I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Moab/Fruita is out for 2010 while Oregon is the new in. Well, at least that what nearly every bike mag seems to be telling us this year. But it’s also a big state to spend just one week riding. So we limited our choices to just seeking out the best beer and best singletrack starting at the state line, working our way north to the central part of the state.
The first full day of riding found us in Ashland, just 15 miles over the state line. Home to the infamous 12 mi, 5,000’ descent Ashland Super-D course, we weren’t looking to kill ourselves on day 1. While dropping off the lower vehicle, we observed the town folk take their lawn ornaments seriously. But I could have sworn these were 4 doors up when we drove by the first time.
Up top, Mt. Ashland had a banner snow year much like the Sierras and still had enough snow on some slopes to easily get in a dozen large arc turns. Unfortunately that also meant the local’s recommended time warp trail was still under snow. A bit of wind and moisture from enshrouding clouds at 7,000’ made everyone want to get rolling.
After bombing the upper Bull Gap forest road, it was time for singletrack.
Wet rocks had all tires sliding around, but the tree across the trail in the foreground was slicker than ice, taking out all but one front tire in our group of 8.
406 rides this super skinny at the Four Corners junction
The last part consisting of BTI trail threw everything at you right at the end.
We opted to do a second lap instead of heading to check out Crater Lake. We later found out Crater still had 7’ snow drifts at the sides of the road so we likely made the right choice. Conditions were completely different this time: clouds were gone and everything dried out.
Mt. Shasta was in full view with a healthy amount of snow
Everyone let it rip this go around
Evdog was feeling a bit light these days
Having just hosted the Super-D event the weekend prior with hundreds of riders, the course was in surprisingly good shape with some breaking bumps in a few turns.
This trail is so packed in the lower parts that it feels like a paved trail
At one of the junctures was a nice hip jump that was put into action
I was letting it rip,
While Evdog got his mojo on
We rode right past this log ride on Caterpillar the first time. At first no one wanted to try it except for me. After nailing the first time, 406 and Evdog wanted their action too.
Both get it clean on the second try
Then it was off to Alice in Wonderland
Evdog rips it on BTI
At the bottom trailhead is a stream that dumps into a small lake (pond) that will cool you off right quick which the others chose. I played with the water in a different manner.
No ride is complete without ending at a brewery, especially when there are a total of 6 between Ashland and Medford. For an early dinner, we stopped at Standing Stone Brewing smack in the middle of town.
We hit up the bar until our table was ready
This Stone was a bit trendy, much like the Escondido Stone, but with organic this, and homegrown that, all supporting area farmers and growers.
We grabbed samplers of all their beers
For most of us the beers were good, but none truly stood out. But Offroadie was digging the darkest which was more like a coffee espresso stout.
Then it was time to hit up another brewery a block away and fill up some growlers and hit the road to our next singletrack destination for the next two days.
