REDMOND, Ore. (AP)
Riding over rocky, technical terrain on a mountain bike usually is all about mind over matter. Those who have the confidence and make a quick decision to just go for it often will ride a challenging section without incident.
Hesitation can cause problems.
Biking at the Redmond Radlands trails, I focused on riding fast and continuously through the myriad rock gardens, using my momentum to carry me through the rugged terrain. Braking hard or stopping can be disastrous, as that can lead to a loss of balance or tipping over to crash onto the rocks.
Currently made up of about 10 miles of looped singletrack trails in northeast Redmond, the Radlands is the ideal place to develop technical riding skills. Lava rock is incorporated creatively into much of the singletrack, designed by volunteers with the Central Oregon Trail Alliance during the last three years.
Plans call for about 30 miles of trails to eventually be built east of Redmond.
The project is a collaborative effort of COTA, the Redmond Area Park and Recreation District, and corporate sponsors Trinity Bikes, REI and Altrec.com.
The Radlands area includes seven miles of horseback-riding trails.
The biking/hiking portion of the Radlands currently includes two loops. Posted signs rate the trails as “easy,” “more difficult” or “most difficult.”
According to COTA, the area also holds “endless miles” of doubletrack to explore.
Redmond is home to dramatic views of the Three Sisters to the west and Smith Rock State Park to the north. The flat, open expanse of the Radlands makes the most of these views, as the mountains are visible most anywhere in the network.
Twisty old juniper trees dot the barren landscape, much like the Badlands Wilderness Area east of Bend. But while biking is prohibited in the Badlands, the Radlands were made for mountain bikes. The rock-riddled trails push the limits of the latest in fat-tire technology, including full-suspension bikes and 29-inch wheels that are designed to smooth out a ride.
Indeed, I was thankful for my full-suspension 29er as I rolled over the high-desert lava rocks, letting my bike do the work.
Much of the rock built into the singletrack at the Radlands is flat slab rock that is relatively easy to ride over. But some rock sections are particularly tricky, with the rocks jutting up sharply for several feet at a time.
Several well-placed turns provide more flow to the trails that are not inherently flowy because of the lava rock. A short, easy loop features fewer rocky, technical sections than a longer, intermediate loop.
I rode the longer loop twice around, first clockwise then counterclockwise to increase the variety. Then I rode the south loop. There, more singletrack led to the dirt-jump park. I also found some smoother trails south of the jump park that weaved through juniper trees, and I saw more terrain pin-flagged for future trail construction.
The variety of the trail features in the Radlands is pretty unique, from continuously rock-strewn trails to smooth, flowing high-desert singletrack. The area has little elevation change, so mountain bikers need not worry about hellacious climbs or teeth-chattering downhill sections.
The technical rock challenges are enough, and they make the Radlands a good destination for any mountain biker.
The area is a perfect winter/spring option when other trails near Bend are still mired in snow or mud. But last week, the trails already were becoming somewhat dusty, and as summer approaches, those conditions will only worsen.
So don’t hesitate to get out there.
IF YOU GO
Directions
From Bend, take U.S. Highway 97 north to Redmond. Turn right on Oregon Highway 126/Evergreen Avenue. Turn left on Ninth Street. Turn right on Negus Way. Stay straight to go onto Maple Avenue. The High Desert Sports Complex and the Radlands trailhead are on the left.
Length
About 10 miles of singletrack bike trails, with several loop options. Plans call for 30 miles of trails eventually.
Rating
Technically intermediate to advanced; aerobically easy to intermediate.
Trail features
Trails range from easy to advanced. Many of the trails include technical riding over lava rock. Views include the Cascade Range and Smith Rock State Park.
