Why Two Road Trips Are Better Than One! Whistler 2017

Whistler Bike Park IS everything they say it is and more for a mountain biker.  It is the gold standard of bike parks for good reason.  This was my first trip to Whistler.  The Old Men went last year, but I broke my ankle riding at Alsea Falls three days before our scheduled trip.  So my Suburban went, but I didn't.

I wasn't sure what to expect on this second road trip of 2017.  You watch the videos and you think only the pros ride Whistler, but that isn't the case.  I saw every age from ripping 5 year olds on mini full suspension bikes to senior citizen ladies on dual crowns.

The trail system is well marked with names and colors.  A green run is a green run, very easy, blue more difficult and black and double black are just that.  They also have every trail on the map listed in a table of progression.  So you can start at the top with the easiest green run and progress your way down to the double blacks over time.

This was a very different trip than Moab.  While we still had the same Suburban, we only had to drive 8 hours vs. 16.  The riding was just as fun, but it was different doing everything via lift access.  If you were going to ride more than three days, then you could bring your bike and ride some of the great non-lift access trails.  Otherwise the best thing to do is rent a bike there, because your bike will take a beating and renting a nice carbon dual-crown makes the riding so much better.

Whistler can be expensive, but it is Canadian expensive.  A three day bike rental for a carbon dual crown was $290 CAN.  A three day park pass was $186 CAN (an extra $35 for Top of the World). You will also want a full-face helmet, goggles and some body protection (knee pads, elbow pads, armor - depending on the level of riding you will be doing).  I found the food to be very good and reasonably priced all about 60 yards from the lift.  You just don't find all that including the shopping and other activities (zip line, rafting, etc.) all so close in one spot. The nice thing about renting the bike is that you can spray it off and leave it with the shop over night or if you just want to each and shop so you don't have to worry about watching it or locking it up.

Other things to know, first remember your passport as it is required to get in and out of Canada.  Second, at least in the Village their prices are Canadian, but if you give them US cash, they will give you Canadian change, so you will lose money in that exchange. Some things like phone chargers, micro SD cards (for your GoPro) or accessories like that are more expensive because you are stuck there and you need it.  Our condo had a kitchen and there is a nice Market there to buy all you need to make meals "at home."  Finally, things in the village close early.  You can ride (at least when we were there in July) until 8:00 p.m. (lifts open at 10:00 a.m.) which is great (I never made it that long), but almost all the restaurants and shops close at 9:00 p.m. so you have to plan for that.

There is also a professional photographer (bikeparkphotos.com) who posts of list of what trails he will be on at what times each day. So you can ride that trail during that time and see if you like his photo of you.  Three of the ones below are from that site and I've placed some videos on my page at:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMkKHTWdQnSsgbMFFIckIDQ

The best part about any road trip is enjoying it with people you like to be around.  This trip had lots of laughs, no broken bones, great riding which gave us a year's worth of stories to share (including staying up way to late to watch Strange Brew, no meat and $30 nachos).

Three in a rippen row

Look Mom, Matching Helmets

You'll be a better jumper when you are done

Magazine Shot

More Jumping

Top of the World with the Boys

Why Mountain Bike Road Trips Are Still Fun - Moab 2017

This has been a very hard winter for even hard core Oregonians.  It has rained almost double a normal year already, which means it has been a hard winter riding season.  The season has also been bad because of all the "targeted" logging that has happened in the last 12 months in the area.  Now that may not be fair assessment, but it seems strange that all the great "unofficial" trails that have been in the Mac for the last 20+ years have been logged, like No Secret, The Plunge and Chuft, Live and let Die for example. This includes the current logging of Tin Can, Brown Knows and South Side Slip. So it has made putting together rides very difficult. Other trails like Narnia, Word and As You Wish have been closed.

So the OMMBC went on a road trip, which we do every year about this time because we are tired of riding in the mud, wet and cold.  Every other year we pile in the Suburban, drive 16 hours and ride in the sun, warmth and rocks of Moab.  This was that year and this is why Road Trips are still fun.

Road trips are still fun if you are with a group of guys (or girls) that get along.  When you are in close quarters for that long, personalities have to mess.  You are sitting for long hours in a car, sleeping in hotels or bunks, buying groceries and riding.  Under those conditions quirks can get blown into issues that could damage relationships if not kept in check.  So choosing your trip mates needs to be considered. I'm lucky enough to have 15 to 20 guys that could fit into that category.  And this year six of the best went with me.

Road Trips are still fun because riding new or trails you ride only once a year is one of the best things about mountain biking.  Road trips put you on trails different from your regular home rides and many times in conditions you don't normally ride.  For example, in Oregon the trails are mostly under a forest canopy with more roots and logs than rocks.  Moab is the opposite, it is all about rocks, drops and slick rock. This change in conditions improves your riding which can make riding more fun when you get back.

Road Trips are still fun because you get to see new places, eat at new places, visit new bike shops and laugh a lot.  The beauty of a riding a mountain bike is that you have to be in the moment, which means you can't think about work or any other worries back home.  It is said that roadies are always training and mountain bikers are always smiling.  I think that is true, and Moab put a lot of  smiles on our faces.  From the quesadilla food truck to Milt's and from Poison Spider to Chili Pepper Moab is a fun place to be off the bike too.  You know it is a good trip when you forget what day it is.

 

So if you get a chance to go on a Road Trip do it (and take lots of pictures and video)!  It will give you a break from the routine, make you feel like a kid again and make you a better rider.  Now go ride!

Here is the URL to one of our videos from this trip.  Porcupine Rim Trail: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K78pS95Fp2w

The Winter of 2017 - Please End

It has been a very long a non-typical winter in Corvallis this year.  For example, the normal average rain fall for February at the Portland Airport is 3".  This past February they got over 10".  Here in Corvallis has been no different.  We have received large amounts of rain and even snow (on more than one occasion) at higher elevations.  This along with the "appears" to be "targeted logging" of areas where non-official trails live and the closing of Starker land has really created a miserable time of riding.

With that said, there have been bright spots.  Riding in the snow is unique and fun (until it gets to deep or iced over).  Some of the trails have held up well and provide great "muddy" conditions that are rideable. Sometimes you just need to get out and ride "Dan's and Horse" just to get out. It is getting lighter longer and Spring is almost here, which means Summer is just around the corner!

Recovery or Why We Get Back on the Bike

It is said that the doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results is the definition of insanity (which is really extreme foolishness or irrationality or a state of madness).  Some people would apply both definitions to any one who mountain bikes.  Why do we (mountain bikers) think we can fly down trails, drop of ledges and dodge trees and expect not to get hurt.  Because we love the thrill (yes) the rush (yes), but really it is for what I call the "moment."  The thing about mountain biking is you have to be laser focused on what is happening in that very moment, and that intense focus blocks out everything else.  You aren't worried about work, politics, the neighbor's dog or anything else for that matter.  You are focused only on that next berm, drop or jump, because if you aren't, well we have a saying "look at the scenery, become the scenery." In other words you are in the moment - no past or future, just "now" and if you aren't you are going to crash, a lot.

But that's not to say that you can't "think" while you are climbing.  In the Northwest (at least around Corvallis) climbs will be long and sometimes steep (say a normal 8 mile round trip ride will be a minimum 1600 feet of climbing and many times will be over 2000). So most of the time when you are climbing, you are also in the moment, just trying to make it to the top controlling your cadence, breathing and heartbeat.

Unfortunately, we will do all of this and expect not to get hurt.  If you ask a road biker about their crashes and they will tell you about their "two" because you generally don't get more than that.  Because falling on a road bike is memorable and very painful.  Contrast that to a mountain biker where crashing, washing out or tipping over is a normal occurrence almost on every ride. So much so that we can get to feeling that we are invincible (which we aren't) because of all the falls we do have without getting really hurt.  But all of us are going to have that "one time" when a split second puts us in "recovery" mode.

For me this has happened on more than one occasion and it always seems to happen at the start of the summer riding season or just before or after a big trip.  This year was no different as I broke my fibula just above my right ankle three days before going to Whistler.  The thing that hurt the most, outside of watching my buddies drive off with my Suburban for Whistler or being off the bike for a time, was that I didn't really crash.  I just washed out on the backside of a table top (landing a little nose heavy - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCz8QptOtz0).  I even came up laughing and telling the guys riding with me that I was all right.  I even clipped in and road out (but as I started I realized I couldn't stand on my pedals), but I didn't really crash.  I've had far worse, like flying over the bars, etc. without any issues, but this time I got my leg pinned between the hillside and my bike and just got my foot twisted as I slid along.

The Break

This was on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend.  By last count I've broken 16 bones (including fingers and toes), so I am used to this, but never in my leg.  So started the hardest recovery I've had to go through.  After a collarbone (I've broke the same one 4 times) I can be back on the bike riding flat pavement in about two weeks.  This one has taken longer, not because of the break which healed quickly, especially after the plate was put in.

Inside 10 screws and a plate

And Outside

It is the twisted ankle that has caused me issues.  A word about plates, the doctor said that with a break like mine he has seen them not heal after 6 weeks in a cast.  So about 10 days after the break I had the plate put in and he said I would heal faster and not need a cast, and he was right.  But I had three issues to deal with besides managing the pain which only took a few days.  The first was bruising, the second was swelling and the third was loss of muscle tone (man that happens fast).  The break healed fast, but real issue was dealing with a sever twisted ankle (which twisted until the fibula snapped).  That is where most of the swelling and bruising came from.

Bruising

Swelling blocked by a sock and ankle brace

Loss of calf muscle tone at four weeks

 So it has now been 60 days since the break and I've learned a few things:

1. Anytime you are off the bike, it is a pain
2. With a broken leg you can still do upper body work (increased my bench PR by 20 lbs.)
3. Crutches suck, don't rest them in your pits, use your arms
4. Walking boots are better than a cast, but sleeping with them is still a pain
5. If you are going to break your leg, do the left one, at least you can then drive
6. Stay on top of you pain, but get off them as soon as you can (I was off in about 5 days)
7. Go to physical therapy - at least twice.
8. Elevate and Ice (for months) for a twisted ankle
9. Walking highlights that your ankle isn't right, but being on the bike (even a spin bike) felt great very early after the surgery (even in the boot).
10. You can ride a bike with a walking boot, a flat pedal and flat roads
11. Being in shape helps you heal quicker.  (I recovered three weeks ahead of where the doctor said the norm was because of the shape I was in before the break)
12. Breaks heal fast, but twisted ankles don't. It can take months and months to heal
13. Chicks may dig scars, but wives don't

Second ride on the bike with my brother Darin (still in walking boot)

Getting back on the bike was wonderful and scary at the same time.  Wonderful because I love to be on my mountain bike.  Scary because you wonder if a break like that is going to mess with your mind and keep you from getting back into the "moment."  Luckily for me it did didn't.  I started out on a spin bike, then moved to riding my bike in the boot on paved roads round town.  I then moved to gravel roads with the fork and shock unlocked to remove any vibration.  Then I started climbing fire roads and finally I took my first single track.  The was the test and I passed, because as we dropped into that first trail all the muscle memory took over and I was railing the trails again, not as fast, but not with fear either.

My buddies went to Whistler and all I got was a shirt and walking boot! But I love the shirt.

Last night I went on my first night ride on some very good trails (the Plunge, Endo and Extendo) and it felt pretty good and I wasn't scared to go fast (like before) or take a drop.  But I did ride around a few things I would normally go over and I could feel the climbs a bit (but that is to be expected).  My ankle still hurts, I'm still icing it and keeping it elevated when I can, but I can ride too.

As mountain bikers we are going to crash and one of those crashes may result in a serious injury.  Do all you can to prevent that (improve riding skills, fitness, armor, pads, faith and prayers), but if it happens, take on your recovery the same way you do your riding.  Head on with a proper level of cautious fear and you'll heal faster and be back on the bike sooner.  Keep the crash and your injury out of your head so you can stay in the moment when you get back on it.  Thanks and now go ride!

Buying Your First Mountain Bike

I get asked time to time about what kind of mountain bike to buy or what type.  It happened again recently by a fine young man looking to get his first bike.  After composing a long email to him about it, I thought it would be a good idea to share what I told him.  Now I'm not an expert on the subject, especially when it comes to the engineering and specifications side (know several great guys who are), but I do like to ride and I ride a lot.  Based on that here are my thoughts on what to look for or think about before buying:

General – buy the best bike you can afford, don’t say I’ll scrimp and then upgrade the components later. First you never do that because it costs more and you don't have the time.  Second if you are riding hard or a lot, you’ll be replacing other parts that break and won't have the funds to upgrade.  So buy the best and here are some decision points:

Complete Bike or Build My Own – A complete bike lets you start riding now, build your own takes time and will likely cost you more.  But you will know all about bikes if you build your own.  For me I like a complete bike and I then buy a good bike repair book, like Park Tools.

New or Used – New lets you break it in and you get any warranty associated with it.  Used lets you get more bike than you could afford new, but like buying a used car, you may have some components to replace sooner.  It can also be tough to know the true condition if you buying online like eBay.  At least on Craig’s List you might be able to test ride it.  I do the best of both worlds by purchasing a demo bike from a local bike shop like Peak Sports in Corvallis.  You get a discounted price because it is used, but it has also been well maintained by the shop.  You can also purchase last year’s new model after the current year’s bikes are out and save money there too.

Online or Local – You can get a bike with better components sometimes online, but you don’t get to test ride it and see if you like the feel.  There are some great online bikes, like the Airborne Griffin (http://www.airbornebicycles.com/16-griffin-3), but you will have some assembly and you’ll need to figure out your bike size from their online resources.  Buying local gives you that, a local shop who knows the bike and you’ll have a place to take it for warranty work vs. having to send parts in to the online shop.  With that said, the local bike shop will work on your online purchased bike.  The other benefit of buying local is that you can go in and ride the bike and see if you like it before purchasing it.

Sizing – This is one good reason to buy local in that you can get the bike that fits you and your riding style.  For example, I’m about 5’7” so everyone would say I’m supposed to ride a medium size frame, but I have never felt comfortable because of my position on the bike with a medium so I have always purchased larges.  That only happens when you buy local and can ride different frame sizes and see what fits.

Wheel Size – There is a lot of selection and discussion around this topic.  For me my recommendation is don’t purchase a 26” they are really dead for mountain biking (in my opinion).  The 27.5 gives you the best of both world – good cornering but increased size for clearing obstacles and more travel.  For me I’m a 29 fan.  I’ve been riding them for 5 years now and I get all the clearance and I don’t notice that much cornering sacrifice.  You’ll be happy with either. Also, if you can get through axle wheels, meaning they have an axle bolt that holds the wheel on vs. drop outs, that will be the best. They are more stable and safer.

Weight – I’m not a weight weenie, meaning I’m not spending thousands to save ounces.  You’ll want a bike around 30 lbs. or under for riding around the Corvallis area and really anywhere in the Northwest, unless you want to do pure downhill.  The Mac Dun forest and most Oregon riding (besides Bend) is a lot of going up to go down, so you want a good climbing bike.

Must Have – A locking fork, locking rear shock (if a full-suspension) and disk brakes. The locking fork (and shock) will making climbing easier and really every new bike or 5 year old one will have disk brakes.  I’m okay with hydraulic or cable disc brakes, especially for your first bike.  Most are coming with hydraulic now, but the cable breaks are easier to adjust on the trail.

Dropper Post – I would almost put this in the “Must Have” category, because of the climbing and descending we do around Corvallis. Having it makes it easier than always having to adjust it before going down.  So if you don’t have one on your bike, make sure you have a quick release seat post.

Hard Tail vs. Full Suspension – If you are young and this is your first bike, most will say that for the riding around here you can get by with a hard tail which will save you money and let you get a better component spec’d hard tail.  But I am older and I like the plushness of a full suspension bike.  If you ride lots of roots or rocks or bumps a hard tail can be rougher on your body.  With a hard tail tire pressure is more important.  If you do go full suspension then you want to make sure your rear shock has a lock out on it which is a must for climbing.  The other thing to think about is make sure you can put a water bottle cage on the frame.  Some full-suspension frames don’t allow that and also make sure if you get a full suspension that it will fit the type of bike rack you’ll have.  Some full suspension bikes don’t fit the hanging bike racks (I’m a fan of the ones that hold the wheels, and don’t require you to take the front wheel off).

Riding Type – I like an all mountain bike which lets me climb, descend and ride for a long time in the saddle.  It will have more clearance in the fork but it is not a heavy downhill bike.  If all you want to do is do shuttle rides and fly through the air then you want a downhill bike with a dual crown fork, but it will be a bear to pedal up hill.  If you are racing cross country or you are going to do a lot of gravel road riding then a cross country bike will work.  It will be lighter and have less travel in the shock and fork.  For me an all mountain bike gives me the best of both and lets me ride any terrain – from Black Rock to Alsea to the Mac and any where else.  Of course I’m older and overtime I’ve been able to have two bikes, which I like because if one is in the shop, I have my back-up and if someone comes into town and wants to ride I have a second.  So I have a trail/cross country bike for long rides like to the coast or in the winter when we spend more time on the gravel and my all mountain for all the other times.

Gears - I tend to be a “boy scout” kind of rider, I want a bike that doesn’t hold me back from riding anything.  So that’s another reason I like a full suspension and I like having gears.  But gears can be goofy, for example my 3x9 has 27 options, but really there is overlap.  Some say you only have 21. Here are some thoughts on it from a biking forum: 

"A 3 x 9 setup does not have 27 gears, don't let anyone tell you differently because the 3 front rings are not meant to be used with all 9 cogs out back. If you use the ring/cog combo properly and don;t cross chain there are effectively 21 useable gear combos - granny ring +1,2,3,4,5 ; middle ring+1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 ; big ring+3,4,5,6,7,8,9. Use the small chain ring for gears 1-5 on the cassette, middle chain ring for 3-7 on the cassette, and the large chain ring for 6-9 on the cassette. You are overlapping and nearly duplicating some ratios here but you are creating the least stressful chainline which is important to the lifespan of your drivetrain. I use to think it was cool to steep climb in the middle chain ring and the lowest (1st) gear on the cassette (11-34). But it was wearing on my gears and chain because of the angled chainline. I now only steep climb in the small chain ring.”

So this is one reason why I have two bikes.  A Specialized Stumpjumper for technical stuff and a Specialized Epic for the cross country long days in the saddle stuff (and winter gravel road riding). In comparison, I will take my Epic on long cross country rides vs. my 2x10 StumpJumper. The Epic has a 3x9 and low granny gear for climbing (or when my legs are tired).  So with my 2x10, I probably have closer to 20 gear ratios (probably more like 17). But still a good granny gear to climb in.

So looking at a 1x10, you have 10 gears, and what I have seen is guys replacing their granny gear (the easiest) with a really easy after market one, so they have a steep climb gear to use.  If you get a 1x10 or even a single speed for a while you’ll probably be walking parts of climbs you used to make. But overtime if you keep at it, you’ll be stronger (and you can play with that replacing of the granny gear to something even easier to pedal).  So it comes back to the type of ride you want to experience.

Brands – I’m a Specialized guy (Stumpjumper, Enduro, Camber and Epic).  They are tough, well built and Peak Sports (a local Corvallis bike shop) is a great bike shop.  For a full suspension bike I would look at the Camber. I also like the Trek Fuel’s.  But most of the big brand bikes are all good.  In my riding group we have everything from Niners, Giant, Scott, etc. We have single speeds, hard tails, full suspension and 26, 27.5 and 29.  The best part is getting out and riding. I think you can't pick a bike without riding it.  It gives you a chance to get the feel of it and decide if it will work for you.

Riding Gear – Now we haven’t talked gear, so for helmets get one that protects the back of your head, and I’d get at least some knee pads.  For shoes, that is your choice and depends if you are clips or flats.  I purchase inexpensive shoes ones online that are clipless, meaning you clip in (I know it is weird, but it means you don't have the old "Toe Clips".  I am an SPD fan. I would wear gloves (full finger) and get at least one bike jersey because the three rear pockets are great to have.  I also like a visor on my helmet.

Bike Racks - I like a rack that doesn't make you remove the front wheel.  I don't like the ones that let you hang the bike off your rear hitch.  The hanging ones let the bike move around to much, don't work with some of the frame designs.  I like the roof top ones and the rear hitch ones that let you set up to 4 bikes on it.  Yakima and Thule are the big players, but I like a company called Hollywood Racks, they are heavier but cost less.  You can also get used ones from a place in Portland Oregon called "Re-Rack."  If you don't want to mount them on top of you car, then first make sure you have a hitch on your car.  If yes, check to see if it has a 1" or 2" "female" receiver.  If you don't have one, then when you go to a local hitch installer (like U-Haul), make sure they put a 2" receiver on it. You can also get racks that mount to your truck (if you have one) using straps.  They work, but they are the hanging kind.  Just make sure your exhaust pipe doesn't going directly at a wheel as it can heat up the rubber and blow your tire (yes I it happened to me). Also, they can scratch your car and make sure your bike doesn't rub against the car anywhere. They also make "suction" racks.  I've never tried them but I hear they work great.  You would need them for a car that didn't have a rack or  hitch.  Play it Again sports is another place to get starter racks.

Tires - Tubeless vs. Tubes - When it comes to inflating your chosen tire size you have two options.  1) The traditional way by putting a tube in it, or 2) going tubeless with a sealant.  Tubes are a little heavier (but I'm not a weight weenie remember) but can flat easily.  Tubeless makes the tire assembly a little lighter, but requires extra time, prevents most flats, but if you "burp" out and flat a tubeless tire on the trail, it is very hard to inflate it.  So you'll want to carry a tube and small pump.  Tubeless is just that, there is no tube in the tire.  The tire inflates against the sidewall of the rim and a liquid sealant seals most potential flats.
Other Items - You'll probably want to get a backpack with a water bladder in it like a Camelback, so you can carry a spare tube, bike specific multi-tool, a pump, some food, some zip-ties and toilet paper (you never know).  You don't want to carry around the kitchen sink, but it is nice to have things to get you back to the car if something goes wrong.
Bike Geometry - We could talk all day about that, so here is a good picture from an article in the March 2016 Mountain Bike Action that does a great job pointing out the different areas on a bike.

That is a lot and I hope it helps anyone out there looking for a bike.  Good luck, now go ride!

Moab 2015 and Why You Need a Road Trip

(Editors Note: It has been a crazy second half of the year, so I apologize for how late this post is)

Every year the "old men" take a road trip and this year was no different.  We've settled into a pattern of going to Moab every other year and then some place different on the other year.  So for example, 3 years ago we went to Moab.  Last year we did the "Tour of Oregon" and then this year it was back to Moab for our 2015 trip.

Road trips one of the things that makes riding a mountain bike special.  Getting a group of friends together to share together some new trails or familiar trails with new adventures.  The 2015 Moab trip was no different. 

Planning - the hardest part about a road trip is picking a date that everyone can agree upon.  We like to go in May or June to get away from the Oregon rains.  We then assign everyone an assignment.  "Donald" has the housing, The Prez has the transportation, PT has the trails to ride, etc.  You get the idea.  Then you are off and in our case that meant an all night 16 hour drive to Moab. We had rented an Expedition, piled 7 bikes on it, shifted drivers every 3 hours and arrived at noon on Tuesday with the temperature in the high 90's.

Riding - Road trips are fun because you get to ride trails that are different in make-up from your home trails.  In our case we have lots of flowy dirt trails, lush evergreen forests and roots.  In Moab it is rocky/sandy trails, not trees, slick rock and hot. But the riding is so fun.  Painted trails, rock drops and the Whole Enchilada.  Everyone should ride the Slick Rock trails, but for my money I'd skip even the top part of WE and just shuttle rounds of Porcupine Rim.  I've done a number of other trails around Moab and liked them all, but that is my favorite.  The thing to watch out for as you arrive later and later in the summer is the heat.  I got behind on my drinking the first day of riding in near 100 degrees and on the second day I got dehydrated (no matter how much I drank) and near heat stroke as the temp hit 106.  Learned my lesson with that one.

The Un-Planned Other Adventures - Road Trips always have unplanned events.  Ours started as we rolled into town after 16 hours of driving and promptly got a flat tire.  There will always be bike brake downs and the occasional injury.  But all of it builds memories, so don't be afraid to try.

Other Hints or Lessons Learned - Rent a house if you can, having a laundry and plenty of sleeping rooms/areas with showers and a garage to work on the bikes is wonderful.  Share making meals to save money, but hit the local spots also (not the chains, but the local spots). Assign a treasurer to keep track of what everyone spends so it can all be settled fairly at the end (gas, car, housing, groceries, etc.).  We've found that most week long trips cost about $400 to $500 each for everything once it has all been totaled.  Also, hit the local bikes shops for advice on where to ride, maps, gear, stickers and repairs.  Finally, take advantage of a shuttle service if they have it. 

Going down the "Stairs" on Amasa Out n Back

A different kind of riding

Porcupine Rim view point

Good Friends, Fun and Views

Top 10 Reasons Why Corvallis is the Center of Mountain Biking in Oregon

I think Corvallis Oregon is the best place to live for a mountain biker.  Now there are a many out there who would disagree with me (especially on mtbr.com forums, but they disagree about everything there :-)).

So in honor of David Letterman's last show, here are my Top 10 Reasons why Corvallis is the Center of Mountain Biking in Oregon:

1. McDonald & Dunn Forest - Northwest Corvallis butts up against McDonald Forest so there are many entrances into the trails from the city limits.  Some are official and maintained by the Forestry Department at OSU.  Some are maintained by others (it will take a local to find them), but all involve climbing which makes you a and the descents can be tight fast and steep. Typical ride is 1200 to 1800 feet of elevation in just 3 or 4 miles.  Riding is mostly road up and trail down. This provides year round riding. See http://cf.forestry.oregonstate.edu/visitor-map-and-guide
2. Black Rock Mountain Bike Park - BR is only about 30 minutes northwest from Corvallis in Falls City (check out the Bread Board for eats and treats after the ride).  BRMBA has done an amazing job creating a mountain bike play area with well maintained trails, obstacles and play area.  This is a joint Forest Service venture and it is amazing. While the Bonzi Downhill is listed as a green run, it is really a blue run.  This is not a place to take someone for the first time on a mountain bike. Riding is road up and one-way trail down, so no worries about going fast.  Doing a couple of section loops will give you 1900 feet in about 8 miles. See www.brmba.org
3. Alsea Falls - AF is about 30 miles southwest of Corvallis and is another joint effort with the Forest Service. It has a paved 4 mile climb (except for the last 1/4 mile to the new top section). Team Dirt has put in thousands of hours creating this gem in just a few short years. While there are plans for blue and black diamond in the works, most of the current trails are green and give you a total different experience than BR.  AF is all about flow.  You can do 2 miles or more at a stretch and never have to pedal as you work on your "pump track" skills.  Banked turns and flowy whoops are what AF is all about.
4. Mary's Peak - With a trailhead that is just 20 minutes west Corvallis just outside of Philomath, Mary's Peak is the highest point in the Coast Range.  Starting at the end of Woods Creek Road, you can do the Peak Triangle which consists of a gravel road connector to the climb the East Rim Trail then come down the North Rim Trail.  This loop is 10 miles long and gains 2200 feet.  On a clear day you can see the ocean, Mt. Hood the Sisters and even south to Thielsen.  These trails are maintained by the Forest Service and you need to watch for hikers on busy weekend or holiday afternoons. This is a blue run (not one for the first timer or even the third timer, with some short but very technical sections. Roots and rocks, but mostly a very well maintained trail. See http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c4/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDfxMDT8MwRydLA1cj72BTJw8jAwjQL8h2VAQAzHJMsQ!!/?navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&recid=42311&actid=&navid=110000000000000&pnavid=&ss=110612&position=&ttype=recarea&pname=Forest%20Service%20%20-%20Marys%20Peak
5. McKenzie Trail - Voted trail of the year by MBA in 2013 the McKenzie is only 2 hours west from Corvallis in the Cascade range and runs almost 30 miles top to bottom past waterfalls, lava fields and the "blue pool." It is divided into three sections.  The top section to Trailbride Camp Ground is the most difficult (blue black) because of the lava rock you will go through over and around, but the views of the falls and blue pool are worth it.  The middle section runs from Trailbridge to Belnap Hot Springs and is fast and flowy along the river and through the trees is a green run. The last section from Belnap to McKenzie Bridge is more of the same just on the other side of the river (green run). Not much elevation gain if you run it top to bottom.  I generally go from the trailhead to Belnap for 18 miles of pure fun. See http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c4/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gjAwhwtDDw9_AI8zPyhQoY6BdkOyoCAGixyPg!/?ss=110618&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&cid=STELPRDB5212039&navid=180000000000000&pnavid=null&position=News&ttype=detail&pname=Willamette%20National%20Forest-%20News%20.
6. Oak Ridge - Home of Mountain Bike Oregon - Oak Ridge is about 1.5 hours southwest and is a great place to ride classic trails that are blue/green in nature.  There are a number of trails but the classic is the Alpine Trail which is almost 15 miles long. The best way to see this area is to sign up with Oregon Adventures and do their 17K in a Day adventure.  They will shuttle you to the top of 6 of the best trails and you'll climb a total 3500 but descend 17000.  See http://www.ormtb.com/Oakridge/Oak_trails/ and Oregon Adventure at http://oregon-adventures.com/.
7. The Lumber Yard - an indoor bike park located 1.5 hours north of Corvallis near the Portland Airport.  While not as large as Ray's, it will still keep you smiling and worked.  You can ride your BMX for the verts or stick to the mountain bike loops.  It is great fun and funner than you think. See http://lumberyardmtb.com/ or this video from my last ride there https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V33oYZTS-zY.
8. Sandy Ridge Trail System - just 2 hours northeast of Corvallis outside of Sandy Oregon is another joint effort with the Forest Service and is a mountain bike only park.  It has a paved 3 3/4 mile climb on a closed road and 15 miles of well maintained trails for all levels. The parking lot will be full, but you won't notice it on the trails.  Just a great place to ride and improve your skills. See http://www.blm.gov/or/resources/recreation/site_info.php?siteid=395
9. Bend - just under 3 hours east of Corvallis in the high desert, Bend (and I would include Sisters with Peterson Ridge trails) has miles and miles of trails through Phil's Trail System (like COD), the Deschutes River Trail and higher trails like Funner (my personal favorite) and Tiddlywinks.  Mt. Bachelor has also opened up their bike park for lift access trails. It is also home of the High Cascade 100 which is a 100 miles COTA does a great job maintaining and building new trails.  You can spend a week there and only scratch the surface of the trails available.  What I like is that miles to elevation ratio of the riding in Bend compared to Corvallis.  It is much flatter, something you wouldn't expect, but the riding is more on powdery volcanic sandy surface when dry so it can be dusty in the late summer.
10. Everything Else - A mild climate and no snow allows you to ride year in the Mac/Dunn (yes there is rain, so you'll get wet and muddy at times), there are 4 bike shops and a bike co-op, there are the Mud Slinger Events in the Blodget Trail System only 30 minutes west of Corvallis, new trails in Newport (50 minutes west of Corvallis), Hood River Trails only 2.5 hours northeast, and of course the NUT which is 2 hours south.  Then there is the Beaver Freezer - the largest Sprint Triathlon with an indoor swim with a mountain bike division.  And even though I don't trust riding on the streets, Corvallis is bike friendly place with bike lanes on all the major streets.  The only bad thing about Corvallis and bikes is the amount of bikes that are stolen each year.  That is the problem with a "sleepy" little college town.

Well there you have, now it is up to you but for me, I'm going riding! You should too.