Northwest in Motion

Inspiring, informing, and connecting cyclists, runners, hikers, and skiers

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Destinations

Places we love to ride, run, hike, and ski

  • 8 oz Cappuccino w/ a Mt. Constitution Chaser
    At 2,399′ and being the highest point in the San Juan Islands, Mount Constitution is an obvious and appealing objective for the ambitious cyclist. Ambition is helpful in several respects: ...
  • Adventure Cycling in the Snoqualmie Forest
    Although there has been niche interest in gravel cycling in the Northwest since the mid-2000s, the subdiscipline is experiencing a boom in interest as riders look for car-free alternatives that ...
  • Annette Lake Trail
    Sad to say, as far as area hikes go, I tend to replay my “greatest hits” list over and over. I’ve lived in the Pacific Northwest since 1994 and only ...
  • Beginner’s Guide to MTB in Seattle
    Seattle is known for many things: fish markets, sports teams, and rainy weather to name a few. But what many folks don’t know is that we have some of the ...
  • Bend Gravel Cycling June 2019
    Bend is one of the most popular mountain biking destinations in the Pacific Northwest. Here is a review of three of *gravel* routes.
  • Cascade Views from the Maston Trail
    When you live just a few miles from Bend’s Phil’s Trail complex, it’s hard to justify riding elsewhere. Packing up the bikes and driving to a trailhead seems like cheating. ...
  • Changing Weather, Shifting Gears
    This month’s rapid rise in temperatures transformed an epic snow season into a sorry mix of slush, ice, & Cascade concrete. Was I ready to shift gears & get my ...
  • Chelan Century Challenge 2018
    The Chelan Century Challenge is one of the best event rides in Washington state: –the Chelan Rotary does a great job hosting and supporting the ride –the scenery is (mostly) spectacular –the course ...
  • Climbing Pinedrops Trail
    This unmarked trail in the Phil’s Trail system provides a great workout for legs & lungs. Nothing technical, just a good, fun climb. As mountain biking season kicks into full gear ...
  • Cross Country Skiing at Virginia Meissner
    Well Worth Braving a Blizzard! After a perfectly stunning cross-country ski day on Thursday, my friends and I were pumped to get out the following day for a longer ski. We ...
  • Cross-Training Weekend
    What an exceptional weekend to play! Saturday was a ~50 mile “urban cycling” outing from Seattle to Edmonds where we made the requisite bakery stop. The tour was complete with a ...
  • Cycling Hwy 20: First Tracks 2014
    Highway 20, the North Cascades Highway, opened for the season Thursday May 8. As the date approached, cycling friends were buzzing with anticipation about the first good opportunity to do ...
  • Cycling the North Cascades Highway
    By this time of year, I’ve usually cycled the North Cascades Hwy (WA State Hwy 20) out-and-back to Mazama at least twice. Unfortunately asthma has delayed my usual hit list ...
  • Cycling the North Cascades Highway
    Due to a schedule conflict I wasn’t able to join this year’s Marblemount to Mazama weekend ride hosted by the Redmond Cycling Club, so instead some High Performance Cycling buddies ...
  • Cycling Yunnan: Flirting with the Yangtze
    One of the main reasons I like travel to developing regions is to intentionally put myself “out of context” and, as much as possible, connect with the local people and ...
  • Destination: Bridle Trails
    Bellevue’s Bridle Trails State Park is an underappreciated gem that is a tranquil, convenient destination to walk and run.
  • Destination: Mt. Bachelor Ski Area
    Located about 20 miles west of Bend and Sunriver, Mt. Bachelor is THE place in Oregon for serious skiers and boarders. Mt. Bachelor is a volcano that lies at the northern ...
  • Destination: Santa Barbara’s La Cumbre Peak / Camino Cielo Loop
    Upon arrival in Santa Barbara, cyclists pedaling through the countryside enjoy views like this:
  • Destination: Walla Walla
    Walla Walla is highly regarded for its sweet onions, wine and food, and for being a top-tier cycling destination. Although I’ve lived in the Pacific Northwest since 1994, I’m embarrassed to ...
  • Destination: West Coast Trail
    Located along the southwest coast of Vancouver Island, the West Coast Trail (WCT) is called “the (backpacking) trip of a lifetime,” and it’s been on my hit list for over ...

Resources

Washington

Visit Walla Walla
Beloved for the rural farm roads that meander through rolling wheat fields, Walla Walla is celebrated as Washington’s top road cycling destination. The nearby Blue Mountains offer experienced riders steep climbs and sharp turns to attack, while the flat lands and paved trails that run through Walla Walla’s historic neighborhoods and farmlands are perfect for when you just want to cruise. Start planning your route by downloading the Walla Walla Valley Cycling Map or City of Walla Walla Cycling Routes and Lanes. For more information you can also visit the Wheatland Wheelers Bicycle Club website. This local club provides riders with information and guidance on cycling in the Walla Walla Valley.

Wenatchee Outdoors
Learn about the wide spectrum of things to do in the Wenatchee area: Mountain Biking, Road Biking, Mountaineering, Rock climbing, Backpacking, Paddling, Skiing, Snowshoeing, and Trail running.

Oregon

Visit Bend
A warm, inviting mountain getaway with a cosmopolitan appeal is what you’ll find when you arrive in the friendly town of Bend, Oregon. Majestic, snow-capped peaks adorn the high-desert skyline, making for some of the best weather in Oregon — think sun-drenched days and cool nights — along with endless options for plenty of play time. Playing in the Cascades, hiking, mountain biking, or skiing at Mt. Bachelor are just a few of the outdoor adventures you can tackle in a weekend or a week.

Visit Central Oregon
Central Oregon is home to the cities of Bend, Redmond, Sisters, La Pine, Prineville, and Madras and the resort community of Sunriver. Start your vacation planning with a place to stay. In Central Oregon you will find some of the finest outdoor adventure with places for paddling, hiking, cycling, golfing and dining al fresco in the summer. In winter, areas of the High Desert turn into a snowy playground with skiing, snowboarding, sledding and ice skating. It doesn’t hurt that, whatever the season, we are home to some of the country’s top craft breweries, unique boutiques for tax-free shopping, and world-class restaurants to please every lifestyle and budget.