The Oregon Outback - 2015

The Oregon Outback - not quite a bikepack trip, more than a gravel ride, and as much an Instagram meet as an "organized" ride. The route is 360+ miles of beautiful and often punishing riding from Klamath Falls to The Columbia River though the semi-wilds of East-central Oregon. It's a hard ride; though, and put me through the wringer last year. I had to abandon after 300 miles when my ankle, hands and ass told me I was done.

This year I set out with Danny and a couple other stalwart companions for a spirited take on a 3-day ride. It would require stamina, teamwork and fortitude. I possess none of these qualities; but was hoping the strength of the group would bestow them upon me. I've ridden with Howard, Danny and Brendan before but never as a group.

After a long afternoon's drive to Klamath Falls, and sorting out our whiskey situation, we dined at The Creamery brewpub, located next to the Maverick motel , our digs for the night. Friday dawned cool and drizzly, and we set off.

Danny and Brendan lead out on the OC&E trail through scenic K Falls.

Ruckus test team rider Johnny and his amigo ride though an old railroad cut during a break in the rain.

Riders below on the OE&E double switchback between K Falls and Sprague River. A minute after this photo was taken the approaching curtain of rain enveloped us for the next hour or so.

The OC&E rail trail has a great roadbed, so it never gets too soggy. However much of the route is now cow pasture, so the top layer of mud is rich in "organic material."

Brendan and Danny felt like taking it a bit easy about 70 miles in, so I hustled to meet up with Howard who was ahead somewhere. We met and rode to the Cowboy Dinner Tree, where we dined heartily with Scott from Seattle. After dinner we rolled another 25 miles or so in the dark until we were exhausted. We ducked under a barbed wire fence at the top of the hill between Fort Rock and Silver Lake and made camp. It rained steadily though the night and we broke camp under cold drizzle.

It was cold, we were trying to catch up to Jason and crew who were rumored to have camped in Fort Rock the prior night, and Howard's gesture encapsulates our pre-coffee feelings about the morning.

We made it to Fort Rock, where water was to be had. Coffee and breakfast were made while sheltering fromt the wind, and we began the day anew. The goal was 120-130 miles to Prineville and beyond.

After rolling up the mellow hill from Fort Rock we entered the Deschutes forest. The infamous "Red Sauce" cinder pit awaited us- or so we thought.

After descending Trout Creek and carefully negotiating the creek crossings, this crew caught up. Jason from Limberlost, Jason from Swift Industries, John and Alex from Seattle and a Matt, a random Aussie crusher in the states for a little vacation. Jason demonstrates the techy line around one of many mud bogs on this section of road.

This crazy dude rode from The Columbia River to Klamath Falls and then back again over the course of 7 days. Custom ti singlespeed, chillin' at 10mph but not stopping. The turtle always wins- he finished before I did even though I'd passed him on a dozen occasions over the course of Saturday and Sunday.

Dawn the next morning saw us break camp with 6 more miles to climb to the summit of the Ochocos. Temps were in the high 30's and my knees let me know it. The morning light in the mountains was enough to take my mind off the pain, and the McKay creek road climb is fairly gentle.

Around 45 miles into the forest, Howard's knee told him there was no way he was going to ride 120 miles that day. We parted ways and I soldiered on to Sand Spring, where I planned a lunch break. The Eugene crew from Rolf wheels and Co-Motion bicycles had the same idea. Also lots of handlebar rolls. I caught their train out of the forest and rode with them for the next day and a half. Good folks, good pace.

Pastoral scenes abounded on the whole route.

Brian- full of smiles and a solid rider. Cruising the first big descent of the day.

After a great ride along the Crooked River we rolled into Prineville. My original plan had been to grab a burger and beer at the brewpub and then roll slowly up into the Ochocos. Team Eugene had other plans, and we had a quick and "Tastee" dinner at this old-school diner in Prineville. We hit the grocery store for supplies and then beat the sunset up McKay Creek road into the mountains.

<img class="thumb-image" alt=" One of the banner descents on the Outback, and a strong rider to master it. Ethan Stehely(sp?) was the engine that pulled our train of riders most of the time. " data-src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54ef94ade4b0323cece327f2/556de59fe4b0970bf6800e24/556de66fe4b074f7195ab52b/1433274301889/OregonOutback24.jpg" data-image="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54ef94ade4b0323cece327f2/556de59fe4b0970bf6800e24/556de66fe4b074f7195ab52b/1433274301889/OregonOutback