Mountain Biking in Oregon

Unbeatable Bicycling!

Contact Storie: 503-704-4631
E-mail: CavePainter@comcast.net

Taking a satellite view of our John Day River Valley (Google Satellite Map) will show how unique is Prairie City's setting. At state wide magnification our long east-west reach of valley, situated almost exactly in the middle of the State, can be seen as a trough sequestered by mountains to the north and south that come together at the east end in the shape of a U laid on its side. Prairie City is indicated by a small white dot snugged up close within the embrace of the U head.

Prairie City Oregon Satellite Map

Given this view, veteran cyclists can easily recognize what wonderful route potential such landscape offers, as has been proven by how popular for years has been our valley to bicycle excursion and tour companies.

The original Bike Centennial route of 1976 (part of our nation's celebration of its 200th year since founding) was charted through Prairie City. To this day that cross continent route map remains the most chosen among those offered by Bicycle Adventures. Cycle Oregon, one of the nation's preeminent annual bicycle extravaganzas, has been routed through Prairie City twice, and once had its beginning and ending here.

As the satellite view shows by coloration, our area is diverse for greened areas of forested mountain wilderness and pastoral grazing/farm land, contrasted by areas of semi-arid expanse just a mountain pass away. This variety of scenic landscape is on first glimpse startling to many from the "wet side" of the Cascade Mountains; giving lie to the common reference to our side as "the dry side".

Obvious from the satellite too is the fact that Prairie City is distant from any major population center, almost equal distance from Bend (162 miles) as from Boise (164 miles). To the majority American population - two generations now metropolitan/suburban dwellers - this might suggest isolation from accustomed modern conveniences, comforts and essential services.

Mountain Biking Oregon

But those who've been adventurous enough to visit our valley have been disabused of this urban provincialism, finding instead that escape from the frenetic distractions of metropolitan existence doesn't necessarily involve personal peril or discomfort. Travel time to cover the distance between Prairie City and John Day (13 miles) where is a new, thoroughly modern, full service hospital is probably less than that required for most to get to a hospital in a major metropolitan area.

No disclaiming though that our routes do offer true adventure, by definition of roads that are traffic free for mile after mile coursing through landscapes of breathtaking variety and beauty.

Statistically, you probably "surfed" to this site as an urban dweller that is relatively new to cycling. Probable because 90% of Americans live in metropolitan areas and only in the past ten years has bicycling risen from sub-culture quirkiness to national obsession - now being the 1st choice recreation and still growing at near exponential rate.

Bicyclists

If you are an Oregon resident the likelihood is that you are a "newbie" to the state with only vague experience of what lies east of the Cascades. In any case, you found your way here because you know how bicycle travel gives you much more intimate sense of connection with the landscape, the culture and the people of the areas you travel through.

Maybe too, like much of America, you are experiencing a shift of consciousness about environment, modes of travel and renewal of deeper connection to nature beyond what city life ordinarily permits. Our routes give opportunity to serve all those values. Our ultimate hope though in offering them is to bridge the gap in understanding that has been caused to develop between the majority urban dwellers and the rural populations "living on the land", so that can be realized how our future is irrevocably entwined.


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Contact Storie: 503-704-4631
E-mail: CavePainter@comcast.net

These Are Free Events and REGISTRATION Is NOT Required

(Scroll Down to View Bicycle Routes)

Cycling Strawberry Mountain Range

Join us for a day or a week of great Bicycle Riding in the Prairie City area, famous among veteran cyclists. Choose from a variety of mapped and characterized rides ranging in type, class, and distance. You'll experience spectacular scenery, traffic free roadways, uncrowded backcountry trails, abundant wildlife, and scenic wilderness. You will also be welcomed by true Western hospitality and friendliness.

NOTE: The scheduled ride dates shown for certain of the routes is not intended to imply restriction in any way on riders' choices about which route to take on any given date. The purpose of the scheduling (assigning of a suggested date) is to facilitate coordination of volunteer groups that might aim to organize support services - such as sag wagon and rest/refreshment stops - for fund-raising opportunity.

Having this schedule also enhances the prospect for individual riders to meet others of similar pace and fitness level for company along the way if they so choose.

Click Here For The 2010 Ride Schedule

Bicycle Tour Routes (Download PDF's for viewing and printing):

*2 Easy Out & Back Rides
(Same as Routes #6 and #7)

Route #1 - Summit Prairie Loop
(64 mile Road Bike loop - start/end Prairie City)

Route #2 - Logan Valley Loop
(74 mile Road Bike loop - start/end Prairie City)

Route #3 - Dixie Mountain Loop
(30 mile Mountain Bike loop - start/end Prairie City)

Route #4 - Keeney RD Loop
(34 mile Mountain Bike loop - start/end Prairie City)

Route #5 - Valley Loop
(15 mile Mountain/X-bike loop - start/end Prairie City)

Route #6 & #7 - Indian Creek & Strawberry Mountain Roads
(4-8 mile Mountain/X-bike out & back - start/end Prairie City)

Route #8 - Reynold's Creek Out and Back
(26 mile Mountain/X-bike out & back - start/end Prairie City)

Route #9 - Unity Loop "Brutal Century"
(100.3 mile Road Bike loop - start/end Prairie City)

Route #10, Reynolds Creek - Dixie Summit Loop
(33 mile Mountain Bike loop - start/end Prairie City)

Route #11 - Austin - Ritter Hot Springs
(52 mile Road Bike/X-Bike - SAG support necessary)

Route #12 - Davis Creek Trail
(Mountain Bike; SAG support necessary) to be posted later

Route #13 - Grouse Knob
(Mountain Bike; SAG support necessary) to be posted later

Route #14 - Horseshoe Creek - Sheep Creek
(Mountain Bike; SAG support necessary) to be posted later

Route #15 - Lake Butte
(Mountain Bike; SAG support necessary) to be posted later

Route #16 - Nipple Butte Loop
(Mountain Bike; SAG support necessary) to be posted later

Route #17 - North Fork Malheur River Tail
(Mountain Bike; SAG support necessary) to be posted later

Route #18 - Valley View Ridge
(8-13 mile Mountain Bike - SAG support necessary)

Route #19 - Baldy Mountain
(Mountain Bike; SAG support necessary) to be posted later

Route #20 - Middle Fork - Ritter - Mt. Vernon Loop
(138 mile Road Bike loop - start/end Prairie City; camp gear or SAG support necessary)

Route #21 - Pat Voigt Scenic Loop
(20 mile Mountain Bike loop - start/end Prairie City)

Route #22 - High Vista Traverse Loop
(25 mile Mountain Bike loop - start/end Prairie City)

Route #23 - Monster High Scenic Loop
(36 mile Mountain Bike loop - start/end Prairie City)

Route #24 - Dans Reynolds Creeks Scenic Cruise
(14-30+ mile Mountain Bike - SAG required depending on route length choice)


Route Ride Schedule And Coordination

Assembly/Start point: West Front Street (Highway 26), between cross streets of SW Johnson Avenue and SW Bridge Street (grassed area under large oak tree on south side of Front Street, where are a couple of picnic tables).

Riders are urged to assemble here to (a) learn details of support services that might be provided during the ride, (b) to meet any other riders who will be sharing the route, and (c) to complete a "Participant Information Form" which documents vital personal safety information.

Suggested start times: Riders are at liberty to exercise personal discretion about departure time, of course, but a start time no later than this is urged for taking advantage of cooler morning temperatures - especially on days when temperatures are forecast to reach above normal.


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