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Mountain biking in the hills above Oakridge.

(Norm Coyer/Eugene Cascades Coast)

Olallie Ridge has been designated by the International Mountain Bicycling Association as a 2013 Epic Ride. Epic is a demanding, single-track adventure in a natural setting.

The organization credited the trail’s 20 miles of single-track that takes fat tire biking enthusiasts past stunning views, through tight switchbacks, up a 4,000 foot climb and down a thrilling 5,000 foot descent.

The designation was relayed by Molly Blancett of the Eugene, Cascades and Coast tourism team.

The trail is above the river town of McKenzie Bridge, north of the well-known Oakridge mountain biking area. Ollalie Ridge is not far from the famed McKenzie River National Recreation Trail, a 26.5 mile route that parallels the McKenzie River.

Ollalie Ridge becomes Lane County’s second Epic Ride, following IMBA's designated in 2012 of the Waldo Lake Trail closer to Oakridge.

Two Epic designations recognizes the Eugene, Cascades and Coast region as a premier mountain biking destination, according to Blancett (but local riders already know that). Oakridge, 45-minutes east of Eugene, is a silver-level ride center, as recognized by IMBA. Next year, Mountain Bike Oregon will celebrate its 10th anniversary with two weekends of non-stop riding based in Oakridge.

For more information on mountain biking in the Eugene, Cascades and Coast region, visit eugenecascadescoast.org/cycling/mountain-biking/.

Watch the blogger's video on the McKenzie River Trail at this link. I found McKenzie River Trail to be more epic than the one around Waldo Lake. (I can't link to the Waldo Lake story because when I rode the trail, I digital reporting hadn't been invented. Maybe that's why I thought it was easier than McKenzie River, because I was so much younger. I won't even try Olallie Ridge _ way too much climbing for me.)

-- Terry Richard