Going on vacation to Eugene July 1st- 7th. Wondering if anyone could recommend things to do? Also wanting to get some training in while i’m there, would enjoy someone to join and show me the roads, and where to swim OW, etc. I won’t be able to take my bike there so I am assuming I will be able to rent one? any recommendations on where to do so?
why not run Pre’s trail? it supposed to be great, I also think there are multiple-weekly for fun, anyone can enter track meets at hayward field. and, not that I would know, but I hear that eugene can be quite the horticultural experience…if you are into that sort of thing.
I was in Eugene for a few hours last year. Hayward Field and Pre Rock are must dos (bring something to the rock, you’ll feel dorky until you get there, then you’ll be glad you did). Downtown Eugene is pretty cool for eating/drinking/people watching. Kinda obvious stuff, but that’s all I have.
I’d go to hayward field and run a 5k on the track balls to the wall. Just to experience what it feels like on Pre’s home court.
thats an awsome idea, but dont forget Pre’s trail, I think its like 10 miles of wood chipped trail through forests and stuff like that, its probably a must do if you have the time.
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okay so its not as long as I thought, but im sure its sweet still. http://www.answers.com/topic/pre-s-trail
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i’ll second Pre’s trail, a must do for any runner. woodchipped trails right in town, behind Autzen stadium. Hayward Field is closed for renovations for 2008 Oly Trials and NCAAs. as far as biking, you have a plethora of farm roads and small highways to choose from, all pretty much safe for bikers. the Willamette Valley is choice riding terrain. you will not be disappointed.
if you like wine, head north a little and do some serious Pinot tasting.
have fun.
Top Ten Things to do in Eugene.
- Smoke some dope. Make a contraption that will promote the ultimate buzz.
- Go buy some birks.
- Protest something.
- Make a hemp pullover.
- Go see a Grateful Dead tribute Band.
- Chain yourself to a tree.
- Vandalize a full sized non-hybrid vehicle.
- Start those dreadlocks you have always wanted.
- Come up with a new fragrance of petuli oil.
- Go shroom picking.
Lot’s of things to do in Eugene.
The riding is great in Eugene, I would recommend checking out Collins Cycle, Hutch’s, Pauls and Wheelworks, not sure which one rents. At Collins on 11th and Willamette ask for a guy by the name of Morgan he can tell you all of the good places to ride and run.
Wolf Creek is a great ride, dont miss it!!
I lived in Eugene for awhile now I am in Bend and it is awesome up here.
Go into the Eugene Running company also!!
Have fun and watch out for the Turkey’s and Deer!!!
Eugene has some nice pools - I’m sure you can find them thru parks and rec - i was an AG swimmer there for 13 years… in OR and always did the Eugene meet in the summer… also - it’s not too far from the beach (though you probably dont want to swim in the OR coast) - also Eugene isnt one of the best places to run in the world for NO REASON - just get on the web there’s TONS of trails out there - everyone in Eugene runs! I have not cycled there yet - (moved to CA before i got into that sort of thing) BUT there are tons of low traffic nicely paved roads - just get a map and go! Oh and have fun 
You need to stop at the Steelhead Brewery and have a sampler. Do it after your workout though. Bombay Bomber is a GREAT IPA. ANd smoke some of the local weed, it’s quite tasty.
You should do the Butte to Butte run on the 4th of July. http://www.buttetobutte.org/
Also the Art & the Vineyard festival is going on. http://www.artandthevineyard.org/
Cheers,
Seth, you simply have to run while you are there. The place is rife with good runners and the run vibe. Everyone runs well there - even the plump, bookish freshmen click off 6 min pace with perfect form like they got injected with some freakish running gene at commencement. Hayward was open when I was there two weeks ago and I’ve never seen a track/stadium so prestine - get on there a snap off a least a 400m on the 65 - I started clean shaven and had a moustache by the time I ran one lap - the place is possessed. I also ran on some paved bike trails that paralleled the Willamette river - stunning.
Also - don’t forget the swim resource http://www.usms.org/placswim/placswimform.php?LMSCID=37
Enjoy!
Ian
Eugene sucks- That’s why I moved. It’s a VERY liberal, anti-police town. Pretty, but hippies everywhere.
Lots of student drivers who couldn’t give a damn about bumping a cyclist.
I second the Steelhead bar. Dark, nice atmosphere - classy and clean pub. Two doors down is a pick and choose sushi bar.
Let me know if you need directions or anything.
The top ten list was classic. Thanks for the recommendations I’ll fit them all in. I am also planning on stuffing my face with all the fresh wild caught salmon and fish I can get my hands on, something I can’t do in the mid-west!
Again, if there are any STers in the area and want to get some training in let me know.
thanks again
Seth
Great OW Swimming at either Cottage Grove Lake or Dorena Lake (both reservoirs), south of town about a 30-40 min. drive. Cottage Grove Lake is best right at the dam parking area. Early am best to avoid wind chop and boats, say 6-6:30. I think the Oregon Master Swimming folks (google it) have a link to the website for Emerald swimming, local club that have OW swim workouts there.
I went to U of O (graduated in 2002). I haven’t been back since summer of 2003, but I will actully be there on July 2. Don’t know if I will have time to meet up for a ride or run though. Pre’s trail is one good place to run, it also hooks up to the bike trails along the river if you want to do a long run. Another good place to run is the Amazon trail which connects easily to Rexius trail which can then connect to a very hilly trail (can’t remember the name but I can look it up). The Amazon trail is good for speedwork as it is a flat bark chip trail with a mile loop and 1000m loop–the 1000m loop has every 100m marked off and the 1mile loop(overlaps with the 1000m loop) has every 1/4 mile marked off. This is a good place to spot the Olympic level runners as a lot of them do their speed work here. Hendricks Park is nice to look at the flowers and to run if you are up for the hills. There aren’t a lot of miles of trails, but after you run all the trails you can run out the back of the park and by Pre’s rock, and then down Skyline Blvd. The hills in there are tough and lots of big old trees and rhodedendren(sp?). There are also a couple of cemeteries near some of the trails that are nice to run in and no one yells at you. One is right across from MacArthur Court on the UO Campus and the other is near 24th and Agate(maybe 1/4 mile down or so).
Definetly go to the Eugene Running Company–They weren’t open when I lived there, but one of my friend’s brother is one of the owners and I know the other owner from when I lived there.
I don’t know which one of the bike shops rents bikes. I bought my first road bike from the Paul’s just off 24th. They were always very nice. For riding I definitely recommend riding up Fox Hollow Road. I think it is around 6 miles or so to the top, but it is very pretty. From there you can come back down, or ride further into the countryside. Lots of good riding. Eugene is very bicycle friendly. It was the most bicycle friendly campus I have ever seen.
For pool swimming there is the Amazon outdoor pool, some days they have the lanes switched to 50 yrds/meters. It used to cost $5 per visit for nonmembers. I have been swimming at Dorena once. It was cold, but it was in April.
On the weekends (Saturdays I think) they have the Farmers Market and Street Market. Fun to go people watch and get some fresh fruits and veggies.
Good places to eat: Ring of Fire–Thai, Marche–French I think, whatever it is, it is good, pricey, but not too bad for lunch
Prince Puckler’s Ice Cream, Studio One Cafe (for Breakfast), Track Town Pizza (More for the pictures)
I love Eugene. I would live there if they had any jobs in my field and my husband had work there too. There are some hippies, but there is a good balance of normal people too. There are a lot of active people there, which is really nice.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Damn hippies. I live in Corvallis and we only really go to Eugene to shop or drive through on our way to Oakridge and east so I can’t give you any insight. There is some beautiful country east of Eugene. I love Oregon. I hope you enjoy your trip!
Just refreshing for anymore thoughts, Appreciate all the ideas so far!
<Prince Puckler’s Ice Cream>
Definitely!
Eugene?
Fall back and nuke from orbit.
Go Beavers!
Brett