A few days after I got back from my Bailey Hundo/SW Colorado road/race/camping trip, I packed up again and headed to Oakridge, OR.
Michelle Emmons from the Dirt Dojo contacted me through my On Dirt facebook page asking me to come out to Oakridge for a ride/clinic in conjunction with Oregon Adventures. Oakridge happens to be one of my favorite riding destinations, so I jumped at the idea.
Michelle was also appointed to new race direction of the Cascade CreamPuff 100 for this year and years to follow. I did the Creampuff in 2010. It’s a 100 mile mountain bike race in Oakridge. Rebecca Rusch was also there that year! It was my first introduction to Oakridge and I was blown away by the lush ferns, loamy dirt, ripping fast singletrack descents, and the massive mileage of trail for riding!
The Dirt Dojo is a mountain bike camp company based in Eugene. I flew into Portland and headed down to Oakridge. I stayed at the newly renovated Westfir Lodge just outside Oakridge across from the red covered bridge, and right by all the trails.
A group of locals from the community came out to ride.
We finished up the day at the Brewers Union with beer and dinner. I am actually heading back to Oakridge later this week to work at the MTB Oregon event. I went last year too. Ergon is a sponsor, but it’s basically just a fun weekend where you camp, eat, and can do your own ride or shuttle rides. It’s like a weekend stage race environment without the stress of racing, and a great way to see the area.
Post ride Ninkasi Beer. Winning!
I also hope to get back to the Creampuff 100 sometime soon!
I got out to Bend the next day (Sunday) before heading to Portland for a few days of shop visits for Ergon. My buddy James at Sagebrush Cycles drew a giant singletrack loop for me on the map and sent me on my way. The water stop was dried up, so that was an unwelcome surprise. I rode from 12-6 PM in 95F heat. I did ask some hikers for water, but I am stubborn. The loop was planned and I wasn’t going to bail. It ended up being 55 miles – a great singletrack tour of Bend. I enjoyed a milkshake when I was done and a fun dinner with my friends (and owners of Cog Wild tours), Melanie and Lawrence.
A few Bend riding pics:
Next, I headed home to get ready for the Breck 100.
