No one can offer better local recommendations than the locals, so when it comes to cycling, there is no better person to turn to than our General Manager, Samuel Diaz. Sam is a local and long-time cycling enthusiast who knows the cycling paths like the back of his hand. Sam is eager to share recommendations with you, from his favorite biking paths to his advice for riders coming the mid-Willamette Valley for the first time. Read below and update your bucket list for cycling spots near Independence!
Dressed to ride to Oktoberfest in Mt. Angel! Lederhosen are always in style!
When Sam isn’t on his bike, he’s at the helm of the hotel! Sam is always inspired to share the great outdoor experiences in the area with our guests!
Q& A with General Manager, Samuel Diaz:
IH: What is your personal #1 favorite biking path near the Independence? And why do you think it’s your favorite?
SD: My favorite short path near the Hotel is the riverfront path that goes from the boat docks to the city hall building. It is such an easy ride and extremely beautiful with the majority of the ride being along the riverfront. But my favorite long ride is through the countryside just to the south of the hotel. I take the main roads south to the Buena Vista Ferry, cross the river, and head out to Ankeney Vineyards before looping back to the hotel. It’s the perfect distance for any level of rider.
IH: What route would you recommend for the experienced cycler? What about for beginning cyclists?
SD: For the experienced cyclist, I recommend riding from the hotel into West Salem, crossing into Wallace Marine Park, then Salem river front, and eventually Minto Brown. From there you can ride down River Road and stop for treat at Croft Vineyards tasting room before returning to The Independence.
For beginners I recommend riding through and around Minto Brown Park. There are so many well-paved trails with enough space for cyclist and foot traffic, and you can make your ride as long or as short as you want to.
Check out the trails in Minto Brown Park in Salem, great for cycling and walking too!
IH: If you don’t have your own gear, is there a place nearby to rent it? (What about if you need a bike?)
SD: No need to fear if you don’t have gear! Any guest of The Independence Hotel can grab one of our four amazing commuter bikes and helmets that are maintained by The Bike Peddler in downtown Salem. (PS They are an amazing shop; my personal favorite!). Or if you want to be a little more adventurous and rent a mountain bike, (or a dedicated road bike) our friends over at The Bike Peddler can set you up for success in a heartbeat!
IH: Do you listen to music when you ride? If so, what are 3 songs you recommend listening to on a biking adventure?
SD: I love to listen to music when I ride. It helps me set the pace and push through it on long rides, as well as relax me on the days that I just want to cruise the roads and take it easy. But I have to say the top three songs I always have on my playlist are: 1) Bicycle Race by Queen, 2) Hail to the King by Avenged Sevenfold, and 3) When My Train Pulls In by Gary Clark Jr.
Cyclists staying at The Independence Hotel ride from the Hotel to the Buena Vista Ferry.
SD: I love to listen to music when I ride. It helps me set the pace and push through it on long rides, as well as relax me on the days that I just want to cruise the roads and take it easy. But I have to say the top three songs I always have on my playlist are: 1) Bicycle Race by Queen, 2) Hail to the King by Avenged Sevenfold, and 3) When My Train Pulls In by Gary Clark Jr.
IH: What is your top piece of advice for someone who is planning their first ride in Independence?
SD: My top piece of advice for anyone doing their first ride in Independence is unless you are riding through the park, be prepared to share the road with cars and wear visible clothing. There are some really amazing rides and great sights in our area, but the one downside to a small town like us is there are not a lot of bike lanes just yet, but the city is slowly adding them in to help make the roads safer for all of us.
We have bikes available to borrow from the front desk. Sam selected these bikes, perfect for day trips.
Riders gather for a spring ride outside the hotel. Rain or shine, there isn’t a bad day for a bike ride.
IH: Do you have a favorite season to cycle in? Does your favorite biking path switch depending on the season?
SD: I love to cycle year-round, but I will say early morning rides during the summer will always be my favorite. There is just something so magical about watching the sunrise over the cascade range and then still being able to enjoy the rest of my day with my family.
IH: Where is your favorite place to grab food and/or a drink after a ride?
SD: After a good long ride, it’s always such a reward to stop in at Parallel 45 for a glass of their Irish Stout and a few Fish tacos from the food cart out front.
*So there you have it! Now, who’s ready to ride? With spring in full bloom and summer approaching, we can’t wait to host you at The Independence Hotel!
