Typical "flow" singletrack on the Beginner Trail in Lebanon Hills.
(Photo used with Permission of Dakota County Parks, Minnesota)

This article is written by Joshua Rebannack. Joshua contacted me after he read our recent coverage of mountain biking in Forest Park. As a way of helping Portland see a different vision for urban, off-road bicycling access, Joshua wanted to share how the issue has evolved in riding areas around Minneapolis, Minnesota. — Jonathan
—

My name is Joshua Rebennack. I'm a "Dirt Boss" at the Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Trails and a member of the Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Crew. I am writing this guest article in response to some of the controversy surrounding the possible inclusion of mountain biking at Forest Park.

Below I'll discuss an example trail in an urban setting, Lebanon Hills Regional Park in Eagan, Minnesota, and the lessons the citizens of Portland can learn from it.

While it might seem an odd choice comparing a West Coast location with Midwest, there are more similarities than one might think. Both Portland and Twin Cities (including Eagan) are at similar latitudes. While Portland prides itself on its rainfall, actually, the Twin Cities receives somewhat similar amounts of precipitation, though far more of it in snow. They both have similar political climates. And both are biking hot- spots. (more...)

A trail in River View Natural Area.
(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)

If you care about off-road bicycling in Portland, take note that a very important planning process is getting underway.

Portland Parks & Recreation is seeking members of the public to sit on an advisory committee that will help plan the future of their River View Natural Area. This 146 acre parcel of land, which was acquired by the City of Portland in May 2011, holds great potential for off-road bicycling; but given the politics around trail access issues, it remains to be seen to what extent bikes will be allowed.

While off-road cycling advocates have already invested many volunteer hours helping PP&R clean up the River View site, and locals have ridden bikes on its trails for many years (when it was privately owned), the agency itself is making no promises about the future extent of bike access. It is clear, however, that a new trail system will be developed. (more...)

The magic of Forest Park's northern reach.
(Photos by Hudson Henry)

After I shared a story about a recent ride in Forest Park, I heard from many readers with fun routes of their own. The story and photos come to us from southwest Portland resident Hudson Henry.

Do you desperately need a mountain bike ride, but don’t have the time to get to the coast range or Gorge? Do you close your eyes and picture that knobby tire leading you carefree through the woods? When I feel the stress build up and really need a quick dirt ride, I head out Highway 30 to the northern reaches of Forrest Park. While the legal riding there is technically on firelanes, the northern lanes are often very rugged and trail like.

(more...)

In case you haven't noticed, Portland-based Northwest Trail Alliance is really becoming a strong force for good in the region. They are building trails, building relationships, and building a movement around mountain biking. NWTA President Jon Pheanis just shared a cool checklist in their monthly newsletter that's worth more attention. Check it out...

The Mountain Biker Checklist: 10 Things You Should Do Before Fall

VOLUNTEER: Help get the trails you ride into shape. Or help at any of our upcoming events like Sunday Parkways or Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day. Check out the calendar to find out more.
EXPLORE: Go somewhere new. Check out our website and see what's near you.
GO FAR: Summer is winding down so now is the time to ride any of our regions' single track.
STAY CLOSE: There's no need to drive. Ride the Springwater Trail out to Powell Butte or take Max to the Ventura Park pump track.
INTRODUCE A FRIEND: Take someone new out on a mountain bike and share your passion.
RECYCLE: Take your old mountain bike or bike parts to the Community Cycling Center. Someone will really appreciate it.
DONATE: Your cash donations go directly to supporting all of our excellent programs. Even just a little goes a long way.
TELL US A STORY: Go somewhere new this summer? Have advice, something amazing, or funny to tell us? Send us your story and we'll get it on our website or our newsletter. You can always submit a topic to present at our monthly membership meetings.
LEAD: We need your help guiding a ride, heading one of our programs and volunteering your time as a board member. Contact us for more information.
GET INVOLVED: Frustrated, passionate or just grateful? Come early to one of our monthly membership meetings and see what you can do. We're also looking for a few 2013-2014 board members.

Trail use conflicts continue to plague one of Portland's most popular urban sanctuaries: Mt. Tabor Park. For many years, the several miles of narrow singletrack trails looping around the park have been known as a fun place to ride a mountain bike. But, given the park's urban setting and natural beauty, the crowded trails are also known as a place where user conflicts are common.

Last year I reported that complaints about trail conflicts between people walking and biking, led to the installation of a new "No Bicycles Please" sign on the Green Trail. The Green Trail is a 1.7 mile loop and is one of three trail loops that circumnavigates the park. Earlier this week a reader contacted me saying that several more signs had recently gone up.
(more...)

A trail into the Riverview natural area.

Portland Parks & Recreation will host a trail work party at their newly acquired Riverview natural area next week and many of the volunteers that show up will be from the Northwest Trail Alliance, a group eager to expand local off-road riding opportunities and willing to invest sweat equity to make it happen.

Back in May of 2011, Portland Parks & Recreation teamed up with the City's Bureau of Environmental Services and Metro to buy 146 acres of forested land located just south of Riverview Cemetery and the Sellwood Bridge. The parcel of land was previously owned by the adjacent Riverview Cemetery. Technically, the land was private, but over the past two decades people have been hiking and biking through it and a mish-mash network of trails has developed. To my knowledge, Riverview Cemetery (to their credit) has chosen to look the other way instead of cracking down on trespassers.

With the City of Portland's well-known lack of close-in singletrack trail riding opportunities, the purchase of this land — known as the "LC Trails" (due to nearby Lewis & Clark College) or simply "the cemetery" — immediately piqued the interest of off-road riding advocates. Local business owner and well-known rider Erik Tonkin has ridden the trails for 18 years. He says he "can't imagine" a place where he'd rather see a public and professionally managed network of off-road bike trails. (more...)

(more...)

Detail of event poster.

With summer weather finally looking like it's here to stay, I can't think of a better time to kick-off the Northwest Trail Alliance's annual Trailfest mountain biking festival. This year's theme is "Fun in every direction!"

Beginning this evening with a ride in Forest Park (meet at 5:30 pm in parking lot of Fat Tire Farm on NW 27th and Thurman), the Northwest Trail Alliance will host five days of rides and events. Trailfest is a way for the group to highlight local off-road riding opportunities, share what they've accomplished in the last year, and find more members and volunteers for their advocacy efforts. (more...)

Your hut awaits.
(Photos: Cascade Huts)

Mountain biking on Mt. Hood isn't exactly the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a family-friendly summer bike adventure; but that might change thanks to Cascade Huts.

Since their launch five years ago, the founders of Cascade Huts — James Koski (yes that James Koski) and Don Bain — have attracted quite a bit of media attention. Earlier this month, Outside Magazine named Cascade Huts the 2nd best hut-to-hut mountain biking system in America.

And now, in partnership with the US Forest Service, the company has announced the addition of two new huts that are set to open for riders this summer. The new huts are in the Surveyor's Ridge area to the east of Mt. Hood. (more...)

Still from video of Ventura Park
pump track in action.
- Watch it below -

The new pump track at Ventura Park in East Portland is well on its way to being completed and we've got video proof of how awesome it is.

Since volunteers began slinging shovels and dirt last month, the track has taken shape nicely. The Northwest Trail Alliance is managing the build operation, under an official partnership with Portland Parks & Recreation.
(more...)