A bike is placed near the waterfall at Hug Point.

Marked as one of the first events to return to the North Coast, the Cannon Beach Fat Bike Festival will commence on April 30 and ride out the weekend. Throughout the three-day event, attendees can expect scenic bike rides around some of the best sights the coast has to offer.

A fat bike is a bicycle with extra wide tires for off-road terrains, such as sand or mud.

“We make sure the tides are in our favor, guide you to the breathtaking waterfall at Hug Point, send you on a scavenger hunt that highlights local art and hidden gems in the community and plan sunset activities with views of Haystack Rock,” said Daniella Crowder, director of the Cannon Beach Fat Bike Festival.

If You Go

Cannon Beach Fat Bike Festival

April 30 to May 2

Free to participate; bikes are not provided

cannonbeach.org

With funding from the Cannon Beach Tourism and Arts Commission, the Cannon Beach Chamber of Commerce first introduced the event in 2018 to promote local art and culture, and attract tourists. The 2020 festival was canceled because of the coronavirus, making this year’s festival the third.

Festivities will be held according to regional virus guidelines. Event staffers will space out bike ride times so attendees don’t bunch up into bigger groups. Beach activities will be spread over a number of outdoor areas to ensure there is ample room for participants to socially distance themselves.

Festival attendees will kick off day one at the chamber of commerce for a sunset beach ride to Haystack Rock. Participants will receive a passport book which will guide them to explore Cannon Beach and its businesses on their own time.

At the start of day two, fat bike enthusiasts face a 13-mile beach ride past Haystack Rock to arrive at the waterfall in Hug Point State Recreation Site. Along the way, riders will pass the historic stagecoach road, which is carved out of the rocks on the beach.

“(There’s) not many places you can ride your bike past the breathtaking scenery of Haystack Rock and end up at a hidden away waterfall on the beach,” Crowder said.

According to the Cannon Beach History Center and Museum, sources claim a man from Arch Cape had the historic road built in the early 20th century after his motorcar got stuck in the surf and submerged. With the ability to cross Hug Point at low tide, stagecoaches and wagons frequented the road before U.S. Highway 101 was constructed.

Following the ride to the waterfall, the festival offers attendees a scavenger hunt with opportunities to explore the local community’s restaurants, breweries and shops. To top off the day, riders will meet at Tolovana Beach State Recreation Site, in front of Mo’s Restaurant, for some fat bike games and a bonfire.

“We curate some great experiences for you and assure you see the highlights of the community by bike,” Crowder said. “We take care of the details so you can just enjoy yourself.”

On the final day, attendees can visit Klootchy Creek County Park for a self-guided ride through the park’s mountain bike trails.

Klootchy Creek contains up to 14 mountain biking trails. The 25-acre park is also home to the stump of the Klootchy Creek Giant Sitka Spruce, which was the first honoree in the Oregon Heritage Tree program and once held the distinction of largest tree in the state.

For those who want to attend but don’t have fat biking experience, there will be staff and volunteers present to ensure attendees follow safety guidelines.

“All activities are meant to be fun and leisurely. All you need is your own fat bike, mask and helmet, and we will have a wonderful weekend of activities planned for you to enjoy Cannon Beach … and explore the community like a local.”

Festival participants are expected to provide their own fat bikes.