Ticket to Ride
New loop offers a fast, easy options for riders
Mountain bikers looking for a quick, easy loop to ride in the mornings, during the lunch hour, or in the … Read more
Namesake of Central Oregon’s famous Phil’s Trail reflects on early days
Phil Meglasson, 77, still mountain bikes about every other day
Most days, no one would recognize Phil Meglasson among the hundreds of mountain bikers at … Read more
Charlton Lake Loop
Rugged, remote ride offers a challenge to mountain bikers
Early fall — after the bugs are long gone and before the snow flies — … Read more
Newberry Crater Rim Loop
The 20-mile loop around Newberry Crater is a challenging ride with volcanic views
One minute, my high-tech GPS watch showed I was riding along at 23 mph. The … Read more
Catch and Release/Deschutes River Trail loop
Plenty of variety on this 12-mile loop
Finding new mountain bike loops in Central Oregon is never that difficult considering the seemingly … Read more
Tumalo Creek Trail
Trail near Tumalo Falls a good option for beginners
The Tumalo Creek Trail west of Bend is an ideal path for mountain bikers looking … Read more
Swampy Lakes
10-mile loop offers a good mix of climbing and downhill
SWAMPY LAKES SNO-PARK — With most upper-elevation bike trails now snow-free in Central Oregon, and … Read more
Mt. Bachelor Bike Park
Lift-served, downhill trails mean easy up and thrilling down
MOUNT BACHELOR — Dust flying behind his bike’s wheels, Tom Lomax ripped around a bermed … Read more
Tumalo Ridge-Skyliners Loop
13-mile loop offers some of Central Oregon’s best mountain biking trails
The area surrounding Tumalo Falls west of Bend is a mountain bike paradise with multiple … Read more
McKenzie River Trail
Renowned trail features stunning scenery in the thick, green Willamette National Forest
MCKENZIE BRIDGE — Sometimes, trails are better ridden in sections than in their entirety. The … Read more
Funner-Tiddlywinks loop
This 13-mile loop offers cross-country climbs and freeride flavor
Even after 17 years of exploring the trails in Central Oregon, I am continually amazed … Read more
Black Rock Trail
Trail skirts the edge of a vast lava flow between the Deschutes River and Lava Butte
By itself, the Black Rock Trail is worthy of the short trip south of Bend … Read more
Peterson Ridge Trail system
Lots of loop options and outstanding views make these trails near Sisters a rider favorite
SISTERS — It may seem hard to justify the half-hour drive from Bend to ride … Read more
Smith Rock and Gray Butte trails
Ride remote areas of Smith Rock State Park
TERREBONNE — As Smith Rock State Park becomes increasingly busy during the spring, rock climbers … Read more
The Otter Bench trail system
Early spring is an optimal time to enjoy the rugged Crooked River Gorge along the Otter Bench trail system
CROOKED RIVER RANCH — Opal Canyon is one of those places where mountain bikers dismount … Read more
Horse Ridge
Central Oregon riders have many trail choices through the fall and winter
The wind whipped across the High Desert as I continued climbing up the steep trail … Read more
Grand Slam-COD loop
Loop a is good option close to Bend during the fall
Mountain bikers in Bend no longer have to worry about trail closures near town stemming … Read more
Mountain biking in Shevlin Park
Early fall is a great time to hit trails close to Bend, including those in Shevlin Park
During the late summer and early fall, perhaps nothing gets mountain bikers more excited than … Read more
Tyler’s Traverse and Duodenum
Duodenum is a recently added loop trail in the Wanoga complex southwest of Bend
The poor air quality that pervaded Central Oregon over the past few weeks had kept … Read more
Round Mountain in the Ochocos
Rugged, lightly ridden paths near Prineville
Avoiding the smoke from area wildfires was my main concern last week when trying to … Read more
Dinah-Moe-Humm, Kiwa Butte trails from Edison Sno-park
Trails include mix of climbs, downhill, and dramatic views
EDISON SNO-PARK — With so many options for mountain biking trails during mid- to late-summer … Read more
Waldo Lake in the Willamette National Forest
The remote lake features a challenging 20-mile loop
Tucked high into the thick, green forest on the western edge of Oregon’s Cascade Range … Read more
Cultus Lake trails
Mountain bikers can access trails from the Deer Lake Trailhead
Mountain bikers have a number of trail options this summer near Cultus Lake, a popular … Read more
Middle Fork of the Willamette Trail
Trail near Oakridge cuts through the thick canopy of the Willamette National Forest
OAKRIDGE — Those who suffer from claustrophobia — or arachnophobia (fear of spiders), for that … Read more
A backcountry mountain bike route across Oregon
Largely singletrack, the Oregon Timber Trail crosses the heart of the state
Oregon is teeming with adventure-seeking cyclists, so the idea of biking across the state is … Read more
La Pine State Park
14 miles of singletrack trails ideal for beginners and families
LA PINE — While mountain bike trails in Central Oregon seem to be increasingly geared … Read more
Mrazek Trail
Varied trail connects Shevlin Park to Tumalo Falls and links to Phil’s network
By connecting multiple junctions, mountain bikers in Central Oregon can create any number of complicated … Read more
Prineville Bike Park a boon for local mountain bikers
Variety of features offers something for all ages and abilities
PRINEVILLE — Some jumps at bike parks can be so massive they are downright intimidating. … Read more
Redmond Radlands
Miles of rocky, high desert trails, right in town
REDMOND — Just minutes from downtown, but seemingly in the middle of the desert, the … Read more
Cline Buttes trails
Myriad trails traverse large recreation area
Sprawling High Desert views, thrilling terrain and quality springtime dirt make Cline Buttes west of … Read more
Mountain bikers have options year-round in Central Oregon
Trails are navigable throughout the late fall and winter
Outdoor enthusiasts are gearing up for ski and snowboard season this time of year, as … Read more
Storm King-Tyler’s Traverse loop
Wanoga Trail Complex an alternative to popular Phil’s Trail network
This always seems to be a troubling time of year for outdoors enthusiasts. Not quite … Read more
North Fork-Flagline route
21-mile high country jewel for those too stubborn to shuttle
It seems to happen every time I ride this quintessential Central Oregon loop. Just when … Read more
Swamp Wells Trail
Mountain bikers can find solitude along Kelsey Butte
Fall is perhaps my favorite season in Central Oregon. The tourists are gone, the weather … Read more
Metolius-Windigo Trail from Lava Lake
Trails near Lava and Little Lava lakes offer scenic rides
LAVA LAKE — Known mostly as a rainbow trout fishery, this lake is an ideal … Read more
