are mountain bikes good for road use

Take a Hike

Mountains – Trails – Lakes

Blue Mountain Eagle | Posted: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 2:10 pm

Slip on your hiking boots and get exploring ...

There are over 1.3 million acres of non wilderness lands that comprise the Blue Mountain, Prairie City and Emigrant ranger districts, where you will find hundreds of trails and roads to choose from.

EASIEST TRAILS

ARCH ROCK TRAIL - Trail #258, Blue Mountain Ranger District Malheur National Forest (MNF) Open: April - November

Length: 0.3 miles Elevation: 3,968’ - 4,270’ Use: Light Hiking: Horses allowed, Mountain Biking and ATVs prohibited.

Arch Rock is an ash flow tuff with a scenic arch and several small rock shelters eroded into the outcrop. Access: From John Day, travel east toward Prairie City on Highway 26 about 10 miles. Turn north onto County Road 18. Go approximately 10 miles to the junction of Forest Service Road 36 and County Road 18. Turn right follow the 36 Road along Camp Creek to Forest Service Road 3650. Drive the 3650 Road to the junction of Forest Service Road 3650-428 where the trailhead is located. This is mostly forested hiking/riding on the lower end of the trail. There are some open meadows that are good for camping. Camping is possible all along the trail with good opportunities for solitude.

ROADS END TRAIL - Trail #201A Blue Mountain Ranger District, MNF Open: July to October Length: 1.5 miles Elevation: 8,000’ - 4,270’ Use: Moderate Hiking: Horses allowed, Mountain Biking and ATVs prohibited.

Roads End Trail is an easy walk to a spectacular view of the John Day Valley to the north and Bear Valley to the west and south. The entire length of the trail is on an old roadbed. Wildflowers and occasional patches of snow can be enjoyed along this trail during July and August. If you walk up off the trail to the east you can view High Lake. This trail is the first section of the

shortest route to the top of Strawberry Mountain. The end of this trail ties in with the Pine Creek Trail 201 to the west and the Onion Creek Trail 368 to the east. This 3-way intersection is “Roads End” landmark. It overlooks the Indian Creek Basin which was recently scarred by the Wildcat Fire of 1996.Access: From Seneca, drive east on Forest Service Road 16 for approximately 15 miles to Forest Service Road 1640. Drive north on Forest Service Road 1640 for about 11 miles to the Road End Trailhead. Forest Service Road 1640 does not end here. If you continue driving to the end of Forest Service Road 1640, you will arrive at the Skyline Trailhead 385.

NORTH FORK MALHEUR TRAIL - Trail #381, Prairie City Ranger District, MNF Open: April - November Length: 12.4 miles Elevation: 4,000’ - 4,880’ Use: Light Hiking: Horses and Biking allowed, ATVs prohibited

North Fork Trail has a foot bridge that crosses the North Fork Malheur River at the trailhead, then goes along the west side of the river. This trail is in the Wild and Scenic River Area.

Access: From Prairie City, take County Road 62 south and turn on Forest Service Road 13, along Deardorff Creek. Then take Forest Service Road 16 south at Short Creek Guard Station, and turn off at Forest Service Road 1675. Follow Forest Service Road 1675 for about 3 miles to the trailhead.

DIFFICULT TRAILS

MALHEUR RIVER TRAIL - Trail #303 Emigrant Creek Ranger District, MNF.  Open: April to November Length: 7.6 miles Elevation: 4,400’ to 4,620’ Use: Light to Medium Hiking: Horses allowed, Mountain Biking and ATVs prohibited.

Malheur River Trail is a National Recreation Trail which offers an enjoyable hike along a portion of the Malheur River. This scenic trail offers good fishing and allows the user access to a

semi-primitive setting.Access: From Seneca, travel 14 miles east on Forest Service Road 16 to Forest Service road 1643. Follow the 1643 Road approximately 10 miles to Dollar Basin. Turn left, travel 1 mile to the Malheur River. The trailhead is 200 feet downstream. Access may be found at Hog Flat, another 8 miles down the 1643 road. Turn onto the 142 road. The trailhead is at the end of the 142 road.

MORE DIFFICULT TRAILS

JOAQUIN MILLER TRAIL - Trail #219 Blue Mountain Ranger District, MNF Open: June- November Length: 6.0 miles Elevation: 5,600’ to 7,700’ Use: Light Hiking: Horses allowed, Mountain Biking and ATVs prohibited.

Joaquin Miller Trail access is on the southwest end of the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness. The trail leads through a scenic grove of old growth ponderosa pine located on a bench

approximately 2 miles from the trailhead. This stand is part of the Canyon Creek Natural Area which a portion of this trail

borders.Access: From John Day, travel south on US Highway 395 to County road 65. Take the 65 Road south for approximately 4 miles. Turn left onto Forest Service Road 6510. The trailhead is at the end of the road.

MALHEUR RAIL TRAIL - Trail #382, Prairie City Ranger District, MNF Open: May - October Length: 12.5 miles Elevation: 4,000’ to 9,038’ Use: Light Hiking: Horses allowed, Mountain Biking and ATVs prohibited.

Malheur Rail Trail is located on the former Hines Railroad Grade. Traveling on this trail takes you through steep grades, filled to accommodate railroad traffic, deep cuts through rocky hills and flat, open areas.Access: From Prairie City, take County Road 62 approximately 19 miles to Summit Prairie. From Summit Prairie travel west on Forest Service Road 16 to Forest Service Road 1600133. Travel on Forest Service Road 1600133 to the junction with Forest Service Road 1600097 where the trailhead is located.

Interested in finding other trails in the area? Check out the Grant County Chamber of Commerce’s web site at www.gcoregonlive.com. Because of differences in elevation, location and other conditions, some trails may open later than others. Malheur National Forest, 541-575-3000 Prairie City Ranger District, 541-820-3800

state park mountain bike trails

Mohican State Park MTB Trail Mountain Bike Ride, Loudonville village, OH

Mohican State Park MTB Trail

Featured Ride near Loudonville village, OH. Directions

 4.5 from 2 votes

22.2 Miles

95% Singletrack

2,415’ Ascent

-2,416’ Descent

“One of Ohio's epic rides!”

— Terry McFadden on Jun 7, 2013

Overview

Ohio's longest singletrack, Mohican State Park's MTB trail, is located just outside Loudonville OH. From the MYB trailhead parking lot it's approximately 25 1/2 miles total, with all but about a mile of riding being sweet flowing singletrack.

The first few miles are burners - you'll spend most all of it climbing. Thats not to say that once you get to the top of that first few miles its all smooth sailing downhill - oh no, you get your downhill break, but you earn it with the climb right back up afterwards. Along the way you'll encounter the occasional technical spot like logovers and bridges, but for the most part, until you pass the 20 mile mark the vast majority of the trail is either flowing singletrack or climbing. From 20 miles on, you'll encounter rock gardens and flowy pumptrack-like stretches of trail. None of which is impassable by a beginner, but you shouldn't be seeing beginners this far in.

The first 8 miles are multidirectional but from that point on it's one-way (counter-clockwise) traffic. Hikers may be on the trail so keep your eyes open; there are wilderness campsites located throughout the park that are nearby to the trail.

Need To Know

Bailout points are limited, and just because you hit a road crossing bailout point does not mean you have an easy cruise back to the lot. Be prepared to ride a good deal. There is an out at around mile 8, and again at the covered bridge (mile 12), another around 16 and another around 20. Get a map from the campground office (they are a couple of bucks), or use the MTB Project mobile app if you think you might need to bail before completion as there is no signage at the road crossings directing you how to get back to where you started.

Description

Starting from the MTB parking lot, which is across from the campground entrance, you'll head under the bridge on Rte 3 and sweep back towards the campground. You can either ride the clearcut through the trees, a nice grassy lane, or take the road to the campground entrance. Once there, cross over the campground parking lot to the trailhead. There's a small sign at the edge of the woods. From there, the trail is pretty distinct, and anywhere a hiking trail intersects, there will be a trail marker of white 4" PVC pipe mounted on a post- quite easy to see. The same markers are used as mile markers over the entire distance of the trail.

The trail passes through stands of coniferous and mixed deciduous forest, has a few stretches of shared doubletrack (equestrian trails), and a short stretch of road ride from the covered bridge to a real grinder of a climb. A couple of gas line right-of-ways, and a couple of road crossings, are the only interruptions in the flow until you get past mile 23 and have to cross the campground road for the final leg.

Notable spots, as best I can remember...

As you climb from mile 7 to mile 8, make sure to stop and say hi to the gnome.

The mile 9 climb is well-rewarded shortly thereafter with some really fast, flowy downhills that have just been reworked. The switchbacks on the way down have been bermed, and the washed-out ruts have been cleaned up. FAST!!!

The covered bridge past 12 is a nice place to take a break. Dont get too comfy though, or your legs will rebel as soon as you start the climb out of the river valley.

Somewhere around 16 is a side trail to the fire tower. Never bothered to check it out myself but I have seen many pics from the spot, and the view is incredible.

About the 20 mile mark is where you get into some rock gardens. Start with a stretch of babyheads and progress through some truck-sized boulders. (Don't worry, you aren't going to have to huck the big ones...the trail winds between them, but it is all rocks regardless.)

The climb at 21 may or may not put you to the test. You get a nice fast downhill approach to it but its steep.

From there to 23 is a great stretch of flow. Hammer down if you can and enjoy it - you're close to the home stretch. As you make the last downhill back into the river valley, there are more reworked turns and enhanced features to keep the blood pumping.

As you finish that stretch, youll cross a wooden bridge that takes you back onto the road. If you absolutely can't make another mile and a half, take a right on the pavement and it will take you back to the campground office where you started. DON'T DO IT!

Instead, cross the pavement bridge that crosses the river in front of you as you come off the wooden bridge. As you cross you'll see trail signage on the other side of the road. Take that trail (shared with a hiking trail), and about 20 yards in the MTB trail switchbacks up to the right. (Again, the PVC pipe trail markers are there to guide you.) You are on the home stretch! It follows the hillside, without much elevation change, but there will be rocks, and likely some water. As you finish that final mile or so, dont get complacent when you see the end of the trail spilling out into the sunshine... there's a little whoop of a jump that can put you OTB right at the finish.

Contacts

Land Manager: USFS - Wayne National Forest Office

mountain biketrails

For thrill seekers, mountain biking the new passion (Feature)

Published on June 14th, 2013

Written by: South Asia News Services

New Delhi, June 14 (IANS) Vamini Sethi, 27, doesn’t look physically strong. But give her a mountain bike and she re-defines toughness. For her riding through craggy terrain, dirt roads and treacherous paths are like child’s play.

Sethi, a banker by profession, is part of a group that is regular at mountain biking events – a trend that is catching up among thrill seekers for that extra adrenaline rush.

“Mountain bicycling challenges every bit of you and requires perfect synchronisation of mind and body. It tests your endurance and willpower. Every time your body gives up, your mind encourages you to pedal harder,” Sethi told IANS.

Sethi, who owns two high-end bikes – Trek 2.1 and Trek 4300 – said the thrill keeps all of them going.

“You are not competing with anyone, but just with yourself. The thrill you get after completing a difficult terrain…that feeling is great,” she said.

Like her, there are many biking enthusiasts who are getting into this niche area for the love of the thrill and the challenge it offers, Sethi said.

The numbers are slowly growing, despite it being an expensive hobby.

Some of the credit for making mountain biking popular goes to the Himalayan Adventure Sports and Tourism Promotion Association (HASTPA).

Formed in 2005, it is the brainchild of Mohit Sood, who with the support of a British friend decided to venture into this unknown territory.

Ever since then, he has been successfully organising the MTB Himalaya international biking challenge, a gruelling seven-day trail from Shimla to Kullu, covering 550 kilometres.

“Mountain bicycling is not everyone’s cup of tea. It requires passion and ultimately gives you the thrill after you successfully ride through a difficult and dangerous terrain,” Sood told IANS over the phone from Shimla.

“It is a combination of man and machine where mental alertness and flexibility on two-wheels determines the final outcome,” he added.

Sood knew the journey would be ardours and difficult, but he persisted. Today, he is a happy man.

“It was hard to get participants initially. In our first year we had only eight Indian participants but last year we had 82 Indian participants. So, the numbers show a drastic change in the mindset towards this sport,” said Sood.

Now, many international bikers from Europe and the US participate in the annual event.

But for many, the money sometimes acts as a deterrent.

“You have to spend a lot when it comes to hard-core bicycling. People find it pretty absurd when you tell them that you have spent almost two lakh rupees on your riding gear,” said Varun Sharma, a software professional.

“To them it might be a silly splurge, but to me it is a life-long investment. Many do get discouraged when they hear that they have to spend so much,” said Sharma, who owns two bicycles worth Rs.1.5 lakh.

It is just not buying an expensive bike. One has to buy the entire safety gear too.

Sharma said extra focus has to be given to a better headlight, tail light, helmet, extra tubes, a speedometer, gloves, water sippers and gel seat cover for a comfortable and safer ride.

“Only those who are serious about it would invest in such things. It is not a hobby, but your passion,” he added.

Harshman Singh is another regular rider and owns the Cycledelic Sport Shop in Model Town in north Delhi.

“Things have changed quite a lot now. With foreign makers flooding the market, there are various options for cycle enthusiasts. Though many still prefer MTB (mountain bike) over ATB (all terrain bike) because of the looks and fat tyres, the serious cyclists understand the nuances of these types,” he said, adding the price starts from Rs.9,500 and goes up to Rs.4 lakhs.

The helmets start at Rs. 1,000 and go up to Rs. 8,000.

According to Sood, many living in the city get disheartened when they don’t find the right terrain.

“The absence of dirt-paths in the city to practise is a disadvantage for those who want to take mountain bicycling seriously,” Sood explained.

To give riders a taste of off-roading, in which a bike is ridden on unsurfaced roads or tracks, Firefox Bikers, the sole distributor of Trex bikes, recently organised an event in the outskirts of Delhi. The response was overwhelming.

Though mountain biking is mostly confined to men, Sethi hopes more women would soon join.

“Let’s admit men are physically stronger than women. I had to undergo a lot of practice to be where I am. It wasn’t easy.

“Getting up early in the morning, cycling on the Faridabad-Gurgaon road with my husband in the car watching me; it requires both mental strength and support. At the end, it is all about passion,” she said.

(Shilpa Raina can be contacted at shilpa.r@ians.in)

IANS 2013-06-14 13:04:50

dirt bike trails near

Top Trails Recreation Park near Talladega adds new trails and archery range (Joe's Outdoor Office photos and video)

Top Trails Recreation Park near Talladega

View the Slideshow >>

(Gallery by Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com)

TALLADEGA, Alabama --  Top Trails, an outdoors recreation park opened last year on 2,800 acres near Talladega.   The park is built  on the former site of an old military ammunition storage facility and transformed the acreage into a place where ATV and dirt bike riders can ride on miles of trails. The environmental center is now complete and a new archery range has opened.  

Coming later this year is a 25 acre mud bogg for off highway vehicles (OHV), ATVs and UTVs. "Any vehicle a guest wants to get muddy, this will be the place",  said Mic Barnett, the park director.

Top Trails Recreation Park near Talladega Top Trails Recreation Park near Talladega adds an archery range and new ATV and dirt bike trails. The Environmental Center has also been completed. Video tour of some of the new features. (Joe Songer/jsonger@al.com). Barnett also said that a 50 space, full hook up camp ground will be completed this summer. Power, water and sewage will be provided. There are primitive camp sites on the property now. Primitive campers have access to the new bath and shower facility at the environmental center that just opened.

The cost for admission to the park is $5.00 per person per day and $10 per person pay day. Prices for the full service campsites have not been set.

Hours of operation are 6 a.m.- 10 p.m. seven days a week. Overnight campers have access 24 hours a day.

 The park is located just off AL275, the new section of highway east of Hwy 77 about 3 miles near Talladega. Look for the sign on AL 275 at Welch Road.

Here is a link to the Top Trails website that has much more info about upcoming events and the park layout.

Questions or comments? Contact me at jsonger@al.com or on Twitter @joesonger22.