Dirt Treaders http://dirttreaders.com/phpBB3/ |
|
Oregon Beer & Bikes – Mt Ashland http://dirttreaders.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=6229 |
Page 1 of 2 |
Author: | GP_pilot [ Tue Jun 29, 2010 11:56 pm ] |
Post subject: | Oregon Beer & Bikes – Mt Ashland |
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. |
Author: | rowdy [ Wed Jun 30, 2010 2:33 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Oregon Beer & Bikes – Mt Ashland |
i lived in klamath falls for 9 years. southern oregon is a hidden gem. looks like you had fun! |
Author: | moondogg [ Wed Jun 30, 2010 7:38 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Oregon Beer & Bikes – Mt Ashland |
Looks like a great start to the trip! I love tree covered mountain singletrack. Great pics Sean. Evan, what's the deal with the mojo? |
Author: | OffRoadie [ Wed Jun 30, 2010 8:14 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Oregon Beer & Bikes – Mt Ashland |
Evan stole the Mojo. I'm calling the cops. |
Author: | K2Brandon [ Wed Jun 30, 2010 8:24 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Oregon Beer & Bikes – Mt Ashland |
Man, GP, these pics got me jonesing!!!! I foots get there. Great TR! |
Author: | Canaan [ Wed Jun 30, 2010 8:27 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Oregon Beer & Bikes – Mt Ashland |
Great TR -- looks like mountain bike heaven. |
Author: | Mpmffitz [ Wed Jun 30, 2010 8:34 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Oregon Beer & Bikes – Mt Ashland |
Great report!!!!! |
Author: | Robo [ Wed Jun 30, 2010 8:34 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Oregon Beer & Bikes – Mt Ashland |
moondogg wrote: Evan, what's the deal with the mojo? That looks a lot like a Mojo for sale that sierragoldens sent Evan info on. A smokin' deal on a practically new one that was built up pretty nicely. I said I would buy it if it wasn't so similar to mine! Evan said he'd have to improve his skills before he had a bike like that - so I trust he's been hammering on his skillset. So fill us in evdog, didja get that one? |
Author: | badkittyjing [ Wed Jun 30, 2010 8:35 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Oregon Beer & Bikes – Mt Ashland |
Awesome TR. Can't wait to see the next... and the next... and the next... |
Author: | evdog [ Wed Jun 30, 2010 9:25 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Oregon Beer & Bikes – Mt Ashland |
Robo wrote: moondogg wrote: Evan, what's the deal with the mojo? That looks a lot like a Mojo for sale that sierragoldens sent Evan info on. A smokin' deal on a practically new one that was built up pretty nicely. I said I would buy it if it wasn't so similar to mine! Evan said he'd have to improve his skills before he had a bike like that - so I trust he's been hammering on his skillset. So fill us in evdog, didja get that one? Rob you obviously didn't ride the last 10 days, didn't you notice your bike was missing from the garage? |
Author: | 406 [ Wed Jun 30, 2010 10:08 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Oregon Beer & Bikes – Mt Ashland |
fkna, that is fun trail. Excellent photo's gp_pilot. I like how I look completely blitzed in the bar photo, despite only being half way into my first pint. |
Author: | quaestionis [ Wed Jun 30, 2010 10:49 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Oregon Beer & Bikes – Mt Ashland |
Great first day of the trip. It was a nice way to ease into things. That changed on day 2. Here are my pics from Mt. Ashland: |
Author: | evdog [ Wed Jun 30, 2010 11:28 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Oregon Beer & Bikes – Mt Ashland |
GP_Pilot's TR above was day 1. But we need to step back in time a bit, to Day 0. Deno, 406 and I opted for a Friday afternoon departure rather than a 3am meet time on Saturday morning followed by a full day drive. I much prefer to make optimal use of my vacation time, and this allowed us to get in a Saturday ride in addition to splitting up the hellish 14hr drive. We arrive in Ashland in time to grab 2 campsites and hit up the 3pm AMA shuttle 406 and Deno prepare for battle The SuperD course starts off as fireroad then turns to singletrack. Here is the first climb This climb takes you up and across a broad ridge with rolling terrain And soon shoots you down the far side Welcome to Oregon Fast and flowy only begin to describe this course (its really a collection of trails linked together) Deno rails another corner 406 flying Deno cornering at speed 406 roller Deno rounds another bermed corner Into this smooth air We were really getting sick of all the berms on this trail 406 rides off the log Apparently PCT is up here somewhere All the buff, flowy singletrack was also getting tiresome More of those damn berms lower down 406 cruising The Alice in Wonderland theme was a nice touch Looking down over Ashland And....photographic evidence that turners can't climb We met up with GP_Pilot, Stang, Offroadie, Brian and Questionis at Caldera Brewery for dinner. We had to share the sad news about how badly this trail sucked. Full of berms, too fast and smooth, and really, its not a switchback unless you have to stop and hop your back wheel around. We also knew they'd be disappointed with lack of chunk. Sean had to ask a few times if our plans to ride SuperD again on Saturday were still on. We suggested they'd have to try it to see for themselves after hearing so much good about this trail. We could do 2 laps, maybe even 3 if we did odd man out. But why would you want to do multiple laps if it sucked so bad? |
Author: | dft [ Wed Jun 30, 2010 12:14 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Oregon Beer & Bikes – Mt Ashland |
off the charts guys!! congrats. i rode there last end of july on the way to whistler and we got conditions that locals said was about as dry/loose as you get up there (felt like socal:) but not the tackyness you all got. gotta love 5000 foot ripping descents, i look forward to your oakridge stuff:) |
Author: | b5driver [ Wed Jun 30, 2010 12:26 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Oregon Beer & Bikes – Mt Ashland |
Great shots everyone. Thanks for letting us live vicariously through you. |
Page 1 of 2 | All times are UTC - 8 hours [ DST ] |
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group http://www.phpbb.com/ |