About the Northwest Tandem Rally 2026 – Cottage Grove, Oregon
Join us June 5–7, 2026, in beautiful Cottage Grove, Oregon—the Covered Bridge Capital of the West—for the Northwest Tandem Rally (NWTR), a three-day celebration of cycling, community, and connection.
Hosted by Mudslinger Events LLC, the 2026 edition, themed “Wine & Covered Bridges,” invites tandem riders from across the Northwest and beyond to explore the rolling hills, vineyards, and historic charm of the Willamette Valley. With routes designed for all abilities, participants will enjoy fully supported rides featuring Oregon’s iconic covered bridges, scenic bikeways, and friendly small-town hospitality. Local Non-Profits will be on hand welcoming you along with our friends at the Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce.
The weekend includes:
- Friday Co-Motion Cycles Tour 11 am-12 pm with Lite refreshments
- Friday Rolf Prima Wheels Tour 1pm-2pm
- Friday social and welcome gathering at the Cottage Grove Armory with Coast Fork Brewing and a special showing of "The General" Celebrating 100 years of this iconic film shot in Cottage Grove in 1926.
- Saturday and Sunday supported rides showcasing the surrounding wine county west and the Covered Bridges Scenic Bikeway east for all abilities
- Rest stops every 10–20 miles stocked with local treats and refreshments.
- Evening entertainment, including live music on Saturday, local food, and craft beverages
- Vendor expo and community fair celebrating cycling and regional partners
Whether you’re new to tandem riding or a longtime NWTR participant, Cottage Grove offers the perfect mix of adventure, culture, and relaxation. Come ride, sip, and celebrate with fellow cycling enthusiasts in one of Oregon’s most scenic settings.
Whether you’re new to tand
June 5th, 6th, 7th 2026
Friday Activities optional Co-Motion Tour 11-12 pm and Rolf Prima Wheels 1-2 pm in Eugene. After that head to Cottage Grove to start your fun.
Start your Friday in Eugene with an 11 a.m.–12 p.m. guided tour and refreshments at Co-Motion Cycles, and or a 1-2 pm Tour at Rolf Prima Wheels, only a 10-minute drive from Co-Motion Cycles. Then make your way to Cottage Grove for packet pickup and the evening’s festivities.
Coast Fork Brewing and the
Cottage Grove Armory are the place to be for the
Friday Welcome Celebration! Located on the same block, stop by for a beverage, grab your welcome packet, and reconnect with friends before an unforgettable weekend of riding.
Saturday Wineries and rolling hills
Explore the Western Loop on Saturday, a stunning ride through the Siuslaw Valley’s rolling vineyards and quiet backroads. Choose from routes featuring 2,267 ft 46 miles, 4,189 ft and 70 Miles, or a shorter, 30 low-climb option. Each offering sweeping views, winery stops, and the true grandeur of Oregon wine country.
Sunday Covered Bridge Scenic Bikeway
The Covered Bridges Scenic Bikeway in Cottage Grove features peaceful country roads, six historic covered bridges, rolling farmland, and lakeside paths—an iconic Oregon ride blending history, beauty, and gentle adventure.
Venue Map
Staging from Bohemia Park, with all rides departing from this location, we welcome you to explore and relax with friends, starting at Friday's social and Saturday and Sundays rides.
Things to do in Cottage Grove and Beyond
Your friends from the Cottage Grove Chamber of Commerce and Eugene, Cascades & Coast are your local resources on everything Cottage Grove and the surrounding area.
Routes
Saturdays Routes
Depart 9am
Start your Northwest Tandem Rally adventure with an unforgettable ride on Saturday, heading west out of Cottage Grove. Riders can choose between two stunning loop options—a challenging 4,600-foot elevation gain for those who love adventure and can take on the hills, or a moderate 2,300-foot route for a rewarding but less grueling journey out and back to the beautiful Siuslaw River Valley.
Both routes begin with scenic views of farmland, gradually ascending into the rolling foothills of the Coast Range for 12 miles before the course splits.
You'll pedal through tree-lined backroads, past historic barns, and along quiet rural stretches that offer panoramic vistas and peaceful countryside charm.
The full route offers seasoned tandemers the thrill of longer climbs and sweeping descents, showcasing the best of western Oregon’s terrain.
The moderate route trims off some of the biggest climbs but still delivers scenic beauty and satisfying miles.
For those seeking a lighter ride or just warming up, we’ve also included an optional low-climb route. This relaxing out-and-back 700 ft of climbing and 30 miles follows a portion of the scenic Row River Trail and heads northeast into Creswell, where a special aid station awaits with refreshments, camaraderie, and a taste of local hospitality.
Whether you’re chasing elevation or coasting through gentle valleys, Day 1 offers something for every tandem team. Don’t forget your camera—these are the roads memories are made on.
70 Miles/4600 ft LONG
Long Day 1 West
46 Miles/2300 ft
Moderate
Moderate Day 1 West
27 Miles/700 ft Short
Short Option Day 1 East-North out and back.
Your Day your way
Celebrate after in Bohemia Park with Music, and Food and a Vendor Fair
Sundays Route
Depart after 8am until 9:30 am
Sunday’s adventure takes you along the Covered Bridges Scenic Bikeway, a 34-mile ride with 1,210 feet of climbing that highlights Cottage Grove’s historic charm and natural beauty.
Follow peaceful roads and the Row River Trail past farms, forests, and six of Oregon’s iconic covered bridges. Enjoy a smooth mix of paved paths and gentle hills—perfect for a relaxed day in the saddle.
For riders looking to add more miles, simply turn back and repeat any favorite section of the Row River Trail before returning to Bohemia Park for a well-earned Sunday lunch and celebration to close out an unforgettable weekend.
34 Miles/1210 Ft
Roll out on Sunday and enjoy your Covered Bridge Scenic Bikeway
Add Miles on Day 2 or take off a few
Repeat and rinse and add an extra trip up this Rails to Trails route prior to your Sunday lunch at Bohemia Park for those that would like more miles. Cut your trip after aid 1 and head back with a mostly downhill trip back to Cottage Grove on the Row River Trail
Venue Map Interactive
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Key Places
From Friday to Sunday Key places for your NWTR rally
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Want a bigger image? Click the top right icon
Look for updates as the event draws closer
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Relax
So many great places to visit from Wineries to local food and farm fresh produce. Cottage Grove is a special place
Vendor Fair/Sponsors NWTR 2026
Sponsor/Vendor
At Co-Motion Cycles, we’ve built our reputation on constructing cleanly designed and elegantly executed bicycles since 1988: Bicycles that serve a real purpose for cyclists who expect real performance without unnecessary hype.
Sponsor/Vendor
World Class Wheels locally built and produced in Eugene, Oregon. Check out why Rolf Prima is built for your cycling adventure.
Organization/Vendor
Welcome to the home of the Northwest Tandem Rally. The NWTR has traveled extensively throughout the northwest since 1986. The event is traditionally held either on Memorial Day weekend or Fourth of July weekend. It is produced as an all-volunteer event, designed to be family-oriented, grassroots, and affordable.
Sponsor
Servicing Portland, Eugene & Bend. Bicycle Accident Law understands the cyclist, multisport athlete, and injured party’s point of view. Matthew Scarborough, Esq., is an avid cyclist and experienced personal injury attorney representing injured parties across the nation.
Sponsor
We are a trusted and reliable South African manufacturer of innovative bicycle care products, founded, owned, and managed by passionate cyclists since 2003. We are a wax-based lube that simply works in all conditions, especially for the demands of Tandem Cycling.
Sponsor
Since 1987 Fuelling Athleties from the casual to National Champions. We proudly serve Hammer Nutrition at all of our events. Click the link to save 15% on your first order with Hammer Nutrition.
Sponsor
We’re thrilled to welcome Eugene, Cascades & Coast Sports as a sponsor for the 2026 Northwest Tandem Rally in Cottage Grove, Oregon. Known for championing sports tourism and community events throughout the region, Eugene, Cascades & Coast Sports helps bring our cycling community together in the heart of the Willamette Valley.
Sponsor/Vendor
Coast Fork Brewing is proud to support the Northwest Tandem Rally, June 5–7, 2026. As a beloved local gathering spot in Cottage Grove, they’ll be offering riders and guests exceptional craft beverages, great food, and a welcoming community atmosphere. Whether you’re relaxing after a ride or meeting fellow tandem teams, Coast Fork Brewing is the perfect place to unwind and enjoy true local flavor.
Sponsor
Pactimo has found continuous inspiration in our home’s breathtaking beauty and extreme conditions to develop cycling apparel for every climate, elevation, and adventure. Since 2003, we have shipped over 2.5+ million garments to champions, teams, clubs, and individual cyclists around the globe.
Sponsor/Mechanical Support
Official Mechanical Support for the 2026 Northwest Tandem Rally
Bicycle Way of Life is one of Eugene’s most trusted and community-focused bike shops, proudly serving riders of every style for over 30 years. Known for friendly service, expert mechanics, and a passion for getting people out on bikes, their team will be on-site throughout the Northwest Tandem Rally, providing mechanical support, advice, and a welcoming presence for all participants.
Vendor/Mechanical Support
TandemEZ, Salem, Oregon, sells or rents its tandem gravel e-bikes with independent cranks, front suspension, and a low entry frame, and offers delivery/tours in Oregon.
FAQs
FAQ's
Why a Tandem? Submitted by Team Walsh
I have a gravel bike, and I love my mountain bike; neither of those
bikes make people smile.
The tandem starts conversations.
Parents with children stop and wave.
People are compelled to yell, “She is not peddling,” and laugh out
loud.
Even the ferry captain reassures us that our bike is safe.
It seems everyone wants to be a part of “our team”.
It is bigger than just the 2 of us!
Team Walsh
For your Why a Tandem comment, please send it to mike@mudslingerevents.com with a photo, and who knows, you could be low-key famous. THX Team Walsh!
Is Camping available?
YES — through registration, you may reserve a tent space or a Sprinter van/pickup site (up to 20 ft total length) onsite at Bohemia Park. The cost for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday is $10.00. This $10.00 will be donated and split between our nonprofit partners: Cottage Grove Aqua Lions, Coast Fork Kiwanis, Key Club, and Lions Club, who will share in your generosity.
Space is limited, so please register soon.
Additional tent camping is also available at Coiner Park, close to the venue.e.
RV Camping
Recreation.gov is your best resource, or check back as we look to tie up local RV space, no hook ups
Where to stay?
The Northwest Tandem Rally has a few partner hotels within 10-20 minutes of the event, plus camping and other options. Supplies are limited so book early and check back as we add more partners or opportunities. Please know the most challenging request will be a 30 ft 5th wheel, which is challenging for Cottage Grove.
- Comfort Inn and Suites Creswell, 10 Minutes away. Reserve with Rally Rate Book early LINK
- La Quinta 20 Minutes away– Reserve with Rally Rate Limited Rooms Book early LINK
- Holiday Inn Express 20 Minutes away – Book Now Limited Rooms Book early LINK
- Travel Lane County Visitor Page – Explore additional hotels, campgrounds, and vacation rentals throughout the
Eugene, Cascades & Coast region
LINK
→Explore Lane County Lodging » - Sprinter Van and Tent Camping onsite at Bohemia Park and Reservable via BikeReg registration
- RV Camping can be located at Recreation.govor this local LINK
Still have a question?
All questions welcome for your tandem fun. Want the latest on NWTR 2026? Make sure to follow NWTR social and or subscribe to the Mudslinger Events Newsletter below
