I’ve been christening a number of new rides the past few months.
Although we’ve lived in Oregon for nearly 19 years, and this particular neck of the woods west of Salem for 8 years, I’ve been saving a lot of places for, well, times like this.
I’ve come to realize the insane variety that my area has to offer.
My local weekday rides primarily roll along gravel roads through vineyards, orchards and farm fields.
My local weekend rides expand into the Coastal Range on gravel logging roads, with plenty of singletrack carved into the forest here and there.
If I had any reasonable bike skills, Black Rock is a downhiller’s delight just 20 minutes drive from my doorstep, with wooden ramps and jumps chiseled into the mountainside.
Within an hour I can be riding trails in the Cascades, or riding along the coast, or taking in some paved rail-trails, or simply explore cities like Portland, Salem, Corvallis and Eugene with stellar cycling infrastructure.
It all got me to think about what would be my perfect ride? If a Genie granted me one cycling ride wish, what would it be?
I surprised myself by coming to the conclusion that what I love to do the most in the Pacific Northwest is to roll off on the gravel logging roads into the mountains to explore (on weekends when logging trucks sit at home).
The climbs are long and steady, but always reveal stunning vistas.
Creeks tumble out of the hills seemingly everywhere with crystal clear water rolling over a variety of river rock.
Towering trees hundreds of years old can take your breath away.
This week’s question: What’s your dream ride?
My dream ride over here in New England is, similarly to you, to link together the many dirt roads around here that I’ve never ridden. And if things work out like in my mind there is one cafe on the ride to get some grub, and then another for more food and a beer. I’m gonna keep at it till I get it right! Thanks for writing.