Mountain Biking

The North Umpqua Trail (NUT) stretches out for 69 miles. And it serves up more mountain-biking adventure than most people can handle. The trail is broken into 11 sections, of which the lower 10 are open to mountain bikes. With an elevation profile spanning from 800 to 4,300 feet, the NUT has a long riding season, although the full trail is only open in the summer. The lower reaches are open from early spring through late fall, so doing an out-and-back exploration from the bottom is a great option during “shoulder” seasons.

Each of the 10 segments has its own appeal; a little more online research might help you decide which ones best suit what you’re looking for. A few examples: Dread and Terror lives up to its name (although it was actually named by early forest rangers fearful of the prospect of fighting a fire in this deep valley). The Hot Springs section is pretty self-explanatory, and Tioga at the bottom is the longest run, throwing some of the most challenging riding at you right near the end, when your legs have turned to jelly.
 
And that’s the beauty of the NUT – you can pick your adventure; it’s right there for you. Whatever you choose to ride, the tangy scent of pine, the burble of water racing downhill, and the sound of your breathing in the quiet forest will all stick with you long afterward. And it’s likely something really big will happen – just slice off whatever piece of backcountry awesomeness you feel like, and see how it what it turns out to be.

Cog Wild - www.cogwild.com 541-385-7002

Canyon Creek Bicycles - www.canyoncreekbicycles.com 541-492-1690

Lizard Head Cycling - www.lizardheadcyclingguides.com - 970-728-5891