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Red Alder Trees
If you’ve ever cycled through Oregon, you might have passed under the canopy of a Red Alder tree. In this episode, we chat with Glenn Ahrens, an extension forester from Oregon State University, about everything related to alders and conifers. We’ll also explore various tree species native to Oregon, learn how to identify them, and discover what a forester’s favorite tree might be.
Wolverines – Fact or Fiction?
Jason Kirchner joins us from Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife in Newport, Oregon to dive into one of nature’s most enigmatic creatures: the wolverine. As the District Wildlife Biologist, he answers questions like: What are wolverines? What do they look like? How do they behave? Where do they reside? Separating fact from fiction, we will reveal whether they truly are an intense fictional-feeling species or if they are just as friendly as your pet dog.
Super Admin Job Posting – May 2024
Overview Dirty Freehub is looking for a kickass individual to join our team part-time and tackle all the details that keep our business running smoothly. If you thrive in the trenches and have a knack for getting things done, we want to hear from you! The ideal candidate should be passionate about cycling and connect […]
The Ride! Double Go!
A quick 2+ minute video of what to expect on your ride and (short) hike to Golden and Silver Falls.
Deceptive Waters of Malheur Lake
Located in Harney Basin in eastern Oregon, Malheur Lake sits within the 187,000 acres of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, an area that is an important wildlife habitat. Aquatic Biologist, Dominic Bachman, at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge shares insights into whether this body of water is really a lake or not, ecology, history, and conservation efforts within the refuge.
The Ride! Bombsite
A quick 2+ minute video of what to expect on your ride and (short) hike to the historic bombsite.
Bend’s Upcoming BioBlitz
Get ready for Central Oregon’s first ever City Nature Challenge from April 26-29, hosted by Think Wild and other community partners. For three days, the Central Oregon community is encouraged to record wildlife and native plant observations through the free smart phone app, iNaturalist. This worldwide “bioblitz” will provide a baseline of data highlighting the […]
Oregon Black Pioneers
Did Oregon even have Black pioneers? Listen to our interview with Zachary Stocks, Executive Director of Oregon Black Pioneers (a non profit which preserves the history of Black Oregonians) to find out more about this whole topic. When did Black pioneers arrive in Oregon? What were some of the places where we ride bicycles today that were utilized by these early settlers?
The Ride! Silver City
A quick 2+ minute video of what to expect on your ride and sights to see in Jordan Valley.
Podcast: ‘Gravel Girl’ Linda English of Dirty Freehub
Linda English, a runner-turned-cyclist and tech industry retiree, has built something very special. Linda and her crew have uploaded about 300 gravel ride routes onto DirtyFreehub.org and the site has become a must-browse for anyone who seeks adventure on two wheels. I’ve watched the site’s impressive growth over the past decade — right along with […]
Beauty out of Chaos: Sand Dunes
Learn all about sand dunes! How they form. How they move. What sand is. This is a fascinating and informative watch. 16 minutes.
The Ride! Honeyman
A quick 3+ minute video of what to expect on your ride (2 minutes) and things to do in Florence (at the end, 1 minute).
The History of Silver City
Many miners struck it rich in Silver City, but it was also the site where a veritable war developed underground that took a militia to stop it. Learn more about this story and the history of Silver City in this 11 minute video.
Rural Riding Etiquette (The Wallowas Region)
Gravel rides near the Wallowa Mountains often traverse remote and rural areas. While you may be out for a Sunday morning gravel ride, there are many ranchers actively working. Eric Makela, Vice President of the Wallowa Mountains Bicycling Club, shares insights on enjoying and staying safe during rural rides and being a good visitor.
The Mysteries of the Newberry Caldera
Discover the mysteries of the Newberry Caldera and its volcanic activities spanning half a million years. Whether you are riding Creek to Peak or looking for thermals, Ranger Randy and Dr. Daniel McKay of University of Oregon answer many of your questions about this geological formation in Central Oregon. In this podcast, they also discuss the features of the caldera, the science behind geothermal energy, and whether pumice, granite, and obsidian are the same.
This podcast was reproduced with the permission of KPOV Bend, Oregon.
Pine Mountain Observatory: Exploring the Cosmos
Welcome to Pine Mountain Observatory, nestled in the serene landscapes of Oregon about 34 miles southeast of Bend. In this episode, we unveil the highlights of the night sky with our guest, “astro monk” Alton Luke, Head of Operations at Pine Mountain Observatory and a key figure in the University of Oregon’s Physics Department. Today we get to peer through the lens of Alton’s perspectives as he takes us on an astronomical exploration to share more about the observatory, how to prepare for visits, and what kinds of celestial events to look out for. If you want to peer through the lens of some telescopes too, jump off the bike during the Dark Skies route and keep an eye out for a clear weekend with no moon.
Terrible Tilly
Explore the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse’s captivating history and perilous allure in this fascinating video (14 minutes). Known as “Terrible Tilly,” this abandoned beacon stands tall amidst the unforgiving Oregon coastline, braving treacherous storms and haunting tales. Discover why this iconic structure has earned its reputation as one of the most dangerous lighthouses in the world.
Jumping Cholla: Does This Cacti Really Jump?
Have you ever encountered a jumping cacti? More specifically, the jumping cholla cactus in Arizona? If you have ridden our Rock Art or Bring a Fork routes in Arizona then you have dodged more than a few of these spiky cacti. Today we interview Peter Breslin who holds his Ph.D. in Environmental Life Sciences and focuses his research on evolution, biogeography, and population of cacti. Breslin informs us about these amazing (and not so little) cacti, answers questions about if they really jump, and what do if you get “attacked!”
Wolf Lichen
Do you ever see some bright green, shrubby looking creature on a gravel ride? This organism is likely Letharia Vulpina (and no it does not have magic or poisonous powers like a spell) which is also knows as Wolf Lichen. Bryologist, mycologist, and lichenologist Tim Wheeler works to dedicate his life studies towards nonvascular plants and over the last 20 years now holds 16,000 specimens in his collections (some of which are named after him!) Joining us as Wheeler describes some fascinating tidbits on this creature we commonly call Wolf Lichen.
Tim also suggests looking here for more cool lichen things! https://www.waysofenlichenment.net/
The Ride! Keating with Love
A quick 2-minute video of what to expect on your ride!
The Ride! Keating with Love & Virtue
A quick 2-minute video of what to expect on your ride!
The Ride! Cochise Stronghold
A quick 2-minute video of what to expect on your ride!
