Oregon’s Old West Scenic Bikeway captured on video

Oregon boasts nine official Scenic Bikeways that allow bicycle tourists to easily experience some picturesque landscapes on low-traffic roads.

Now Travel Oregon has hooked up with Laura Crawford and Russ Roca — the bicycle touring team known as PathLessPedaled.com — to promote the Scenic Bikeways on video.

Their first film, shown here, shows some highlights from the Old West Scenic Bikeway in eastern Oregon. The 174-mile bike loop starts in John Day and is designed to take three days. The route passes through nearly a dozen small towns with assortments of cafes and bakeries. There also are numerous options for camping or indoor lodging.

Their write-up on the ride — “Riding the Old West Scenic Bikeway” — can be seen at the Travel Oregon website. Although the route is designated for three days, Laura and Russ decided to take their time and stretched it out to five.

Learn more online about  Oregon’s Scenic Bikeways. Also, you can order a free Oregon Scenic Bikeway map.

Great idea

Oregon’s tourism department has to be applauded for creating and promoting the Scenic Bikeways that will bring direct no-carbon-footprint travelers to rural parts of the state to spend some money.

Colorado also has created a Bike the Byways promotion for cyclists who want to pedal that state’s 25 Scenic Byways.

Washington is missing the bus, even though it has limitless bicycle tourism possibilities. The Adventure Cycling Association touts some of them in a set of two maps for the Washington Parks Bicycle Route. Unfortunately, Washington closed its Tourism Office last year to save money, losing a big opportunity to promote bicycle travel here.

Oregon’s other official Scenic Bikeways are:

Blue Mountain Century Scenic Bikeway — 108 miles

Covered Bridges Scenic Bikeway — 38 miles

Grande Tour Scenic Bikeway — 135 miles

McKenzie Pass Scenic Bikeway — 36 miles

Metolius Loops Scenic Bikeway — 30 miles

Sisters to Smith Rock Scenic Bikeway — 37 miles

Twin Bridges Scenic Bikeway — 38 miles

Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway — 132 miles