Our RV travels have taken us to Armitage County Park in Eugene, Oregon, where we have spent the first couple of days doing errands, you know those dreaded tasks that get in the way of having fun. With errands out of the way we decided it was time to play, which translates into outdoor adventure (whooo hooo!). Our sport of choice was to be biking so Terry started checking out trails in the area and soon discovered that Eugene is biking bliss!
We’ve learned that biking is an integral part of Eugene’s culture, which is clear when you hop on a bike and attempt to cross a street. Drivers actually stop and patiently wait for you. Alternative means of transportation and sustainability are encouraged in Eugene; bikes are easy to rent; and local biking clubs abound. Weekly rides and biking events are many and miles and miles of beautifully paved paths branch out in every direction.
We settled on the North Bank Path which we picked up just a few miles from where we are camped, a delightful biking path meandering along the swift-flowing Willamette River, along Delta Ponds with its wonderful waterfowl, through dense forests, and golden meadows.
There are a choice of bridges that can be taken, dropping you off into downtown Eugene or the University of Oregon, which is what we did, spending a little time wandering the beautiful campus.
We enjoyed a picnic lunch at Island Park, site of the Blues and Brews Festival this weekend (oh yeah!). From here we biked back to the downtown area, then on to the Amazon Creek Bike Trail, heading west of town toward the wetlands. Terry checked at a bike shop to get a better trail map (not available) and learned this was the route we needed to take. After biking for a while I asked Terry how far to our destination and he said 4 miles, but 4 miles from where he wasn’t sure (minor detail).
This is another great biking trail along Amazon Creek, which has been widened and deepened over the years to encourage waterfowl to visit, so very pleasant riding. After some time we still were not seeing the wetlands and we must have gone another 4 miles. Out of nowhere, up pops the Euphoria Chocolate Company, as good an excuse as any to stop. We browsed their cases and each decided on a piece of dark-chocolate sustenance, and although I would not label it euphoric, it was yummy. We decided to point our bikes east and save the wetlands for another day, due to the time of day and what my seat was telling me after 6 hours on a bike. There is supposed to be kayaking opportunity out there so perhaps we will be back.
If you fancy hiking instead of biking, these same trails and more can be used to walk or run. Pre’s Trail, named after Steve Prefontaine, long-distance phenom who sparked the 1970’s “running boom”, is a soft-surface path covered in bark chips ideal for running or hiking, and is part of this network. If biking is your thing, you are certain to experience biking bliss in Eugene.
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Paint Your Landscape 
We have heard a lot about Eugene from several of my friends. One of the things I am looking forward to the most about visiting the NW are the biking opportunities. Won’t be long now!
Eugene is wonderful and you two would love the biking here.
Ah yes Eugene! U of O’s home. Great photo’s, excellent dialogue, I love to kayak. Wish I were there with you guys. 🙂 Keep having fun!
Thanks Penny!
Beautiful pics, and your husband’s calf muscles look like rock! LOL
They are! He used to get teased about them all the time. I am sooo jealous of them as I seem to have gotten none!
Tell him he should be proud of them and show them off. 😉
Oregon is definitely on our must see list after these postings. Perhaps next summer will afford us the opportunity. Hubby and I haven’t been on our bikes most of the summer…..too, too hot. I know my bottom would for sure be feeling a 6 hour ride. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Definitely one to add to the bucket list if you like biking.
SIX hours on the bike…I am impressed girl. Great round-up of the biking in the area. Love Eugene.
Nina
Well, we did stop for lunch for ~45 minutes. I felt like I’d been riding a horse all day and probably walked like it too. Thankfully it was pretty flat riding surfaces we were on. Terry’s like the energizer bunny when he’s hiking or biking. Not bad for an old(er) man!
Eugene is a wonderful small town America. If you are there over the weekend, don’t miss their Farmer’s Market. Lots of unusual gifts and great variety of food booths.
We are counting the days until Saturday so we can head to the Farmers’ Market. It looks wonderful!
Sounds like a lovely place to bike. So glad you were able to get a lot of riding in. Hope you get some kayaking in, too. As usual, great pics and a great post. Gotta get me a bike. I’ll be home in about 2 weeks. Maybe I can get one when I get back.
That may be a good form of exercise for you Joan. Glad to hear that you are heading home to CA soon.
Eugene Oregon just looks Beautiful. So glad you are enjoying all these wonderful places and enjoying the unique beauty as you go along. Blessings to you both.. Linda and Dan
What we have seem of OR so far has been spectacular, and Eugene is no exception. We feel very blessed to be having this experience. Take care!
Hi,
My name is Sarah and I’m with Dwellable. I was looking for blog posts about Euguene to share on our site and I came across your post…If you’re open to it, drop me a line at Sarah(at)dwellable(dot)com.
Hope to hear from you 🙂
Sarah
p.s. I also left a comment on another post of yours, they are all just so great!
You certainly have found a great place to spin your wheels. Be sure to attend the market on Saturday. I lived there in the late 70’s and your post brought back some pleasant memories.
Thanks Carol and the farmers’ market is definitely where we are headed tomorrow. We have heard such wonderful things about it.
Check out my post today….you’ve been nominated!
Chocolate, riding and the exquisite beaiuty of nature all around you. You know how to mix it up! I’m so glad I can get my vicarious thrills through you. I’ve always wanted to visit Eugene. Xo
That chocolate shop was a gift as I had just about had my fill of biking for the day so it was a nice respite. I think you and Bill would love Eugene.
California is big on bikes, but that particular sounds like it’s above anywhere. Drivers waiting patiently for bikers, ACES! I shouldn’t drive there then. BWAHAHAHAHA!
I have to buy a bike as I aim to start and finish the 17-mile by bike. 😀
Sooo, not a very patient driver are we?!
I like speed. Ooops. 😛 😦
Thanks for the share!