Type 3 fun in the Gifford Pinchot Sometimes things don’t turn out according to plan. Oftentimes that can be a bad thing, other times, that can lead to unforgettable spontaneous experiences. Or it could possibly lead to hours of torture. This turned out to be all of the above. Over the years I have heard legends of Juniper Ridge and the Dark Divide, unmatched views, burly descents, and brutal hike-a-bike. [...]
BIKEPACKING IS FREEDOM For the 4th of July holiday, I (Chris Kratsch co-founder of Old Man Mountain) and two long time friends set out on a 3-day bike tour of the Mt. Hood area of Oregon. Our route was inspired by the by 9th segment of the Oregon Timber Trail. The three of us: Derrick Bell, Chris Dodson and I have ridden in the area many times before, but none [...]
A QUICK HOMETOWN WEEKEND RAMBLE For several years in a row, we would embark on a “Motor-Free Memorial Day Weekend”. We’d grab a friend or two, load up our bikes, put a rough route together and leave from our home in Bend, Oregon for a door-to-door 3-day bikepacking adventure in our nearby mountains and forests. This year, the weather was daunting in our nearby Cascade mountains, with snow in [...]
Getting the call... So it finally happened. Your bike buddies invited you to join them on a weekend bikepacking trip. They promise peace and solitude, but after a quick google search you start to panic. Anxiety creeps in as you find your way into the depths of the bikepacking world. You spend a few moments hyperventilating, looking at ludicrous prices for bike packing specific bikes, reading extensive gear reviews filled with words and [...]
Filmed by Bike — Launch Party Filmed By Bike Ticket Launch Party April is always a mixed bag in Portland. You could be in a tank top and flip flops enjoying 90º sun, you could be in your snow getup enjoying some spring slush, or anything in between. On Friday the skies welcomed attendees with fresh spring showers, but Portland is always prepared for the weather. [...]
