With their natural serenity and towering intensity, the forests of Port Gamble seem an impeccable place to ride.

But tread lightly.

Single track trails permeate the forest, perfect for mountain bikers of all types — from the scenic to the thrill-seeker. Throughout much of the year the tracks are somewhat hidden having not been named or mapped out, but each spring, they serve as the course for the Dirty Dozen Mountain Bike Race Series.

This year’s dates for which are March 29, April 26 and May 3.

Registration starts at 9 a.m. each day in the historic town of Port Gamble.

The Dirty Dozen is a not a Nobra sanctioned event, therefore racing licenses are not required. There is, however, a $25 registration fee. Kids under 12 ride free.

Three different courses, charted for expert, sport/beginners and kids levels, range from two to 24 miles and begin at noon, 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. respectively. The route travels up an old logging road and back down following a fast, single-track trail through thick forest.

According to the press release, the course has almost every type of trail you could ask for.

For more information, check out www.ridgeracing.com or contact the sponsor, Silverdale Cyclery, at www.silverdalecyclery.com or (360) 692-5508.