Ben Fischler
IMO Alpine is pure joy on any MTB, hard tail or squish. Perhaps more fun on a FS bike, but that's personal preference.
Riding up is completely doable, and while I wouldn't put it in the complete silliness category, it's not a particularly fun ride up. Oregon Adventure Company has a shuttle that leaves every morning at 9:45 for the top of Alpine. If time is pressing I recommend you take it, and do either of the following:
1. Ride down Alpine. Two hours of fun.
2. "ATC" - Ride down the top third of Alpine, and turn right onto Tire Mountain to experience the one of the finest trails in all of Oakridge. From there you can take Cloverpatch down to the river and pedal back to town, four hours total.
3. Take upper Alpine, to Tire Mountain, turn right onto Winberry, then turn right onto Eugene to Crest. This dumps out near the town of Lowell, where you can have a car stashed, or hire a driver to come get you. It is also my favorite way to experience my favorite trial in Oakridge. Five hours, lots of climbing, ridiculous amount of fine descending.
I guess option 4. has you riding the 12 mile dirt road back to Oakridge. 7 hour ride that way, and you will be a hero in town if you complete it.
YMMV. Have fun!
-Ben
AnimationMentor.com
[ ben.fischler@gmail.com ]
On Jun 6, 2012, at 1:36 PM, Larry Chow wrote:
> Hi MTBers,
>
> I was planning on riding the Alpine Trail in Oakridge with a friend this weekend. Neither of us have ridden this trail before. Was just wondering if this trail is reasonable to ride on a hardtail. Also, I see that most people shuttle or ride up the fire road and down the trail. Any reason not to just ride the trail up and down (or is that complete silliness?). Is it comparable to any of the trails around SW Washington or Mt Hood in terms of climbing and technicality, as a point of reference so we have some idea what to expect? Anybody know how the trail conditions are there currently?
>
> Any info is much appreciated!
>
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