Kissing the Trail: Northwest and Central Oregon Mountain Bike Trails
Posted by Levon in Books
Kissing the Trail: Northwest and Central Oregon Mountain Bike Trails With Kissing the Trail: Oregon, John Zilly finally gives fat-tire fans the best biking trails throughout the Beaver State-rich in detail, singletrack, and good riding karma. More than 70 trails are described, featuring mileage and ride time, easy-to-use maps and elevation profiles, clear directions, trail user density, exploring options, hazards, and where to find more information. A quick-reference chart indicating season and difficulty level and sharp, contemporary photos round out this comprehensive guide. In Kissing the Trail: Oregon, Zilly tracks down trails in prime destinations such as Bend, Eugene, Hood River and the Columbia River Gorge, the Coast, and metro-Portland.
Customer Review: Good, but not great
While this book highlights some good trails, the author’s over-the-top “old school” attitude gets a little tiresome at times (i.e.: the Skibow review). That being said, I’ve had many good solo rides that were new to me, and for the most part this book was adequate. My biggest complaint is that there are several rides in which the cyclist is directed ENTIRELY the wrong way…who wants to climb singletrack and descend fireroads? (I’m thinking of High Prairie Loop on east mt. Hood, among others). I tend to question an author that reviews his own book, and gives himself 5 of 5 stars.
Customer Review: Author’s Note
I’m working on a new edition of Kissing the Trail NW & Central Oregon, though I’m not certain when it will come out. It will be my eleventh guidebook. The first edition went out of print in 2002. Too bad (it was my previous publisher). While I’ve been out updating this book, I’ve found that, actually, most of the info is still correct and up-to-date, despite what the previous reviewer claims. Yes, there are trails like Post Canyon, Gales Creek, and some trails near Bend that need some serious revisions. However, the accuracy of the descriptions, maps, elevation profiles, directions, gps coordinates of the other 65 or so trails still works. That’s why people are paying $40 or more for used copies–it’s clearly still the best mountain bike guide for Oregon. And worthy of more than one star. The new edition will have 80 to 90 rides, including the North Umpqua epics near Crater Lake and the Scappoose freeride area near Portland. Plus more attitude and lots of new photos. Keep tabs on the progress at adventurepress.com.
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