Full cycle
BY LAURELLE WALSH
Bicyclists will find miles of Methow roads and trails for all skill levels
Photo by Sue Misao
Don’t forget the kids when you hit the bike trails.
With its networks of trails and miles of quiet county roads, “In terms of sheer cycling variety, the Methow has a little something for everyone,” according to cycling advocate and Methow Cycle and Sport co-owner Julie Muyllaert. Beginning trail riders might try the lower Sun Mountain Trails, sections of the 30-kilometer Methow Valley Community Trail, and the pump track alongside the Winthrop ball field for fun rides and skill-building opportunities, said Muyllaert. Intermediate mountain bikers will enjoy Sun Mountain’s upper trails, Pipestone Canyon, and the Buck Mountain Loop, according to Muyllaert. For advanced riders, she recommends Angel’s Staircase, Cutthroat Pass and Starvation Mountain, all offering challenges for the techni-
cally proficient single track rider. Trail riders should note that the ever-popular 13-mile Buck Mountain loop trail is still impacted by logging that began last summer. An alternate route that starts at Buck Lake and “still allows riders to access the best parts,” is well signed, however a map is recommended, according to the Methow Valley Sport Trails Association (MVSTA). The route is viewable online at www. mvsta.com//buckmtn.html, or on the West Methow Trails map published by Amazing Maps. Most of MVSTA’s famous Nordic ski trails become multiuse hiking/biking paths in the summer. Interactive trail maps are available on the trail association’s website (www.mvsta.com), where you can find thorough descriptions of the best road and mountain bike rides around
the valley, as well as where to purchase books and maps. Also, see the trail map on pages 26-27 of this publication. On the pavement, cyclists, drivers and pedestrians should remember that “We live in a small, rural environment with narrow roads with minimal shoulders. A lot of people are sharing the roads,” said Muyllaert, founder of Methow Shares and Cares, a road safety education campaign. Bicyclists should keep their heads up, eyes open, and follow the rules of the road, signaling when turning, and stopping at stop signs, said Muyllaert. Motorists by law must give bicyclists three feet of room and wait until it is safe to pass. “Remember that a bicycle on the road is considered another vehicle,” she reminds drivers.
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