Sutherlin Inn Bike Ride

Every Memorial Day weekend, the owners of Sutherlin Inn, Leigh Robinson and Charlie DeRego (shown in the photo here after completing the 505-mile Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa, aka RAGBRAI, on their Bike Fridays, folding bicycles made in Eugene) organize a two-day bike ride through beautiful Oregon countryside, leading away from and back to the motel each day.

Day 1 of the ride is 25.2 miles and consists of a loop running from the motel parking lot east through town to the White Horse Coffeehouse (www.whitehorsecoffee.com), where we stop for morning refreshments. From there we cycle out into the rural Oregon countryside and back through the historic town of Oakland, where there is a stop for lunch at Tolly's, a restored 1950's soda fountain and restaurant noted for its authentic chocolate malts and juicy burgers. After lunch, the route leads across Interstate 5 to an historic covered bridge and from there back to the motel. Suggested evening dinner is at Pedotti's Italian Restaurant or at Si Casa Flores, where complete dinners average less than $10.

Day 2 of the ride is 42.7 miles and consists of a loop running from the motel parking lot to the west of Interstate 5. It crosses the same historic covered bridge the route crossed on day 1 and continues west from there through pastoral countryside to Highway 138, the highway to the coast. It follows this highway three miles to the Umpqua River, where it joins the river road and follows the river for twenty miles. Along the way, there are many scenic riverside rests. The route continues to the Umpqua Store, where those inclined may enjoy an ice cream cone heaped high with Umpqua Ice Cream. From there, the country road leads straight back to the motel.

Twenty cyclists enjoyed the ride together over Memorial Day weekend, 2006. You may enjoy it whenever you please, or else join us in 2007.