Pacific Northwest - Row River Trail Questions

I am 70 and have biking for awhile and am in good shape to ride the Row River Trail. I have challenged my siblings; sister and BIL (both 73) and not in particularly good shape, brother (68) in good shape but not a bicyclist, and younger sister (60) not in good shape, to ride the Row River Trail next spring, say late May.

They have all taken the challenge, but I want to plan the trip so that it is enjoyable for all, no matter what shape they are in when it comes time to do the ride.

We would start at the Moseby Creek Trailhead and ride to Culp Creek and back. I would like to know if there are any parts of the trail that would be difficult for those who aren't who aren't quite up to it.

Is the trail steep near Dorena Dam? Should some start at Harm's Park and ride the rest of the way? Is it steep once you are past Dorena Lake?

I plan on having my wife drive a vehicle that would pick up anyone who is not willing to continue and have her meet us at various places along the route.

I would appreciate it if you could give me your impressions of the ride keeping in mind that some might not be in the best of shape or who's butt might get sore and would like to ride in the car for awhile.

Thanks in Advance.
Dave

PS. I live in California and am not able to pre-ride the trail so I will rely on your info and grace in answering my questions.

Not that I've done this particular trail, but since this is a converted rail bed, the elevation changes will be gradual, turns gradual, etc.

If your siblings ride an hour or two a week, even indoors with a trainer, come May, they will have no problem. Personally, it's not a lot of fun to do a ride without feeling confident in your own abilities and equipment. I'd suggest if they don't prepare, they don't ride. What fun is it to show up, feel not be prepared at all, scared, nervous, and end up in a car? Or get hurt?

I grew up in Eugene, so mention of the Row River was of interest. Traced the route using "bike route toaster" which can be set to show the bike trail. For whatever reason, I couldn't save the route so I can't send you the link. Looking at the elevation graph, in the first 5 miles it goes up 50 feet, then 200 feet in the next two miles -- 100 feet/mile, about 2% -- and then is mostly level; goes up about 100 feet in the last 3 miles.
I've never ridden the route on a bike, but did ride on the train which preceeded the trail conversion.

I have ridden this trail many times, you and your friends are in for a treat, it's a beautiful ride. You'll pretty much have the trail to yourselves, it gets very low use, especially during the week.

The grade going over the dam is very gradual, you'll hardly know you are climbing. I think that 2% is about right, no problem. The rest of the trail is pretty much dead flat, parks and rest benches along the trail, and nice pavement.

If your group wants you can extend the ride a bit and go to Wildwood Falls as a turn around point. To find this you get on the road at the end of the RRT, (little traffic and wide shoulder) and ride into Culp Creek. Just before a bridge there is a left turn on Lower Brice Creek Road, take this about 3/4 mile to Wildwood Falls Park. There is one short hill on this road, easy to ride or walk it.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d126/telehammer/Rowtrail20.jpg

Wildwood Falls
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d126/telehammer/Rowtrail17.jpg

Thanks for the info. Sounds great. My original thought was that we would ride both ways and it sounds like that would be possible for some of us.

I certainly will encourage them to spend some time on bikes before the ride. I know that it takes several rides and 10's of miles to get comfortable on a bike.

Thanks again.
Dave

If climbing is an issue, start at the trail head above the dam. I would not do the ride from Mosby Ck into town again. Too many driveways. Go the other way.

Row River is a great ride and I think all will enjoy it. I plan to do it again on the way N in '10.

Make sure to hit a few of the covered bridges. There is one down at Mosby and another at Doreena Try 43.737135° -122.883570° as a Google Earth search.

If you are camping, try the Corps of Engineer CG at Schwartz Park below the dam. Another nice one is Baker Bay county park up on the lake. The former takes the Golden Geezer pass, which I suspect you have.

You can check out a trail map with facilities, pictures and reviews at traillink.com

<http://www.traillink.com/ViewTrail.aspx?AcctID=6055701>

You may have to sign up with them, but it's free and a great site for finding rail trails and such.

If you are coming up from CA to ride (which is what I do during the spring migration), there are some other offerings on I-5. Check out the river trail in Redding and the Bizz Johnson in Susanville.

Check out the river trails in Eugene. Portland has a bunch and one I plan to do again in '10 is the Banks-Vernonia in the hills west of Portland. It has an original timber trestle at Buxton and camping at the new Stub Stewart SP on the route.

If you get up into WA, drop us a note. There are lots of rail trails to ride. If you make it to N. Idaho, the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes and Route of the Hiawatha are superb. Lot of great riding from Spokane to Wallace, but now the snows are coming. X Country Ski...

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