The Umpqua Lighthouse ride is at once both challenging and rewarding. Kick off from the historic Umpqua River Lighthouse and be pushed north by sea wind past waves and sand to Reedsport, Oregon. Then turn east along the Route 38 Scenic Byway (and fine bike-way) and ride along the cool banks of the Umpqua River’s main stem. Some riders can complete this ride in one day. Others might want to break it up into two days with an overnight stop near Elkton, Oregon. Accommodations are limited there, so plan ahead.
Make a stop at the Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area offered to you by the Bureau of Land Management, then pedal along the wide river valley to Scottsburg with numerous river views and rest stops along the way.
Heading east out of Scottsburg, Oregon, once the furthest point a boat could reach as pioneers moved into the Umpqua Valley, you pass both a grocery and a restaurant. Then ride through working landscapes with unique ranch, forest, and river views around every corner until you reach Elkton.
As you reach the western edge Elkton, be sure to stop at the Butterfly Pavilion and Historic Fort Umpqua before entering the town proper. Two wineries, River’s Edge, and Brandborg await you in Elkton as well as Arlene’s restaurant, the Elkton grocery store, and Tomaselli’s coffee and pastry shop. Grab something good to eat and head down to the nearby river bank. If you linger in the area the area, local residents also have some short local bike routes you might enjoy. A small bike-repair business operates by appointment just outside Elkton: Elkton Bike Station. Also, check out Randi Jo Fabrications, a business that makes bike clothing accessories.
As you leave Elkton, turn right onto Route 138, also an Oregon Scenic Byway, and ride past Bradley Vineyards and then through rolling hills and long valleys to the wild spot next to the Umpqua River main stem called “Tyee.” There are a small restaurant and store there called Tyee Landing. While cycling towards and in the Tyee Area note that the roads narrow and the roads often have logging trucks, RVs, or other large vehicles. Stay safe!
After Tyee, you ride up the only long, steep hill on the route (roads narrow considerably here) and on into the bustling community of Sutherlin, Oregon, where many services await. Leaving Sutherlin, you head south on Old 99 through the tiny crossroads of Wilbur, Oregon and along backroads to Roseburg’s Stewart Park. If you next take Cycle Umpqua’s Heart of Roseburg Figure 8 ride to the east, you’ll find breweries, good food, an urban winery, and lodging. Roseburg also offers two businesses that provide bicycle repair and accessories: Canyon Creek Cycles and Waldron’s Outdoor Sports. Elkton has the Elkton Bike Station available for those services, too.
To reach the starting point for this ride, drive to the Coast and take Route 101 to Winchester Bay. Then, follow the Umpqua Lighthouse signs to the County Park.
Stop in for good coffee and something to eat at the Darkroom on Jackson Street in the Heart of Roseburg.
Stop in for good coffee and something to eat at the Darkroom on Jackson Street in the Heart of Roseburg.
Stop in for good coffee and something to eat at the Darkroom on Jackson Street 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.
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.
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.
Looking for authentic Mexican cuisine? Mariachi Loco is a local favorite on Jackson Street in the Heart of Roseburg.
Looking for authentic Mexican cuisine? Mariachi Loco is a local favorite on Jackson Street in the Heart of Roseburg.
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.
No better Greek food in Oregon than Alexander\'s Greek Cuisine on Jackson Street in historic Downtown Roseburg.
No better Greek food in Oregon than Alexander\'s Greek Cuisine on Jackson Street in historic Downtown Roseburg.
Brix offers a restaurant, a bar, an event center, and a coffee bar...all within a block of one another on Jackson Street and then at Oak Avenue and Main Street. Great food and drink at every location.
Brix offers a restaurant, a bar, an event center, and a coffee bar...all within a block of one another on Jackson Street and then at Oak Avenue and Main Street. Great food and drink at every location.
Brix offers a restaurant, a bar, an event center, and a coffee bar...all within a block of one another on Jackson Street and then at Oak Avenue and Main Street. Great food and drink at every location.
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.
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.
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.
Little Brothers Pub on Main Street near Douglas Avenue in Downtown Roseburg serves up good brews and excellent sandwiches with the fixin\'s.
Little Brothers Pub on Main Street near Douglas Avenue in Downtown Roseburg serves up good brews and excellent sandwiches with the fixin\'s.
Kiosks with maps of the Heart of Roseburg let the pedestrian or the bicyclist know where to find essential services
Kiosks with maps of the Heart of Roseburg let the pedestrian or the bicyclist know where to find essential services
Kiosks with maps of the Heart of Roseburg let the pedestrian or the bicyclist know where to find essential services
Old Soul Pizza offers wood-fired pizza excellence in the Heart of Roseburg on Main Street.
Old Soul Pizza offers wood-fired pizza excellence in the Heart of Roseburg on Main Street.
Old Soul Pizza offers wood-fired pizza excellence in the Heart of Roseburg on Main Street.
the Canyon Creek guys know what they are doing and can give you good advice about where to cycle..
the Canyon Creek guys know what they are doing and can give you good advice about where to cycle..
the Canyon Creek guys know what they are doing and can give you good advice about where to cycle..
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!
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!
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!
Two Shy Brewing is located in an off-the-main-drag location near Garden Valley Boulevard. Go find \'em, their craft brews are excellent!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
O\'Toole\'s Pub serves draft beer, wine, and delicious food on Jackson Street in the Heart of Roseburg across from City Hall.
O\'Toole\'s Pub serves draft beer, wine, and delicious food on Jackson Street in the Heart of Roseburg across from City Hall.