The Dalles, Oregon - Oregon Mountain Biking

This picture is from the 1994 Cherry Festival Mountain Bike Race. The course is located in The Dalles, Oregon, 80 miles east of Portland off of Interstate 84. The east end of the Gorge has some of the best early spring riding in the Northwest due to the imense numbers of wildflowers and the dry climate. The cherry trees are blooming and the white peaks of Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams jut into the sky.

Brian Reighard of White Salmon, WA is seen here flying off "The Bump" at the end of "Lady Eric" Hill (its a steep one!). Brian finished 21st in a large field of Sport Men - 19 to 34. Brian did some training over the next year, as he placed second overall in the 1995 race among a field of over 60 sport riders.

This is the fastest and most exciting part of the course. Slopes of up to 40 degrees up above this hurl riders down the hill at incredible speeds. The best leave their brakes at the top of the hill, most prefer a little tire rubbing. "The Bump" is usually home to a series of exciting recoveries and accidents each year.

To get to the course, head towards Sorosis Park in The Dalles and continue on up to the hills behind the back of the park. The network of trails will keep you busy and breathing for hours. If you want specific directions or a map of the race course, stop by Life Cycles at 418 East 2nd Street downtown The Dalles.

Fifteenmile Creek: Petersburg Bridge to the Columbia River is an excellent trail in this area.

Contributor: Scott Hege
Photographer: Carol Mikkelson