Category : Photos

Mexico Singletrack, Los Barriles in Southern Baja

Los Barriles, Southern Baja. Home of amazing singletrack, but also the home of amazing fish tacos. On the flight home from Baja I was trying to decide which I would miss more. I finally gave up and decided I just need to go back soon to enjoy both again.

My business partner Lev and I have been working on ways to extend our mountain bike season (personally and also business wise). Living in Bend, there are options for winter riding, but they all include bootie covers and many layers.

Luckily for us, a few Cog guides have been spending their winters in Los Barriles, 45 miles NE from Cabo, building singletrack while wind surf guiding their winters away. With over 40 miles of trail now ready to ride, taking our guide’s word that the hotel they were working through is a great place, we put together tour packages for mountain biking in Los Barriles. But we needed to see it ourselves before bringing guests down, so I convinced my husband to travel with me to check it out.

The “highway” enters Los Barriles along the beach, but higher up allowing a great view of town. A long ribbon of beautiful white beach and bright blue ocean greet you as you enter the small town. Men with big smiles are selling fresh shrimp on the side of the main road, foreigners are driving the streets in quads, and kids are skipping home from school with backpacks on. It was a friendly place, full of color and much to look at. It also had a very relaxed feel, the perfect place for a vacation of mountain biking.

We were hungry, so after saying hello to our Cog guide, Todd, and checking out the hotel right on the beach, we headed down the road to his favorite taco spot. El Viejo was full with both locals and gringos (which also many are locals) and we eagerly ordered fish and shrimp tacos. After an amazing meal, we rolled ourselves back down to the hotel to lay on lounge chairs at the pool and relax the rest of the afternoon away (until it was time for margaritas, a fabulous dinner and an evening stroll through town). Tomorrow was a riding day and we were very excited!

One of the best things about the hotel, after the fact that they have a pool, a bar at the pool overlooking the beach, stand up paddle boards and kayaks for guests to use, a restaurant and super friendly staff is that they also have a full fleet of full suspension 2012 Specialized mountain bikes for guests to use. That means we did not have to travel with a bike and still have a great bike to use.

We started the next morning with breakfast at the hotel and then meet Todd to ride. We were able to ride right from the hotel, going South along the beach until we came to a really cool overlook. From here we traveled inland, riding up a few hills on fireroads, passing a few donkeys and also enjoying singletrack that carved through the landscape. Arriving at another awesome overlook that looked south along the coast, we enjoyed a ripping, technical downhill (video coming soon!) past cactus (watch out!) and other desert trees all the way back towards town. We were really impressed – Baja has some serious singletrack! The trail wasn’t sandy, but packed dirt with fabulous views, fun short climbs and lots of fun downhill!! And the best part: we rode in shorts and t-shirts, enjoying the breeze as we flew down the trail and finishing the ride with a dive into the pool – or my other favorite, a beer and some fish tacos. Ahh, life is good!!

The Cog tour will include four full days of singletrack, all different routes. Working with Todd, we came up with the plan – two days of riding straight from the hotel, one shuttle day and one full day awesome adventure. Of course we had to drive the adventure route to make sure the mileage was not too much, which it wasn’t, but it also not really fit for a 4×4 vehicle, much better on bike!

There is a ton to do in Los Barriles once everyone gets back from the ride. You can take the stand up paddle boards out, or use the hotels snorkeling gear and check out the fish life or even go fishing. Walking around town is fun too, there is shopping, photos to take and of course many restaurants and bars to enjoy. The hotel includes three meals a day, with with the town full of great restaurants, we ate some of our meals out and are pretty sure you will want to as well.

We were able to ride a few days, stand up paddle, snorkel, visit surrounding towns, lounge at the pool and meet lots of great people. The town was super safe, even at night when we would wander in the dark to walk off our dinner.  I am very excited that we will be offering tours in Los Barriles and look forward to coming here every year to ride and have a great time!

Hopefully you will be with us!

Mountain Bikers: Avoid Muddy Trails

These ruts will still be there in summer.

Every year in Central Oregon the weather turns warm enough to ride long before some of our singletrack trails have recovered from their wintertime hibernation. Unseasonably warm temperatures this year have made early-season mountain biking in Central Oregon especially attractive — if you know where to go.
Problem is, some eager mountain bikers are hitting trails that have not yet dried out from winter’s snow and rain. And riding on muddy trails — particularly those in the Phil’s Trail area west of Bend — causes lasting damage that then requires an army of volunteers to repair.
Woody Starr, president of the Central Oregon Trail Alliance, says that riding on muddy trails results in widening the singletrack. Mountain bikers who ride around mud puddles ultimately widen the trail, while those who ride through mud sections cause deep ruts that can firm up later and make for unpleasant riding for future users.
“It’s a little frustrating from the perspective of volunteer resources,” says Starr. “We’re trying to be wise with how our trails are maintained.”
Starr goes on to say that if volunteer time is used for repairing ruts and areas of the singletrack that have been widened, fewer volunteers will be available for trail maintenance and trail building.
“We have plenty of other stuff to do,” he says.
Currently in some areas in the Phil’s Trail network, the once narrow singletrack has been widened to 10 feet on sections of the trail up to 30 feet long, notes Starr.
“The more people who go around, the wider the mud puddle gets,” Starr explains.
Fortunately for local mountain bikers, abundant winter riding options exist in Central Oregon. Mountain bike areas such as Horse Ridge east of Bend, Smith Rock near Terrebonne, Maston near Redmond and Peterson Ridge near Sisters all tend to dry out earlier in the season than trails in the Phil’s area. These trails are all recommended winter and springtime riding in Central Oregon.
“If you only have an hour and you must go on singletrack out on Phil’s, go right through the mud,” Starr says in a lesser-of-two-evils tone. “Don’t go around and widen the trail.
“There are plenty of dirt roads out there,” he continues. “It’s not the same as singletrack, but you’re on your mountain bike. Singletrack is a privilege. Treat it like one.”
— Heather Clark

Winter Work is Underway: Expect more good things next spring

Although winter seems to be “officially here,” as Bend’s esteemed godfather of mountain biking Bob Woodward wrote last week, it doesn’t mean the Central Oregon mountain biking opportunities have disappeared. All those suggestions are worthy. The enthusiasts can get our tires on dirt yearround; it just becomes a matter of clothing over weather. Make sure you head out well prepared, not only for cold, but for darkness as well. Keep in mind also as snow levels fluctuate and trails become snowed in, not only is the biking more difficult, but so is the emergency access. Please be careful out there!

Since COTA’s main trail work activities are also slowing somewhat this time of year, there is a great opportunity to handle some of the planning and administrative duties that tend to accumulate during the summer season. One of these items is planning for expanded “skills areas.” The new Wanoga “Infield” zone will be one such area, and we hope to complete this project next summer. If you have been up there lately, you’ll notice a lot of work happening right now. We want to get a good foundation of dirt and rock installed to take advantage of the natural compaction that a solid snow pack can provide. That, and we have been cleared by the Forest Service to begin this “foundation” phase of the project. Detailed planning for various pump-track and “dual slalom” lines should be complete in the next couple of months. Stay tuned…

Here’s a gentle reminder to exercise good trail etiquette at all times; yield the right-of-way to the uphill rider; control your speed to minimize skidding and going off trail, and always be friendly on shared trails. COTA leaders recently attended a Forest Service Volunteer Appreciation Party and a very encouraging comment was heard from a leader of one of the equestrian groups. He said he had reports that all the equestrian/mountain biker encounters were very positive. It seems the message is out: shared trails are best when trail users have a good attitude toward one another. Thanks for keeping the conflict off the trails!

New Trail Opportunities Abound: Making new trail connections on the eve of the Big Fat Tour

COTA is stoked to announce that several new trails in the Wanoga Complex will be open this fall. Due to a very productive trail work season, especially with the great turnout for the Steve Larsen and Bend Dental Group Work event last weekend in which 68 people turned up to work for four hours on these two trails, we have been able to complete a new trail, which is part of a link from Tiddlywinks Trail, over to Edison Snow Park. This new connector trail is called Kiwa Butte trail, named after the butte it climbs.

Work also has progressed far along the new Dinah-Moe Humm trail, which will complete this connection to Edison Snow Park. The target to open these two trails is mid-October – just in time for the first event that will use them, Bend’s Big Fat Tour. It’s gratifying to live in a community where such enthusiasm for community service is evident. Thanks to everyone who came out and especially to the friends and family of Steve Larsen and Bend Dental Group.

Other plans to build new biking opportunities around the Wanoga area include a new information kiosk and skills park inside the loop parking lot at the Wanoga Trail Head. COTA is still awaiting the final OK from the Forest Service, but we plan to break ground this fall and lay the foundations for a large pump-track and “island” with ADA-accessible paths to a new kiosk that will show maps of the area and other trail information. Stay tuned to learn more about this new development.

Before you head out there to explore the new trails in the Wanoga area, make sure you have a keen sense of direction as the signage has yet to be installed and maps do not show the new trails yet. There’s no need to worry about that if you have registered for Bend’s Big Fat Tour (Oct. 15 – 17), because you only need to pay attention to the specific trail ribbon that marks the route. Although the Friday ride for this year’s BBFT is full, there is still space to sign up for either the 75-mile or 45-mile options on Saturday, both of which include routes along these new trails.

Registration includes the traditional Saturday night party, hosted this year by Deschutes Brewery at the Mountain Room. The 2010 BBFT will be the first chance to ride some brand new trails, but it’s also a must-do for any serious mountain biker. More info about this event, which benefits several local charities including COTA, can be found at bendsbigfattour.com and remember: “It’s about the ride!”

Head East, Young Man

Lev, co-owner of Cog Wild cutting trees, while Lawrence is ready to swampy away the cut wood.

For a dry side version of “fall colors,” head east to the Ochoco National Forest and lay some tracks on the Round Mountain/Lookout Mountain trails. Aspen groves and stands of Western larch pepper the forests here along with the ubiquitous ponderosa pine in its favored habitat of “open park-like stands.” The scenery, wildlife and diverse forest types make for a unique visual experience, but the flow and technical challenge of the trails are what makes this area so muchfun for mountain biking. Current trail conditions are a little “fresh” from the recent contract trail work that was completed this summer.

COTA has also just received notice that there is some pending timber harvest activity along the Skyliner trail and the Upper and Lower Whoops trails. Any trail closures will be clearly posted at the trailhead areas, but all trail users should use caution on these trails. Please do not disturb the markings and ribbons in these areas. For the latest information as always consult the COTA website, cotamtb.com

This weekend please join COTA, the friends and family of Steve Larsen and the Bend Dental Group for the second Steve Larsen work event and barbecue. We will gather at the old Mt. Bachelor Park & Ride off Simpson Avenue in Bend and carpool to various work sites in the new Wanoga area. We will gather at 9:45 a.m. and then head to the trails. Trail work will go until about 2:00 p.m. at which time we will all gather at the Wanoga trail head/sledding hill and enjoy a huge BBQ hosted by COTA and Bend Dental Group. We hope to accomplish the official “opening” of a couple of brand new trails on this and the next weekend at COTA’s Annual Biketoberfest. Make sure you are a part of increasing the trail menu in central Oregon.

Please see the COTA website for trail work requirements and gear suggestions like, “Please bring a hydration pack with water and a snack and be sure to bring appropriate layers to accommodate whatever the weather may be.” Remember, COTA will supply all the tools and expertise. You supply the enthusiasm!

Thanks and we hope to see you out there!

More Than Just the McKenzie: Exploring fall colors on the wet side

Cog guide, Chris Bowman going around Clear Lake

Ahh, rain and fall colors. Does it get any better than this? I just rode the McKenzie River Trail (MRT) and even when it’s raining you stay mostly dry underneath the high canopy of old growth forest that covers this trail. Fall colors are just beginning to show themselves and it only gets better as winter approaches. The MRT is one of those classic rides – very scenic, plenty of challenges for every level of mountain biker and a full day immersed in some spectacularly pristine nature. I liken riding the McKenzie to a biking baptism, as it has a renewing effect.

Other trails in the area also deserve honorable mention. Originally constructed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the O’Leary, O’Lallie and King’s Castle trails are worthy of exploration. King’s Castle trail starts just across the river near the lower end of the McKenzie River trail and climbs to an amazing peak with views of the old Cascades and the high Cascades. It is well worth the effort. You can connect to O’Leary near the top of King’s Castle (Castle Rock), as well. Check in with the McKenzie Ranger Station for specifics and local trail conditions. After a long day out, there is nothing better than soaking sore muscles in one of the many hot springs in that immediate area.

The many volunteers of COTA also look forward to the fall season because it is the time of year when “dirt work” is most effective. All those stutter-bumps, blown-out berms and sand traps can finally be repaired and “put to bed” for the winter. This fall, COTA has a multitude of opportunities to get involved in maintaining your trails. The premier event is COTA’s annual Biketoberfest on Sat., Oct. 9. This event includes a free after-party for all volunteers! COTA is also hosting the second annual Steve Larsen Work Day on Sat., Oct. 2. Work crews will be finishing up the Steve Larsen Trail, commemorating one of Bend’s most respected professional athletes who passed away suddenly in the spring of 2009. Please join COTA and friends for either one of these great events. Check the COTA website for more details at cotamtb.com.

Thanks, we look forward to seeing you out there!

Work It, Baby! Metolius-Windigo trail is good to go as COTA crews continue their high elevation work

With recent warm temps exacerbating the dusty conditions closer to town, riders would do well to focus their energy on shaded and high elevation trails where summer has been slowest to chase the moisture from the soils. The snow’s recent retreat has allowed crews to ramp up their trail clearing efforts at elevation, opening up more miles of riding a little further from town.

Some of COTA’s recent work includes the not insignificant task of clearing the entire Metolius-Windigo trail from Todd Creek to Park Meadow trail head and north toward Sisters. Crews have also been out in the Vista Butte area just north of Century Drive where single track riders should find that most of the blowdown and debris from this past winter has been cleared. Please keep in mind the Flagline trail will be closed until Sunday, August 15 to protect elk breeding habitat. Wait until next week to ride that, please.

Another trail that is ready for riding is the Newberry Rim trail around the top of Newberry Caldera. Start this ride at Paulina Falls and ride up the road toward Paulina Peak to access the single track. This trail drops steeply off the road about a half mile below the summit. There are several great viewing spots of both the lakes in the caldera and the mountains to the west. Newberry Rim is one of those classic loop rides, pick up the latest Central Oregon map and get out there.

If you’re looking for more information about current conditions, COTA posts the most recent trail work updates on our website www.cotamtb.com on the “worklogs” page. This is a great place to check in before heading out to the trailhead.

For trail-related questions, comments or concerns please email

chairman@cotamtb.com

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.

Work It, Baby: COTA Trail Report

Editor’s note: This is the first installment of a new trails column that is being produced for The Source by the Central Oregon Trail Alliance (COTA). Look for COTA’s weekly reports in The Source to keep you updated on the latest news from around Central Oregon’s always bustling trails, including, closures and events. Ride on. —EF.
Cog Wild will be sharing these posts through our blog page as well.

Building trail in the snow

Welcome to the first installment of the Central Oregon Trail Alliance’s (COTA) Weekly Trail Report. I hope to provide you, dear trail lover, with up-to-the-minute information on trail conditions, COTA work events and progress and trail etiquette tips and timely issues facing trail access. If you have some pertinent trail info you think needs to be shared, please send me an email: chairman @ cotamtb.com

This being the first week of June and a sort-of cold, wet spring season, the trails are in fine condition close to town but remain under snow at elevations above the Swampy Lakes area. Just because there are fewer trees fallen across trails in the lower elevations doesn’t mean it will be that way up higher. We shall soon see whether COTA’s certified Chain Sawyers will be busy “getting the cut out.”

Since the blowdown in some areas is lighter this year, more trails are ready to ride. That’s a good thing because COTA is six months into a two-year grant cycle to construct 35 miles of new trails in the area south of Century Drive, otherwise known as the Wanoga Event Area. On May 22, COTA hosted its 11th annual Spring Fling and 135 people showed up to help us build a new trail to be called the Steve Larsen Trail, in honor of the accomplished local biker and triathlete who died suddenly last year during a training session. From little more than a few pink ribbons hung on branches to a clear corridor complete with a finished tread, about three miles of trail were built in one day. Of course we can’t do all that ourselves, the generous support from U.S. Bank, BendBroadband, REI, Pine Mountain Sports, Deschutes Brewery and Cog Wild Bicycle Tours made it possible to show our volunteers how much we appreciate them and the importance of pre- and post-work event nourishment!

If you missed out on the Spring Fling, don’t sweat it. COTA work events are held every Wednesday and leave from various outdoor shops. This Wednesday, June 2 meet at Gear Peddler at 5 p.m. prepared to head out. Next Wednesday, June 9 we will meet at Pine Mountain Sports. Speaking of being prepared, COTA requires the following work event attire: Long pants & long-sleeve shirts, sturdy shoes, gloves and eye protection. Dress in appropriate layers and bring snacks and plenty of water, too. At each COTA work event we provide the tools and expertise. A COTA Trail Work event is a great way to meet like-minded people and to learn a new appreciation for what it takes to maintain one of the best trail systems in the country.

The benefits of that system go beyond just riding opportunities. A recent visitor survey conducted by Visit Bend found that a majority of visitors come to Central Oregon to enjoy our trails. COTA is an integral part of providing quality trails for everyone. If your business relies even partially on visitors, please consider supporting COTA as a business member or corporate sponsor. There are other benefits to this, too. For more information on COTA’s Sponsorship opportunities please visit our website and click the Sponsors tab. www.cotamtb.com/sponsors/.

Since COTA believes that the world is run by the people who show up, we look forward to seeing YOU out there!

By Woody Starr, Cog Wild Guide and president of COTA