Siskiyou County can experience severe winter storms, leading to power outages and road closures across the region. Travelers are advised to exercise caution, plan ahead, and check local updates before heading out.
Stay informed with the latest road conditions and emergency alerts to ensure your safety. For real-time updates, visit Caltrans’ site (District 2) or follow local authorities on Facebook.
NOTE: Event details and postponements are constantly being updated in light of COVID-19. Please contact individual event organizers for details before making plans.
The 12th Annual Art of Survival Century and Gravel Grinder Bicycle Ride event isn’t just about pedaling a road or mountain bike through beautiful stretches of the countryside. It’s also an opportunity to learn about a region that includes Southern Oregon’s Klamath Basin and Northern California’s Tulelake Basin and Butte Valley area. What is unique about this event—which is a ride, not a race—is that each rest stop offers an educational component highlighting the geology of the area, cultural history, geography, and environmental issues; along with providing fluids and nutritious snacks.
This year, the event highlights Lava Beds National Monument’s 100th Anniversary. President Calvin Coolidge designated Lava Beds as a national monument in 1925. Lava Beds is just over 47,000 acres and is part of the homeland of the Modoc people. Lava Beds sits on the northern flank of the Medicine Lake shield volcano and is dotted with dozens of eruption locations. Underground you will find over 900 lava tube caves. Several sites within Lava Beds were key campsites and battlefield locations for the Modoc War of 1872-1873. In addition to the war sites, thousands of years of Native American history can be found within the monument. This area is still infused with the cultural and spiritual importance for the Modoc and Klamath Tribes.
Traverse this scenic and historic place while riding the century and metric century rides on Saturday. The Lava Beds National Monument will be open throughout the holiday weekend, so if you don’t ride through the park, feel free to visit while you are in the area. Immerse yourself in the natural wonders of Lava Beds National Monument while walking in the footprints of the Modoc People and learning about a significant event in their history.
Day 1, Saturday, May 25: Choose from four routes that begin and end at the Malin Community Park in Malin, OR – 100-mile Century, 62-mile Metric Century, 38-mile and a family friendly 14-mile road routes.
Day 2, Sunday, May 26, is a Gravel Grinder Mix covering distances of 74 and 54 miles plus a family friendly 13-mile route. All gravel routes begin and end at the Butte Valley Community Center in Dorris, CA. Participants will ride along the flatlands of Butte Valley, including the Butte Valley Wildlife Area, farms, ranches and up to beautiful Juanita Lake for breakfast.
Registration Fees Saturday: $80 for the Century and Metric Century, $60 for 38-mile and $25 for family friendly14-mile route. Sunday: $80 for 74 and 54-mile, and $25 for family friendly 13-mile route. However, if riders register for both days, they will receive a discount. The cost for all routes will increase $10 after May 16. Fees include rest stop food and beverages, SAG, delicious post-ride meal on both days and SWAG.
A pre-ride reception will be held Friday, May 23 from 4:00-6:30 p.m. at the Malin Broadway Theater in Malin, OR for cyclists to pick up their ride packets, enjoy light refreshments, discover new area activities, and learn more about the “Lava Beds National Monument 100th Anniversary” celebration. The committee welcomes all to attend this reception and enjoy a visit with the locals.
Post-ride meals will be offered on both days and are included in the registration fees. The cost for non-riders is $18 both days. The Malin meal will likely feature locally grown, load-your-own baked potatoes while Dorris will offer yummy lasagna.
For more information and to register visit the website at www.survivalcentury.com.