PNW Must Do Rides

[John_B]

Also if you are considering coming to the Methow valley be aware that it's currently smoky as hell and the Angel's Staircase/Foggy Dew is off limits due to the Uno Peak Fire. If you end up heading this way feel free to PM me for advice.

[Gunder]

Also, galby is fun, super close to town but it's not spectacular.

.

Youre obviously doing it wrong then. Galbraith is probably one the most developed and varied trail networks in N.A. If you do more than just the standard towers lap you will find lots of spectacular trails but they all require a bit more climbing.

Orcas is fun, but wouldn't be on my top ten list if I was flying across the country to ride here. My advise would be 3-4 days in Bellingham, 3-4 in N.Van and Squamish and 3-4 in the Whistler and Pemberton area. That would get you a ton of variety and some of the best trails in N.A. and if not the world.

[Dromond]

I agree regarding Orcas. It's beautiful but the riding isn't on the same level as some of the other areas mentioned. I also think the trails in western WA / BC areas I mentioned are better than what I've ridden in the Methow or Eastern WA in general, but that could just be my preference...

[North]

Thanks for all the recs guys/gals. Trip is this weekend - wednesday. Planning on the fly so lots of these options are in play.

One last question: My bike got stolen earlier this summer so I've just been riding an older steed and demoing when possible. Not worth flying the old bike out for this trip - any recommendations for shop demos or decent rentals? I'm aware of the Transition, Evil, and Kona factory demos, but their hours/locations are somewhat limiting. Multi-day demo would probably be best but $100+/day is kinda hard to stomach.

[ridinshockgun]

If you're coming into Seattle I do know that "Ride Bicycles" on Roosevelt Way has great pricing on rentals. It won't be a full carbon $6,000 bike but plenty capable trail bike, I think my friend rented a Norco Sight when he came in August for like $40/day or something.

Also if you are considering coming to the Methow valley be aware that it's currently smoky as hell and the Angel's Staircase/Foggy Dew is off limits due to the Uno Peak Fire. If you end up heading this way feel free to PM me for advice.

It's good to go now, was up there yesterday. Spectacular. Hopefully the weather leaves a few more snow free weekends to get this in but it's not looking good. It's a true bucket list ride.

[ACH]

^^^
Ahhhh, turning larch, one of my favorite things about Fall riding.

[John_B]

^^Right on. I'm headed up there Sunday.

[mtngirl79]

Why did I haveta break my stupid leg

[ridinshockgun]

If you're basing out of Seattle go ride Kachess Ridge! One of the best descents in Washington and a "backcountry" ride 70 minutes from Seattle.

https://www.trailforks.com/trails/kachess/

[Groomer Gambler]

I'm heading down to the North Umpqua this weekend for a department camping trip. Anyone ride chunks of the N. Umpqua trail (along the river)? I'm thinking about packing a fly rod w/ me too.

https://www.adventure-journal.com/20...-umpqua-trail/

[North]

We ended up having a fairly complex web of social gatherings (drinking) to attend which limited the riding somewhat, but managed to get the following done:

Seattle: Tiger Mtn (Off the Grid, Predator)
Cle Elum: Kachess Ridge
Bellingham: Chuckanutt, Galbraith

I had a blast at Tiger - would definitely set aside a half day to grab an Evil from the factory and go ride that stuff on any future Seattle trips. Kachess Ridge was cool - I'm not used to shuttling and always find it a bit annoying, but there are some fun sections up high and last section of trail is awesome. Chuckanutt was probably my favorite - good mix of smashy, steepness. Galbriath was my least favorite, which probably had a lot to do with me being a tourist. Seems like it's best if you're familiar with the jump lines etc, but its hard for me to "onsite" those types of trails. Lots of time looking at the map to get the lay of the land etc. Of the ones we rode, I liked Atomic Dog and SST the best.

Having to demo bikes was a pain and somewhat limiting. Ride Bicycles was definitely the best option economically but was between demo fleets and didn't have my size in anything. I had a good experience with Kirkland Cycle.

Definitely need to go back and do the North Vancouver, Squamish, Whistler stuff. Bummed I didn't get up there this time - had too many people to see in Seattle.

[slowk]

Mini-Hijack. What are some good rides between Portland and Seattle? Going on a bike trip in a few weeks and we are trying to squeeze in a ride. Have done Tiger Mountain, Thrillium and Ranger Creek/Pallisades. Might just ride Tiger again but wondering what other great rides are out there.

[kidwoo]

Ride Bicycles was definitely the best option economically but was between demo fleets and didn't have my size in anything.

Haha, that's my buddy's shop.

I'll be sure to tell him he's failing at his life's work and falling woefully short of meeting his target market.

[North]

Haha, that's my buddy's shop.

I'll be sure to tell him he's failing at his life's work and falling woefully short of meeting his target market.

Ha - they were one of the few shops that carry Rocky Mountain. I wanna try that new Altitude.

[kidwoo]

Cool to hear he's renting out some good mountainbikes. The first few years his bread and butter was selling commuter bikes and handlebar bells.

[sklar]

Mini-Hijack. What are some good rides between Portland and Seattle? Going on a bike trip in a few weeks and we are trying to squeeze in a ride. Have done Tiger Mountain, Thrillium and Ranger Creek/Pallisades. Might just ride Tiger again but wondering what other great rides are out there.

St. Helens has some cool stuff that will be getting snowed in soon.

[ACH]

Mini-Hijack. What are some good rides between Portland and Seattle? Going on a bike trip in a few weeks and we are trying to squeeze in a ride. Have done Tiger Mountain, Thrillium and Ranger Creek/Pallisades. Might just ride Tiger again but wondering what other great rides are out there.

Lewis River trail and Capital Forest come to mind.

[kidwoo]

ape canyon-plains of Abraham-smith creek is neat

[mtngirl79]

We ended up having a fairly complex web of social gatherings (drinking) to attend which limited the riding somewhat, but managed to get the following done:

Seattle: Tiger Mtn (Off the Grid, Predator)
Cle Elum: Kachess Ridge
Bellingham: Chuckanutt, Galbraith

I had a blast at Tiger - would definitely set aside a half day to grab an Evil from the factory and go ride that stuff on any future Seattle trips. Kachess Ridge was cool - I'm not used to shuttling and always find it a bit annoying, but there are some fun sections up high and last section of trail is awesome. Chuckanutt was probably my favorite - good mix of smashy, steepness. Galbriath was my least favorite, which probably had a lot to do with me being a tourist. Seems like it's best if you're familiar with the jump lines etc, but its hard for me to "onsite" those types of trails. Lots of time looking at the map to get the lay of the land etc. Of the ones we rode, I liked Atomic Dog and SST the best.

Having to demo bikes was a pain and somewhat limiting. Ride Bicycles was definitely the best option economically but was between demo fleets and didn't have my size in anything. I had a good experience with Kirkland Cycle.

Definitely need to go back and do the North Vancouver, Squamish, Whistler stuff. Bummed I didn't get up there this time - had too many people to see in Seattle.

I coulda helped you with galby. My recent favorite before I got broken was das auto bohn to Irish death and then lair of the bear. It is kindof tricky until you know the mountain and some of the trails lose their flow if you aren't hitting the jumps.

[slowk]

Thanks for the replies. Was thinking about Capitol Forrest. We'll see what the weather does.

[grubbers]

I'm looking for some recommendations on some longer adventure rides up in Washington and Oregon. I've got about a week around the middle of this month to get the hell out of Tahoe and head north. Going to be solo, so no shuttles, and prefer loops over out and backs. I'm thinking somewhere in the 25-35 mile range so that my legs aren't fully gassed after day 1, but I'm definitely game for up to 50 miles if there is a must-do epic. Angel's Staircase is on the list as I got shut down on that one last fall due to early snow, I'm currently trying to figure out some good ways to add some mileage to that loop to get even more value out of the day.

[SchralphMacchio]

I can’t help you for WA but there is a ton up there, especially in the Gifford Pinchot.

For OR, have you done ATCA? I have a slightly different variation on that, AATC, where I park at the bottom of Cloverpatch, pedal up the road to Lower Alpine, pedal up Lower Alpine, skip upper Alpine up road 1912 to Kate’s Cut In, north on Alpine to 1912 back to Kate’s Cut In, then Alpine to Lower Alpine to Tire Mountain to Cloverpatch.
(Edit: didn’t explain that the reason I do this is because the last 2 miles of Lower Alpine is a pointless waste of vert, brake pads, and brake oil/fluid - it’s always in poor shape after the first 2 shuttle weekends of the season and it’s crap riding at best)

O’Leary Mountain Loop, starting up Ollalie, over to O’Leary, up Castle Rock, down King’s Castle is one of the best asskicking loops with rad descents in OR.

Probably one of the most asskicking loops around, one I’m dreaming of and not certain I’ll ever have the fitness to do, is the Pyramids loop at Old Cascades Crest Trail. Only 30 miles, but about 10k of vert some of that on nasty steep rocky hike a bike only terrain.

Lots of ways to make your own bigger loops around Waldo Lake, likewise around the cascade lakes above Bend (Lava Lake / Metolius Windigo Area). Those areas near the Cascade Lakes should have good weather for your timeline, amazing scenery, but are also dry as fuck ... fresh plus tires for the win if you can sport em.

Speaking of Cascades Lakes, it’s not a long loop but very high on adventure factor - from Timpanogas Lake, Windy Pass to Sawtooth is one of the most Tahoe-like, high on adventure rides I’ve done.

Please wear a mask, consume food outdoors, don’t be a dick, welcome to our state, and pro tip ... native gaming casino gas stations allow you to pump your own damn gas - the rest of the state is bass ackwards in that respect.

[californiagrown]

Ape canyon to plains of Abraham (mt St Helens)

Raging river. Full lollipop or infinity loop.

Strawberry mtn in the Gifford pinchot natl forest

Suntop or any of the other 410 trails near crystal mtn/Rainier

Katchess

Are you looking for just XC?

[caulfield]

Angel's staircase does not need extra miles to be a proper value, but you can start from foggy dew or add deadman's pass to it if you want. I've done the extra pass and wouldn't do it again.

I don't feel great about angel's staircase solo, but that kind of applies to all backcountry epics.

[TAFKALVS]

I'm looking for some recommendations on some longer adventure rides up in Washington and Oregon. I've got about a week around the middle of this month to get the hell out of Tahoe and head north. Going to be solo, so no shuttles, and prefer loops over out and backs. I'm thinking somewhere in the 25-35 mile range so that my legs aren't fully gassed after day 1, but I'm definitely game for up to 50 miles if there is a must-do epic. Angel's Staircase is on the list as I got shut down on that one last fall due to early snow, I'm currently trying to figure out some good ways to add some mileage to that loop to get even more value out of the day.

If you want to check out N. Idaho during your PNW tour, I've got lots of extra free time till the 21st and can definitely show you some full value alpine rides that are on the adventure end of the spectrum.