Cycle Oregon 2026
Ride the Rogue. Relive the Trail. Rally in Grants Pass.
Cycle Oregon Rally 2026 rolls into Southern Oregon’s Applegate Valley — with Grants Pass as basecamp — August 28 through September 2, 2026.
Six hundred cyclists. Five days of riding. One unforgettable corner of Oregon.
Cycle Oregon’s flagship Rally event is coming to Grants Pass for 2026, and we couldn’t be more ready to welcome riders to Southern Oregon. With basecamps anchored in Grants Pass and Jacksonville, this year’s Rally traces vineyard-dotted valleys, forested ridgelines, and the legendary backroads of the Applegate Trail — the fabled southern route of the Oregon Trail. Whether you’re here to ride, to cheer, or to explore everything Grants Pass has to offer, this is your invitation to be part of something special.
What is the Cycle Oregon Rally?
Cycle Oregon is a nonprofit organization founded in 1988 with a simple mission: bring the joy of riding a bicycle to all of Oregon. In its 38th year, the Rally event returns to Southern Oregon with five days of fully supported road and gravel riding through some of the state’s most breathtaking landscapes.
Rally 2026 offers multiple daily route options — entirely paved Main Routes and Gravel Options for riders who want to push further into the hills — so every cyclist can make the week their own. Mileage ranges from 188 to 300 miles over the course of the event, with elevation gain between 8,313 and 16,561 feet depending on route selection. Full on-course support, meals, entertainment, and camping are all included with registration.
As one recent Rally rider put it: “Riding with Cycle Oregon makes me feel like a kid again — no responsibilities, just wake up, ride, eat, laugh, sleep. Repeat.”
Five Days of “Who Knew?” Discoveries Through Southern Oregon
The geography of the Applegate Valley is defined by a long, narrow corridor carved by the Applegate River and nestled within the Siskiyou Mountains. The result is a warm, temperate climate protected from coastal winds, with 35 miles of valley roads connecting the two basecamps. When the routes climb — especially on gravel — expect long, sustained efforts rewarded with fun, flowing descents back into the valley floor.
Each day of Rally 2026 is a new chapter in Southern Oregon’s story:
Days 1 & 2 — Grants Pass: Riders explore the Rogue River corridor and surrounding hill country, with route options ranging from a 36-mile paved cruise to a 67-mile gravel adventure deep into the Siskiyou foothills.
Day 3 — Grants Pass to Jacksonville: The transition day carries riders through the heart of the Applegate Valley, tracing the historic Applegate Trail with route options up to 57 miles and 5,650 feet of climbing on gravel.
Day 4 — Jacksonville & Ashland: Explore the gold-rush streets of Jacksonville and the cultural energy of Ashland, with long route options reaching 77 miles and nearly 5,700 feet of elevation.
Day 5 — Jacksonville to Grants Pass: A fitting finale rolls riders back through the valley, completing the loop through one of Oregon’s most storied landscapes.
Grants Pass: Southern Oregon’s Rising Cycling Destination
Grants Pass has long been known as the gateway to the Wild & Scenic Rogue River — a place where the river shapes everything from the landscape to the local identity. But the city is writing a new chapter, one built on trails, community, and a growing culture of cycling.
The new Dollar Mountain trail system, developed through a partnership between the City of Grants Pass, the Rogue Valley Mountain Bike Association, and Visit Grants Pass, adds more than 11 miles of professionally built singletrack on the edge of town. Meanwhile, the Rogue River Greenway Foundation is working to stitch together a continuous multi-use pathway connecting Grants Pass to Ashland — a vision that Cycle Oregon Rally 2026 will help bring to life on two wheels.
Grants Pass is home to the iconic “It’s the Climate” sign, first hung in 1915 and now a beloved local emblem — a nod to the warm, sunny days that make this corner of Oregon ideal for year-round riding. The city is surrounded by world-class trails, scenic byways, and a thriving outdoor culture that welcomes riders of all levels.
“Visit Grants Pass is thrilled to partner with Cycle Oregon as we continue developing our region into a premier biking destination. Our community is surrounded by world-class trails, scenic byways, and a thriving outdoor culture that welcomes riders of all levels. We’re excited to share the beauty of Southern Oregon with Cycle Oregon Rally participants and look forward to the energy, camaraderie, and exploration this event will bring to our community.”— Griffyn Storm, Director of Marketing & Operations, Visit Grants Pass
Before You Ride — and After: There’s Plenty to Discover
Grants Pass rewards curiosity. The same spirit that draws cyclists to its backroads also runs through its downtown streets, riverside parks, and local gathering spots. Between rides — or before and after the event — there is no shortage of ways to experience the best of Southern Oregon.
Spend a morning at the Grants Pass Growers Market, where local farmers and artisans fill the stalls with fresh produce, handmade goods, and the easy energy of a community that knows how to enjoy its surroundings. Follow the Applegate Wine Trail through the valley’s vineyards, or pull up a stool at one of the local breweries — Weekend Beer Company, Wild River Brewing, or The Haul — where the post-ride pint tastes exactly as it should.
For those who want to keep moving, the Rogue River National Recreation Trail offers miles of hiking along one of Oregon’s most celebrated waterways, while the Cathedral Hills Trail System provides accessible singletrack just minutes from downtown. Thrill-seekers can book a jet boat excursion through Hellgate Canyon, the Rogue’s deepest river gorge and a longtime Hollywood filming location.
Grants Pass is also a city with a genuine sense of place. The historic downtown along G Street is lined with independent shops, art galleries, and restaurants that reflect the character of a community proud of where it comes from and excited about where it’s going.
Register Today!
Rally registration includes camping at Riverside Park in Grants Pass, right along the Rogue River. Riders can bring their own tent or upgrade to the Tent + Porter service for a pre-set camp with luggage delivery to both basecamps. RV and van camping spots are available with advance registration, and non-riding guests are welcome to join the camp experience.
For those looking to extend their visit before or after the event, Grants Pass offers a range of lodging options — from riverside inns and boutique hotels to unique stays like the Weasku Inn, a historic fishing lodge that once hosted Walt Disney and Clark Gable.
