The Hoodland area is quickly becoming a major mountain biking destination.
And Sandy Ridge tops the list offering downhill and intermediate riding.
The trail is designed specifically for mountain bikers rather than hikers and
features one-way traffic which provides flow in a single direction.

Jay Small, of Vancouver, Wash., has visited Sandy Ridge several times in the
past two years and last month brought his son to enjoy the experience.
“It’s an amusement park,” Small said. “These trails were built for mountain
bikers.”

The trail system is comprised of three different downhill runs and has become
a national model in sustainable trail design practices and provides virtually
year-round access to some of the most unique riding opportunities in the
country, as stated on the Ride Oregon Ride website.

Victor Flores, of Hood River, heard about the trail system from friends and
expects to frequent Sandy Ridge more in the future.

“Trail conditions keep me coming back,” Flores said, noting his favorite part of
the system is the downhill runs.

David Stevenson, of Portland, has been taking advantage of the trail for five
years, and hits Sandy Ridge every weekend, 10 months out of the year.
“I wish Portland would take a lesson,” Stevenson said. “It’s not a converted
hiking trail.”

Jim Scholefield is a committed mountain biker and used to travel to Oregon
from Georgia specifically to enjoy the sport. Now living in Portland, Sandy
Ridge has become his favorite. He discovered the trail by googling “best
places to ride in Oregon” and looks forward to future visits, citing the “trails
are top notch and the scenery is beautiful.”

Carl Svendsen, of Vancouver, Wash., has biked the trail two times per week
for the last four years. He heard about it from his buddies when he first took
up mountain biking.

“It’s a great little place,” Svendsen said, “and better than most places you
get.”

He cited proximity to his home keeps him coming back.
Sandy Ridge has made its mark on the burgeoning mountain biking
community, and contributes to the rising popularity of cycling tourism that
generates approximately $400 million each year in Oregon.