Hey everyone. I just got back from a week in Oregon visiting family and riding with my brother and thought I'd share.
First up was Sandy Ridge. Sandy Ridge is 40 miles east of Portland and is a newer trail system that is being built in partnership between the BLM, IMBA, trail contractors and locals. It is a pretty cool place. While you can ride the trails up, they prefer you climb the 3 mile paved road and ride the trails down to make if more fun and safe for everyone. You can learn more about it here - http://www.blm.gov/or/resources/recreat ... ochure.pdf
Temps were low 50's. Parking area trail signage
Riding the 3 mile paved road up. Easy middle ring climb, not too bad.
At the top there is a kiosk with maps again. We did the only loop open on top for now which was a 2.2 mile XC loop that was fun and fast with some jumps and berms thrown in.
Then we descended Hide and Seek which is about a 4.25 mile downhill run. The top section was wet and slimy and more technical than the bottom which was much drier and fast.
The trail is amazing and well constructed
We then headed back up the road about halfway to access another section that had a lot of line options
Later in the week we headed South to the Sisters / Bend area. I spent a week here riding 2 Summers ago and it is outstanding.
New to me and my brother, we first rode the Peterson Ridge Trail. You can find out more here - http://cotamtb.com/trails/guide/peterson-ridge-trail/. Temps in the mid 60's. We got in a little over 20 miles on this one. We took the East trail out and the West trail back. This is just classic Central Oregon, High Desert single track - Fast and flowy.
Heading out to Hawk's Flight overlook
The return on PRT East, with the 3 Sisters mountains in the distance
That afternoon in Bend we hit up the Deschutes Brewery for lunch then we got in a quick 1 hour ride in Shevlin Park. Just an out and back to the river
That night (Cinco De Mayo) we hit up McMenamins for dinner and beers and then saw Ozomatli play a live show in the streets of Bend
The next morning we hit up Phil's Trail. Temps were low 50's with wind so we were cold. I didn't do a very good job with taking pictures (sorry). We managed only 2 hours before we had to head back to Portland for family stuff that afternoon. We spent a lot of time at Phil's on our trip 2 Summers ago, so we wanted to catch 2 trails we missed last time. Trails are wet still above the "Helicopter Pad" and snow above that so we had to stay in the mid to lower sections. We rode Phil's out to KGB then Voo Doo and Marvin's Garden back to the cars. I HIGHLY recommend Voo Doo, one of the funnest downhills you will ever ride (besides Woops which is another awesome trail here).
Heading out Phil's
Trail markers on Phil's.
On KGB
On Voo Doo
All in all a great trip. I absolutely love the Sisters / Bend area. I can't say enough how cool a town it is and how great the trails are there. If you ever get the chance it is well worth it. I will definitely be back.