RR: MRT (Nothing more to say)

"Ride-A-Lot" <[email hidden]> wrote >

Quoted message said:

A trip that has been in the works for quite a while. Chip convinced me to
do Mountain Bike Oregon, a weekend of epic rides in a really green state.

Wish I could have been there guys. Next one.

CG

Chris Glidden said:

"Ride-A-Lot" <[email hidden]> wrote >

Quoted message said:

A trip that has been in the works for quite a while. Chip convinced me to
do Mountain Bike Oregon, a weekend of epic rides in a really green state.

Wish I could have been there guys. Next one.

CG

Eh. No worries. The rides were great but the food sucked. As our
south of the border friend said on Saturday night, "I don't eat no
steenkin' feesh". Can't tell you about the beer, though. But, judging
by the revelry that went on late into the night, it must have been good.

I even enjoyed the camping part this time. I was actually comfortable
for a change.

--
o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
www.schnauzers.ws

"Ride-A-Lot" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:EfudnU4CC5az-> Every now and then we take a break, look around, and
adjust our pace. A

Quoted message said:

couple of wrong turns take us to a trail around a crystal clear blue lake.

It's amazing how many people take a wrong turn at that jct.

Althought I am not one of them, there are plenty of west coast studs who do
not shuttle that trail.

small change said:

"Ride-A-Lot" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:EfudnU4CC5az-> Every now and then we take a break, look around, and
adjust our pace. A

Quoted message said:

couple of wrong turns take us to a trail around a crystal clear blue lake.

It's amazing how many people take a wrong turn at that jct.

Althought I am not one of them, there are plenty of west coast studs who do
not shuttle that trail.

Yep, Jerry and Kevin for two. Blaine and I shuttled it.

Greg
--
"All my time I spent in heaven
Revelries of dance and wine
Waking to the sound of laughter
Up I'd rise and kiss the sky" - The Mekons

small change said:

"Ride-A-Lot" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:EfudnU4CC5az-> Every now and then we take a break, look around, and
adjust our pace. A

Quoted message said:

couple of wrong turns take us to a trail around a crystal clear blue lake.

It's amazing how many people take a wrong turn at that jct.

The signage was terrible at that spot.

Quoted message said:

Althought I am not one of them, there are plenty of west coast studs who do
not shuttle that trail.

Yeah, but as an out and back it would be quite boring seeing and riding
the same terrain twice in 54 miles. Gads! 54 miles! That's just wrong.

--
o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
www.schnauzers.ws

Ride-A-Lot said:

[Inline on my Website]

A trip that has been in the works for quite a while. Chip convinced me
to do Mountain Bike Oregon, a weekend of epic rides in a really green
state. Then the trip expanded by adding an extra day for the McKenzie
River Trail. Far be it from me to turn down a documented "must do" and
add another state to my ride list.

I arrived on Wednesday afternoon, rented a car, and drove to the hotel
in Springfield. Soon the rest of the group arrived from different parts
of California, Oregon, and one from Mexico. I had only road with Chip
and Joe before, but was sure everyone would be adept riders. The
amazing thing was that I wasn't the shortest guy there! Mauricio,
"speedy Gonzalez" was just a tad shorter than me. Forget the size
though, this guy flies on a bike!

snip.

So green! Colorado is very green this summer, in that relative, green
for the desert, sort of way. Nothing compared to places where it
*really* rains.

Shawn

Some great pictures and looks like you had a great trip. I rode that
trail about 6 years ago and loved it and others in that area. Dread and
Terror ridge was one I remember, maybe more for the name than the
actual ride. Plus I remember that lava field, I don't think any of our
group escaped without a notched ankle or shin

Did you have to negotiate much wild life, we had a few close encounters
with the Elk-kind.

Laters,

Marz

Marz said:

Some great pictures and looks like you had a great trip. I rode that
trail about 6 years ago and loved it and others in that area. Dread and
Terror ridge was one I remember, maybe more for the name than the
actual ride. Plus I remember that lava field, I don't think any of our
group escaped without a notched ankle or shin

Did you have to negotiate much wild life, we had a few close encounters
with the Elk-kind.

Laters,

Marz

I scraped my right angle a bit, but not much blood. Oddly, we say no
wildlife except for a few Osprey flying around the campground in
Oakridge. Must have been too hot (96F) for them.

--
o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
www.schnauzers.ws

"Ride-A-Lot" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

small change said:

"Ride-A-Lot" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:EfudnU4CC5az-> Every now and then we take a break, look around, and
adjust our pace. A

Quoted message said:

couple of wrong turns take us to a trail around a crystal clear blue
lake.

It's amazing how many people take a wrong turn at that jct.

The signage was terrible at that spot.

Quoted message said:

Althought I am not one of them, there are plenty of west coast studs who
do not shuttle that trail.

Yeah, but as an out and back it would be quite boring seeing and riding
the same terrain twice in 54 miles. Gads! 54 miles! That's just wrong.

What a narrow view. When you do an out and back, you see things from two
different directions. You never know what you might miss.

ps

"Ride-A-Lot" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

[Inline on my Website]
www.schnauzers.ws

Beautiful pix. Wish I'd been there.

You going to be around Labor Day weekend or are you still househunting.

Gary (trying to line up rides for the holiday)

GeeDubb said:

"Ride-A-Lot" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

[Inline on my Website]
www.schnauzers.ws

Beautiful pix. Wish I'd been there.

You going to be around Labor Day weekend or are you still househunting.

Gary (trying to line up rides for the holiday)

I have my wife and mom in for the weekend to find a house. 🙁 I won't
be riding all weekend. Sucks! Are you around the weekend before or after?

--
o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
www.schnauzers.ws

small change said:

"Ride-A-Lot" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

small change said:

"Ride-A-Lot" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:EfudnU4CC5az-> Every now and then we take a break, look around, and
adjust our pace. A
> couple of wrong turns take us to a trail around a crystal clear blue
> lake.
It's amazing how many people take a wrong turn at that jct.

The signage was terrible at that spot.

Quoted message said:

Althought I am not one of them, there are plenty of west coast studs who
do not shuttle that trail.

Yeah, but as an out and back it would be quite boring seeing and riding
the same terrain twice in 54 miles. Gads! 54 miles! That's just wrong.

What a narrow view. When you do an out and back, you see things from two
different directions. You never know what you might miss.

ps

OK. I sort of agree with that, but it's still 54 miles.

--
o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
www.schnauzers.ws

Ride-A-Lot said:

[Inline on my Website]

A trip that has been in the works for quite a while. Chip convinced me
to do Mountain Bike Oregon, a weekend of epic rides in a really green
state. Then the trip expanded by adding an extra day for the McKenzie
River Trail. Far be it from me to turn down a documented "must do" and
add another state to my ride list.

<snip>

Looks fun! Nice photos.

Matt (people do rides here in a "really green state" even when we're in
a drought!)

"Ride-A-Lot" <"mitchell[NOSPAM]"@schnauzers.ws> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

OK. I sort of agree with that, but it's still 54 miles.

Also, did no one in your group know that you can stop at any of the
campgrounds for water along the way? We refilled about 2/3 of the way down.

ps

small change said:

"Ride-A-Lot" <"mitchell[NOSPAM]"@schnauzers.ws> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

OK. I sort of agree with that, but it's still 54 miles.

Also, did no one in your group know that you can stop at any of the
campgrounds for water along the way? We refilled about 2/3 of the way down.

That would be the case. I think they thought it wasn't potable. I had
H2O left. It's a bad thing because I don't drink as much as I should
(too nervous about running out). Live and learn.

--
o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
www.schnauzers.ws

Ride-A-Lot said:

small change said:

"Ride-A-Lot" <"mitchell[NOSPAM]"@schnauzers.ws> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

OK. I sort of agree with that, but it's still 54 miles.

Also, did no one in your group know that you can stop at any of the
campgrounds for water along the way? We refilled about 2/3 of the way
down.

That would be the case. I think they thought it wasn't potable. I had
H2O left. It's a bad thing because I don't drink as much as I should
(too nervous about running out). Live and learn.

Is was about 85 degrees out when Blaine and I did it but I only used
about 1/2 my camelbak. Since there were only two of us we did it pretty
quickly so didn't need to drink that much.

Greg

--
"All my time I spent in heaven
Revelries of dance and wine
Waking to the sound of laughter
Up I'd rise and kiss the sky" - The Mekons

"Ride-A-Lot" <"mitchell[NOSPAM]"@schnauzers.ws> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

GeeDubb said:

"Ride-A-Lot" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

[Inline on my Website]
www.schnauzers.ws

Beautiful pix. Wish I'd been there.

You going to be around Labor Day weekend or are you still househunting.

Gary (trying to line up rides for the holiday)

I have my wife and mom in for the weekend to find a house. 🙁 I won't be
riding all weekend. Sucks! Are you around the weekend before or after?

--
o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
www.schnauzers.ws

Just coming up for the weekend. Arrive late Thursday, return sometime
Monday so I'll have 3 days to ride.

Gary

Nice RR. As is our habit, my wife and I just decided to ride it from
where our hotel was near the town of McKenzie Bridge. So we
"unshuttled" it backwards ;-)

Had a late start and got as far as Clear Lake by the time the day was
waning. Since we had no lights we had to bail to the road to get back
down before total darkness. Scariest downhill I ever did with those
big semis screaming by just a couple of feet away.

I'm due for a rematch - this time it's the shuttle for me...

Ride-A-Lot said:

[Inline on my Website]

A trip that has been in the works for quite a while. Chip convinced me
to do Mountain Bike Oregon, a weekend of epic rides in a really green
state. Then the trip expanded by adding an extra day for the McKenzie
River Trail. Far be it from me to turn down a documented "must do" and
add another state to my ride list.

I arrived on Wednesday afternoon, rented a car, and drove to the hotel
in Springfield. Soon the rest of the group arrived from different parts
of California, Oregon, and one from Mexico. I had only road with Chip
and Joe before, but was sure everyone would be adept riders. The
amazing thing was that I wasn't the shortest guy there! Mauricio,
"speedy Gonzalez" was just a tad shorter than me. Forget the size
though, this guy flies on a bike!

Thursday morning we pack up the cars and head to the ranger station to
meet our shuttle.

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/OR/IMG_4378.jpg

At 27 miles, it would have been an agonizing ride without the shuttle.

We're dropped off at the starting point and head off into the forest.

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/OR/IMG_4379.jpg

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/OR/IMG_4380.jpg

The trail follows the river downstream. What does that mean? Downhill
for 99.8% of the way. Not a "no pedal" DH, but enough to let you take
in the beauty of this area without bursting blood vessels.

It was actually a pretty good start for me and what seemed like a fast
pace. Although we tried to slow it down a bit, fun took over.

Chip sweeping the trail:

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/OR/IMG_4382.jpg

The trail starts off very smooth. It's a nice flowing twisty tree
covered singletrack that aside from the altitude it starts at, reminds
me of the east coast. Oh, and the trees in Oregon are much bigger!

All along the way are bridges that cross streams and rivers. It's
interesting that the trees are so large, you can actually make a bridge
out of one.

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/OR/IMG_4383.jpg

Every now and then we take a break, look around, and adjust our pace. A
couple of wrong turns take us to a trail around a crystal clear blue lake.

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/OR/IMG_4378.jpg

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/OR/IMG_4384.jpg

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/OR/IMG_4385.jpg

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/OR/IMG_4386.jpg

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/OR/IMG_4387.jpg

We end up riding through a lava field to a paved path. Just a sample of
what's to come, I guess.

Back on track and another bridge to cross.

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/OR/IMG_4393.jpg

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/OR/IMG_4396.jpg

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/OR/IMG_4397.jpg

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/OR/IMG_4398.jpg

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/OR/IMG_4403.jpg

I wouldn't call this a super technical trail. In fact, if it weren't
for the distance, it would be a great trail to take a rider with just a
little time under their belt.

But, oh the scenery!

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/OR/IMG_4402.jpg

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/OR/IMG_4405.jpg

The river then disappears under the ground. I'm guessing in a lava
tube, because when it comes back out at a turquoise blue hole, the trail
becomes a bit more technical.

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/OR/IMG_4407.jpg

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/OR/IMG_4415.jpg

Now you have to contend with babyheads and sides made out of razor sharp
lava rocks.

I think Joe got a little scared and had an incident.

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/OR/IMG_4417.jpg

I think this was my favorite part of the trail. As nasty as the stuff
is, I thought it was hoot! I wish I had more photos of this section,
but I didn't want to stop.

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/OR/IMG_4418.jpg

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/OR/IMG_4419.jpg

The lava eventually fades and whats left is a smooth pine needle covered
floor. Can you say FAST?

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/OR/IMG_4420.jpg

Mauricio wondering why he has no competition:

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/OR/IMG_4421.jpg

Another spot where we lose the trail.

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/OR/IMG_4423.jpg

Back on again for a short spell, before bailing to the road for the ride
back to the car. Many of us ran out of water since it was unusually hot
and dry in Oregon.

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/OR/IMG_4424.jpg

http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/OR/IMG_4425.jpg

I have now replaced Two Elk with MRT as my favorite trail. Worth the trip!

Hopefully some of the video comes out since the camera (bullet cam)
kept fogging up.

--
o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
www.schnauzers.ws

Ride-A-Lot said:

[Inline on my Website]

--
o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
www.schnauzers.ws

Great stuff, as usual. Did anybody get sliced up on the lava rock, not
that I'd mention what I seem to remember happened to any ladies we know
around here.... 😉

CDB