Sue Lebrecht Adventure Writer Photographer Videographer Author sue@lebrecht.com

Active Pursuits August 5, 2004

BIG GROUP RIDES

The collective energy of hundreds of cyclists all gathered together for a week-long excursion is an event worth experiencing.

When I participated in Cycle Oregon -- just one of dozens of multi-day big group rides taking place annually across the planet -- I realized a number of strange things.

When pedaling every day, all day, you can eat a lot, a whole lot and not gain weight. When you?re completely exhausted in the midst of a group, it's somehow possible to still bike faster and farther. At the speed of a bike, scenery changes incredibly fast. It's quite easy to find a familiar face in a crowd. A large group can be divided into early risers and late starters; us and them. When physically spent at the end of a day, you can actually sleep quite well on the ground in a tent.

Cycle Oregon, now in its 17th year, roams the backroads of the state, with a different route and a different theme each year. Both a tour and a marathon, it covers 100 to 160 km each day, and with up to 2,000 participants, the massive convoy is like a city on wheels, impressively well-managed.

While participants pedal, luggage is transported via semi-trailers. Bike technicians, HAM radio operators and medical personnel provide an escort. Snacks and water are available en route. Then, at each day's destination -- usually a football or baseball field in a small town -- amenities await.

There are trailers with showers, tents with massage therapists, rows of sinks with mirrors and paper towels, a prominent bulletin board, and a buffet of hearty food.

"What I love is that everything is taken care of," said Rick Morse, an Oregon resident who has participated in a succession of seven Cycle Oregon events. "I don't have to worry about anything except riding my bike for eight hours a day, and putting my tent up each night. Then there are friends you meet and re-meet. I met my best friend on a tour, and my wife, and even people from Toronto that I still keep in touch with."

Morse also appreciates the event's "de-stressing" capacity.

"My wife and I decided that a good wedding date would be a week after the event because we'd both be in a really good headspace," he said.

Most big group rides are organized in a similar fashion -- with meals, camping, baggage transfers, medical and technical support included -- and many are non-profit. Good fitness is a requirement; interested participants should have logged a substantial amount of distance from the seat of their bike already this season.

* Cycle Oregon takes place September 11-18. Cost is $725 USD, and transportation from Portland International Airport to the starting site is available at an extra fee. Phone 800-292-5367 or 503-287-0405 or visit web site www.cycleoregon.com

Other upcoming events include the following: * Bicycle Ride Across Tennessee (BRAT), September 18-25. This 15th annual event is a 600-km loop through the hilly country of the state's eastern middle. Phone 931-686-2453 or visit web site www.state.tn.us/environment/parks/BRAT

* In Australia, Cycle Queensland takes place September 4-12 for up to 1,000 cyclists. The 540-km route roams cattle country, beaches and Barrier Reef. Phone 617-3844-1144 or visit web site www.cyclequeensland.com

* The Great Tasmanian Bike Ride, February 5-13, 2005 presents nine days on "Tassie's" east coast through rainforests to beaches. Visit web site www.bv.com.au

More possibilities can be found on the internet at Cyber Cyclery, www.cyclery.com (go to events, then multi-day rides, or search events by country) and at the National Bicycle Tour Directors Association, www.nbtda.com