23-Jan-16 Oregon Coast Slop & Romp
 

What a difference some warm weather combined with lots of liquid sunshine makes! The last time I tried riding out of Diamond Mill (day after Xmas), there was snow on the ground in staging and it only became deeper as we ventured into the woods. We barely made it 15 miles in December, and achieved that staggering mileage thanks to logging roads...lol.

One of the usual suspects set the hook with an email to a group of the usual nutballs and had several bites right away. I didn't think I'd be able to make it as my boots were off being re-soled, but fortunately my friends don't like to see someone pouting on the sidelines and offered up several pairs of spare boots. No excuses available, I loaded the GG and planned to meet the crew at Coleman's for some b-fast before heading to the Mill. If any of us had checked the forecast prior to heading out, we might have decided to play couch potato instead, but a day in the woods is better than a day on the couch anyway.


After a good b-fast (for 4 of us), we arrived at staging shortly before 10. Geared up in the dry thanks to the free candy van awning and spacious interior, then proceeded into the woods without any idea of where we might go.

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A quick route was formulated and we headed up Mike's to connect to the recently cut-in section of Odin's Ridge (I believe). The trek up Odin's Ridge only lasted a few hundred feet in December, happy to report we made it all the way this time. We did encounter one big tree that had fallen across the trail. We briefly talked about getting our hand saws out to deal with it, but decided it was a little too large and that dragging the bikes under would be a better idea.

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The rest of the trail was clear of windfall and the only problem were the root steps at the very end; 3 of 'em in a row without much run-up. The guys with the trials tires made pretty easy work of 'em, this yahoo with a balding knob didn't have as much luck. Had to superman the bike over the first two, but cleared the last without issue.

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From there, we hit Arrowhead and had fun navigating the root steps on that trail, then decided to hit Stumpy and the crazy downhill section that takes you to Deerfence. Pretty cool on the way down the steep section, saw 3-4 elk enjoying the rain. It seems the logging folks have had their way with the last section of Deerfence - was more like riding a road than trail.

Slabbed it back up toward Tri Loop and enjoyed that little side trip on our way to Diamond Mill Ridge. The trees seemed to have grown closer on the Tri Loop section, gave the guys a good laugh with a very slow-mo crash after clipping a tree with the bars. We hit Diamond Mill ridge and had a blast running that trail. No significant windfall, though our buddy did get caught by a fresh fall across the trail just after the rocky switch-back. Good thing JP had a tow strap as it would have been a real pia to get his heavy 4T back up on the trail...lol.

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Stopped for a snack after running all of DM Ridge with a plan to hit Cramlett's and then DC.

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DC was in good shape, though there was more windfall to deal with. At least for the guys at the front of the pack, the rest of us could just sit back and watch them struggle while we waited for our path to be clear...LOL.

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There's one section that's getting a little dicey; the washout that was mostly easy to get past last year is a bit sketchy now. Lots of water has run it's course down the chute and you definitely don't want to get it wrong, at least don't get it wrong and fall to your left (assuming you're coming from Cramletts).

We finished with DC, then headed down to Old Cedar Creek with the intent to run it to Outback. The stream crossing on Old Cedar Creek is more of a challenge now, the water has moved some bigger rocks into the crossing area and the water is definitely swift. Right after the crossing, it's easy to see that the trail has a big flow of water running down - deep rut that goes on for a while. It was tough keeping the tires out of the rut, but most managed without a problem.

Outback was a blast as usual, no windfall to deal with and it was really fun running it from the Old Cedar Creek side (we usually run the other direction after coming off Wolf Point). Although there wasn't anything across the trail, a tree had fallen off the downhill side of the trail and created a sizable dip; and of course I tried to put my foot down where there wasn't anything to support it. Fortunately, I didn't go over the side of the trail, but it getting the goofy bike off my leg without leverage was interesting.

We finished with Outback and hit Cedar Creek to Jones Creek to Mikes to call it a day. Not a ton of ground covered, think it was ~27 miles in all, but a great day with smiles all around. We even had the pleasure of enjoying the last ~8 miles without mist/drizzle/rain falling.

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As usual, plenty of video footage to sift through. I had a couple of decent offs throughout the day, goofy one coming onto Deerfence off that steep downhill, slow-mo on Tri Loop, then multiple downs on Outback - in case you want to prioritize...lol.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0kloRO7lgU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXuSah9cAuE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-7kUKXukT8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Slyh4gWyFG8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9S9DUHRMeA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fr6RimZh8Kk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-HnFLqTyD0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6l-jD2InuXM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZnVrCel_zY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sSpyuvGcl0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=El2hmzGX8z8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1B1XCvC_ZE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2Y-RpBDh1k

Great RR. Felt like I was there, except I didn't get wet.:)
Thanks for taking the time to record and post.

RB

Great report...again!
The old put your footdown into nothing is one we can all relate to...last time i did that i was riding slowly across a steep slope in 2nd gear when engine revs fell,i blipped the clutch to pick up some revs(as you do)and engine died completely unexpectedly.instinctively stuck left foot out in to nothing and as i hit the deck i realized id left the fuel tap off at last stop!doh!
Momentum is everything!

Awesome pics, I love that area, lived in Beaverton from 89-96 but haven't been back for a ride in 20 years. Maybe this spring/summer. Thanks for the great post...