Heart of Roseburg Figure 8
This ride is an easy looping tour through Roseburg, Oregon’s parks and historic Downtown and Mill-Pine Districts. There are plenty of services along the way with few hills or other challenges. The ride takes you through the community’s core, which we call, “The Heart of Roseburg.”
For families with young riders, the ride is best done on quiet days when there’s little traffic because a few parts of the route pass along sometimes busy streets. The Stewart Park starting point offers public restroom facilities as do the Nature Preserve near the Fred Meyer’s stores, and some of the businesses and restaurants elsewhere along the route. Chemical toilets are located at four sites in downtown Roseburg as well; three of these are within a block of the Figure 8 route.
In the Heart of Roseburg, with its’ quaint 1950’s-styled downtown, colorful kiosks at four locations (2 along the route on Jackson Street) give the rider more information about downtown features, service, and businesses. Four intersections received interpretive redesigns a few years ago. Look for intersections with the following theme: fish, the Umpqua River system, timber, and bicycling! They are located at the junction of the following streets: Jackson, Main, Oak, and Washington, right in the Heart of Roseburg. While downtown, riders can stop at the many excellent restaurants and shops there. Most are open through the work week and some on weekends.
The Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce operates the Visitor’s Center at the junction of Spruce Street and Washington Ave. The Center has a great assortment of visit-planning and local attractions information. They invite you to drop by.
Along the route, be sure to take in the many historic homes in the area, including the Lane House on Spruce Street, the remarkable Victorian-style Parrott House in South Roseburg, and several fine architectural examples from the 1930’s throughout the Mill-Pine District. Also, enjoy the recently upgraded riding/walking path along the Oak Street Bridge with river-overlook turn out spots where you can watch the South Umpqua River roll by.
On the return leg of the Figure 8, riders should use the recently upgraded Oak Street Bridge for safety and the chance to pause at the turnouts on the south side of the bridge. Further on, past the High School, riders will travel over the South Umpqua River on a pedestrian and bicycle bridge under I-5. This part of the ride can be quite noisy due to the traffic above and the vehicle bridge supports sometimes make banging noises when especially heavy trucks roll over. It’s noisy but not dangerous and the open metalwork makes for interesting river views.
Riders can also take a side trip through the Veteran’s Administration grounds, a beautiful campus. Be sure to respect the veterans being served and living there.
To reach the starting point for the Figure 8, riders can take either Oregon I-5 Exit 125 or Exit 124. From Exit 125, go West on Garden Valley Boulevard about a mile then turn left at the signal onto Stewart Parkway. Follow Stewart Parkway to the entrance to Stewart Park just after passing the YMCA on your left. From Exit 124, go West on Harvard Avenue about 1 1/2 miles, past the Umpqua Valley Arts Center, then turn right at the signal onto Stewart Parkway. Cross the bridge over the South Umpqua River and then take the next right into Stewart Park.
If your bikes need servicing, Canyon Creek Bicycles and Waldron’s Outdoor Sports offer bike repair and accessories. Neither business is directly along this route, but both are close by.
Photos From This Ride
You can always tell what time it is on Jackson Street in the Heart of Roseburg; just stop by Hanson\'s Jewelers on the corner of Jackson Street and Cass Avenue.
Fine food at True on Main Street in beautiful, historic Downtown Roseburg.
Stop in for good coffee and something to eat at the Darkroom on Jackson Street in the Heart of Roseburg.
Beautiful historic church at the corner of Jackson Street and Lane Avenue in the Heart of Roseburg
Food truck for mobility with a brew pub for a base, Salud offers unique food and drink for all comers in the Heart of Roseburg.
Once the site of a music store on Jackson Street, the Greater Douglas United Way building dates to the 1950\'s and reflects the architecture of that time.
Looking for authentic Mexican cuisine? Mariachi Loco is a local favorite on Jackson Street in the Heart of Roseburg.
No better Greek food in Oregon than Alexander\'s Greek Cuisine on Jackson Street in historic Downtown Roseburg.
Historic sign on a downtown building. Look for others while you are visiting.
Can you knit while you bike? Maybe not such a good idea.... But if you like to knit when you are less preoccupied, stop by the Knotty Lady for an incredible selection of yearns and accessories.
Nothing better than a brew pub after a long bike ride! Draper\'s is ready to serve you!
Northeast of the downtown area is Backside Brewery and Canyon Creek Bicycle Shop. Have a beer and pizza on your Backside while the guys at Canyon Creek fix or upgrade your bike!
Old Soul Pizza offers wood-fired pizza excellence in the Heart of Roseburg on Main Street.
Each kiosk in Downtown Roseburg interprets information about the Land of Umpqua
Kiosks with maps of the Heart of Roseburg let the pedestrian or the bicyclist know where to find essential services
Little Brothers Pub on Main Street near Douglas Avenue in Downtown Roseburg serves up good brews and excellent sandwiches with the fixin\'s.
Want that unique tattoo to represent you epic bike ride in the Umpqua Valley,? Try these guys on Jackson Street in Downtown Roseburg.
If sewing is your hobby, stop by the Sewing Bee in the Heart of Roseburg on Jackson Street.
Want that unique tattoo to represent you epic bike ride in the Umpqua Valley,? Try these guys on Jackson Street in Downtown Roseburg.
Need to build up those carbs? Try Dino\'s Ristorante for authentic Italian food at the corner of Douglas Avenue and Jackson Street in historic Downtown Roseburg.
Little Brothers Pub on Main Street near Douglas Avenue in Downtown Roseburg serves up good brews and excellent sandwiches with the fixin\'s.
Old Soul Pizza offers wood-fired pizza excellence in the Heart of Roseburg on Main Street.
Northeast of the downtown area is Backside Brewery and Canyon Creek Bicycle Shop. Have a beer and pizza on your Backside while the guys at Canyon Creek fix or upgrade your bike!
Big sign, great craft brews.
the Canyon Creek guys know what they are doing and can give you good advice about where to cycle..
Here\'s Chief Repair Wrenchhero, Aaron, fixing up a casualty.
Take a look at Canyon Creek\'s inventory when you stop by.
Canyon Creek\'s got tires and tubes! They know how to fix flats and wheels, too!
Head over past the Roseburg Armory north of the airport for some of the best craft brews in Oregon at Old 99 Brewing Company, Arrive early if you can; otherwise, the local cyclists will have grabbed all the good seats!
Two Shy Brewing is located in an off-the-main-drag location near Garden Valley Boulevard. Go find \'em, their craft brews are excellent!
Waldron\'s sells bike and all manner of outdoor equipment...kinda like Roseburg\'s version of Cabela\'s. They repair bikes, too. Check \'em out sometime.
Like trains? Try a brew and burger at McMenamin\'s Roseburg Station. Yes, the railroad was the reason for Roseburg\'s existence back in the 19th Century, and now the old train station offers up craft brews, wine, and lots of menu choices.
Roseburg\'s urban winery, Paul O\'Brien Winery, where they not only ferment and age the wine on site, they also serve it to you in an elegant tasting room!
Azaleas and rhododendrons ablaze with color in the Heart of Roseburg!
No better place than the Bagel Tree for fresh bagels and coffee at the corner of Jackson Street and Diamond Lake Boulevard in beautiful Downtown Roseburg.
O\'Toole\'s Pub serves draft beer, wine, and delicious food on Jackson Street in the Heart of Roseburg across from City Hall.
French pastries in the Heart of Roseburg on Jackson Street near City Hall. Bon appetit!
Le Petit Cafe counter with a cooler full of goodies!
