Cog Wild is fully open and will operate daily through the end of October. Despite some late season fires, there’s plenty of mountain biking and other fun to be had in Bend and Oakridge this month.
Bend Mountain Biking Update
A thunderstorm last weekend peppered the region with lightening and started a number of new fires across the Cascades. The Bachelor Complex Fires have closed the trails out of Wanoga Trailhead, but the trails from Dutchman and Swampy Trailheads are open. Cool weather and rain this week will improve the situation and make for good riding conditions in the coming weeks.
Due to poor AQI this week we pushed the start of Cascadia Junior Cycling’s after school programs to the week of 9/16. There’s still room in most of the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday sessions for all age and ability groups.
Multi-week skills sessions adults are happening this fall. There’s still space in next week’s Jumping for Oldies and on the Level 2 Progression Session that runs on Monday evenings from September 30 through October 14.
Daily shuttles, guided rides and skills sessions will continue through the end of October.
Oakridge Mountain Biking Update
The lightening fires that started near Oakridge in early July are mostly extinguished and the AQI has been surprisingly good. There’s a solid two days of shuttling: one day on Hardesty and Lawler and a second day on Dead Mountain, Larison and Heckletooth. If you like pedaling, there’s plenty of mountain biking to be had on the high country trails near Willamette Pass. It’s raining now, trails are going to be great for the next few weeks.
Daily shuttles, guided rides and skills sessions run until October 31, then we’ll transition to backcountry nordic skiing and snowshoe tours from December through March.
Cool events to complement your mountain bike rides
Some unique, free events are happening on the Willamette National Forest this month.
Mountain Town Throwdown Festival
We’re looking forward to the Mountain Town Throwdown Festival at Willamette Pass on September 20-22. Come for the disk golf tournament or pedal from the resort to some of the best high country singletrack in Oregon.
Cog Wild will be there all weekend, come say hi or join a free intro to mountain biking session at 2 PM on Saturday, September 21.
If you pass through Oakridge en route to or from the festival, visit the Middle Fork Bistro for tacos, fresh salads and cold beverages. Hours are Friday – Sunday from 3:30 to 7:30
Santiam Wagon Road Exhibition
For my fellow nature and history nerds out there, check out the Santiam Wagon Road Exhibition on September 28 at the Fish Lake Remount Station. This is at the top of the McKenzie River and adjacent to the Old Cascade Crest Trails. Ride for a day or two and spend some hours at Fish Lake learning about the rich cultural history of Santiam Pass with some seriously passionate folks.
Not sure how or what to ride out here? Contact us to set up a guided ride.
Come mountain bike with us and join the fun!