While much of Hood River’s flourishing summer recreation and tourism industry is focused on the Columbia River, the waterfront and the Gorge’s renowned wind and waves, another movement continues to build momentum in the forests just outside of town, and although not nearly as bad as the city center congestion, traffic on the local mountain biking trails is markedly busier this time of year than any other.

Along with increased numbers, the stifling afternoon heat and dry, dusty midsummer dirt keep some local riders away from the trails until crowds subside and conditions improve with the first fall rains. Other more enthusiastic riders, however, rejoice in the challenge of negotiating ball-bearing dirt while dust turns to a fine layer of mud on their sweat-coated skin.