Rajneeshee
Highlights & Remarkable Spots
Goatheads / Miles 0 to 60
The dreaded goathead or puncture vine (Tribulus terrestris) is a cyclist’s nightmare (especially if not running tubeless!) and a Class B noxious weed in Oregon. It’s thought to have arrived here in the 1920s in wool from the Mediterranean. It’s not all bad though! Some studies show it may improve angina symptoms, help with infertility, and (wait for it) enhance athletic performance. The irony! Learn more at the USDA.
Antelope, Oregon / Miles 0 and 60
Settled in the 1870s and incorporated as a town in 1901, Antelope was a railroad boom and bust town, before coalescing into a quiet ranching town of several dozen people for 80 years. That all changed in 1981 when the infamous Rajneeshee cult established a community compound of over 7,000 people at Big Muddy Ranch just a few miles from town, quickly establishing dominance over Antelope infrastructure and government and changing Antelope’s name to Rajneesh. Most longtime locals moved away. Criminal revelations in 1985 caused the cult to disband and leave the area. As of the 2021 census, the population of Antelope is back to a sleepy 38 people. [Oregon Secretary of State]
Former Site of Rajneeshpuram / ~ Mile 18
When the Rajneesh cult evacuated from Antelope in 1985, the remaining 34 residents of Rajneesh quickly voted to return the town name to Antelope. Rajneeshpuram (the cult’s commune at Big Muddy Ranch) fell into disrepair and was eventually turned over to state ownership. Oregon sold the land to a Montana billionaire who then donated it to a Christian organization. The Washington Family Ranch Young Life Camps now occupies the property which is private and not open to the public. Please respect their property and stay on route. [Oregon Secretary of State]
Horse Heaven / ~ Mile 34
The ghost town of Horse Heaven once had a population of about 100 people and a 40-acre mercury mine. Thought to be named for herds of wild horses occupying the area, Horse Heaven’s mining activity spanned from the 1930s to the 1950s before being shuttered. Any remaining structures are situated on private property inaccessible to the public. Remediation work has been ongoing at the mine site to secure unprotected portals and open glory holes. It is definitely advised not to go wandering off-route in this area and instead just observe from the road. [Interstate Technology Regulatory Council]
Credits & Acknowledgements
This route was independently discovered in the 2010s by Our Mother the Mountain and Dirty Freehub. Our Mother the Mountain provides a detailed description of the route on their website. It’s important to note that the version documented by Our Mother the Mountain differs slightly from the one presented here: it has a dogleg out to the John Day River, runs in the opposite direction and does not include updates for the newly paved sections.
When We Like to Ride This
Spring or Fall. There is no reliable water on the route so we feel it’s best to avoid the hottest months.
Terrain & Riding
What makes this route so cool is also what also makes it higher risk. Isn’t that always the way? Be prepared for high exposure to wind and sun. Sand pits and very rough roads are likely. You will be well-served by tubeless tires at least 40mm or wider. Goatheads (aka puncturevine) are prolific in the area, even on the roads. There is almost no cell signal along the entire route. Be prepared to handle mechanical, medical, and navigational issues with no support. We highly recommend an SOS tracking device like a Garmin InReach or a SPOT.
You’ll roll out of Antelope on pavement for the first 4 miles on the lollipop stick of the route. The Washington Family Ranch at around mile 20 is private property and not open to the public so their rights should be respected and their private roads avoided. This can be accomplished by simply staying on-route. After passing the ranch, the roads may be rutted and coarse with several stream crossings as you then roll through the abandoned mercury mining district of Horse Heaven at around mile 34 and reach the intersection of Gosner and Divide roads at around mile 44. This 24-mile section is the most demanding of the day.
Keep some gas in the tank for the next 12 miles of punchy rollers and probable headwinds. With four miles to go, you’ll be back on the paved lollipop stick heading into Antelope.
The Start
At the new Antelope Market and campground.
Food & Water
- None. We DO NOT recommend filtering water on this route or using spigots along the way. You should assume that the water is tainted from agricultural runoff and cattle.
Route Notes
March 2024. This texture and demand of this route has changed significantly since 2023. Wasco county paved the sector into the Muddy Creek Ranch / Rajneeshee compound. Thus, this route is no longer as demanding as it once was. But … it is still a great ride!
Videos
How the Rajneesh Cult Overran Antelope
What exactly happened when the Rajneesh cult took over Antelope, Oregon?
Podcasts
All About Basalt with the Rock Doctor
You will find these rocky columnar cliffs in Eastern and Central Oregon, but what exactly happened to form these unique structures? In this podcast, we talk with our resident rock doctor, Dr. Kim Ely.
Be Informed!
Keep it Local! Learn More
Have you ridden this route? Got a question? Join the discussion!