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Miles of All-Season eBike Paradise

Have you met the Madras Trails? If not, you’re missing out.

Mountain views, juniper forests, a few whoop-de-dos, and rabbitbrush. Oh, did I mention the Valley of the Bones?

This map will give you an overview. As COTA points out, this is an excellent winter trail and we concur. We scouted it after heavy rains in the area and there was little-to-no evidence of path degradation. Runoff crossed the trail in one spot up in the junipers but left soils intact.

What to Expect

  • Open sight lines
  • Packed soil
  • Modest elevation gains
  • Berms here and there
  • Intersecting horse trails
  • Opportunities to bomb – if you’re into that
  • Technical trail features (TTFs) you can tackle or opt out of
  • eBikes welcome

Cows and Danger Noodles

Don’t be discouraged by the signs. Cows have grazed here, and may in the future, but the trails are clear and clean. Since sight lines are excellent you will have ample warning should one be in the vicinity.

As to the danger noodles, yes there is a possibility. However, most of the terrain is not conducive to where snakes like to hang out – at least in our experience. (Think Steelhead Falls or Smith Rock.)

Any who … I’m one of those people who’ve grown to dislike all snakes (not rational I know) and I was not concerned. Like any trail, keep your eyes open. You need to do that anyway to ride, right?

The Valley of the Bones

Love, love, love this! You’ll see a few “teaser bones” leading up to the main event and VOB trail branch.

It begins with a cool technical feature. If you prefer, there is an opt-around opposite the bone marker on the other side of the wooden bridge.

You’ll know you’ve arrived when you see this:

Elephant Wearing a Bow Tie

Hands down, my favorite bone!

Learn More

I could go on and on. I freely admit we only explored a few miles on foot, our modus operandi when scouting trails. We will be back with our eBikes, no question! And I’m looking forward to checking out the perimeter.

So get out and ride! On the way, take City View Street and enjoy the roundabout art.

For more photos of the Madras Trails check out my Flickr album.