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| The author and his brother prepare for a
winter ride in La Grande. | Northeast Oregon is
truly a beautiful place to ride a bike. This is why Cycle Oregon often
visits the area, and will again ride through this September. What others
consider a scenic getaway vacation, La Grande residents have readily
available. Consequently, my enthusiasm for cycling has been intensified
since I moved to Summerville four years ago.
The Grande Ronde Valley and surrounding areas provide distinct
advantages for the cyclist. Nearly every road offers a scenic view of the
natural beauty in the region. On a bike you get to experience it more
intimately. Landscape passes by too quickly in a car, and you don’t see
enough while walking or riding a horse. Bike riding allows you to fully
absorb a myriad of sights with an added rush of exercise-induced
endorphins that heighten the experience.
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| A barn seen on Foothill Road, one of the
most popular cycling roads for La Grande residents.
| The scenery is further enhanced by the lack of
automobile traffic encountered on the roads. Due to the low population
density, the roads and trails in the region offer solitude for the solo
cyclist and conversation opportunities for two or more.
Furthermore, the roads are very clear of menacing debris that causes
flat tires. The cyclists I come in contact with from outside the region
suffer numerous flat tires from punctures caused by nails, thorns, and
other hazards. Conversely, I’ve ridden thousands of miles in the valley in
the last three years without a flat.
Road cyclists will enjoy an aerobic exercise advantage training in this
area. Once outside of La Grande (which only takes a few minutes), the
roads offer flat terrain for long uninterrupted distances. This allows you
to get your heart rate up and hold it steady for long periods of time.
Staying in your target training zone provides more positive fitness
benefit for all levels, recreational beginner to advanced racer.
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| A view from Hunter Road in Summerville.
| The stop-and-go nature of bike riding in cities
and congested neighborhoods disrupts the exercise experience and can lead
to inefficiency. This is rarely a concern in Northeast Oregon.
Unfortunately, the Grande Ronde Valley is not perfect for cycling due
to the harsh winters and fierce wind. However, these drawbacks are
overshadowed by the positives mentioned previously. During the peak of
summer, when much of the nation is sweltering, we have perfect cycling
days and limited wind.
In order to enhance enjoyment and safety, here is my list of essentials
that every cyclist in northeast Oregon should heed:
- Know how to fix a flat: Even though your chances of getting a flat
are negligible, it will happen and you should know how to fix your tire
and get going again. With the proper tools and practice, the fix should
take 5-10 minutes. Simply carry a spare tube, tire levers, and a pump
with your bike and follow these instructions provided by Park Tools.
Don’t bother with a patch kit, just replace the tube because new tubes
are inexpensive and makes for a quicker fix.
- Stay dry: Moisture is the main threat for hypothermia, even when the
road is dry. Getting wet creates a dangerous situation in just about any
temperature. Many inexperienced cyclists make the mistake of wearing too
much clothing. When you are working hard on your bike, clothing next to
the skin soaks up excess sweat. Control the problem by wearing base
layers that wick sweat away from the skin. Also, layer outer clothing so
that they can be removed or unzipped to vent heat when working hard.
This is particularly important when mountain biking in more remote areas
where the temperature can drop rapidly and help is far away.
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| Riding two-wide through town. According
to the Oregon Bicyclist Manual, this is legal provided traffic is
not impeded. | Travel on the right side of the
road: I see many cyclists traveling on sidewalks or the left side of the
road. Sidewalk travel creates a problem because it is dangerous to
pedestrians—and the cyclists. Plus, the obstacles and uneven surfaces
make for hazardous and erratic travel. Traveling on the left edge of the
road is not only illegal, but creates a more volatile situation in the
event of a collision with a car. Traveling with traffic negates the
effect of any collision. For a complete list of guidelines for travel on
a bike, see the Oregon Department of Transportation’s bicycle page
which includes the Oregon Bicyclist Manual.
- Use a light: A good taillight that flashes is important anytime
darker conditions prevail. I see many cyclists traveling at night or
dusk without this important safety device. Reflectors are good, but
insufficient. A flashing taillight will get the attention of drivers. In
addition, add a headlight to help see the road in front.
- Adjust the seat to the correct height: I often see cyclists riding
with a very low seat, which leads to cramped up legs and an inefficient
motion. The seat should be high enough to get appropriate extension out
of the legs for adequate power delivery to the pedals. In general, the
seat height should be enough so the leg is slightly bent when the pedal
is all the way down. A simple formula by Greg Lemond, three-time winner
of the Tour de France, is to multiple 0.883 by your inseam measurement.
The inseam is measured from your crotch to the floor without shoes on.
After calculation, take the result and apply this by measuring from the
center of the bottom bracket (this is what the cranks and pedals attach
to at the bottom of the frame) to the top of your seat. Or, just stop by
a local bike shop to have the mechanic set the height correctly.
- Water: Take a full water bottle on your ride. During exercise, you
should be drinking every 5-10 minutes to keep energy up and avoid
dehydration.
In the La Grande area, the roads are well marked with warning signs for
cyclists. Enjoy just about any road in the area, but don’t forget the
essentials.
About the author: Brian Sather is an assistant professor of physical
activity and health at Eastern Oregon University. He has co-authored a
book titled Mountain Biking La Grande, Oregon. He also maintains an active
website with cycling information at LaGrandeRide.com
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| Fields just below Mount Harris.
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| Beautiful sky country.
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