Category : Bike Tours

Fremont in July

Myself (Woody), my son Kai, Lev, Chris K, Katy and Chris D had a great weekend in the Fremont exploring, trail working and riding. There is some important new beta on trail conditions and we were able to clear several large sections of trail to ride. Some areas have seen so little use, coupled with huge forest fires and beetle-kill the trail is no longer there. Bummer. Other sections are still very good for riding (as long as you like primitive conditions) and the flow is outstanding. Lev and I had major success clearing a large section of trail from Yamsay Mountain Roadless area all the way back down to Silver Marsh Campground. That last 12 miles is all downhill and some of it is STEEP! I LOVE this trail and can’t wait to go back. Enjoy the pics (click on each image to really check out each photo – they are worth it!)

Keep Moving: Freemont trail beckons, other opportunities abound

Hot weather and dry trails are going to be the norm now. While the snow is quickly melting away from the remainder of the summer trails, the mosquitoes are advancing as well. Trail runners and mountain bikers would do well to keep moving and avoid these bloodthirsty insects. Repairing a flat tire or stopping for a snack has a sudden new urgency.

Trails recently opened include the North Fork Tumalo Creek trail and portions of the Metolius-Windigo trail connecting to the top of Mrazek. Although there are still a few small snow patches, these will be melting soon and pose no problems for trail users. Other sections of the “Met-Win,” including the connection from RD 370 to Three Creeks Lake and from Happy Valley South to Flagline tie, are still blocked by snow and downed trees. Flagline trail remains closed until August 15 to protect elk breeding habitat.

Other newly opening trails include the Lookout Mountain and Round Mountain trails in the Ochoco National Forest, the North Umpqua Trail, the McKenzie River National Trail and the Fremont National Recreation Trail. This week, COTA is sending trail work crews to the Fremont Trail to perform some clearing work and other spring maintenance. If you say you’ve never heard of the Fremont NRT, you’re not alone. Most people haven’t. It starts near the town of Silver Lake and meanders across ridges, through valleys and over mountaintops, passing near the towns of Summer Lake, Paisley and Lakeview, finally reaching the California border 175 miles later. Visit the Fremont National Forest website for more info on this unexplored gem.

On the hottest days there’s probably no better ride than the McKenzie River Trail, which is only one hour from Bend. The cool waters of the McKenzie River can soothe even the hottest heads. More than a ride, hike or run, the McKenzie is one of those rare opportunities to travel under your own power and see true old-growth forests and more species of moss than anywhere else on earth—a special novelty for us dry siders.

If you are not yet a COTA Member, please consider joining this month. Basic membership is cheaper than a round of golf or a night out on the town. COTA relies on our members for funding and political capital. Please see the COTA website to join, www.cotamtb.com. Thanks for your support.

Be safe and have fun out there.

Fremont – remote riding…

Whew, my legs are tired. Not so much from the riding, but the snow that made riding so hard and slow and punishing. Lots of pushing the bike while thinking, damn.. if only the snow was not here this would be fabulous riding!!

Cog is always looking for new and exciting places to take people riding. The Fremont National Forest is an area we have always wanted to share with our guests, but a HUGE forest fire in 2002 made that impossible. Now that years of trail work have taken place to make it worthwhile we went out there to check it out.

There are still miles of trails stopped up by downed dead trees, but other areas were cleared and ready to ride. Thanks to  a freak snow storm we got last weekend our bike trip had the makings of some epic-ness, but it all worked out. Redesigning our routes to include South facing trails, we were able to ride sections with steep climbs, great views and fast & zoomy downhills. There are huge Ponderosa Pines out there, and thanks to seeing tracks in the snow – even some bears.

We will be sharing more details as we get a trip together, but the plan is for the first multi-day trip for Intermediate and Advanced riders to take place next year. In an area with no other mountain bikers since if you do not know where to find the trails you will never find them, it is remote, beautiful and great riding.

Enjoy some photos! And then come ride!

Women’s Weekend trip a success!!

This past weekend was Cog’s first Women’s Weekend which was a huge success. Although I normally do not go on the multi-day weekend trips since it means being gone out of the office most Fridays, I chose to guide this event since I was so excited about it. I have wanted to have this tour for years, designing the weekend to include great riding, yoga and massage, three things I love and felt many other women would enjoy as well.

We spent three days riding local and less-known trails outside Bend. The first two days we saw hardly any riders and were able to enjoy solitude while taking in the beautiful scenery. The trails were a little dusty, but everyone was able to spread out and ride at their own pace. On Sunday, our last day, we split into two rides on Bend’s close to town trails. There were a few spills and tumbles, but most of the dust was washed away by a short dumping of rain towards the end of the ride.

A huge thank you to the women who joined us this past weekend. Both Lindsey and I enjoyed getting to know everyone, shared some funny stories and trying to stuff everyone with yummy food. We thought the weekend was great, although the mountain biking was hard at times but with an amazing massage therapist along and camping along a beautiful lake the good definitely outweighed the hard!!

Can’t wait for next year!!

North Umpqua Trail: Labor Day weekend tour

North Umpqua Trail, the “Crown Jewel” of the northwest? Pictures only show so much. You should come ride with the CGC (Cog Guide Crew) and see it for yourself. Cheers!

Ellsworth Rides Weekend – Huge Success!!

This past weekend was the first annual weekend of its kind with Cog Wild. We had 17 riders join us including Tony Ellsworth, Chevy who welds all the frames and Dave who manages the bikes being built. It was a blast and we can’t wait until next year. Here are some photos:

We rode three days: Mt Bachelor to Lava Lake, Charlton Lemish Loop and Flagline back to Bend. The second and third ride were perfect – beautiful climbs through huge trees dripping with moss and long downhills that went on for days and days. Some riders did the hike to the top of the twins and enjoyed the screaming downhill.

Evenings around camp had some fun surpises that all will have to join a multi-day tour with Cog to find out about. Thanks to Deschutes Brewery we had some great beer to enjoy after a post-ride dip in Little Cultus Lake and our chef Paul made sure no one went hungry.

All in all, it was a fabulous weekend! We are already planning new routes for Friday and thinking of what we can do better. Hope to see you there!!

Umpqua 3 Day Adventure

Riding in the Umpqua National Forest is a treat in itself, sharing it with people who have never been there is the icing on the cake.

Over the past weekend we had the pleasure of guiding 11 eager mountain bikers along the slithering trails that parallel the spectacular Umpqua River. Unfortunately there was a fire in nearby Glide, OR so we were unable to experience some of the lower half, but the infamous Dread and Terror section had the guests whooping for more.

After three days of epic riding, hot springs, bridge jumping, delicious energy food and beautiful scenery, everyone had a weekend to remember!

Allyson and her husband Peter from Napa were ecstatic, especially after Allyson expressed she pushed herself beyond what she thought was possible and is now committed to continuing her mountain biking adventures! Greg, Darren, Darin, Aaron, Kasey, Sherri, Ed, Steve and Billy all expressed their excitement and personal triumphs over the weekend. The North Umpqua Trail is awe-inspiring and leaves most people feeling accomplished and happy. Even the photos will inspire you… enjoy…

Guide Lindsey Voreis loving the singletrack

Lower trails plagued by smoke...Bummer

Back at Camp, Greg, Darren, Ed and Kasey are happily exhausted after a great day of riding! Sipping delicious Deschutes Brewery beer helps regenerate those legs!!

Top of Dread and Terror! The best day!!!

Ahhh, the weeping wall...

Darren hoisting his bike over the giant fallen tree...

Peter rounds the bend to see the falls directly across from him...

Creek running down the trail...

Allyson, Lindsey and Sherri... Ladies in the house!!

Bike and Brew Tours

Although we offer multi-day camping weekends in super scenic locales, our most popular multi-day tour is the Bike & Brew. Guests stay at the Phoenix Inn in downtown Bend, ride all day and visit a different brewery every night.

According the Seth, one of the guides, the Bike & Brew of 7/10-12, 2009 was the best one yet! When asked about the weekend, he said , “We were all so comfortable together that I dressed down this day.” Yeah, we see what you mean, Seth:

The clients agree. Tim, a client on the best yet Bike & Brew, writes; ”The weekend was top shelf. From all of Melanie’s work behind the scenes to Erika’s, Seth’s, and Jackson’s expertise and patience on the trails. Lev has a great crew working with him. Cog Wild deserves a big “thumbs up”= 0 and I recommend them to all.”

Heidi emailed the pictures shown here and wrote; “Loved the “epicness” of Bend.  Haven’t done that before and now we know we can.  We explored the Newberry Crater area (per your recommendation) on our way south and checked out the trail. Would like to do that with camping.  So many doors have opened on this adventure.”

Erika, girl guide extraordinaire,is currently in Whistler B.C. and cannot be reached for comment, although I think she would agree that the tour was the best one yet.

So folks, come on back for more and bring your friends, we’ve got way more adventure in store. Thanks for being a fantastic group.

Group shot at the top of Vista Butte with Mt. Bachelor in the background.

Whaddya mean dust?

With the weather over the past week comprised mostly of SEVERE thunderstorms, dust is the least of our worries. For my tour on Friday the worry was, “Hey do you all have jackets?” We got everyone sporting a nice new rain coat and headed out to Funner, skies: Mostly sunny. By the end of the day, and within one mile of Phil’s trailhead the skies opened up and everyone finally knew why I insisted we all have rain jackets. The riding was epic with all the great moisture on the soil but it was better to ride prepared! Nobody would have had any fun without their jackets. Remember, as we say at the BBFT, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.” (Such as cotton t-shirts on a rainy day!) Have a great one and stay warm & dry. -Woody

My first tour of the year

What a great family, 6 riders in all from 11 year old’s to grandparents and everyone was a trooper. We did 310 up to Whoops and then down Ben’s all the way back to Phil’s trail head. Smiles and stories all around and I have to say it was great from the guide’s perspective to hit the season running with a fun group of guests! Thanks! – Woody