Oregon Cycling Magazine

by Tom Baldinger

I have a treasure in my back yard. Not many people know about it. At the risk of spilling the beans, I am going to let Eugene mountain bikers in on a sweet secret. I live just outside the city limits on Lorane Highway and have 70 miles of trails to ride on private property. You can access them from Needham road. Yes, you can come ride here too. The property is approximately 500 acres and there are more trails than can be counted. They were originally made by motorcycles so the terrain is top notch for mountain bikes. You will find lots of tight, twisty singletracks here and a fair number of quad tracks too. Keep in mind that you will share the trails with other users, including hikers, motorcycle riders and equestrians so use common sense and basic trail etiquette when you ride.

There are horses and rabbits raised here so keep your speed down near the houses. If you come up Needham Road from Lorane Highway, you will find a barn at the top. Please park on the other side. It’s also a good idea to leave a note in your vehicle so we know who you are. I could suggest certain routes, but none of them will make sense till you’re looking at the terrain. From the parking area, there is a jeep road which heads south. It goes downhill and across a wash. If you stay right at the V, you will begin climbing up Swamp Creek Road. At the top of the hill, there is a paintball course with one of the best trails I have ridden in Oregon. Paintball usually happens on Sunday, so most of the time there’s no need to worry about being mistaken for an enemy combatant. There are two sets of power lines which cross the property going east to west. Off of these power lines you will find a plethora of trails going north and south. There is a tag system in case you get lost.

If you are going to do afternoon/evening rides, it is best to bring a light. While the area is relatively compact, there are many intersecting loops and you do not want to get lost after dark. Much of the terrain is heavily wooded so the natural light disappears rapidly at dusk. Anyone is welcome to ride here provided you follow the basic guidelines. I would also really appreciate some help with trail maintenance. This is private property and there is no forest service crew to repair trail damage. Anyone who can participate will be highly encouraged to do so! If you are interested in riding out here feel free to contact me at 541-359-7665.

Possibly Related

• March 2008: Riding out the Great Winter of 08
• November 2006: A new road south
• June 2008: Help save important Mt. Hood trails
• August 2008: Coast or bust from the southern Willamette Valley
• July 2007: They don't call it the Test of Endurance for nothing