Hello Mtbr,
I am new to this site, but not to mountainbiking or cycle touring. I am toying with the idea of trying out bikepacking and in particular I'm thinking about route for this summer. I teach so I have a wide window of opportunity this summer.
My plan would be to start in Sisters and ride the Petersen Ridge Trail to the Metolius Windigo Trial. I'd ride NF 370 before the Metolius Windigo Trail turns into the Wilderness boundary and get back onto the M/W trail until Lava Lake. From Lava Lake, I'd ride around Cultus LK to NF 600 and cut over to Waldo Lk on the Lemish Lk to Charlton Lk Trial 19. From Waldo, I'd ride the Bunchgrass Ridge Trail to Oakridge, ride the Aufderheide to the McKenzie River Trail, and take the Santaim Wagon Rd back to Sisters.
When I do tours on paved roads, I typically ride 80 miles per day, but have ridden many 100+ mile touring days. I was hoping I could plan on an average of 60 miles per day. (I've ridden 90 miles on dirt on my mountain bike in a day, but it was a long day)
My questions are:
1. What month would be the earliest this route should be attempted due to snow and blowdowns?
2. Is an average of 60 miles per day sound reasonable for someone who is fit and experienced and plans on camping every night?
3. Does anyone have any insight or experience with this route?
I'm a little concerned about getting from Waldo Lake to Oakridge. I've ridden all the other parts of this route at one time or another.
Rough Outline
Day 1: Camp somewhere from around Todd Lake to before Lava Lake.
Day 2: Camp somewhere around or past Waldo Lake.
Day 3: Camp on the Aufderheide just past Oakridge.
Day 4: Camp near McKenzie Bridge.
Day 5: Camp near HooDoo.
Day 6: Back to Sisters.
I am new to this site, but not to mountainbiking or cycle touring. I am toying with the idea of trying out bikepacking and in particular I'm thinking about route for this summer. I teach so I have a wide window of opportunity this summer.
My plan would be to start in Sisters and ride the Petersen Ridge Trail to the Metolius Windigo Trial. I'd ride NF 370 before the Metolius Windigo Trail turns into the Wilderness boundary and get back onto the M/W trail until Lava Lake. From Lava Lake, I'd ride around Cultus LK to NF 600 and cut over to Waldo Lk on the Lemish Lk to Charlton Lk Trial 19. From Waldo, I'd ride the Bunchgrass Ridge Trail to Oakridge, ride the Aufderheide to the McKenzie River Trail, and take the Santaim Wagon Rd back to Sisters.
When I do tours on paved roads, I typically ride 80 miles per day, but have ridden many 100+ mile touring days. I was hoping I could plan on an average of 60 miles per day. (I've ridden 90 miles on dirt on my mountain bike in a day, but it was a long day)
My questions are:
1. What month would be the earliest this route should be attempted due to snow and blowdowns?
2. Is an average of 60 miles per day sound reasonable for someone who is fit and experienced and plans on camping every night?
3. Does anyone have any insight or experience with this route?
I'm a little concerned about getting from Waldo Lake to Oakridge. I've ridden all the other parts of this route at one time or another.
Rough Outline
Day 1: Camp somewhere from around Todd Lake to before Lava Lake.
Day 2: Camp somewhere around or past Waldo Lake.
Day 3: Camp on the Aufderheide just past Oakridge.
Day 4: Camp near McKenzie Bridge.
Day 5: Camp near HooDoo.
Day 6: Back to Sisters.