Five Rivers (RUSA permanent 1587)

Five Rivers (RUSA permanent 1587)

This loop from Eugene to Lebanon, with a spur to Walterville, takes you along the Willamette, McKenzie, Mohawk, and Calapooia rivers, and across the Santiam. The second half is fairly flat, and climbs in the first half are mostly gradual. The first climb is on Marcola Road where it becomes Brush Creek road (familiar from the Eden's Gate 400km brevet). The second, and steepest, is on Fern Ridge road between Crawfordsville and Sweet Home (and an information control at the top is there to make sure you enjoy it). The last is on Gap Road south of Brownsville.

There are few controls on this route (Walterville and Lebanon, plus two information controls and the start/end), but there are lots of optional food stops: Mohawk, Crawfordsville, Sweet Home, Brownsville, and Coburg. Each of these has at least a port-a-potty, and Sweet Home and Brownsville also have running water.

Start at  Eugene Coffee Company near 18th and Chambers, or at one of the other establishments there (cues are oriented from 7-11 in front of Bi-Mart Eugene Coffee Company) and take Fern Ridge Bicycle Path into town.  Sadly Eugene Coffee Company has closed.  7-11 is charmless and their coffee is dreadful, but it's a convenient start on the south side of 18th.  On the north side, there is a Starbucks inside Albertsons, and you can pick up the Fern Ridge path directly to the right and behind Albertsons.

This route was approved July 15, 2012.   I've tried to make the cues as clear as possible (and thanks Crista and Lynne for good advice on that), but if you have any issues or suggestions for improving clarity, do please let me know!

Cue sheet
Randonneurs USA (RUSA) record

Map:  http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1272826

Click for larger image.  For dynamic map, use the RideWithGPS link above.