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Halloween Haunts: Dirty Freehub Spooky Gravel Routes

This Halloween, swap cobwebs and jack-o-lanterns for dust, gravel, and ghost towns. At Dirty Freehub we’ve curated a spooktacular lineup of gravel rides from our “Ghosts” collection. Each route blends history, adventure, and just the right amount of spectral energy.

A Sawtooth Celebration

Camp Polk Meadow Preserve

A blend of history and ecological restoration, Camp Polk Meadows Preserve is a thriving haven for fish, wildlife, and native species thanks to years of dedicated restoration. In this episode, we learn about the unique challenges of balancing conservation with public access, history of the site, and how the Deschutes Land Trust and the local community work together to restore habitats.

Dirty Freehub Inducts MS Advocate David Toste into Gravel Champs Hall of Fame

Dirty Freehub is proud to announce the induction of David Toste of West Linn, Oregon into the Gravel Champs Hall of Fame, honoring his dedication to both the gravel cycling community and advocacy for those living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Diagnosed with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis in 2021, David has refused to let the disease define […]

Whale Watching on the Oregon Coast

Whale Watching on the Oregon Coast invites gravel cyclists and nature lovers to discover the magic of whale migrations along one of the most scenic coastlines in the U.S. This episodes shares about how to connect with the whales, best seasons for sightings, and unusual whale mortality events as well as how we can help the whale population as cyclists.

This episode was produced from a live conversation between our guest Michael Milstein of NOAA and Dirty Freehub. We’ve shaped the interview into this format so it’s easier to listen and enjoy, while keeping the guest’s ideas and perspective at the center.

Photo Credit: NOAA and Michael Milstein

The Ride! C2C

A quick 2+ minute video of what to expect on your ride.

Riding the C2C Trail: 60 Miles of Oregon Adventure

Dave Jones of Destination Oregon gives us a quick 5-minute highlight of the C2C trail.

Imagine pedaling from Corvallis all the way to the Oregon Coast—60 miles of ever-changing scenery, from city parks to rainforests, quiet small towns, and rugged forest service roads. The trail is the product of years of sweat, vision, and volunteer grit, now offering adventurers an unforgettable ride that ends with the salt air on your face.

Dirty Freehub August 2025 Newsletter

Here’s our latest newsletter!

Webinar: Gravel Biking for Destination Communities

State of Washington Tourism (SWT) hosted the latest episode of the Tourism Skillshop on gravel biking as a form of destination development for rural communities. The recording of this webinar is now available on YouTube. Feel free to contact the subject matter experts who presented during this webinar with any questions you may have. Linda […]

Turn-by-Turn Directions

Do Dirty Freehub’s GPX files include turn-by-turn directions? No — Dirty Freehub GPX files do not contain embedded turn-by-turn directions. Our route files show a breadcrumb trail for you to follow, but they do not include pre-programmed turn-by-turn directions. How do my bike computer’s turn-by-turn directions work then? When you load a Dirty Freehub GPX […]

10 Reasons I Didn’t Think I Could Ride Gravel with MS

By Gravel Champ David Toste, Dirty Freehub Here’s some practical advise for getting yourself to stop thinking about why you CAN’T ride gravel! The Fatigue Will Feel Overwhelming? I started with short rides, listening to my body, and building slowly. Even a 2-mile spin counts. Many routes can be shortened. It’s ok to not ride […]

Dirty Freehub’s Inclusive Gravel Cycling Campaign Empowers Riders with Disabilities

Dirty Freehub, a Bend-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting gravel cycling adventures, is launching a new statewide campaign to empower and inspire people with visible and non-visible disabilities to explore Oregon by gravel bike. With support from the Travel Oregon Competitive Grant Program and funding matched by donations from cyclists, Dirty Freehub will spotlight 6-8 influencers […]

The Greater Sage Grouse – One of Nature’s Greatest Dancers

In this 2-minute video, discover the beautiful, bold, and boastful Greater Sage-Grouse. Watch how the males inflate their brightly colored air sacs to create sounds that can travel up to three kilometers, attracting females to their display grounds. By the BBC.

Miles out of cherry country: A 45-mile gravel ride from The Dalles

Having rolled out from Sorosis Park, up on a bluff above The Dalles and the Columbia River, 20 minutes earlier, I was pedaling uphill on a lonely, winding paved road through sprawling cherry orchards. Heading away from the river with clear views of both Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams whenever the road turned in their […]

America’s Sagebrush Sea: A Living Tapestry at Risk

The Sagebrush Sea, scientifically known as sagebrush steppe, is the most widespread ecosystem in the United States. Historically, sagebrush covered more than 296 million acres of North America, including most of Wyoming, Montana, and Nevada, as well as parts of Washington, Oregon, Colorado, and Utah. The scale of habitat loss across the Sagebrush Sea has […]

Travel Oregon Competitive Grant Awarded to Dirty Freehub

Three Central Oregon businesses have received grants from Travel Oregon that are designed to increase access and inclusiveness, according to a statement by the agency, including Dirty Freehub. (Subscription required)

Japanese Bomb Site

In this episode, we explore this extraordinary tale of warfare transformed into friendship, and how a small Oregon coastal town became the unlikely setting for both conflict and healing between former enemies.

During World War II, Oregon became the site of the only enemy bombing of the U.S. mainland. In 1942, a Japanese pilot flew a float plane launched from a submarine and dropped incendiary bombs on Mt. Emily near Brookings. The mission was to ignite massive forest fires that would compel the United States to divert resources from the war effort in the Pacific.

The attack failed to cause significant damage, but the story didn’t end there. Decades later, that same Japanese pilot made a remarkable return journey to Brookings. This time, he came not as an enemy but as a friend, presenting the town with his family’s 400-year-old samurai sword as a symbol of peace and reconciliation.

World’s Most Dangerous Roads

Far out in the “Wild West” of Canada lies Bella Coola. If you want to get to the small town on the Pacific, there is only one road leading there. It is constantly monitored and yet remains dangerous. Gravel roads, narrow hairpin bends and steep mountain slopes make the highway in British Columbia a particular challenge.

The Ride! Boxcar

A quick 2+ minute video of what to expect on your ride.

The Fight for the Lower Deschutes River

Discover the story of Oregon’s Lower Deschutes River in The Last 100 Miles, a powerful documentary about the fight to restore a once-pristine river damaged by well-meaning changes. Anglers, scientists, and locals rally to protect this wild place. A must-watch for conservation advocates.

Rider Profile: David Toste

Meet David Toste, or “Toast” as we call him at Dirty Freehub. In today’s episode, we discuss about the inspirations and challenges cycling with multiple sclerosis a condition that has shaped his journey into gravel cycling. Instead of focusing on limitations, he celebrate what his body can do—when he can do it. In this episode, David shares personal stories of living with MS and reflect on how this “snowflake disease” manifests differently for everyone, offering a powerful reminder of resilience and adaptation.

Rider Profile: Giselle Distad

Meet Giselle Distad, a graphic designer and outdoor enthusiast originally from Iowa, now living in Oregon. Giselle shares her inspiring story of returning to cycling after donating a kidney to her father. After completing surgery, Giselle shares about her recovery journey getting back on the bike including the importance of listening to your body and the physical and emotional challenges with life-changing experiences as a donor and recipient. At the six-week mark, Giselle reached a turning point in recovery. She offers heartfelt encouragement to anyone considering kidney donation that it may seem daunting but to listen to your body and not shy away from the opportunity to make a significant impact in someone else’s life.

Piping Canals, Why?

In this 2.5-minute video, learn about the 2025 canal piping project near Madras . Once completed, the project will conserve 7,000 gallons of water per minute by preventing seepage and evaporation. It will also save the average farmer between $20,000 and $150,000 per year in irrigation pump operating costs.

Rider Profile: Geoff Babb

In this episode, Geoff shares his inspiring journey of recovery, the creation of the AdvenChair, and his groundbreaking 4-day expedition through the Grand Canyon, featured in the Outback Film – DREAM BOLDLY. He discusses the physical, mental, and emotional challenges he faces while navigating life with a disability, and how the AdvenChair has empowered him to experience the great outdoors once more. Geoff also offers valuable advice for others with similar challenges, particularly those interested in gravel cycling, and explains how others can be more supportive and understanding of the obstacles people with disabilities face.