Bend - Just the tip of the iceberg

The great thing about living in Corvallis is Mac and Dunn forest. Great riding just out the back door and then it just gets better.  Mary's Peak, Black Rock, McKenzie Trail, Oak Ridge, Newport, Ashland, the NUT, Hood River, and last but not least Bend.

I just came back from a great week of riding in Bend.  The great thing about riding in a new place is experiencing new trails.  Riding in Corvallis is all about long climbs and quick down hills.  Bend is more about contour riding compared to home.  Highlights were walking the planks on "the old Pirate" trail.  Riding the COD and the Storm.  But the highlight was getting dropped off at Mt. Bachelor and riding almost 22 miles of single track all the way back to 7th Mountain Inn.  The highlight being the new "Funner" trail.

When not riding we hiked Mt. Bachelor, Tam McArthur Rim, and Iron Mountain.  Plus I visited as many bike shops as I could, and Bend has a lot.  What Bend also has are some great places to eat.  So what does this all mean, one that I'm not a great writer, but two that Bend is a place that all mountain bikers need to make a trip too, like Moab or Whistler.  It is all about great riding.  But of course, I've found that anytime I'm on my bike and riding a new or old trail I'm thinking, "man everyone needs to ride this."


Miles and miles of tree dodging

Fun on the Funner

Walking the Plank

Always pay the Troll the toll

At the falls

Do we have to leave?

Through a Kids Eyes

There are times when even a "weekend warrior" mountain bike rider gets caught up "business" of riding.  Stressing over tire pressure, chain lube, or gearing, etc.  So it is great when why we ride gets put back into perspective.  Friday I came after a long day of work and just as I get out of my car up walks my neighbor kid from across the street with his friend.  They are pushing a BMX bike with a flat, and the first thing they say is "Mr. Cole, what is your schedule like today."  How can you say anything but, "bring it on it and lets have a look."  I put it on the stand and fixed the flat.  They my neighbor says, Mr. Cole, can you fix mine too?  Of course.  So he runs over and gets it.  Then I let them take my 10' see-saw obstacle and my 4"x6" by 10' "skinny".  They took them across the street, setup a ramp and started sessioning them.  I went in to eat.  About 30 mins later, there is a knock at the door, and it is my two young friends and they say "Do you want to come ride with us."  Of course the 50 year old in me thinks of a hundred other things I need to do, but the kid in me says "why not."  So there you have it, three kids sessioning in the street on Highland as the sun is setting.  We hit the see-saw, bunny hopped, road the skinny and the curbs, and in general just had fun with big smiles on our faces.  I want back home with a big smile on my face and a refreshed view of why I like to ride.