So I got my first taste of the MRT this weekend, it was great. Only got to ride a few miles of it, but I gotta get back. I'm a novice mountain biker and I have no idea what to expect if I where to attempt starting above clear lake and going all the way to the bridge. Whats more important, being in shape or technical skill (or both). It would be damn fun, but not if I could not hack it. I would like to try in the next few months or so. Would do you think? Thanks guys.

Great trail, ain't it? I think you could hack the whole thing for sure.

To give you a little perspective, I went w/ a guy last year that I'd say is a novice/intermediate. He had just gotten new Time platform pedals on his Epic and didn't have the pedal exit quite dialed. We started at the upper trailhead above Clear Lake, and by the time we got to the EWEB dam, he was pretty bumped and bruised. He had a great time and made the whole run, but his bike still bares the scars. He's all healed and no worse for the wear now :) Outside of the difficulty w/ the pedals, I think he could of saved himself from wipe outs by not trying to ride as fast as the front runner of the group, and let the ego take a back seat and walked when coming up on some particularly difficult sections.

From Clear Lake, it's definately more challenging. The Lava section around Blue Pool will present the most challenge for you, and most likely, you'll have to walk portions of it. If in doubt, walk. Wipe outs here will have consequence. Just be smart about it, ride w/in your ability, and you'll be fine. Other than that section and a few other tricky, tight rocky turns, you should be fine.

Just make sure you set aside the bulk of the day to do it, and bring lots of water and munchies. A lot of folks expect to cruise 26 miles of downhill w/ a few pedal strokes, but that's not the case. You'll do A LOT of pedaling on this run, and by the time you're done, the smile on your face will be accompanied by a tired body for sure :) If nothing else, the scenery alone will keep you wanting to push through the next bend just to see what's around the corner!

So I got my first taste of the MRT this weekend, it was great. Only got to ride a few miles of it, but I gotta get back. I'm a novice mountain biker and I have no idea what to expect if I where to attempt starting above clear lake and going all the way to the bridge. Whats more important, being in shape or technical skill (or both). It would be damn fun, but not if I could not hack it. I would like to try in the next few months or so. Would do you think? Thanks guys.

So I got my first taste of the MRT this weekend, it was great. Only got to ride a few miles of it, but I gotta get back. I'm a novice mountain biker and I have no idea what to expect if I where to attempt starting above clear lake and going all the way to the bridge. Whats more important, being in shape or technical skill (or both). It would be damn fun, but not if I could not hack it. I would like to try in the next few months or so. Would do you think? Thanks guys.
I agree with SLbend. I rode mostof the trail 3 weeks ago with 2 people from california. One of them has limited bike experience, and hadn't ridden a bike in over 1 year, and he still finished the 22 miles we did without too much pain. The toughest scariest sections are all grouped into 2 or 3 spots, and you can easily get off before the steepest, rockiest bits. 90% of the trail is not technical riding. The overall distance will tire you out if you're not fit, but the last 6-8 miles are practically flat and smooth riding through the forest. My recomendation is to camp out at Paradise campground, and get shuttled up to the top trailhead pretty early in the day, giving yourself 5 hours to ride the trail and take breaks to view the waterfalls and river vistas. You can refill your water at the 1/2 way point at Trailbridge campground. Bring a good lunch and hang out at Trailbridgelake for lunch. Good luck, and post the results (or post here to look for some company). Sasquatch

...starting above clear lake and going all the way to the bridge.
Which bridge? Do you mean Frissell Crossing? That would be around 22 miles. As a novice, you should be fine if you take most of the day. There are plenty of bail-out options so you can get out to the highway and ride down the pavement if you get to feeling totally crushed before the planned end of your ride.

--Sparty

Which bridge? Do you mean Frissell Crossing? That would be around 22 miles. As a novice, you should be fine if you take most of the day. There are plenty of bail-out options so you can get out to the highway and ride down the pavement if you get to feeling totally crushed before the planned end of your ride.

--Sparty


Did not realize there is more than bridge one beyond clear lake. Frissell sounds good to me. I would like to go up this weekend (me and everybody else I'm sure) but we shall see.
Thanks guys.

Did not realize there is more than bridge one beyond clear lake. Thanks guys.



HA!HA!! Is that a Joke???? I gues it's not. There are approx 30 bridges you have to cross along the MRT. Most are single log bridges requiring anyone short of superhuman riders to dismount and carry their bike across. I'm guessing you want to know the endpoint and startpoint of the full mckenzie river trail?? The upper end starts approx 1-2 miles east of Clear Lake, the trailhead is marked on the south side of the highway. The trail passes Clear Lake (Stay on the north side of the lake for the easier route) and then crosses to the north side of the road for the next 18 miles. Check out this map for more info (you need Acrobat reader)

http://www.users.qwest.net/~ultrawillow/MRTRcoursemap.pdf

Most people stop at Paradise Campground or at the Ranger Station, but the trail officially ends about 1 mile west of the ranger station in another marked parking area for the Mckenzie River Trail.


If your plans aren't confirmed, why not come down to oakridge and do some trailwork one day this weekend and meet a bunch of cool riders from the area. You would be giving back to the great trails of oregon, and you would learn some great info on good rides, and meet ride partners as well. email me for more info, or check out the post on the Oregon forum of MTBR. Good Luck, Sasquatch

HA!!!!! Is that a Joke???? I gues it's not. There are approx 30 bridges you have to cross along the MRT.
Yo, Matt. I was talking about the vehicle bridge. Frissell Crossing is the vehicle bridge where the trail goes from being on the north side of the river to being on the south side (between Belknap Springs and Deer Creek).

--Davey

Thansk for the map Sasquatch. Although I have only heard about all the bridges on the trail, I was (as Sparticus said) refering to the road bridge. If my ignorance is confused as sarcasm, well, that is kinda funny :). I like the idea of doing some clean up work, been meaning to check out the Alpine trail soon, be a good way to meet some folks. Which being as I have only one friend who rides, and his schedule is screwed right now, the more connections I make the better.

Thanks guys, I'll meet you all some time.