World’s Wheels Go ‘Round In Waitsburg

WAITSBURG - Ring the bells, toot the horns, strike up the band - the cyclists are here ! Waitsburgers went all out to greet the more than 2,000 Cycle Oregon participants Tuesday as they pedaled into town after a nearly three-hour ride from Starbuck.

Members of the local Special Olympics skiing team, the Bluewood Bombers, erected an archway and decorated the finish line near the fairgrounds on Caroline Street. Local school children, Waitsburg-Prescott cheerleaders and the high school band waited on the sidelines to encourage cyclists arriving from their 23-mile ride on Bolles Road, south down Main Street to 8th and east down 8th to Caroline, giving high-fives, cheering and making noise with cowbells.

Participants in the Portland based bicycle tour were appreciative of the turn out, giving many waves, smiles, and thank yous to the crowd.

"It's a beautiful town," said Portland cyclist Brendan Romtvedt after crossing the finish line. "I want to go back through and see more of it."

Tuesday's ride was a challenge for many cyclists. Bike patrol cyclist John Downey, of Milwaukie, Ore., said strong winds that started in the morning "and just didn't quit," a couple of rain showers and a 10-mile climb uphill made the course tough for many.

"It was a hard ride for me today," agreed Brian Wolfe of Pasadena, Calif.

Cycle Oregon visitors spent the evening enjoying music and food in Preston Park and overnighted with local families, at area hotels or in camps at the fairgrounds. They stayed Tuesday and Wednesday before heading south to Oregon for the 100th anniversary of the Pendleton Roundup.