McMinnville Fun on Wheels | Visit McMinnville

A man takes a selfie with a large group of people who are all wearing skates and posing for a group shot in a large indoor space. — *Walnut City Rollers. Photo courtesy of the Moorhead Family.*

Summer in McMinnville means blue skies and sunny days, and there’s no better way to enjoy them than a set of wheels beneath you and the breeze on your face as you roll. Whether your pick is a bicycle, a skateboard, or a set of skates, McMinnville has a great outdoor scene for fun on wheels. Here’s what you need to know to get started.

Two men ride their bikes with golden sun shining on them. They smile and pass a green field. — *You’ll find a gorgeous view around every bend. Photo by Natalie Starr.*

For cyclists:

Winding wine country backroads with beautiful views are a favorite destination for road cycling enthusiasts. And there are great, technically challenging routes for mountain and gravel riders in the foothills of the Coast Range, not far from downtown McMinnville. There are bike lanes on many main roads in town, for more casual local cruising. Check out these local rides and other cycling resources including an interactive map of routes and destinations.

Tommy’s Bicycle Shop is the epicenter for cycling in McMinnville. It’s home to Mac Bike Rentals where from April to October depending on the rain, you can rent both regular and e-bikes. If you have a bike that’s been neglected in your garage it’s the place to take it for a tune-up. They offer repair and sales on new bikes for both adults and kids. Looking for a guided bicycle tour? Possibly with wine involved? Check out Wine de Roads. They offer guided winery tours for up to six participants, that include a picnic lunch.

For skateboarders:

Skateboard fans have a couple of local destinations. The Drew Gary Ottley Memorial Skate Park is located within Joe Dancer Park on the east side of town. There’s a second skate park, on the west side of McMinnville, at Discovery Meadows Community Park. A short drive away, Newberg’s Chehalem Skatepark, located within Ewing Young Historical Park, is a 30,000 square foot park that features several transfers, big and small ramps, one capsule, one quarter-pipe and one half-pipe. There is also a separate beginner area with small ramps and gentle slopes. In general, the public skate parks all require helmets and are open from dawn until dusk. If you need gear, check out Sunny Skate Shop. It’s located inside Tommy’s Bike Shop and stocks decks and parts. Braille Skateboarding in Newberg also has apparel and shoes.

Two smiling people wearing skates hold onto pvc pipe guides to help them learn how to skate. — *It’s never too late to learn to skate. Photo courtesy of the Moorhead Family.*

For roller and in-line skaters:

McMinnville non-profit organization Walnut City Rollers was founded with the goal of giving local kids a safe, fun community activity. They host skate nights at the McMinnville Community Center and open, all-ages skating events for families most often at the Leslie Lewis Pavillion at the Yamhill County Fairgrounds. Whether you prefer roller skates and in-line skates, all skates are welcome! The organization regularly partners with Traveling Wheelz to provide skate rental at their events, so visitors can skate and locals can try it out without making the commitment of buying equipment first. It’s free to skate if you bring your own skates! They’re taking a brief break during the summer months, but they’re fundraising and planning to resume their events in autumn.

Emily Teel (she/her) writes about cooking and dining and develops recipes on behalf of national brands. Mom to a toddler, she’s also an avid gardener and loves to forage for mushrooms in berries in the Pacific Northwest.