Kissing the Trail: Northwest and Central Oregon Mountain Bike Trails (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Hood River locals like to head out to the Post Canyon/Mitchell Hill area after work; it's fun, and if you ride from town and explore..." (more)
Key Phrases: campground key elevation, singletrack descent, unmarked singletrack, Hood River, Mount Hood, Gazetteer Nearby (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

With Kissing the Trail: Oregon, John Zilly finally gives fat-tire fans the best biking trails throughout the Beaver State-rich in detail, singletrack, and good riding karma. More than 70 trails are described, featuring mileage and ride time, easy-to-use maps and elevation profiles, clear directions, trail user density, exploring options, hazards, and where to find more information. A quick-reference chart indicating season and difficulty level and sharp, contemporary photos round out this comprehensive guide. In Kissing the Trail: Oregon, Zilly tracks down trails in prime destinations such as Bend, Eugene, Hood River and the Columbia River Gorge, the Coast, and metro-Portland.

About the Author

John Zilly is the author of six mountain biking guides, including the best-selling Kissing the Trail and Mountain Bike! Southwest Washington. Zilly lives in Seattle.

Product Details

• Paperback: 266 pages
• Publisher: Sasquatch Books (May 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570612110
• ISBN-13: 978-1570612114
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,454,325 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Author's Note, October 10, 2006

By	John Zilly - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I'm working on a new edition of Kissing the Trail NW & Central Oregon, though I'm not certain when it will come out. It will be my eleventh guidebook. The first edition went out of print in 2002. Too bad (it was my previous publisher). While I've been out updating this book, I've found that, actually, most of the info is still correct and up-to-date, despite what the previous reviewer claims. Yes, there are trails like Post Canyon, Gales Creek, and some trails near Bend that need some serious revisions. However, the accuracy of the descriptions, maps, elevation profiles, directions, gps coordinates of the other 65 or so trails still works. That's why people are paying $40 or more for used copies--it's clearly still the best mountain bike guide for Oregon. And worthy of more than one star. The new edition will have 80 to 90 rides, including the North Umpqua epics near Crater Lake and the Scappoose freeride area near Portland. Plus more attitude and lots of new photos. Keep tabs on the progress at adventurepress.com.

2.0 out of 5 stars Good, but not great, September 5, 2007

By	F. Ihle "F5" (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

While this book highlights some good trails, the author's over-the-top "old school" attitude gets a little tiresome at times (i.e.: the Skibow review). That being said, I've had many good solo rides that were new to me, and for the most part this book was adequate. My biggest complaint is that there are several rides in which the cyclist is directed ENTIRELY the wrong way...who wants to climb singletrack and descend fireroads? (I'm thinking of High Prairie Loop on east mt. Hood, among others). I tend to question an author that reviews his own book, and gives himself 5 of 5 stars.

1.0 out of 5 stars Kissing the trail OREGON, August 24, 2006

By	Frank C. Alverson "Synapse" (Portland) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This BOOK is way out of date, there must be a follow up to this book. Mtn Biking in Oregon is exploding and there is not a current up to date book with all the new trails and rerouted trails.