Throwin' Down in Oakridge, OR

Was this trip totally kick ass?

  • Yes

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Hell yes!

    Votes: 4 100.0%
  • Total voters
    4
kazlx

kazlx

Well-Known Member
So one of my buddies turned 40 and he had talked about heading to Bend to ride trail bikes. After some back and forth, one of the other guys that was going had dealt with Trans-Cascadia for some races. Well, they have just opened an excursion spot in Westfir, OR just outside of Oakridge. So, we ended up booking an all-inclusive excursion and were the first group out of this spot. The trip literally included everything and it was worth it. We flew into Portland and TC picked us up from the airport. They also already had rooms booked at the small Inn next to their base. We rolled in, assembled the bikes and headed off for a ride. The first one was a trail called Alpine, and even with the shuttle, there was still about a 1500 ft climb. We did 5 days of riding, had two guides that did shuttles/guiding and sometimes were both able to ride with us. There was also a chef with us that rode with us and cooked three meals.

We packed so much into 5 days it was a blast. We rode, we camped at a remote lake for a day and rode as well as cruised around the lake on paddle boards and swam. There were throwing axes that were available for entertainment as well. We had dinner one night at a small Chinese restaurant. The owner, Jeff Lee, is one of the most entertaining dudes I've met and was doing sake (tequila) bombs with us after making some kick ass food. Everything was handled for us for the whole week and it was one of the best riding trips I've had. TC definitely delivered and I would recommend it to anyone that's interested.

And now some pics!

Bikes.jpg


TC Lot view.jpg


TC Van.jpg


Shuttle.jpg


Fred.jpg


breakfast.jpg


Bryan.jpg


Rando Field.jpg
 
Nice trip report. Great photos!! I'm going to have to check out that tour company even though I'm pretty much done with camping. I've went out with Cog Wild tours (they operate out of Bend) and they do a great job as well with camping or hotel options. We were just in Oakridge in July and rode ATCA (Alpine, Tire Mountain, Cloverpatch and back to Alpine) before moving on. Oakridge has stellar riding and the town is sloooooooowly growing. Several more food options nowadays an d still plenty of cheap, cheap lodging. We did (2) nights in an old school 60's motel that had been updated for $74 per night.
 
Mikie said:
This definitely looks to be a kick azz adventure.
Nobody asked but what kind of coinage are we looking at to have such luxury?
I can start saving now, heh heh!

Fantastic pics and write up!
I give it a Hell Yah!
Click to expand...

It wasn't bad (relatively). It was $2000 each person for 5 days minus flight. So that was: food, lodging, transport from and to airport and everywhere else, camping gear, entertainment stuff, transport around town/store/bike shop/whatever, as well as beer, water, LaCroix, whatever else you could request. You could literally not spend a dime once you stepped off the plane if you so chose and they had other options (like if we wanted to book our own lodging or whatever). We stayed in the blue building, the Westfir Lodge in the second pic that's literally across the street from the hub of the excursion outfit. It was awesome. Super quaint, the owners are young and helpful. They have separate locked bike storage. We walked across the street to the TransCascadia area. You wouldn't have to camp either. We chose to do a camp night at the lake with the option because it's like an 1.5hr from Oakridge. Nice (the owner) could tailor anything to what the group wants. The guides would literally do anything we wanted. They had suggestions and they pretty much suggested rides and we did them, but if you knew you wanted to ride X trails, they would make it happen. They try to give you a taste and go from there. You could shuttle all day or pedal all day. The two guides that were with us were absolute beasts and I don't think they would have any problems keeping up with an XC crew or a DH crew.
 
Last edited:
mtbMike said:
Nice trip report. Great photos!! I'm going to have to check out that tour company even though I'm pretty much done with camping. I've went out with Cog Wild tours (they operate out of Bend) and they do a great job as well with camping or hotel options. We were just in Oakridge in July and rode ATCA (Alpine, Tire Mountain, Cloverpatch and back to Alpine) before moving on. Oakridge has stellar riding and the town is sloooooooowly growing. Several more food options nowadays an d still plenty of cheap, cheap lodging. We did (2) nights in an old school 60's motel that had been updated for $74 per night.
Click to expand...

We saw Cogwild all the time. TransCascadia is operating out of Westfir (which is an even smaller town right by Oakridge). One of the guys that went has dealt with Nick (the owner) on several occasions through the races he has put on. He literally pulls out all the stops if you want. So it's a full sliding scale. They truly try to deliver whatever experience you want. Our group is rather loose and can lack filters and we all got along just fine. The guides I have to say made the trip. Fred and Paul felt like best friends that we hadn't seen for 5 years after jumping in the van at the airport. I'm definitely sure we will be back.
 
kazlx said:
We saw Cogwild all the time. TransCascadia is operating out of Westfir (which is an even smaller town right by Oakridge). One of the guys that went has dealt with Nick (the owner) on several occasions through the races he has put on. He literally pulls out all the stops if you want. So it's a full sliding scale. They truly try to deliver whatever experience you want. Our group is rather loose and can lack filters and we all got along just fine. The guides I have to say made the trip. Fred and Paul felt like best friends that we hadn't seen for 5 years after jumping in the van at the airport. I'm definitely sure we will be back.
Click to expand...

If you're ever looking for a tour company in Moab or Crested Butte (they go other places), I can't recommend Chasing Epic enough. The owner Steve (ssmokan MTBR) is out riding on every trip but has professional guides for each area as well. You stay in super nice lodging and eat in local restaurants each night. The tours also include high end bikes or you can get a small discount for bringing your own. https://chasingepicmtb.com
 
Well that looks fun! Way to make it happen! I'll bet many of us on here fantasize about a five-day mtb get away like that with just a few of your favorite buddies and nothing but but bikes, scenery, food, beer and shenanigans to think about.

I'll give it a Hell Yeah! and a few of these :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::cool::cool::cool::):):):D:D:D
 
kazlx said:
Definitely a trip to remember.

View attachment 56383

View attachment 56384

View attachment 56385

View attachment 56386

View attachment 56387

View attachment 56388

View attachment 56389

View attachment 56390

View attachment 56391
Click to expand...

Man that looks EPIC!! Transcadia is definitely making a name for themselves. They’ve been doing a lot of work bringing to light some killer backcountry riding in the Gifford Pinchot forest East of Mt St Helens in WA and put on a blind stage enduro race every year.
 
kazlx said:
It's super fun. I think the town is really loving the fresh blood that Trans Cascadia is bringing. I think it's going to be really awesome for everyone there.

For those interested. I think he's also working on putting together all-ladies tours as well.

http://www.transcascadiaexcursions.com/
Click to expand...
I think I like the coed idea better, there’s less drama and whining:laugh::whistling:
I just need to get my hubby on board somehow:thumbsup:
 
Cisco Roots said:
Man that looks EPIC!! Transcadia is definitely making a name for themselves. They’ve been doing a lot of work bringing to light some killer backcountry riding in the Gifford Pinchot forest East of Mt St Helens in WA and put on a blind stage enduro race every year.
Click to expand...

My buddy met Nick (the owner) from racing the enduro races and said they have always been off the hook, so he was reasonably confident we would have an awesome experience. 100% did not disappoint.

mountaingirl sara said:
I think I like the coed idea better, there’s less drama and whining:laugh::whistling:
I just need to get my hubby on board somehow:thumbsup:
Click to expand...

No doubt. I just know there are some all-ladies riding groups out there. I think the key is that I feel like the best thing Nick is bringing to the table is trying to gauge what people want and bringing them a custom tailored experience. We had a feedback session at the end of the trip as the guides were genuinely curious if there was anything we felt was missing. It was just good times all around.
 
Danimal said:
That's like a day or two....ain't you paying attention! I'd call Steve mini Zilla, but at 2 bills more like Mega Zilla.
Click to expand...
I don't think Zilla is a slouch in the Clydesdale Department either. I think he's over 6 feet tall. Haha! That means our Super Strawberry to Gabrielino night ride in May was a Clydesdale Adventure! Paging @Luis ...
 
Faust29 said:
If you filter out the young skinny guys, and just look at the clydes, I have the fastest time down Alpine from top to bottom. :Roflmao

Road trip to steal it from me? We’re in the same weight class.

View attachment 76964
Click to expand...

I know you're just talking smack and a road trip is not imminent.....but if you weren't aware, there are multiple fires all around Oakridge at the moment. Luckily, no trails have been torched yet but they are all closed and there's some rain in the area today. Falls Creek, where the biggest fire is seems to be getting solid moisture per the radar.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top