If there was a "10 Best" list of paved bike rides in the world, the Aufderheide would be on it. This ride has it all: fantastic scenery with rushing mountain streams, giant trees, mountain vistas, smooth pavement, little traffic, a demanding final ascent, and a white knuckle descent.
Drive Highway 126 to the turnoff to Cougar Reservoir, about 4.5 miles east of Blue River. Start the ride at the south end of Cougar Reservoir. By driving to this point, you avoid a long uphill section and miss most of the traffic found on the narrow and winding road along the reservoir. You can add 9 miles to the ride by starting at the intersection of Highway 126 and Road 19.
From the head of the reservoir, the road is sandwiched between the South Fork of the McKenzie River and the Three Sisters Wilderness Area. The road starts out flat and gradually climbs for the first 11 miles.
At 11 miles the road crosses the Roaring River and climbs sharply for about 3 miles. This section is demanding, but is perhaps the most scenic. Roaring River is right out of a nature calendar; whitewater cascading over moss covered logs and rocks. A thick cover of vine maples and oak add exceptional beauty to the scene, especially during the fall months.
Keith Nelson
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