Mountain Biking Oklahoma

Bend, Oregon: Biking, Climbing, and Beer

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Fast, smooth single-track that lies practically in the midst of the largest city in state is hard to come by. And good every-rider appeal is even harder to locate. Here are six miles of advanced, intermediate, and beginner offerings that will soothe your savage beast. Actually, Arcadia Lake covers part of what long ago was the famed Route 66 of myth and legend —old US 66.

Running around one end of Arcadia Lake, this trail winds from Spring Creek Park through Edmond Park to Central State Park. Though the signs claim that the trails are marked by difficulty rating, I found only two signs. But I think nearly all the riding here is within the skills of most off-road cyclists I know. If you desire the expert-level sections, just bear right at each fork in the road. If you prefer to bypass the hard stuff, stay on the wider and better-established trail. Someone has been building several interesting branches from the main trail. Thanks, whoever.

This is sandy soil, and many places can be ankle-deep when a lot of folks have ridden on it. It leans toward being better and easier riding after a rain, since the moisture will stick the red sand together somewhat and provide more support for your tires. Much of the riding you will do in the western and Spring Creek sections is exposed. You will ride across fields where the ragweed towers on either side of the trail; it gets especially thick and crowds the trail in summer.

The sections on the north side of the lake, Edmond and Central State Parks, carry you through a lot of tight single-track that weaves around between thickly forested areas. Starting at the trailhead by Spring Creek Park and doing the whole enchilada out-and-back is probably the preferred run. If you park on a dead-end road just outside the park gate, you pay only $1 for admission instead of the $6 that will be charged for a car.

While you are in the area, you might be interested in checking out some of the local sights. This area simply drips with history from the last 100 years. There are Indian villages, museums, the state government buildings, the Cowboy Hall of Fame, and lots of opportunities for recreating in one of the authentic Wild West parts of the country. YEEHAW, PARTNER!

Finding the trail: From Oklahoma City go north on Interstate 35 to Edmond and exit at 15th Street, going east. Follow 15th Street until just before it enters Spring Creek Park and turn left onto the dead-end dirt road. I like to start near Spring Creek Park, because you can leave your car on the old road just outside the park and pay the lowest entrance fee possible. They only charge a buck if you are on a bicycle. Ask for a map and directions to the traihead at the fee booth.

Notes on the trail: Notes on the trail: Do you like Frisbee Golf? There is a disk golf course very near the trailhead in Spring Creek Park. I personally prefer freestyle, bur whatever.

American bald eagles visit Arcadia Lake every year, according to the park's literature. This may be the place in the state to find one.

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