Tour de Fronds: A Southern Oregon Cycling Sojourn
EVENT: Experience a tranquil ride through a national forest that ‘refreshes the soul.’
Note: A growing list of West Coast century rides and cycling tours is now available here. Take a look and suggest additions in the post’s comments section.
This story began several years ago in a Santa Rosa breakfast diner. I was talking with Steve Saxe, president of the local bike club, about destinations we’ve enjoyed when he asked this question.
“You’re from Oregon. Have you ever ridden the Tour de Fronds?”
The tour de what?
It’s a ride into the tall Douglas firs, a marvelous trip deep into the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, Steve explained. There are miles and miles of quiet roads, narrow roads.
He was not alone. Tracy Corral, my longtime editor at Cycle California!, knew about the Tour de Fronds and encouraged me to check it out. It’s one of the Pacific Northwest’s best event rides, she said. More people need to experience it.
I eventually arrived in Powers, Oregon (population 710) in June 2024 ready for the experience. Here’s what I found.
Three Things That Matter
I evaluate a bike route based on natural beauty, safety, and physical challenge. I want to be tested in a stunning location without traffic concerns. I also appreciate a well-managed event with a cadre of local volunteer support before, during, and after the ride. And I embrace any bike ride that prompts me to stop and appreciate my surroundings.
There’s plenty to appreciate among the fronds of the Oregon Coast Range.
I selected the Eden Valley metric century route and quickly realized this would be a special day when the road’s center stripe disappeared after only 5.5 miles. South Powers Road, with only minimal traffic, morphed into Forest Road 33 as riders entered the national forest.
The rest of the day was spent listening to the sounds of the South Fork of the Coquille River as its water babbles toward Bandon and the Pacific Ocean, watching dappled sunlight slip between the evergreens lining the roadway, and watching the ferns – the fronds – wiggle in the gentle, morning breeze.
“You’re biking through a lush, peaceful forest,” Steve would say later. “Warm or cool, dry or wet, riding there refreshes the soul.”
The Eden Valley route
Find all Tour de Fronds route maps here
Get Ready to Climb
Organizers sometimes call it “TdF,” and like an international event with the same acronym, the Tour de Fronds is unforgettable. All five rides follow out-and-back routes, climbing into the hills before turning around and descending back to town. It’s not all a grind; there are pleasant stretches where it's easy to think more about where you’re riding than how well you’re doing it.
There are five paved routes from which to choose. Daphne Grove totals 30 miles and 2,000 of elevation gain. The others are Agness Pass (44 miles, 3,700 feet), Eden Valley (62 miles, 3,900 feet), Arrastra Saddle (76 miles, 5,900 feet, and Mahaffy Cruiser Loop (103, miles, 8,500 feet).
A mixed gravel/pavement Rogue River-Singing Springs ride that extends 71 miles ( 6,300 feet) is another option.
“Daphne Grove is very popular,” says event coordinator Donna Freemen. “Many are local riders that come for a great day in our great outdoors. It is also popular with couples where one likes a greater challenge and the other needs a shorter ride. People hang out at Daphne Grove enjoying the day by the river as they wait for the hardy rider to return.”
My work on Eden Valley started in earnest once the route left the river in the 17th mile. That’s where the route ramps up 1,200 feet in 6 miles along extremely narrow forest roads. I was alone in the wilderness much of the time occasionally catching a rider, often getting caught. I didn’t mind.
The final 8.5 miles to a turn-around rest stop were flat and easy.
The returning descent was not fast. Tall trees blocked the sunlight making occasional mini-potholes difficult to see. These, after all, were remote forest roads. (Organizers suggest 25C- to 32C-width tires as a minimum.)
“I think going up is more interesting,” Steve said. “You're riding more slowly and are able to look around and appreciate your surroundings. On the descent, with the variable pavement quality, you're mostly watching the ground in front of you.”
The road’s slope slowly begins to level at mile 46 and the rest of the day is merely a ride in the forest. The painted centerline eventually appears. Civilization is ahead.
Getting to Powers
It’s a 90-minute drive on twisting, two-lane roads from Roseburg and Interstate 5 or an hour from Bandon and the Oregon Coast. Here are some directions. http://tourdefronds.com/index.php/faq-s-important-information/mnu-infolocal/mnu-directions
Where do you sleep? Some cyclists camp in Powers County Park, the event’s start line. Others book limited motel rooms in Myrtle Point 30 minutes north of town or wake up early from Roseburg or the coast. Here is local camping information.
Staying in town has its advantages. There is a Friday evening dinner in the park, a Saturday after-ride meal in town, and a Sunday morning Lions fundraiser breakfast.
Registration opens on March 1. Donna Freeman says registrations are capped at 250 riders. Last year, more than 30 people were stranded on the wait. Visit the website to sign up and find all the event details.
Doing It All Again
Riders from the Santa Rosa Cycling Club may be among the first to register. A contingent drove north last year and it’s possible that they will return again in 2025.
“We like traveling to bike and we like cycling in Oregon,” Steve said. “It's a one-day drive away and we really like this event.”
And then Steve offered some advice. “It's not like any other event, so arrive with an open attitude and appreciate the unique flavor, the passion of the locals to show you a good time, and the incredible scenic beauty of riding in a national forest.”
Dan Shryock is a travel writer and career journalist who focuses on cycle tourism. Based in Oregon, his work has appeared in magazines and websites in California and the Pacific Northwest. His book, “Cycling Across Oregon: Stories, Surprises & Revelations Along the State’s Scenic Bikeways” is available on Amazon.
I’ve wanted to ride it for such a long time!!!
Thanks Dan for the wonderful article. We were so happy to have you join us for the 2024 ride. We are looking for a great time in 2025.