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The Mobius ascent.
If there's one place in Oregon that has everything you'd possible want in the finest trail riding experience you'd definitely find some slice of dirt nirvana in Post Canyon. Less than an hour away from the city, Hood River plays host to a network of amazing and challenging trails, ranging from big climbs to flowing singletrack, big berms and jumps.
Read MoreMy Stumpjumper FSR tamed the trails of Mt. Hood like a boss.
It's been at least 17 years since the last time I rode the trails east of Mt. Hood. I connected Surveyor's Ridge to Knebal and 8 Mile, finishing it off with a romp down Dog River. This is Oregon XC mountain biking at its finest, with incredible views, flowing single track, all within an hour and a half outside of Portland, OR.
Read MoreUnofficially the hilliest group ride in Portland, OR.
De Ronde is Portland's legendary course covering 50 miles and climbing over 7,000'. The course designers sought out the steepest of the steep and connected everything in one glorious route. Designed after a ride in Belgium called the Ronde van Vlaanderen. Course markers can still be found around town (a crested yellow lion painted onto the road).
Read MoreJake on the attack.
Just 20 minutes north of Portland lies a patch of forest, embedded with a spider web of sweet single track. For the most part the rain has no effect on the dirt, making it a prime spot to ride when the weather sours. It's very challenging and at times downright scary, especially on the southern side of the park. So get lost and enjoy PDX's best kept secret.
Read MoreSingle track for days at Syncline.
Portland cycling has been everything I'd come to expect from the one of the most bike progressive cities in the country. There are spectacular roads and world class mountain biking less than an hour, if not minutes away. Aside for the lack of inner city trails, the cold and damp climate, it's hard to beat the laid back vibe and culture where Portlanders take their pleasure seriously.
Read MoreOn the edge of a 1000' cliff drop.
Sitting on the other side of Hood River, OR lies a slanted slab of rock, craggy, foreign, daunting and delightful. The trails of Syncline are the local's choice for winter mountain biking. Ribbons of single track flow up and over natural rock formations, met with tufts of green and idyllic rolling hills. It's all nice and pretty until you peek over the edge of a 1000' cliff just yards away.
Read MoreWomen's Forum overlooking to Crown Point in the distance along the Columbia River.
It's a brand new year and with it come new adventures, this time from the Pacific Northwest, our new home. As much as we enjoyed California the great move north was always on our horizon. I grew up here and it's somewhat of a bittersweet homecoming. So much has changed, including myself. It feels good to be back home, as I've come full circle now.
Read MoreThe highest point of the race is a little over 12,000' at the top of Columbine Mine.
Considered to be one of North America's toughest single-day mountain bike race, the legendary Leadville Trail 100 is beyond epic to say the least. While the terrain is mild, the blend of racing at 10,200' above sea level, climbing 12,000' over the course of a 100 miles makes for a challenging 12 hours in the saddle. If you're fast you'll only suffer for nine hours or less.
Read MoreA route to the Marin Headlands, through Muir Woods and up to the top of Mt. Tam and back was created. A true adventurer's ride. A grueling 50 mile trek with 8,000' of elevation gain, traversing plenty of steep fire road and sweet single track, while soaking in amazing views of the Headlands, Redwoods and the Pacific Ocean. We call it the Tam Epic.
Read MoreDavid Belden on his last Dawn Patrol.
The Marin Headlands is located just on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. It features mostly fire road and a few sections of single track, but come prepared to climb because you're either going up or down. The area is also great for a quick road ride with some descent amount of vertical gain and epic views of the Pacific Ocean and the city.
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