On this page you can find information on just about anything related to the tour. Topics are organized by topic areas – we suggest you just read the whole thing, to know everything.

Camp Structure

Announcements: Every evening right after dinner (7 p.m.), we’ll talk about the day’s highlights, go over the next day’s route, get a weather report, etc. It’s critical to be there for the first night’s announcements on Arrival Day (Saturday).

Baggage: You can bring up to two bags on the tour; two medium is better than one huge. Drop bags each morning at the U-Haul trucks from 5:30-7:30. Pick it up at the next camp when you arrive. No chairs or other “outside attachments” allowed.

Bike Parking: You can park your bike anywhere in camp that doesn’t interfere with others’ tents or passageways. A bike lock is your choice.

Camp Central: Camp Central is the hub of each camp, with snacks/beverages, first aid, lost and found, activity schedules and more. They’re open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Check-In: Check-in begins at 2 p.m. on the first Saturday of each tour. You’ll check in and receive license plates, rider gifts, any apparel orders and more.

Daily Schedule: You can see daily schedules for Moving Days – when we move camp to a new site – and Layover Days; it will also be on the RWGPS Experience app to download on your phone.

Flags: We have large “flutter flags” positioned in camp to let you know where resources are (e.g., charging station, water station, start/finish line, etc.).

Lost and Found: Camp Central is where lost and found is located. At the end of the week, all unclaimed items will be displayed at Camp Central.

Parking: We will provide an area in our start location for you to park a vehicle for the week. During the event, only staff and designated non-rider vehicles are allowed to park in camp.

Showers: A shower truck with attached sinks accompanies the tour to each site. It has 16 unisex stalls, and we provide a fresh towel for everyone each day. The sinks are open from 6 to 7:30 a.m. in the morning (no showers). The showers are open from noon to 9 p.m. in camp.

Toilets: We have 18 portable toilets in each camp, usually in two or three banks near camping and dining. We also have toilets at rest stops and one toilet stop early in the route each day.

Water: We have three water stations in each camp, with multiple spigots. One will be marked by a flag, and will remain until all riders have left in the morning; the others will be taken ahead to the next camp.

Travel & Logistics

Bike Boxes: If you ship your bike or fly with it, we will store your bike box in a secure spot for the week.

Bike Rental: We work with Sunnyside Sports in Bend for rental bikes. See the Planning page.

Bike Shipping: We work with local bike shops to receive and ship bikes, including assembly/disassembly. See the Planning page.

Lodging: We’re a camping tour, but you’re welcome to arrange your own lodging. We don’t provide transportation to lodging. You can take an “overnight bag” with you to lodging, and we’ll store your main baggage in a truck overnight, putting it out in the morning so you can re-pack.

Trip Insurance: During the registration process you’ll have the chance to purchase an individual trip insurance policy. We highly recommend this, in case something happens to you personally to interrupt or cancel your trip. The policies are through Allianz, and BRNW has no connection to or control over these policies.

Policies

Cancellations: See our rider and event cancellation policies on the Register page.

Complaints: If you have a concern or complaint, please direct it to one of three people: Executive Director Jim Moore, Assistant Director/Camp Central Director Sue Foster, or Operations Director Bob Anderson. Crew members will be able to connect you to them.

E-bikes: We allow e-bikes on a case-by-case basis; read more about our e-bike policy here.

Non-Riders: We allow up to 5 non-rider vehicles to register for each tour. The non-rider registers for a reduced price and has access to all camp meals and amenities. There are parking spots designated for non-rider vehicles in each camp.

Tipping: Crew tips are completely voluntary, but very much appreciated. They’re split evenly among all crew members. You can tip directly to the Executive Director, at Camp Central, or via Venmo (@BRNW1) or PayPal (@bicycleridesnw).

On the Route

Gear Drop: We’ll have gear drop stations at all rest stops. Bring your event bag with your name on it when you start the day’s ride, and you can shed any extra gear (jackets, gloves, etc.) by leaving your bag at a rest stop. It will be delivered back to camp in the afternoon, near Camp Central.

Mechanics – Route: There will be a mechanic on duty at all rest stops.

Navigation: Our routes have multiple navigation systems. During registration you can choose to receive paper maps; the route is physically marked with chalk and traffic-cone signs; the RWGPS Experience app lets you download turn-by-turns to your phone; you can also download route files to GPS devices.

Rest Stops: We have two full rest stops on “regular” days; on some layover days there will only be one. We try to space them out at 1/3 and 2/3 through the day’s route, but it’s dependent on adequate space being available. Our rest stops have a lavish spread of foods, plus beverages, mechanics, toilets and gear drop.

Ride With GPS Experience: We create a separate Experience package for each tour, which you can download to your smartphone. It includes route maps, camp site plans, schedules, contacts and more, so you can have information with you at all times.

Route Hours/Riding Pace: On normal days the route is open at 7 a.m. This can change in special circumstances (layovers, weather). Anyone on the route before the official start time is riding unsupported, and we are not responsible for them. If you fall significantly behind the main riding group, you may be bumped up by a SAG; if you refuse this you will ride unsupported.

Route Maps: You’ll be asked if you want a set of printed route maps when you register. If you’ve requested a set, you’ll pick it up at check-in.

Route Marking: You’ll see chalk markings on the route indicating turns and direction, as well as traffic cones with signs for turns, stops, distances, safety concerns, etc.

SAG Service: our SAG (Support and Gear) service includes up to 6 vehicles on the route each day. You can ride in a SAG vehicle if you’re injured, have a mechanical problem or just need a ride up a big hill; we run a “no-shame SAG” operation. SAGs are not daily personal taxis, of course. SAG vehicles are equipped with bike racks, first aid, some food/drink, bike pumps and more.

Toilet Stop: We have a toilet and water stop roughly 10 miles into each day’s route.

Water Stops: There will be water stops positioned on routes based on terrain, weather, mileage between rest stops, etc. They will have multiple jugs of water, and sometimes food items.

Health and Safety

We take safety very seriously, on the road and in camp. We want to ensure a safe atmosphere, so you must adhere to our safety policy.

Acupuncture: Betsy Platt, LAc, offers acupuncture treatments in camp, by appointment or walk-in. Email her for an appointment.

Emergency Care: All our crew members are certified in First Aid and adult CPR. If you have an accident or medical condition, they will assess your needs. If you need care beyond basic first aid, we’ll take you to the nearest emergency medical center, or call them for transport if it’s a serious medical situation.

First Aid: Camp Central is the place to go in camp for first aid. All our crew members are trained in first aid, and most event vehicles have a first-aid kit on board.

Massage: A team of three LMTs accompanies the tour. They take appointments (usually necessary) and some walk-ups. Their appointments begin at 1:30 p.m. on regular days, and at 9 a.m. on layover days, and their last appointment is 9:30 each evening. Contact Garde Wells, Aric Naber or Maria Rose Weinstein to make advance appointments.

Rider Etiquette: With 300 people, etiquette is paramount. Follow the law, communicate all passing, and ride safely. Anyone willfully riding inconsiderately or unsafely can be removed from the event.

Waiver: You can review the event waiver at any time. You’ll be asked to e-sign it when you register; we’ll also have paper copies available at check-in.

Yoga/Stretching: Each afternoon at 4:30 an instructor will lead a free session in camp that combines elements of yoga with cyclist-specific stretching.

Food and Beverage

Beer and Wine: We provide a variety of free beer, wine and cider in Camp Central from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day, along with many other beverages.

Dietary Considerations: We offer omnivore, vegan and gluten-free options at all meals and stops. We do everything we can to accommodate riders’ needs. If you have a specific dietary need beyond that, please contact our caterer, Catering Rides Northwest, to let them know ahead of time.

Meals: Three meals are served each day: breakfast is from 6 to 7 a.m.; lunch is served informally from noon to 4 p.m.; dinner is from 6 to 7 p.m.

Sustainability

We have a dedicated Sustainability team that focuses on “reduce, reuse and recycle.” They manage the flow of garbage, recycling and compost, and operate the dishwashing for reusable meal kits.

Compost: We compost as much of our food waste locally as possible. There will be separate receptacles at dining and dishwashing for food waste.

Dishwashing: We have a commercial-grade dishwasher to wash mealware after each meal in camp, and will have reusable mealware (including utensils) available for everyone. You’ll drop your mealware off at the Sustainability station next to dining after each meal.

Garbage: We try to minimize our “garbage footprint” by using composting, dishwashing and other methods to reduce our waste. There will be numerous garbage receptacles throughout camp and at route stops. Please carefully sort your waste if it’s recyclable or compostable.

Handwashing: Handwashing stations will be located with each bank of toilets in camp, at the head of the dining line and at route stops.

Mealware: We will supply identical reusable mealware, including utensils, for everyone in camp; please don’t bring your own kit.

Recycling: We recycle as many materials as we can; it depends on what local recycling stations accept. Separate recycling receptacles are put out along with the garbage receptacles.