Cyclists tune up for Ride For Two Rivers

Registration is open for the Ride for Two Rivers, now on Saturday, May 30.

This bicycle tour takes riders up the McKenzie Pass and benefits two of Central Oregon's Wild & Scenic Rivers through the National Forest Foundation: The Metolius River and Whychus Creek.

Riders are invited to cycle with friends and family through pristine forested landscapes and ancient lava fields while helping restore habitat for these iconic species in two of our treasured rivers.

The Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce, title sponsor MODA Health, and the Eberwein Family are sponsoring the ride.

The day starts with a self-paced ride up the McKenzie Pass (Highway 242), one of Oregon's Scenic Bikeways, and finishes in Creekside Park with refreshments and locally brewed craft beer provided by Three Creeks Brewing. This seasonal route allows cyclists to enjoy this ride in the mountain spring, without vehicle traffic. This stunning ride gives riders the chance to experience all the local charm that Sisters Country has to offer.

"This ride really brings people closer to a part of Oregon that is extremely special," said Judy Trego, executive director of the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce. "Sisters is the perfect place to highlight the beauty and story of the Metolius and the Whychus rivers. The scenery, the country, and the people all make for a truly one-of-a-kind ride."

The Ride for Two Rivers begins at Creekside Park in Sisters and winds its way to the top of the spectacular lava-rock moonscape through the forested landscape of McKenzie Pass, offering spectacular mountain views along the way. Riders coast back to Sisters and Creekside Park where they can enjoy refreshments and locally brewed craft beer.

This fully supported ride offers a variety of round-trip routes for all ability levels from 18 miles to 75 miles and is the perfect way to use your pedal power for good. Registration is open now at a low cost of $35 (the price goes up to $45 after April 30).

Ride proceeds will directly support on-the-ground conservation and restoration projects within the National Forest Foundation's (NFF) Treasured Landscapes campaign site encompassing these watersheds. These restoration efforts will enhance fishing and other recreational activities while improving health of the rivers and wildlife habitat through trail improvements and restoration of in-stream habitat. This work by the NFF and its partners has already raised and leveraged over $100,000 and resulted in the ground-breaking return of steelhead and sockeye salmon in increasing numbers to Whychus Creek and the Metolius River.

Registration is open through May 28 at http://www.RideforTwoRivers.com. For more information on the Ride for Two Rivers contact Judy Trego at the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce at [email protected]