Hundreds of bicyclists from around Oregon and across the country have taken to the roads of Southern Oregon as the 2026 Cycle Oregon Rally brings riders through Grants Pass, Rogue River, Gold Hill, Jacksonville, Ashland and the surrounding Rogue and Applegate valleys.
The event got underway Friday, Aug. 28, with cyclists arriving and checking in at the Grants Pass basecamp at Riverside Park. Riding began Saturday and continues through Wednesday, Sept. 2.
Approximately 600 cyclists were expected to participate in this year’s Rally, making the event a noticeable presence on the region’s highways, country roads and rural backroads.
Grants Pass serves as one of two primary basecamps for the event, along with Jacksonville. Riders spent the opening portion of the Rally based in Grants Pass before the event shifted toward Jacksonville and other parts of Jackson County.
During the five days of riding, participants can choose among different routes based on distance and difficulty. Depending on the routes selected, cyclists may travel approximately 188 to 300 miles during the Rally, with some routes including thousands of feet of climbing.
The overall Cycle Oregon route map stretches across a large portion of the Rogue Valley and shows routes in and around communities including Grants Pass, Rogue River, Gold Hill, Central Point, Medford, Jacksonville, Phoenix, Talent and Ashland, along with surrounding rural and mountain areas.
The routes give visiting cyclists an opportunity to experience a side of Southern Oregon that travelers passing through on Interstate 5 may never see. Riders travel through river corridors, agricultural areas, vineyards, forested foothills and small communities that make up the Rogue and Applegate valleys.
For communities such as Rogue River and Gold Hill, the event also means motorists may encounter larger-than-normal groups of cyclists traveling through the area. Drivers are encouraged to remain alert, slow down when approaching riders and provide adequate room when passing.
Cycle Oregon is not a bicycle race. Instead, Rally is a supported recreational tour designed to allow cyclists to experience Oregon communities and scenery at their own pace.
Saturday’s rides began and ended in Grants Pass, with route choices ranging from approximately 42 to 66 miles on paved routes, while a gravel option covered nearly 59 miles.
On Sunday, riders again departed from the Grants Pass area. Routes ranged from about 37 miles to nearly 70 miles, taking participants farther into the surrounding countryside.
Monday, Aug. 31, marks a major transition for the Rally as cyclists travel from Grants Pass to Jacksonville. Depending on the route selected, riders will cover approximately 39 to 51 miles, with a gravel route of about 48 miles also available.
Once in Jacksonville, riders will explore more of Jackson County. Tuesday’s routes take cyclists through the Jacksonville and Ashland areas, with the longest option approaching 77 miles.
On Wednesday, Sept. 2, riders make their way from Jacksonville back to Grants Pass for the conclusion of the Rally.
Southern Oregon was selected in part for the variety of landscapes cyclists can experience within a relatively short distance. The region offers the Rogue River, Siskiyou foothills, historic communities, vineyards, farms and quiet country roads.
The event also provides an economic opportunity for the communities along the way. Hundreds of visiting cyclists, event volunteers and support personnel can mean additional customers for restaurants, stores and other local businesses.
For residents of Rogue River, Gold Hill and other communities along the routes, the Rally also provides an unusual sight — hundreds of cyclists making their way through familiar Southern Oregon scenery as part of one of the state’s best-known cycling events.
Cycle Oregon was founded in 1988 and organizes bicycle rides intended to connect participants with Oregon’s landscapes and communities. The Rally provides marked routes, support services, meals, camping and other services for participating cyclists.
The 2026 Rally concludes Wednesday when riders return to Grants Pass, completing a five-day journey through the Rogue Valley and some of Southern Oregon’s most scenic countryside.
Reach Publisher Teresa Pearson at [email protected].