One of our favorite trail systems of all time is Oregon’s Sandy Ridge Trail. Designed for mountain bikers, by mountain bikers, Sandy Ridge is model trail system of what can be done when all the right pieces come together. A land manager that understands mountain biking, and the economic benefits to providing recreation to our demographic, top level trail design and construction, and a local bike club willing to step up and keep everything maintained. There’s a bit of something for everyone here; flow trail lines, rock gardens, old fire roads converted to jump lines, the list goes on. And although the trail has been around for a few years now, construction on new trails is still on going, with the system getting better and better every year. When we passed through this time we had a chance to ride the newest piece of trail goodness, a downhill specific flow trail dubbed Flow Motion. (it was sweet)
Although the Sandy Ridge Trail system is undoubtedly the most popular trail around— boasting a nearly full parking lot every weekend— because the trails are one way specific, conflicts between riders are minimal. Here’s a edit that hit the web recently from the BLM and IMBA Trail Solutions detailing more:
When discussing ideas for the local flow trail in Tamarancho last year during the design phase, I mentioned Sandy Ridge and Half Nelson as the ground breaking models for trails of this nature. Sandy Ridge should be required riding for any trail builder/ designer worth his chops. (somehow Endor ended up with NO jump lines whatsoever— how did this travesty disappointment happen? Clearly the folks that cut out the jump lines I laid out in the initial design have never ridden a legitimate flow trail elsewhere)
Besides all the sweet trail features, there are a few incredible views to be had too.
It’s amazing to ride a trail system like this, and see how it effects the community as well as the local riding scene in general. However, on this trip, were were here to ride. We stopped for a minute to snap a few shots on the first loop, but this is the kind of trail it’s hard to stop on, much less want to take the time to document sans that paycheck at the end of the tunnel.
That said, if this trail isn’t already on your must-ride list, change that immediately.
Our friends at the Northwest Trail Alliance have updated info on how to get to the trail as well as other info at their wiki here.
