Sponsored by Wheel Sport Bicycles

Whether you’ve spent all winter hibernating under a mountain of blankets or hitting the mountains on skis, spring is here. It’s time to emerge, blinking, on wobbly baby-gazelle legs, into the bright sun of bike season. And a spring road trip is the best way to dive into bike season wheels-first, whether you’re chasing a change of scenery or a chance at good dirt.

With enough trail mileage for a couple long weekends or a Spring Break week, each of the following road trip destinations will satisfy your cycling cravings and build up your stoke—and legs—for the rest of the season.

Hood River

Its location at the confluence of the wet, west side of the Cascades and its arid rain shadow gives Hood River, Oregon, the best of both worlds: amazing dirt and milder weather than farther west. Post Canyon, 10 minutes from downtown, puts those pieces together for some of the best gravity-oriented spring riding in the region.

The well-graded climbs of Lower and Upper 8-Track are easy on early-season legs. In addition to being exciting descents in their own right, these trails access the massive gap jumps and big blowing berms of Bad Motor Scooter and Grand Prix.

For cross-country-oriented riding, 7 Streams trailhead connects to a tight network of winding, wooded singletrack in the Family Man Staging Area. A return trip on Kleeway provides a forgiving early-season re-entry into flow trails. Ride these trails the day after a spring drizzle for dirt that you’ll be dreaming about all season long. Bonus: in addition to a handful of iconic bike shops, downtown Hood River boasts some of the best post-ride dining and drinking options in the region.

Leavenworth

Leavenworth, on the sunny east slope of Washington’s Central Cascades, is a popular late-April road trip destinations for obvious reasons. The first is the dirt. Leavenworth locals and the Central chapter of Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance have transformed the Leavenworth Ski Hill just outside of town into a pine-scented singletrack nirvana. The ridgeline flow of Rosy Boa and Ribbed are both Evergreen State classics, rounded out by the bi-directional flow of 4 the Boys and Freund Canyon. The second reason? The scenery. Save this trip for late April, when peak balsamroot bloomage competes with the peaks of Mt. Stuart and the snow-covered Central Cascades as well as a birds’-eye view of the Bavarian-village vibe of Leavenworth.

Central Washington Sage and Singletrack

Surrounded by wheat fields and rangeland, Beezley Hill Recreation Area is an oasis of sagebrush and sandy singletrack on the edge of downtown Ephrata in central Washington. A little over twenty miles of singletrack wind on Beezley Hill, most of it built with bikes in mind. With smooth, swoopy turns and low-angle pedaling, the trails are a good transition to dirt from months on the trainer. But a handful of expert-level descents with big drops and wood features will quickly shake off the cobwebs.

West of Ephrata, near Quincy, the Ancient Lakes trail system traces cliff-lined coulees, basalt outcroppings and pothole ponds that are the remnants of the Great Missoula Floods that scoured the Columbia Plateau. The routes here tend to be rockier than the other trail systems on this list, with some sections of steep scree and sagebrush and thistle that often threaten to swallow the tread. But the views—across the broad band of basalt that towers over the Columbia River, and the small lakes below it—are second to none.

Bike Recommendations

Specialized Turbo Levo SL Comp: With its 2X power assist and Stumpjumper-inspired singletrack handling, the Turbo Levo SL will let you play until dark—and beyond.

Specialized Stumpjumper EVO Comp: Pairing uncanny descending capability with unexpected climb-ability, the Stumpjumper EVO is a do-it-all bruiser with style to spare. There’s a reason it took home PinkBike’s 2020 Mountain Bike of the Year.

Specialized CruX: Go farther, faster on your gravel adventures. The lightest gravel bike in the world marries racing pedigree with the ability to get rowdy.

Riding Gear Check Up

Your accessories played just as hard as you and your bike did last year, so give your gear closet a once-over. Inspect your helmet for cracks and replace it if you find any or if the helmet is more than three to five years old—the materials used to make helmets break down over time and lose their impact-absorbing ability. Clean your hydration bladder, or replace it if it’s too funky. Clean and tighten your cleats if riding clipless. And, finally, re-up your riding essentials: pump and levers, CO2, spare tube, tubeless repair plugs, chain master link, chain tool/multitool, and, perhaps most importantly, a first aid kit.

Helmet recommendation: The Ambush 2, Specialized’s flagship trail helmet, has been redesigned from the chin up. With loads of adjustability for a personalized fit and lots of vents for maximum airflow, you won’t even know it’s there. But with a five-star safety rating from the venerable Virginia Tech Helmet Safety Ratings, you’ll be glad it is.

Apparel recommendation: Lightweight, durable and downright comfortable, the Specialized Trail Shorts are the quiver killer of riding gear. With an understated yet stylish cut, you can go from spring shredding to summer wedding. (Check your RSVP card for dress code first, please.)

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In early spring, mountain bikers tend to be excited and ambitious.  This ambition can lead to trail damage or personal injury and further delay the trail rides they have been waiting for all winter.   

1. Stay off wet or muddy trails and all dirt trails during active freeze/thaw cycles.  
2. Visit a local bike shop for a tune up.    
3. Start with some small distance rides and set goals. 
4. Practice a stretching routine before and after a ride to reduce the risk of injury.  
5. Have several different layers of clothing.  
6. Stay hydrated by drinking water before, during, and after a ride. 
7. Use the Trailforks app since there are not a lot of trail markers on many Spokane-area trails, such as those on the High Drive Bluff. 
8. Avoid riding on trails that cross private land. 

For more biking-related content, visit our archive of Biking stories.

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The race begins at MP 35, 1/4 mile east of the check-in at Chair 9 Pizza & Bar.

Social: 7:00 AM
Recreational: 8:00 AM
Competitive: 8:30 AM

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Thank you Boundary Bay Brewery for hosting the post-ride party for the Tour de Whatcom. Each rider receives a token for a beverage (beer or non-alcoholic) along with their piece of free Tour de Whatcom swag. The Beer Garden is open for all ages until 5 pm.

We will have two raffle drawings with awesome prizes from local businesses. Meet other riders and share stories of your day!

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Here is the plan:

* Meet up at the Schweitzer Roundabout (across from the fire station).

* Group Fat Bike Rides will leave parking lot at 12:30pm. We will ensure that the trails from the roundabout are groomed and ready for the day (weather depending of course). Take a intermediate and more advanced ride options available. There will be something for everyone. Maps will be provided.

* Need a fat bike for the group ride? Call Greasy Fingers ahead and reserve one of our rentals for $25 for the afternoon (available for pickup Saturday afternoon from the shop for $45 or Sunday starting at 12pm for $25).

* Do one or more rides, it’s up to you. The Greasy Fingers crew will have warm drinks and something on the bbq to warm your insides and a fire to warm your outsides.

Co-sponsored by Greasy Fingers Bikes N Repair and Schweitzer Mountain Resort

Got questions, give us a call 208.255.4496 or shoot us an email at Brian@GreasyFingersBikes.com

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New !! As an early bird gift we will send you  subscription specials  to Sufferfest  and Training Peaks

Lilac Century bike drawing for a Trek 7.1 FX Bike, sized to fit, with helmet, bottle and cage. Provided by North Division Bicycle. Value of $500.00! If you would like to enter the drawing,  Tickets are $2.00.  Tickets are available at the packet pick-up.  Need not be present to win!

TRIATHLETE SPECIAL
We will have a secure bike-run transition area for Triathletes who want to practice a “race-pace” transition into a short 5K run. Sign up for a “Brick”!!

FEATURES
Deluxe collectors long sleeve t-shirt; healthy snacks and beverages at all stops; great potato bake feed at the finish line; route map; rider’s packet full of goodies!

SUPPORT
The route is monitored by Rotarians and volunteers. Technical and mechanical support is provided by North Division Bicycle Shop.

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The 20th annual “24 Hours Round the Clock” is a 24 hour mountain bike race at Riverside State Park, Spokane, WA.  Racing begins at noon on Saturday and ends at noon on Sunday. Teams from 4 person to 10 person, and solos crazy enough to go it alone, compete for medals, prizes and bragging rights.

Plan your Memorial Day weekend now.  We’ll give you a weekend of camping, mountain biking, laughter (our announcer along with your maniacal team names will completely take care of this part), food, camaraderie and fun like you’ve never had.  Bring the family, friends, go it alone or put together a 2, 4, 5 or 10-person team.  You’ll be riding on a 13-mile course with about 700 feet of elevation gain per lap, consisting of single and double track which is built for all ages and ability levels. We have a gang of course alterations that we made special for you last year…..if you didn’t get to check ’em out, you’re gonna love this year!

Your team decides how many laps each person does…one or a whole passel. So bring your camping gear, bike gear, all your friends and whatever else will keep you going for 24 hours… then come on out and get dirty with us!

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40% of all trips in the U.S. are less than two miles, making bicycling a feasible and fun way to get to work. With increased interest in healthy, sustainable and economic transportation options, it’s not surprising that, from 2000 to 2013, the number of bicycle commuters in the U.S. grew by more than 62 percent.

In fact, among the 51 largest U.S. cities, 43 hosted Bike to Work Day events in 2010. The City of Denver reported the highest rate of participation with one out of every 28 adults participating in its 2010 Bike to Work event. That effort makes a difference: Many people who participate in their Bike to Work Day promotion as first-time commuters become regular bike commuters.

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