Moderate rides
This has a moderate gain, and steady activity levels, "intermediate". These rides are either on a dirt trail for mountain biking or with skinny tires for a good long street ride. Each ride is noted with either MT for mountain bike, ST for street rides or TR for general paved trail ride. Note: Any rides not listed here or under other topics can be done in easier sections, look under each ride for "skill level" and this will indicate level of users ability. These rides have moderate elevation gain, no more than 3 moderate hills and usually within 25 miles. Usually how many and what grade of hill are noted as "honorable mentions".
Bainbridge Island loop - Bainbridge Island, WashingtonST, TR - 39.7 miles around the Island. Spring/summer/fall/winter. Skill level - intermediate to advanced. Rolling hills throughout the ride, three honorable mentions of class 5 with a total of 1,568 feet of elevation gain. User density - medium to heavy at times; cars *Hazards; street riding, bumps in the road.
This route is for those that have a bike and have nothing to do. The start is pretty interesting, park you car in Seattle, jump on the Bainbride Island ferry and head out. The route takes you around the island through the city spots as well as lots of roadways. Views of the island are everywhere and the smell of salt water fills the air. Stopping off at parks and following roads to the ends for a waterfront view makes this ride unique. When you are done, board the boat and head home. While on the ferry you can change your clothes and head into town for a bite to eat. Truely a Seattle style ride. |
Banks to Vernonia - Banks, OregonST, TR - This is a 44.21 miles bike ride in Banks, OR out and back. You can arrange a pickup if you wish to go only one direction, doing so will also alter the hill grade some. The ride has a total ascent of 1,489.5 ft and has a maximum elevation of 1,059.71 ft. Three honorable metions at grade 5 if you go out and back, two on the way out to Vernonia short one on the way back.
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Blake Island Park - Puget Sound, Washington
MT - spring/summer/fall/winter - 3.9 miles, loop (wide dirt trails), 1 hour, rolling hills, several that may need to be walked. Skill level - beginner, user density - medium; hikers, bikers. * Hazards - blow-down, salt water. Make sure you wash off your bike immediately after your ride or the salt will start wearing at your gears. This is a great island ride, sites and views of the water and surrounding islands make this ride a very peaceful one.
Columbia River Ride - Pasco, Washington |
Columbia Park Trail - Kennewick, Washington |
Drunken Charlie Lake - Central Cascades, Washington
MT - spring/summer/fall/winter - 8.5 miles, out & back (dirt roads), 1 - 2 hours, gradual climb to lake, several steep hills, walking possible. Skill level - beginner, user density - low; bikers, walkers, a few vehicles. * Hazards - hunters, occasional logging vehicles. Watch the road signs, they aren't always
what they should be.
what they should be.
Leif Erickson Trail - Forest Park Portland, Oregon
MT - spring/summer/fall/winter. 10.7 miles one end to the other (packed rock/dirt road) 21.5 round trip, 1.5-2 hours, pretty flat rolling hills, with 1,165 feet of elevation gain total there are three honorable mentions at class 5. Skill level - beginning - intermediate, user density - moderate; hikers, runners, bikers.
This trail offers great introduction to mountain biking, it's fun and also can be a fast and furious. This trail is mainly flat with a few welcome rolling hills, a little mud when it rains but not too much, however we personally like the mud, so we try to cover ourselves when we have the chance. |
Maple Falls Trail - Glacier, Washington
MT - spring/summer/fall - about 16 miles, out & back (wide dirt & gravel rail-trail), 3 - 5 hours, easy grade on undeveloped rail trail. Skill level - intermediate, user density - low; bikers, hikers, equestrians. * Hazards - loose gravel, puddles, mud, snow in winter. This is one of those rough deep forest experiences that
you'll never forget. For the backcountry user at heart, this is one for you. 2007 brought some maintenance for this trail, but I wouldn't go at it alone, trail can be a little rough depending on time of year and few peeps go the whole way out on this one. This trail will someday be the Bay to Baker trail which will extend much further distance. The "Bay to Baker" trail will eventually run from downtown Bellingham to the Mount Baker ski area, covering approximately 74 miles, making it one of the most unique trails in the country. This one is located at the foot of Mt Baker. Trailhead is off of I-5, exit 255 Sunset drive and head east on
Mt Baker HWYto Maple Falls. The trail is just behind the general store.
you'll never forget. For the backcountry user at heart, this is one for you. 2007 brought some maintenance for this trail, but I wouldn't go at it alone, trail can be a little rough depending on time of year and few peeps go the whole way out on this one. This trail will someday be the Bay to Baker trail which will extend much further distance. The "Bay to Baker" trail will eventually run from downtown Bellingham to the Mount Baker ski area, covering approximately 74 miles, making it one of the most unique trails in the country. This one is located at the foot of Mt Baker. Trailhead is off of I-5, exit 255 Sunset drive and head east on
Mt Baker HWYto Maple Falls. The trail is just behind the general store.
Markworth Forest - Central Cascades, Washington
MT - spring/summer/fall/winter. 10.3 miles, loop (dirt road), 1 - 2 hours, gradual climbs with a few short, steep hills throughout the loop. Skill level - beginner, user density - low; bikers, walkers, a few vehicles. * Hazards - hunters, occasional logging vehicles. Watch the road signs, they aren't always what they should be.
Marymoore to End Burke Gilman trail - Redmond & Seattle, Washington
ST - spring/summer/fall/winter - 27.6 miles one way, paved dedicated bike trail. 1.5 - 3 hours, easy. Skill level - beginner, user density - low to high depending on area. * Hazards - other bikers, walkers, congestion, rough trail from tree roots at some ends, car crossings in private drives near north end.
This trail gives you a great variety of starts, stops and rests in between. You can use this as a commuter as many do or an after work ride. The bike path starts at Marymoore Park in Redmond, follows the Samamish river trail to Kenmore then continues on as the Burke Gilman trail and ends in Ballard by the locks. Travel along this path puts you from downtown to downtown with country, city and college campus in between. It's great fun, easy ride. For those that want to do a little training for bigger rides it's fun fast and furious. |
Metolius Loops Scenic Bikeway - Camp Sherman, OregonMT - summer, spring, fall - 25.1 miles round trip, gravel, dirt roads, 2 - 3 hours, rolling hills with flats, with 669 feet of overall gain this is relatively easy trail. Skill level - intermediate, user density - low; hikers, bikers. * Hazards - cars, peeps, critters.
Want to take a ride out in the woods, because that is where you will be. This is nice for warmer days, especially in the am or mid evening. You can ride a series of loops within the area if you have smaller riders or want a quick spin. Then again if you want to go for a little more... head on out dwon the road. Lots of sites and things to see spring to fall. |
Novelty Hill - Redmond, Washington
MT - spring/summer/fall/winter - 6.4 miles, loop (dirt trails, jeep trails), 1 - 2 hours, easy rolling hills. Skill level - beginner, user density - medium; equestrians, bikers, hikers. * Hazards - primordial horse soup, mud, blow-down. If you like mud.... this is where its at, this is a great mud trail especially after a little wet weather, then it gets really heavy - have the hose ready.
Queets River - Olympic National Park, Washington
MT - summer, spring, fall - 13.1 miles round trip, gravel, dirt roads, 2 - 3 hours, rolling with a number of short, steep hills, with 364 feet of overall gain this is relatively easy trail, you have one honorable mention at a class 5, shorty short short but one worth mentioning. Skill level - intermediate, user density - low - medium; hikers, bikers. * Hazards - road washed out, sensitive trail, possible bear, cougar & other critters.
The road itself is about 14 miles in off 101, however at mile 7 the road is closed due to a washout just about ½ mile past the closure. You park your car where the road is closed, then you will have 7 miles to go to the abandoned camp area. The ride isn't bad itself... but if you plan on doing it like we did... with packs, then it is tough. |
Rattlesnake Lake - Central Cascades, Washington
MT - kids/spring/summer/fall - 13.2 miles, out & back (dirt & gravel rail-trail, single track), 2 - 3 hours, one steep hill then easy grade. Skill level - intermediate, user density - medium; bikers, pedestrians, equestrians. * Hazards - trestle vertigo, snow in winter, little people.
Saint Edwards Park - Kirkland, Washington
MT - kids/spring/summer/fall - 2 miles, loop (dirt trails), 1 hour, short rolling hills. Skill level - intermediate, user density - high; bikers, hikers. * Hazards - little people, definitely highly used trails. This is a popular area for the whole family. A great place to go ride around and the the feel for the trails as well as take in the views and enjoy the park.
Springwater Corridor - Portland, OregonTR - spring/summer/fall/winter - 24.6 miles of easy trail multi location starts and stops, paved trail, some unpaved area, flat. Total elevation gain 714 feet, no hills with honorable mentions, skill level - beginner, user density - medium; bikers, walkers, runners, skaters. * Hazards - other people, cars at all intersections.
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Snoqualmie Valley Trail - Duval to North Bend, WashingtonMT - kids/spring/summer/fall/winter - 24.2 miles, one way, (dirt & gravel rail-trail, paved roads), 2 - 5 hours, easy. Skill level - beginner to intermediate, user density - medium; hikers, bikers, equestrians. * Hazards - motorized vehicles on Tokul road, vertigo on high bridges, little people. You can do a little or a lot. Nice and easy ride, good training route too. This trail can go much further if you wish. This joins in with the John Wayne trail that can take you clear to the other side of Washington state (see John Wayne trail under the extreme heading).
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Tanner to Rattlesnake Lake - Tanner, WashingtonMT - spring/summer/fall/winter - 10.2 miles, out and back (wide gravel & dirt rail-trail), 1 - 3 hours, easy. With 518 feet of elevation gain you have two honorable mentions at class 5 on the way out, nice ride down on the way back. Skill level - beginner to intermediate, user density - medium; equestrians, bikers, hikers. * Hazards - dangerous bridges.
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Twin Bridges Scenic Bikeway - Bend, OregonST - spring/summer/fall - 35.6 miles one way, 1.5 - 3 hours, easy. Skill level - intermediate, user density - low to high depending on section. * Hazards - other bikers, walkers, congestion, rough trail. The ride has a total ascent of 1,066.27 ft and has a maximum elevation of 3,786.09 feet. This ride gives only two honorable mentions for hills to climb, both class 5, totally doable for the intermediate rider.
This ride takes you around the hub of Bend and out into the views Bend is know for. You won't miss the horses, high deserts and parks. This area is known for unique beauty, and beauty it is. Cross over the Deschutes a few times and enjoy the rolling hills and take a deep breath of what the area has to offer. Don't forget your camera, this great afternoon ride will be something you won't want to forget. |
Westside Road - Mt Rainier, Washington
MT - summer/fall - 19 miles, out & back (dirt road), 3 -4 hours, long, fairly rigorous climbs, never too steep. Skill level - beginner, user density - low; bikers,
hikers. * Hazards - water over road. This washed out road makes for a great day trip. However whenever you are in the Mt Rainier National Park you can't go
wrong - this place is amazing. Old growth trees, dense forests and nothing but good clean fresh air.
hikers. * Hazards - water over road. This washed out road makes for a great day trip. However whenever you are in the Mt Rainier National Park you can't go
wrong - this place is amazing. Old growth trees, dense forests and nothing but good clean fresh air.
