The Long Ride

Riding in Corvallis is special because of MacDonald and Dunn forests.  The riding is close to town, varied with fire road and single track, and requires a lot of climbing (there are not a lot of cross country trails).  As a result you can get a work-out in 8 to 10 miles in about 1 to 1.5 hours.  But there are times when you need the "long" ride, something in the 20 miles range.  Starting in January 2011 the Old Men have been doing one of these type of rides each month in preparation for the C2C and to just have more fun riding.

The have names like "The Mean 18" and "The Love Ride."  For April, the ride was "April Showers" because it was going to make you cry.  It was 21 miles long with 3600 feet of climb.  That is 1/3 the distance of the C2C with 1/2 the climb.  A very good prep ride.

Six brave souls showed up at 6:15 a.m. last Saturday to take on the challenge.  We started at the 200 gate in 32 degree weather, went down to the 100 and climbed the 130 route up to the top of Forest Peak. On the last climb of the day (back up the 400) the temp was 54 degrees.  We finished at 10:00 a.m. with 2 hrs and 45 mins of saddle time.

The Brave Riders

Scout Trail



On the Ritz trail system