Mike Cosgrove

SUNRIVER – If Eastern Oregon had an ambassador for bicycling, John Day resident Mike Cosgrove certainly could claim the title.

His efforts to promote cycling tourism, long noted in the Grant County, are garnering statewide attention.

Last week he received the Outstanding Oregon Tourism Volunteer Award from the Oregon Tourism Commission. It was one of several honors announced at the 2014 Governor’s Conference on Tourism in Sunriver.

The award recognizes his significant commitment and impact on the travel and tourism industry.

Cosgrove is the immediate past chair of the Oregon Scenic Bikeways Committee at the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department and was the driving force behind the establishment of the Old West Scenic Bikeway in Grant County.

He was pleased with the recognition, although he said it was never the point.

“I’m not doing this to get accolades, but it is fun once you get them,” he said.

An avid cyclist, his efforts aren’t just about the sport, but about helping support local communities and businesses.

Cosgrove said cycle tourism last year generated over $400 million in the state.

“Part of my mission is to see that Grant County gets its fair share,” he said.

While some people see cyclists on the roadway as a hassle, he urges them to imagine a big dollar sign on each rider’s back.

Even small groups of riders can have an impact, he said, spending money on lodging, meals and incidentals. He said the impact is relatively greater for cyclists than for auto tourists, who drive in and out the county, and are gone.

Cyclists on the scenic bikeway take days to explore the county, patronizing businesses as they pedal along.

He said businesses in Monument and Prairie City, for example, have embraced cycling and are seeing a benefit for business.

Cosgrove also lauded the effort shown by local businesses and individuals to welcome cyclists.

“The stories that come out of Grant County about people going out of their way, beyond the call of duty, to make sure cyclists have a positive experience – those are stories the cyclists take home to their communities,” he said.

Oregon as a whole has a solid, and growing, reputation as a great place for cycling, he said, adding that about a third of the tourists coming into the state have cycling of one type or another as part of their plans.

While road cycling and mountain biking are popular, Cosgrove has a new style of biking to promote these days.

He plans to bring state tourism representatives to Grant County this week to show them a few routes for “gravel biking.”

Gravel enthusiasts seek out unpaved roads, usually graveled, to explore. Cosgrove said it’s for people who want to get away from paved roads and highways, but aren’t looking for technical trail riding.

He figures Grant County has about 10,000 miles of gravel road to offer, in the forest and on county byways. He’s going to take his visitors to three routes – out of Dayville, Seneca and Prairie City.

“That’s my Whitman’s Sampler,” he quipped, noting he has identified 24 routes so far.

In addition to promoting cycling, Cosgrove was recognized for started a volunteer bike repair clinic in John Day that has since been turned over to Sue-Z-Q’s to run as part of its business. Cosgrove said that was his intent, to do the start-up and then let someone carry on after it was established.

“I love my retirement,” the former school counselor said with a laugh.

Cosgrove is due to receive more recognition thanks to cycling enthusiasts and friends Karen Jacobs, Doug Smith and Leslie Stillwater. The trio nominated him for a Bicycle Transportation Alliance award that he’ll collect May 31 in Portland.

“I really am so grateful to them,” he said.