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Poke the Bear

5 Star Route / Madras, Oregon / Published March 2015
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Heading out! Up for 1.25 miles.
The swooping descent after the first paved climb.
The first gravel sector.
Rolling up through the Baldwin hills.
The left banking descent to Hay Creek Ranch.
Near Hay Creek Ranch.
Brewer reservoir - half way?
The last bit of up. This section can be muddy!!
Passing by one of the several farms on the course.
The long gradual descent begins!
On the way down, the mountains will look much bigger than this. Promise!
Bear sculpture in Madras, OR
Nearing the finish ... but 2 short punchy hills to go!
*
Route:
Loop | 33 mi
*
Gain:
2400 ft
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Surface:
14% paved / 86% gravel
*
Technical Difficulty:
Demanding
*
Navigation:
Attention Required
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Locale:
Remote
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Tire Suggestion:
40mm +
*
eBike Friendly:
Yes
Community Condition Report:
Update

It’s easy to buzz through Madras in a vehicle. But bear in mind that Madras has some of the best gravel riding around! This route is just one example of what Madras has to offer. Not only is the scenery stunning, but the route is a blast as you buzz along on hard-packed, fast gravel roads. Begin the ride by rolling up and over the Baldwin Hills through some of Oregon’s prime wild country. Pass historic farms, gurgling creeks, and sprawling ranches.

Once you crest the final gravel kicker (grin and bear it!), enjoy a long, gradual descent back into town on what is known as the “Gravel Super Highway.” Prepare to be wowed by BIG views of summits that seem to float in the sky. Seven impressive peaks of the Cascades, including Mt Jefferson and the Three Sisters, are in sight. Can you spot them all? Near the end of the ride, you’ll be welcomed back to town by a big momma bear (she stands 27 feet tall!) and her three big cubs (all taller than you!). Poke the bears, if that’s your style. Or perhaps you might to give the bears a bear hug instead.

Bear up, as you begin your final mile of the ride — you have one more short, pitched climb back to the start.

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Map & Details
Brown = gravel / dirt road
Blue = single track
Red = paved road
Purple = paved bike path

Route Downloads

Ride with GPS GPX file

When We Like to Ride This

The best time to ride is in the spring when the creeks flow full and the flowers are in bloom. Or ride on a cool, sunny fall day when the trees are changing colors. Or, on a winter day, when the air is cold, and the ground is frozen. It is best to avoid this route when wet or muddy as the mud can really stick to your bike. Trust us, we have pushed, walked, and carried our bikes through ankle-sucking mud for at least a mile … which felt like an eternity.

The Start

Juniper Hills Park. Flush toilets. No parking permit or fees required.

Lat / Long: 44.636905, -121.098330

Food & Water

  • None

Credits & Acknowledgements

\

Highlights

Terrain & Riding

The route starts on the northeastern edge of Madras at Juniper Hill Park. The route climbs for the first 1.25 miles on pavement, then dips down just as far. Pick up the gravel and roll up and down through the Baldwin Hills for the next 5 miles.

Catch the sweeping left banking descent that leads down to Hay Creek Ranch, passing by the pastures where Great Pyrenees dogs carefully guard herds of sheep.

After the ranch, you will encounter some punchy hills and then begin a long, gradual climb for the next 8.5 miles. You will pass by the Brewer Reservoir on your left. Just after this, the road becomes a bit more primitive. If it is muddy, turn around! It will not get better, only worse. Trust us!

Just past mile 18, make a hard right onto Grizzly Road, where you will pick up the “Gravel Super Highway.” Once you crest the final gravel kicker, you’ll start to buzz your way back to town with big views. Crest the final gravel kicker for the day, then start to buzz your way back to town.

Points of Interest

Hay Creek Ranch / ~ Mile 10.0

Hay Creek Ranch - Baldwin sheep

Hay Creek Ranch and its headquarters will be to your right. For over a century, Hay Creek Ranch has been one of the largest ranch holdings in Oregon and has played a prominent role in the history of central Oregon. The ranch was established in 1873 as the Baldwin Sheep and Land Company. The Dalles-Prineville freight and stagecoach lines ran through the ranch headquarters until about 1912. [Oregon Encyclopedia]

Poke the Bear / ~ Mile 31.5

Bear sculpture in Madras, OR

The grizzly bear sculptures in this roundabout were created out of hammered rusted steel by Chris Buffalo Folsom. The sculptures consist of four grizzly bears — a mother and three cubs. The mother bear, who stands on her hind legs, is 27-feet tall. The cubs range in height from 8 to 12 feet, depending on their pose. [The Oregonian]

Listen to the podcast in the sidebar to hear the artist talk about his sculpture.

Red Tail Sculpture / ~ Mile 32.0

Red Tail Sculpture in Madras, OR

This roundabout sculpture called, “Red Tail,” was created by Eastern Washington resident Miles Pepper, an artist who creates kinetic sculptures for public places. This hawk, which sits above a 25-foot steel sculpture shaped like an arrowhead, has a wingspan of 15 feet. The sculpture is a weather vane, as the hawk’s wings move in the wind. [The Bulletin]

Notes & Options

Route Notes

  1. Around Mile 10, where the road becomes more primitive, be on the lookout for mud. If you see mud, immediately turn around, as it will get MUCH worse. We can’t emphasize this enough!

  2. We recommend a red blinky light with rear looking radar detector, such as a Garmin Varia.

Comments

Have you ridden this route? Got a question? Join the discussion!

Love Where You Ride!

Madras Aquatics CenterAbout a mile from Juniper Hills Park, the start of the route, is the Madras Aquatics Center. Known to locals as “The MAC,” the aquatic center is an oasis in the middle of the high Oregon desert. The building itself is stunning, offering panoramic views of the Cascade mountain range through its floor-to-ceiling windows. But what’s even better is a post-ride shower and a soak in a hot tub. After your ride, consider using The MAC’s hot tub and shower. This will cost you a day pass, but it goes to a good cause not only for the community, but for your well-being, too.

Podcasts

The Bear of Steel Sculpture

How do you make a 27 foot tall steel bear for the town of Madras, Oregon? Dial in with Chris Buffalo Fulsom who talks about the inspiration for the mother bear with her three cubs. You’ll find this amazing sculpture on Dirty Freehub’s [...]

Keep it Local!

Madras Brewing Logo

Madras Brewing

At the end of your ride, there’s a good chance you’ll be as hungry (and as thirsty) as a bear. In keeping with Dirty Freehub’s mission of “having a positive economic impact where we ride,” consider dropping some coin at one of the brew pubs or eateries in Madras after your ride.

For more information on the positive impact of buying local, check out this resource page.

Ridden and Reviewed by:

Captain O

Captain O / Team Dirty Freehub

He should have “Never Stop Exploring” tattooed on his chest! He loves adventures on bikes and is a Co-Founder of Dirty Freehub.

Gravel Girl

Gravel Girl / Team Dirty Freehub

She loves a good day of gravel, like most people like a good book. She’s always amused by the outdoors and the wild adventures. Gravel Girl is a Co-Founder of Dirty Freehub.

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