OVERNIGHTERS from Heppner: Highways 74 and 395 intersect 37 miles east of Heppner. Another eight miles brings the rider to Pilot Rock. North another 15 miles lies Pendleton. From Pendleton, the Echo highway follows the Umatilla River through nearby Rieth to Echo, 23 miles west. After an eight mile jog to Highway 207, the bicyclist travels southwest 27 miles to the town of Lexington and back onto Highway 74 for the trip back to Heppner, nine miles farther. (Total: approximately 127 miles). On Highway 207, 10 miles south of Heppner is Ruggs and the point of decision for other overnight trips: Highway 206 crosses over to Condon, approximately 30 miles west. Turning north on Highway 19 brings the traveler to a junction after 22 miles. A turn east means meeting Highway 74 at McNab, which is about 12 miles from Olex. Three miles farther is Ione. Lexington lies nine miles away and the loop finishes in Heppner. (Total: approximately 91 miles). Also from Ruggs, Highway 207 runs through the ghost town of Hardman, nine miles south, and to Spray, another 31 miles. Highway 10 then takes the bicyclist west 12 miles to Service Creek junction and northwest 22 miles to Fossil. Highway 19 continues 20 miles north to Condon, where the trip follows the above description. (Total: approximately 159 miles). DAY TRIPS / CREATE-A-TRIP from Heppner: Within the longer loops lie several trips, taking from one to several hours to complete. Heppner offers meals at four eateries and overnight stays at the Northwestern Motel and RV Park (541-676-9167). Nearby are TKO Lodge (541-676-5005) and TREO (541-676-5840). Many possibilities in the Heppner "Cycling Paradise" encourage bicyclists to create and enjoy trips of their own design. PLACES TO STAY: For the camping bicyclist, extended trips from Heppner offer scenic campgrounds: overlooking the Willow Creek Reservoir in Heppner, the Willow Creek RV Park (541-676-9618); Anson Wright Campground (541-989-9500) on Highway 207; and Cutsforth Campground (541-989-9500) on the Willow Creek/Western Route Road - the last two offer camping experiences on forest boundaries. Campgrounds are also found at Fossil, Echo's Fort Henrietta RV Park (541) 376-8411) and Spray, as well as at the Service Creek junction. Motels and other accomodations along the way include: the Condon Motel in Condon (541-384-2181); Woolery House Bed and Breakfast in Ione (541-422-7218); the Asher Motel in Spray (541) 468-2053); Bridge Creek Flora Inn Bed and Breakfast in Fossil (541-763-2355).

Cycling Paradise