'll spend the next two evenings on the beach at the beautiful Driftwood Shores Resort. Day 6, a layover day, offers an opportunity to hike in the heart of the Siuslaw National Forest at Cape Perpetua. We'll leave the beautiful Oregon Coast on our final day as we ride the gentle uplift of the Coastal Range into the Willamette Valley to Eugene where our tour concludes.

Total Mileage – 363

South Oregon Coast

Dates: (7 days, 6 nights; Sun-Sat) Aug. 8-14

Assembly Point: Eugene (airline and bus service to Eugene, and from Eureka; Timberline van transfer from transportation terminals prior to tour and to Eureka airport or return to Eugene following the tour. Note that this tour originates in Eugene and terminates in Eureka, CA)

Tour Cost: $1,395 (includes all lodging, breakfasts and dinners, support van, transfers, leaders, tour maps & narratives)

Let's face it–as a cyclist, you will never, ever "get enough" of the Oregon coast. For years, we've cycled the North Oregon coast form Astoria to Florence and four years ago we developed our South Oregon Coast Adventure. Finally, for '99, we'll offer the opportunity to cycle the entire length of the Oregon shoreline by linking our North and South Oregon Coast programs. We'll also provide the shuttle back to Portland at the conclusion of South Oregon Coast.

In the course of the South Oregon Coast program, we'll cycle from the Willamette Valley over the Coastal Range to the shores of the Pacific at Reedsport. We'll trace the coast southward, cross into California and then explore the mighty Redwoods of northern California to the seaport of Eureka.

South Oregon Coast assembles in Eugene, site of the University of Oregon. Early-morning of Day 1, we'll climb the gentle Coastal Range to the west into the Siuslaw National Forest and trace the Smith River as it empties into the Pacific at Reedsport, where we'll spend the evening at the Salbasgeon Inn.

At some point during the next four days, plan on losing your heart to the Oregon Coast. All of our gushing with adjectives will only emphasize the futility of attempting to articulate that which you will see and experience as you cycle this indescribably beautiful region.

From Reedsport, we'll ride the coast through the progression of state parks and sparkling beaches so characteristic of the Oregon shore. We'll spend the next evening on the ocean in Bandon at the Sunset Lodge.

We'll continue south beyond Cape Blanco to Gold Beach, and spend the next two evenings at the Gold Beach Resort. The Gold Beach area offers many options for our layover day, including an interesting ride along the Rogue River, a boat tour of the Rogue, or seaside activities along the area's inviting beaches.

Several hills mark our route on Day 5 between Gold Beach and Brookings, but the views from the crests of these hills will have you "begging" for more. We'll cross into California that afternoon and ride along magnificent Pebble Beach Drive to Crescent City, where we'll spend the night.

The towering redwoods of northern California await us on Day 6. We'll visit Redwood National Park, south of Klamath and then continue on to our final evening in the oceanside village of Orick.

Don't even think of leaving Orick the next morning without having experienced the monster cinnamon rolls of the Palm Cafe. A short ride to Eureka on Day 7 concludes our tour. For anyone who needs the return ride, we'll van shuttle to Eugene and Portland on the afternoon of the final day.

Total Mileage – 338

Oregon Coast-to-Cascades Rambler

Dates: (9 days, 8 nights; Sat-Sun) July 17-25

Assembly Point: Hillsboro (airline, rail and bus service to Portland; bus or Timberline van shuttle between Portland and Hillsboro prior to and following tour)

Tour Cost: $1,795 (includes all lodging, breakfasts and dinners, support van, transfers, leaders, tour maps and narratives)

The rugged Oregon Coast, the pounding surf and expanses of beautiful, sandy beaches, the timberlands of the Siuslaw, Willamette, Deschutes and Mt. Hood National Forests, the pastoral setting of the Willamette Valley; the vibrancy of Eugene; the anticipation that builds as we trace the McKenzie River in preparation for our assault upon mighty McKenzie Pass and the towering snowclad Cascades, our "day in the wilderness" as we approach Mt. Hood and an unforgettable final night at the Timberline Lodge. The litany of experiences goes on and on—this is the essence of the Oregon Coast-to-Cascades Rambler.

We'll assemble in Hillsboro, just west of Portland, and ride to Tillamook on Day 1, where we'll visit the famous Tillamook Cheese factory. The next two days belong to the Oregon Coast. We'll follow the Three Capes Scenic Route southward through Cape Mears, Lookout and Kiwanda and on to our overnight in the oceanside community of Lincoln City.

Our ride along the coast continues to Florence on Day 3, as we pass through the progression of state parks, created to protect the entire length of the Oregon Coast, and the many quaint coastal villages along the way. We'll overnight on the ocean at the Driftwood Shores Resort, visit the Sand Dunes outside of Florence the following morning and then turn east for our gentle climb over the Coastal Range. Our fourth night is planned for Eugene, site of the University of Oregon, as we prepare for our transition from coast to Cascades.

It's on to the Cascades on Day 5 as we trace the course of the McKenzie River to its source among the high peaks to the east. A relaxing evening in the cozy setting of the historic Holiday Farm precedes our engagement with McKenzie Pass on Day 6. McKenzie Pass is one of the West's great alpine challenges. The grade on this climb, though long, is gradual and not intimidating. The emphasis here is the opportunity to absorb the spectacular variation in terrain that we encounter along the way. From the banks of the McKenzie, we climb through the heavily timbered Willamette Forest to the famous Belknap Crater and extensive, almost other-worldly lava fields and observatory atop McKenzie Pass. A spectacular descent precedes our overnight in Sisters.

From Sisters, it's on to Detroit and an overnight on the shores of Detroit Lake. Early-morning of Day 8, we'll ride the paved network of forest roads through a semi-wilderness area to the base of Mt. Hood, where we'll spend our final night at the historic Timberline Lodge. Our return to Portland is virtually a downhill cruiser for much of this final day.

Total Mileage – 580

Rogue River Rambler

Dates: (9 days, 8 nights; Sat-Sun) Aug. 21-29

Assembly Point: Eugene (airline and bus service to Eugene; Timberline van transfer from transportation terminals prior to and following tour)

Tour Cost: $1,795 (includes all lodging, breakfasts and dinners, support van, transfers, leaders, tour maps & narratives)

Among our most popular programs for the past two seasons, the Rogue River Rambler has solidly settled into that select group of adventures guaranteed to seduce any cyclist who truly hungers for the ultimate experience.

In many ways, the Rogue River Rambler is the southern companion to our Oregon Coast-to-Cascades Rambler. The marriage of the incomparable Oregon Coast with the rugged alpine setting of the Cascades is dramatic testimony to the fascination of Oregon. This combination is the essence of both Rambler tours.

In the Rogue, coast and Cascades are joined with an incredible ride along one of the West's great Wild and Scenic Rivers. We'll trace that river to and through the Rogue River Valley to its source in the high Cascades near Crater Lake. Along the way, we'll climb awesome Bearcamp Pass, one of the West's great alpine challenges.

The Rogue River Rambler assembles in Eugene, the vibrant site of the University of Oregon on the southern fringe of the Willamette Valley. Early-morning of Day 1, we'll climb the gentle Coastal Range to the west into the Siuslaw National Forest and trace the Smith River as it empties into the Pacific at Reedsport, where we'll spend the evening at the Salbasageon Inn.

From Reedsport, we'll ride the coast through the progression of state parks and sparkling beaches so characteristic of the Oregon shore. We'll spend the next evening on the ocean in Bandon at the Sunset Lodge and then continue south to Gold Beach at the mouth of the Rogue River. Following an overnight oceanside at the Gold Beach Resort, we'll then head inland along the Rogue into the heart of the Rogue River Forest. Near the village of Agness, we'll leave the Rogue for a memorable encounter with Bearcamp Pass; 16 miles and 4600 vertical feet and we've conquered the crest of the rugged Coastal Range. An incredible downhill is our reward and we'll rejoin the Rogue near Galice and continue on to Morrison's Lodge, where we'll spend the evening and dine outdoors on the deck overlooking this mighty river.

On Day 5, we'll continue along the Rogue to Grants Pass and then traverse the rolling Rogue River Valley through historic Jacksonville to Medford, where we'll spend the evening. We'll ride from the valley early-morning of Day 6 as we trace the Rogue upstream to its source high in the Cascades near Crater Lake. We'll overnight on the banks of the Rogue at the Union Creek Resort.

The next day's ride to Crater Lake is one that you won't forget. The climb to the brink of the caldera is challenging, yet ethereal. The slopes of what was once Mt. Mazama are not unlike those of the surrounding peaks, but what lies beyond the brink, in the bowels of the volcano, is singularly exceptional.

We'll spend two nights and a layover day at the newly-restored Crater Lake Lodge, the National Park Lodge situated on the lake itself. Among the activities available on the layover day are some outstanding hiking opportunities and a magnificent ride around the lake. A relaxing boat tour of the lake is another interesting option.

From Crater Lake, we'll spend much of our final day in a downhill plunge along the beautiful North Umpqua River toward Roseburg. We'll van shuttle back to Eugene late that final afternoon.

Total Mileage – 528