Why We Live and Ride in Corvallis

Corvallis is a special place, it is small, has great bike shops, with great riding in your back yard. But one very special point is the weather. I have a lot of friends (even those in Bend) who have to put away their bikes or move to the trainer because they can't ride outside. In Corvallis we can ride year round, and not just on gravel fire roads. Generally there is good single track year round except in the early spring when the warm rains come. For example through most of January and most of February we had cold dry conditions so the single track trails were in great shape. That's why Corvallis is one of the best places for Mountain Bikers.

With Fenders

Without Fenders

Firsts

There are all kinds of "firsts" in outdoor adventure activities. Many want to be the first to say they were first. Then they can talk about their "first" assent of this place or that place. Others just want to do something that no one else has done. The rest of us have firsts, but they are personal firsts. The first time I have climbed this, road that, or done this.

I love riding favorite trails, but there is something about riding a new trail for the first time. Today was one of those days. The "Old Men Seven AM" (which is an every Saturday ride at 7:00 a.m.) road up to almost the top of Forest Peak on the "roads" then came down what I think is called "Stairway to Heaven" which is a wonderful ride, as we came out on the road (this was my second time riding this section) I said to Frank, "There must be a connector, there is to much gravel road left to go down." Sure enough Frank found it on the other side of the road and away we went on some wonderful new single track that came out on Wristman Creek. I need to learn the names, but it is well worth the climb up to enjoy the ride down.

I really enjoy the "firsts" of a new trail. Seeing where it goes, where it comes out, thinking about who put it there and wanting to thank them. Riding in the MacDunn is beautiful, and this was a perfect example. Old grown, new growth, moss, nice lines and a wonderful view as we crossed one of the log roads, of a perfect "tunnel" of evergreens on each side of the lane. It was a memorable "first" and that will soon become a "favorite."

Morning Rides

I like morning rides because most of the time I'm alone, things are quiet, the animals are out, and I don't have to worry about hitting someone coming up the single track. Plus, it seems like the weather is also just waking up. There are many times when I finish riding about 8:30 a.m. that the rain starts, but not before. You also get to experience the "warming effect" of a morning ride. For instance, I started at the Oak Creek gate at 7:00 a.m. on MLK day and it was 24 degrees. An hour later (60:47 to be exact, I know not a real fast time, but steady) I reach the bench on the top of McCulloch Peak and it is 39 with a stunning view. I get an ice pick coming down after the South Side Slip because it is only 27 at the car.

This is the same reason I like night rides, not riding in the dark, but a night ride which start about 9:30 p.m. The weather quiets down and the animals are back out and we don't have to worry about running into anyone coming up the trails.

I mention that because also on MLK day, my wife wanted to hike, so we also started at the Oak Creek gate at 1:00 p.m. and hiked up to the "half way" bench just before you get to the Endo trail head. In that 1.5 hour round trip we saw about 20+ hikers, numerous dogs, and 10 mountain bikers (where we you at 7:00 a.m?). It was like grand central. Now I admit, the Oak Creek gate like the Saddle is the Highway of Mac Forrest, but still in the morning even on a busy use day, you have the place to yourself.

The other advantage of early morning or late night rides is that you have the entire day to do everything else you need or be with the family. I find they are much more supportive of me riding when it doesn't doesn't impact the family or become a "burden."

New Year - Same Story - Snow and Mud

New Year's morning with the annual ride up McCulloch. Darin, Ryan and I went up the "traditional" way. Climbed the first half of "the Wall" then ran into snow on the road. It was thick and slick. We had to push up the second half of The Wall. Once we made the junction at the ridge we decided to head back down, but went the back way down the the wall bypass thinking it would be better. Big mistake. No one had gone that way and the snow was so deep and thick that going down hill I was stopped and didn't fall over. We didn't get rained up going up, but did coming down, and it hasn't stopped raining yet.


Why wash it, it will just get dirty tomorrow


Fenders, we don't need no stinking fenders


Darin on his new "Redline 29'r" hardtail 9-speed

Trail Maintenance and Slick Sticks

If you have ever hit a "slick stick" you know how painful that can be. A "slick stick" is that twig, branch or stick that hidden (most times) and runs almost parallel (in the worst case) to the trail. Hitting one on a downhill (especially in moist situations) results in an unsuspecting and often painful crash (I have a perma-lump on my hip from one of these). That is why it is important (I feel) to watch out for other mountain bikers and take the time to stop and do trail maintenance when you see something not right (or dangerous).


For example, yesterday I went for a ride up the 700 to the 760, then climbed up "Rocky Road" then to "Stick in the Eye" and then down to the ''Cork Screw". I had to stop at least 20 times to remove a number of "fall downs." The heavy wet snow, wind, and the rain really did a number on the trees.

What a Difference a Day Makes

I take back everything I said yesterday. I did the same ride as yesterday but in reverse, and when I got to the top of Dimple, I was amazed all the snow was gone! 8" of it. Horse and Dan's are a river as there is so much water coming down. The morning was one of the worst days I have ever road in, and then the afternoon was sunny. What a crazy day. At least now you won't have to worry about snow getting in the way of your ride.

Dimple in the Snow

Started at the Lester Ave gate and road up Dan's this morning. The trail was in good shape for the first half, then a little muddy at "The Diving Board", it was only the last 200 feet where the snow or slick ice made it tough going. On top there is about 8". Went down the road on the back side and if it wasn't for the cross country ski tracks I would have been walking as the snow was very deep and I followed the track all the way to Horse, then back down to the car. Above 800 ft you are going to find snow for the next week I would guess.