Oakridge MTB Tour: Mossy Forests & Singletracks

What you get on this adventure:

• • An experienced MTB guide with extensive local knowledge of the area
  • Transportation from Eugene to Oakridge and back
  • Support vehicle for the duration of the tour
  • All camping permits and entry fees for public lands
  • All meals for the duration of the tour, including snacks, water, electrolyte drinks, and non-alcoholic drinks
  • 2 Large cycling water bottles
  • Sunscreen and bug spray
  • Bike stand, lube, and tools for repairing bikes
  • Some group camping equipment: solar showers, all kitchen and dining ware, camping chairs, and first-aid kit

Mountain bike and helmet rentals are available for an added fee of $350. Personal camping equipment (2-person tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad) is available for a combined fee of $90.

What’s not included:

• • Transportation to Eugene
  • Accommodations before and after the tour (if applicable)
  • Bike and helmet — can be rented
  • Personal camping equipment — can be rented
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Travel and medical insurance — highly recommended
  • Guide gratuities (10-20% is recommended)

For this Oakridge guided mountain biking trip, you need to be in excellent physical shape. Expect to cover between 8 and 23 miles (13-37 km) each day, pedaling for four to six hours daily. This journey calls for enthusiasts who regularly tackle mountain trails and are no strangers to other demanding physical activities. Oakridge’s allure lies in its technical terrain, offering challenging singletracks that are often soft and rooty. Even the most experienced among the group can count on it to push their limits. You will not be able to count on the support vehicle for the majority of sections during the tour.

Before embarking on this adventure, ensure you’re well-prepared both physically and mentally. Engage in regular mountain biking and fitness routines to build stamina. Mental resilience is equally crucial; a positive attitude and a thirst for adventure are your allies.

While you may not have the support vehicle at your side throughout, rest assured that your guide will be there to motivate, evaluate your endurance, and make route adjustments if it gets too strenuous for your group or because of challenging weather conditions. Your safety and well-being always remain the top priority.

Keep in mind that e-bikes are not allowed on this trip, as it’s mostly in singletrack & forested areas.

To participate in this guided Oakridge mountain biking tour, you must have previous MTB experience. The trails’ overall rating leans towards the advanced category, offering challenging terrain comprising singletrack trails and some dirt roads.

The technical difficulty varies, falling somewhere between strong intermediate and more challenging sections, with soft and rooty singletrack segments. While the physical difficulty is moderate, it’s important to remember that singletrack sections are unsupported, meaning you won’t have a support vehicle for the majority of the ride. Altitude gains can vary from 1,200 to 5,000 feet (365-1,525 m).

Given the nature of this tour, it’s best suited for riders with prior mountain biking experience and a solid level of fitness. If you’re new to mountain biking, we’d recommend gaining more experience and confidence on trails that match your skill level before considering this particular adventure. Additionally, focusing on your technical skills and endurance will be beneficial if you aim to take on such an exhilarating expedition in the future.

The following equipment can either be brought or rented:

• • Bike (rented bikes come with flat pedals)
  • Helmet (included in the bike rental)
  • Tent
  • Sleeping bag
  • Sleeping pad

Here’s a list of cycling clothing you need to bring:

• • Cycling shoes
  • Cycling shorts (3-5 pairs)
  • Cycling shirts (3-5 pairs)
  • Long-sleeve cycling shirt
  • Long-sleeve cotton shirt or solar sleeves
  • Cycling socks
  • Windbreaker
  • Tights or leg warmers
  • Cycling gloves (1 pair full length for warmth and 1 regular pair)
  • Rain jacket (Gore-Tex or similar)
  • Rain pants (Gore-Tex or similar)
  • Warm layer (lightweight synthetic puffy jacket or long-sleeve fleece shirt)
  • Sunglasses

Here’s a list of camp clothing you need to bring:

• • Camp shorts and shirts
  • Warm socks
  • Long underwear, top and bottom (wicking layer, not cotton)
  • Warm long pants (2 pairs)
  • Long-sleeve fleece or sweater
  • Down jacket (insulating layer)
  • Brimmed hat or visor
  • Bathing suit (for solar showers on the trip) and towel
  • Hiking shoes and sandals
  • PVC rain gear (to wear in camp)

Here’s a list of personal items you need to bring:

• • Medication (daily and emergency)
  • Toiletries, including biodegradable soap and wet-wipes
  • Flashlight or headlamp (with extra batteries)
  • Day pack
  • Stuff sacks or reusable grocery bags (or separate compartments for your dry bag)
  • Camera and extra batteries (optional)
  • Binoculars (optional)
  • Alcoholic or any of your favorite beverages (optional)
  • Books or maps (optional)
  • Portable USB charger with 1-2 charges for your devices (optional)

Packing notes: The bulk of your gear and clothing will be stowed in the support vehicle, preferably in a large duffle bag, and will only be accessible during the evenings. For this trip, you’ll always be carrying a riding pack with medication (daily and emergency), 2-3 liters of water, rain gear, additional warm clothing, and day-long food supplies. Your riding pack can be a hydration pack but should have the capacity to carry all of the above.

An optional small day bag can be used to store items you’d rather not carry while riding but want to have on hand during the day. This day pack will stay with the support vehicle and may not be accessible, depending on the day’s activities.

Please ensure you bring all items from this list, which has been thoughtfully crafted to guarantee your comfort throughout the tour, regardless of weather conditions. We strongly recommend adhering to the layering system, comprising a wicking or long underwear layer, an insulating layer, and a weather barrier to shield against wind and rain. In Oakridge, July and August generally feature warm daytime temperatures, averaging around 85°F (29°C), with cooler mornings at approximately 55°F (13°C). While occasional showers may occur, these months are typically dry, with mild wind conditions. However, mountain weather can change swiftly, so it’s crucial to bring all the warm clothing and rain gear listed to be ready for any weather surprises.

Camping during the Oakridge MTB adventure offers the chance to go off the grid and immerse yourself in the beautiful forest environment. You can also enjoy the night sky without the light pollution, relax by the campfire, take refreshing dips in streams or lakes, and embark on side hikes and additional adventures to explore the natural beauty of the area. Solo travelers are more than welcome. It’s a great opportunity to meet like-minded people, and make lasting friendships.

The right camping gear ensures a cozy and comfortable experience throughout the journey.
Participants have the option to bring their own camping gear, including a tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad. Your guide will supply all other necessary camping equipment, including camp chairs. If you prefer not to bring your own camping gear, you can rent a tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad for an additional fee.

Regarding shower facilities, the tour provides solar showers for rinsing off, but these are not suitable for a full-fledged shower. They are not private, so participants should bring a swimsuit and their own towel. Alternatively, campsites have nearby streams and lakes for swimming, providing another option for refreshing after a day of biking. Additionally, wet wipes are recommended for freshening up.

When it comes to bathroom facilities, it is ensured that participants have access to sanitary options. In designated campsites, pit toilets are available. In the backcountry, the tour follows a “pack-it-in, pack-it-out” rule and provides a portable toilet in a private location with scenic views. A hand wash system is provided for cleanliness.

On the Oakridge MTB tour, you can expect delicious, healthy, and abundant meals that are a real treat after a day of riding. The adventure is fully catered from the first day’s lunch to the last day’s lunch. Plus, you’ll have access to plenty of snacks, ensuring you stay energized during your rides. Your skilled guides, with a knack for backcountry cooking, will prepare a variety of mouthwatering dishes, including appetizers, Dutch oven dinners, fresh salads, and delectable desserts.

The beverages are also covered, offering water, coffee, teas, electrolyte drinks, and assorted soft drinks throughout the journey. While alcohol is not provided, you’re welcome to bring your favorite drinks, which will be stored at the perfect temperature.

The guides are more than capable of accommodating dietary restrictions, which they frequently encounter. Just leave specific requirements in a note when booking, such as being a vegetarian with particular protein preferences (e.g. tempeh over tofu). This information helps will help your guides in meal planning, ensuring you have a satisfying culinary experience.

Group sizes and prices:

• • The maximum group size for this group tour is 13.
  • The maximum guest-to-guide ratio is 6:1. If more than 6 people join, 2 guides will be following them.
  • The cost does not decrease as the group grows.

Mountain biking around Oakridge can be arranged for bigger and for private groups. Contact us prior to booking.

Min. age requirements:

• • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  • Children between 14 and 17 years of age are able to go on trips with a legal guardian, but only if they are strong enough to handle sustained climbs (either riding or walking their bike) of hundreds of feet, and rough terrain. Participants younger than 18 get a $100 discount.

If your group has riders under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

To get to Eugene, the starting point of the tour, most people fly into Portland International Airport, which is two hours away by car. From there, you can rent a car and park at your hotel in Eugene or take a shuttle service with Oregon Express Shuttle. Another option is flying directly into Eugene Airport.

You will meet your guide at 8:30 AM PST at the Candlewood Suites, 3005 Franklin Blvd., Eugene, followed by a transfer to Oakridge. We highly recommend getting to Eugene a day in advance and securing a room for the night before and an additional night after the tour concludes. You might consider staying at one of these options: Candlewood Suites, Hyatt Place Eugene/Oakway Center, or EVEN Hotels Eugene.

We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance. With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the trails, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more.

Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans.

We also expect you to respect local regulations and take measures to protect yourselves, your guides, and the communities you’re traveling to.

If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!