When freelance travel writer and Portland resident Ellee Thalheimer went in search of multi-day cycling tours around her home state, the author of Lonely Planet’s guidebook “Cycling Italy” found information lacking.

So she set out to do what any travel writer and cycling enthusiast might. She got on her bike and rode. And then she wrote.

“Cycling Sojourner: A Guide to the Best Multi-Day Tours in Oregon” is the fruit of the 34-year-old’s two-wheeled labors. Along with the straight dope on the eight cycle tours she developed around the state, Thalheimer’s book is crammed with maps and information about the sights to see, along with colorful asides, photos from the road, witty quotes, packing advice and other tidbits that make it both a fun and useful read.

On Friday in Redmond and Saturday in Sisters, Thalheimer will offer PowerPoint presentations about the book’s tours around Oregon, including “Cascade Classic: The Sweet Sauce of Central Oregon,” a five-day, four-night loop covering 248 miles through Rainbow, Oakridge, Cascade Lakes Highway, Bend and Sisters.

Sponsored by Travel Oregon and the nonprofit Cycle Oregon, Thalheimer also developed rides for the coast, wine country, Steens Mountain and other parts of the state.

Her presentation, Thalheimer says, “will have the story behind the book, and photos from all over Oregon. I talk a little about cycle touring itself, and what that entails,” she told The Bulletin.

For the novice cyclist, things to consider include weather, camping vs. hotels, “and your own fitness level and what you want out of the tour,” she said. “Some people are going to be pedal mashers who want to hit their maximum heart rate for X amount of time and have it be a physical challenge. So that sort of itinerary and planning would be different than if you wanted to just get out and see some cool stuff and be self-propelled and take your time, then you would plan itinerary a little different.”

Thalheimer says her next research project is a “Cycling Sojourner” book for the state of Washington.

Asked if she had a favorite ride in Oregon, Thalheimer said, “People ask me that question all the time, and it all depends on my mood.”

For truly getting away from it all, she’d head to Eastern Oregon. “I just love it,” she said.

“If I want to have a little bit more culture, and maybe some wine, and didn’t want to use a car from Portland, I’d pick Willamette Valley wine country,” she said. “If I wanted to use a car a little bit, I’d pick the Cascades. I’d get the forest aspect, and I’d also get to hang out in Bend and Sisters.”

IF YOU GO

What: Book signing and PowerPoint presentation by Ellee Thalheimer, author of “Cycling Sojourner: A Guide to the Best Multi-Day Tours in Oregon”

Details:

* 6 p.m. Friday at Paulina Springs Books, 422 S.W. Sixth St., Redmond (541-526-1491)

* 6 p.m. Saturday at Paulina Springs Books, 252 W. Hood Ave., Sisters (541-549-0866)

Cost: Free