Gravel Bike Ride: Bend, 48 miles and 1,500 feet

Big, Big Red is a great ride, perfect for a warmer day because, because, because… the route is water hugging … we have a water stop with drinkable water … climbing is minimal … and there are plenty of points to just punch out should 48 miles feel like it’s getting too long. There’s also plenty of tree coverage, including coverage from BIG RED, Oregon’s tallest ponderosa tree.

Note that you can easily skip the first few miles of single track and take Conklin Road. It’s not our favorite … but it does get you to where you want to go. Note: The start is at Tyler's Traverse trailhead on Conklin Road. We highly encourage you to use the Directions button at the top of the Ride Guide.

Rumor has it that the route is not too sandy … but you can bet we will hit a few sand traps for sure. (These rainstorms sure have been nice to our trails.)

This is a paid event ($10!)**. If you’ve donated to Dirty Freehub in the past 12 months, use the promo code “Hawk2025” for FREE entry. Note: we are now asking for emergency contacts on your registration, along with your REAL name and phone number. Yeah, we know these are extra steps ... but think about it, if anything happens, it would be nice to have more info on our riders!

The Route:
https://dirtyfreehub.org/routes/oregon/big-big-red/

You MUST have the route downloaded to a bike computer or similar device and be able to navigate from it. Why is this important?

Logistics:

Our ride is not meant to be a race but a social outing. After all, it’s nice to chat and get to know other people. The goal is to have fun, meet other people, and sneak in a ride. We will regroup at various points.
I normally ride about 10 mph, and in the past have done 11 mph on this route. (Note: The section through the State Park can be navigationally challenging. So this is a great place to test your navigation skills!).

Sorry to say, but this is NOT a no-drop ride. (Gosh, there are a lot of NOs in that last sentence.) But we WILL regroup a few times. This ride is also unsupported.

If the weather takes a dive, you can assume we are canceling.

Contact Info
Text or call Linda at 541-550-8930 with any questions.

To Participate:

1. You must be registered for the event.
2. You must wear a helmet.
3. You must be an adult, 18 years or older.
4. You must be self-sufficient.

Liability Waiver:
By registering for this event, you agree to the following Liability Waiver.
----
**Why do we charge for rides?
Running community rides takes resources:

• MeetUp platform: nearly $550 per year
• Liability insurance: ensuring we can host rides responsibly
• Event organization: planning, route design, and coordination

Altogether, hosting community rides costs $2,000–$3,000 each year. Right now, those expenses are carried by our generous donors. To keep things fair, we ask all riders to contribute—either through an annual donation or a per-event fee.

When you donate, you’re not just paying expenses—you’re fueling a movement. You’re helping Dirty Freehub build community, create unforgettable experiences, and highlight the beauty of gravel cycling.
We’d love for you to join the Dirty Freehub team—because together, we make these rides possible.