art by nate herschleb

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3 DAY RIDE IN THE DESERT

By: Dean Simmons

DAY 1: Trek Hardtail. Shimo Shocks, 29in Wheels, Disk Brakes

DAY 2: Trek Hardtail. Shimo Shocks, 29in Wheels, Disk Brakes

DAY 3: Trek Hardtail. Fox Shocks, 26in Wheels.

Over the last few years, I’ve been hearing more and more rumblings about a place called Bend, Oregon. A few friends have uprooted their lives and moved there. And I kept hearing about some good trails and good scene there. But it was hard to put my finger on it and commit to the 10 hour trip to get there from SF, CA. I kept hearing about sandy and flattish trails that were ‘kid-friendly’, ‘dh ready’. Some friends had a grand time and some others gave me a lukewarm review. Well Melanie at Cog Wild Tours gave me a trip offer that was impossible to refuse so I dragged myself and few loyal mtbr friends to experience the enigma that is Bend, Oregon. We set up a trip at the end of October to try and get some fall riding conditions. Cog Wild is a tour company comprised of former California residents. Melanie Fisher came by way of Redwood City, California and Lev Stryker came from Santa Cruz, CA. They run Cog Wild which a premium Tour company that runs guided tours throughout the Bend, OR c

We went for a three day trip with 2 days of driving to get there and back home. Melanie set up a detailed but flexible itinerary for us. She sets up a tour much like a custom frame builder. She interviews the riders to understand their preferences and abilities. A plan is built but it is kept flexible as they keep talking to the riders and observing how they are enjoying the trails. At any point, Melanie and Lev are able to customize the ride by adding or subtracting miles, jumps, rocks and sights.tomize the ride by adding or subtracting miles, jumps, rocks and sights. rides in three days:

Day 1: Started at Big Meadow, rode Metolios/Windigo (high country beauty) to Happy Valley. Ended at Paul’s, GS, DS, KGB, Marvin’s Garden and COD (rocky tech, at the end). Total was 35 miles Day 2: Started at Dutchman Trail Head. Rode Flagline trail (more high country radness, some stunts and features) …….Lower Storm King to the Deschutes River trail, back to Condo – Total was 30 miles Day 3: Jump and Flow session: 2 laps on Whoops, Phil’s Trail Head pump track, dirt jumps and slalom track. Then to The lair, beginner,