Mt. Bike Oregon operates under a special use permit with Willamette National Forest and is an equal opportunity outdoor recreation service provider.
Mt. Bike Oregon is funded in part by City of Oakridge and Lane County Tourism Grant funds
Are you new to mountain biking? Be sure to read below to make sure you're prepared for what Mt. Bike Oregon has to offer.
Recommended Schedule
There are varying levels of beginners, so it is hard to say exactly what to expect at Mt. Bike Oregon. We define beginners as people who have only ridden the trails a few times and are still nervous on the bike. If you fit this description, we should warn you that there are very limited trails to ride. But don't be afraid to try the same trail more than once. The more you know a trail, the more you can hone your skills and start to feel more comfortable on the bike, which is a huge part of moutain biking. Salmon Creek will be your best bet and it is such a scenic trail that you're sure to see different aspects every time you ride. There are also plenty of places to stop along the way to dip your toes in the water and cool off for a bit.
If you are a novice to mountain biking, meaning you’ve been doing some riding and aren’t scared of going downhill, we still recommend that you try Salmon Creek your first day. If you feel extremely comfortable on that trail, you can step it up a notch and give North Fork a try. Last but not least, if North Fork was a breeze, Flat Creek is the trail for you. Just remember, these trails are a progression of skill level so if any one was a challenge, stick to perfecting that trail before moving on to the next.
FRIDAY:Salmon Creek
| 12 Miles, Flat A true gem of a trail for all riding levels. This flat trail runs right through camp and includes a variety of local points of interest along the ride, including the fish hatchery and numerous swimming holes. There are no hills and just a few roots and rocks, making it a perfect trail for new riders. Don't forget to stop and hike down to the bridge at Salmon Creek Gorge to enjoy the view.
Saturday:North Fork
| 9 miles, Some climbing A beautiful ride along the North Fork of the Willamette River. The trail starts at Oregon's longest covered bridge and has some short but steep climbs. Parts of the trail are narrow with exposure above the river in some spots. We suggest you ride out to the 1912 road and back for a nice ride of about 9 miles (the trail turns to advanced past the 1912 RD). *If Salmon Creek was a bit of a challenge, we don't recommend that you venture out on North Fork just yet.
SUNDAY:Flat Creek/Salmon Creek | 5-12 Miles, Downhill/Flat A little twist on the standard Salmon Creek trail. Start the ride out with three miles of fun downhill and then hook back up to the Salmon Creek trail you are now familiar with. If you are feeling confident, take advantage of the ample off shoots Salmon Creek offers to give yourself more of a challenge. Or, you can cross Salmon Creek Bridge for rolling hills with some technical patches. Pick up a direction sheet in camp to ride this on your own. *If North Fork was a bit of a challenge, we don't recommend that you venture out on Flat Creek just yet.
Other Activities
If you need to take a break from riding, there's plenty of other activities to keep you busy.
WILLAMETTE FISH HATCHERY
Here you can take a self-guided tour of this beautiful park. Enjoy the museum, feed the trout, view the salmon and sturgeon, and, if your lucky, some upland game birds.
SWIMMING IN THE RIVER
If you need to cool off, take a dip in the Willamette. The best swimming hole is off the Salmon Creek trail under the rail road bridge. You can ask the guides for more details.
YOGA IN CAMP
Stretch out those tired muscles, or just take some time to relax. Yoga will be offered in camp by One Breath Yoga at 5pm on Friday and Saturday.
Riding Tips
Get properly fitted. It's amazing how a bike that is fitted to your body affects the comfort and ability of your riding. If you can go to your local bike shop before coming to MBO, great. If not, you can visit any of the demo booths in camp or go to Oakridge's own, Willamette Mountain Mercantile.
Control your bike! For the safety of yourself and others on the trail, know your limits and only ride what you can handle.
Learn to shift gears before you need to.This takes some practice, but you'll soon find that it's easier to shift before you're halfway up the hill and the pedals and chain are under pressure. When you see a hill coming up ahead, downshift.
Take it easy on the handle bar grips. Many beginners squeeze the daylights out of their handlebars, which leads to hand, arm, shoulder, and upper back discomfort. Grip the handlebars loosely and keep a little bend in your elbows.
Learn to read the trails ahead of you. This is really important on the downhills. Keep your eyes open for rocks or ruts which can take you by surprise and upset your balance.
Know where your pedals are when you are turning. If you're making a left turn, don't have your left pedal pushed all the way down - have it up instead so it doesn't get caught on a root or the ground.
