MERA- Red Apple/MERA Loop

The southwest side of the Grand Ronde Valley is home to marsh, sloughs, geothermic activities and all sorts of natural wonders. The gravel roads that dissect the area allow for great bird watching and vistas of the mountains that nestle the valley in a fowl fraught 28-mile loop. (less)

This loop explores a variety of pioneer cemeteries and settlements in Eastern Oregon. This delightful assortment of isolated pavement is filled with pastoral scenes and granite fence posts. (less)

As the snow melts, the rivers rise and the bulbs pop, it is the perfect time to experience gravel riding. Early spring, when pavement roads retain their winter gravel and mountain bike trails are a bit too mushy, is optimum for cycling dirt roads. This is a nice rural gravel loop with additional hill options for those feeling feisty. (less)

Late spring and fall are stupendous times to beat the dust and explore Wallowa County on variable surfaces. Many of the more picturesque draws and rolling hills contain wandering isolated access roads sporting a patchwork of paved, compacted dirt and gravel surfaces. This is one such wonderful barn littered 17-mile loop. (less)

The canyons, rolling Palouse and winding waterways in addition to the Indigenous and Oregon Trail histories, make the area around Pendleton, Oregon worth exploring. A picturesque 44-mile out and back pedal on Rieth Road, along the Umatilla River, is one such cultural and scenic gem. The route starts in Pendleton and then pauses in the historically rich town of Echo. (less)

The descent of this trail is insane flowing fun. The vanilla like smell of the large Ponderosa Pines whip around you as you zoom down the trail. The old growth logs loom shoulder height. The descent is fluid with minimal breaking and a smooth rolling surface. Big Sinks is pure fun and beauty. (less)

Late winter and early spring are perfect times to get out, enjoy the flowers, babies and vistas of the rural farming and ranching communities. Bucolic communities such as Haines, Oregon contain few paved roads but a multitude of stupendous gravel adventures weathered to perfection over the winter months. This 24.6-mile gradual, mostly gravel, loop nestles against the picturesque Elkhorn Mountains. (less)

Isolated northeast Oregon hosts acres of National Forest land crossed with pavement perfect for cycling adventures. A wonderful three-day, self-sustained, pavement adventure starting in Baker City travels by cattle, timber, ghost towns and mine tailings. (less)

The Two Dragon Loop, named after an 1870’s Chinese mining camp in the Carson Historic Mining district, is just short of six miles of high mountain foliage extravaganza. It contains a delightful two mile single track descent and a mix of old logging roads.
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Short little jaunt leaving Union up to Cathrine Creek State Park. Take a lunch and enjoy the scenery. For those wanting a bit more punch climb up to Catherine Creek Summit. (less)

This route on MERA uses Slammer, Depends and Ride On, to eventually tee into a crowning jewel trail, Caffeine. This combination of trails makes a marvelous 10.9-mile figure-eight that gains 1309 feet of elevation before swooping back to the trailhead. (less)

One of the more magnificent mixed surface rides in the Grande Ronde Valley area. It loops from Cove through Union and back along the breath-taking High Valley Road. (less)

Wonderful mountain bike route encompasses almost ten miles of riding, much of which is in the remote north section of MERA. This collection of trails is fun because 1514 feet of elevation gain and loss is broken up into three snippets of climbing with different yet agreeable rewards. (less)

Dust off your bicycle and enjoy this 35-mile road bike circle of splendor across the Grande Ronde Valley. Enjoy sloughs planted in wheat, mint and other crops as they frame the rising basalt massifs of Mount Harris, Fanny and Point Prominence. (less)

Enjoy Indian Valley and the north part of Grande Ronde Valley on a low traffic, paved, bicycle adventure. This ring around Pumpkin Ridge hosts three main spurts of elevation gain, but is predominantly downhill for its 24+ miles. The brief mileage dedicated to the state highways sport wide shoulders for cycling safety and comfort. (less)

Beginner fairly flat loop beautiful in the summer and winter. Winter skis or snowshoes are recommended. (less)

A wondrous 5 day extravaganza of beautiful scenery and isolated roads in Eastern Oregon. The main highlight is the forested, seasonal, All American Road NFS 39. Each day faces 42 to 77-miles of travel, delightful elevation gain and loss and places to camp or nestle into a welcoming hotel. (less)

This marvelous, mixed surface 52-mile circuit will call to your inner gorilla with possible headwinds, significant elevation gain and open desolate spaces that will make you want to linger and catch your breath. When looking at the map, the red line represents gravel surface and the blue, pavement (less)

Umatilla Rim is fun for beginners and advanced riders alike due to its short stints of challenge, varied terrain and multiple decommissioned road exit options. Riders prize the lush old growth with its wonderful offering of huckleberries in late summer and the beautiful meadows full of wildflowers. Above all the sheer magnitude of the North Fork Umatilla Wilderness and the view off the rim down to the Umatilla River will make the rider's heart beat fast. (less)

Fanning out from the base of the Wallowa Mountains between Joseph and Enterprise, Oregon are the lovely Tenderfoot Valley and Alder Slope. The low traffic flow and delightfully aged pavement make possible a smooth memorable tour with breath taking views of snow caped peeks, hay fields, barns and everyday rural living. (less)

The Raptor Ride is approximately 23 miles of cycling over variable surfaces. The road surface consists of old pavement and compacted dirt with light gravel and is one of the most beautiful raptor filled figure eight loops in Eastern Oregon (less)

A marvelous 43-mile mixed gravel and pavement ride to the ghost town of Bridgeport from the old Durkee, Oregon stage stop. It travels down the Burnt River Canyon with its rocky dry bluffs and burbling river and is perfect for an early spring escapade. (less)

Seven-day camping and road cycling adventure begins and ends in La Grande, Oregon. Each day covers between 16 and 58 miles for a grand total of 292 miles of splendid locomotion. The segments conclude at seasonal campgrounds suitable for tent camping and cover a wide range of isolated pavement. You will forge through differing forest and grassland ecosystems filled with interesting history. (less)

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