DF Connection

Danielle Doelling is a pioneering paragravel national champion and adaptive sports advocate who found a renewed sense of outdoor freedom through hand cycling following a severe rock-climbing accident in 2011. From receiving her very first donated hand cycle while still in the hospital to becoming the 2023 Women's Paragravel National Champion, Danielle shares her journey as a competitive parasy...

Situated directly within the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon, the field station is a nonprofit educational facility and friendly lodging basecamp for travelers, scientists, families, and gravel cyclists. Our guest Elizabeth Basa, Executive Director of the Malheur Field Station discusses about the historic roots of the 30-building campus and her current work to revitalize it into a commu...

In 2017, a mountain biking crash on Moab's Porcupine Rim left Skye Chaney with a spinal cord injury, seven broken ribs, and a fractured sternum. In this episode, Skye takes us from that first ride back on an adaptive mountain bike to the gravel roads of Central Oregon and beyond, tracing a path that's carried him through Whistler, Arizona, Jackson Hole, Whitefish, and his home trails in Bend. We t...

This podcast episode features National Park Service experts discussing the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, a federal law passed in 1968 to protect natural waterways. To earn this designation, a river must remain free-flowing and possess at least one outstandingly remarkable value, such as unique geology, wildlife, or cultural history. While Oregon leads the nation in these protected miles, such rivers...

In this podcast episode, Dr. Kim Ely aka the "Rock Doc" discusses the geological origins and unique features of Wolf Rock, a massive volcanic monolith located in the Willamette National Forest. As the largest monolith in Oregon, this site represents the eroded core of an ancient volcano that existed long before the modern High Cascades formed. The discussion highlights the rock's dis...

This podcast episode features a discussion with a Geological Survey and Services Program Manager Jason D. McClaughry regarding the unique characteristics of the Wildcat Mountain Caldera in Oregon. A caldera is described as a massive volcanic depression formed when a volcano collapses into its own emptied magma chamber. Unlike famous landmarks like Crater Lake, the Wildcat Mountain Caldera is appro...

In this podcast episode from Dirty Freehub, conservation expert Skyler Vold describes the greater sage grouse as a foundational and visually striking bird of the Western United States. These birds are sagebrush obligates, meaning they depend entirely on that specific habitat for food and shelter, even thriving on toxic plants during harsh winters. However, their survival is currently threatened by...

In this episode of The Connection podcast, Jennifer Ware-Kempcke discusses her artistic journey and her collaboration with Dirty Freehub to create the cover art for the  Deschutes River Basin gravel cycling guidebook . As a dedicated watercolorist and teacher, Jennifer explains how her work is deeply inspired by the natural landscapes and shifting light of Central Oregon. She details her preferenc...

This podcast excerpt features an interview with ecologist Martha Brabec of Boise Parks and Recreation regarding the  impact of goatheads , an invasive and noxious weed common in the American West. These plants are notorious for producing  sharp, puncture-prone seeds  that frequently damage bicycle tires and reduce local biodiversity. Brabec explains that because goatheads are annuals, they can be ...

In this episode, we sit down with David Shaw, a Professor Emeritus in the College of Forestry at Oregon State University, to explore the fascinating ecology and management of Oregon's dwarf mistletoe. While heavy infestations can deform trees by creating massive, dense branch structures known as "witches' brooms"—which can sometimes grow larger than a van—Shaw explains why these plants are actuall...

In this episode, we’re joined by Sire Pro from the Coos History Museum to explore how the timber industry built Coos Bay from the ground up. Towering forests and deep-water ports shaped more than just the landscape of Coos Bay—they shaped an entire community. We dive into the early 20th-century boom that fueled the local economy, the key events and figures that defined Coos Bay’s timber trade, and...

In this episode we sit down with Rick Marshall , a retired Army Major, veteran, and cyclist, for an honest conversation about living with PTSD and finding moments of calm on two wheels. This isn’t a story about fixing trauma or pushing through pain. It’s about learning, over time, how movement, solitude, and nature can offer connection and relief. This episode is especially for combat veterans—and...

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with David Dietz — a passionate Bend, Oregon cyclist navigating life and the road with Parkinson’s Disease. David shares how he first fell in love with riding and what his cycling routine looks like today. David shares about the learning curve of adapting his riding style, listening to his body, and finding what truly works for him on and off the bike. This c...

Jim Sipe is an avid cyclist and writer who shares about his journey living and riding with Type 1 diabetes. Today, he offers a personal look into how he prepares, adapts, and stays safe while pursuing a sport he loves. Whether you live with Type 1 diabetes, love long-distance rides, or enjoy hearing real stories from the road, this episode offers a grounded, honest look at one cyclist’s personal j...

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. More Info on...

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 conversa...

In this episode, we uncover one of Oregon's most surprising World War II stories: the only mainland U.S. bombing by enemy aircraft. In 1942, a Japanese pilot launched from a submarine off the coast of Brookings and dropped incendiary bombs on Mt. Emily, aiming to spark chaos and forest fires. Decades later, the same pilot returned to Brookings not with bombs, but with a gift: his family’s 400-...

Meet David Toste, or "Toast" as we call him at Dirty Freehub. In today’s episode, Toast and I 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...

All Access Episode #3 In this episode of The Connection , we sit down with Giselle Distad to hear her inspiring story of recovery and resilience after donating a kidney to her father. She shares how cycling became a vital part of her healing process, reconnecting her with nature, art, and the community in Central Oregon. Giselle opens up about the physical and emotional challenges of recovery, the...

All Access Episode #2 In this inspiring episode of The Connection, Geoff Babb shares his journey of overcoming a life-changing stroke and the challenges of adapting to outdoor adventures with a disability. He discusses the creation of the AdvenChair and his groundbreaking expedition through the Grand Canyon, featured in the film Dream Boldly. Geoff highlights the emotional, physical, and mental hu...

All Access Episode #1 In this episode of The Connection , we chat with professional photographer and cyclist, Don Miller, to discuss the joys and challenges of cycling with age. Don shares insights on the benefits of e-bikes, gravel cycling, and the importance of maintaining a social, enjoyable pace while riding. Tune in for a conversation about all access cycling, the thrill of exploring new terr...

In this episode of The Connection , we speak with Michael Orwick, an oil painter whose work is deeply inspired by the unique light and atmosphere of the Pacific Northwest. Michael shares his artistic journey, from studying illustration at the Pacific Northwest College of Art to transitioning into landscape painting. He describes his creative process, which focuses on capturing fleeting moments of...

On this Episode of the Connection we tune in with Dr. Jim Rivers as he provides an insightful conversation about the marbled murrelet, a fascinating seabird with unique behaviors and a complex relationship with both ocean and forest ecosystems. Dr. Rivers explains how this small seabird, the size of a robin, flies long distances inland to nest in old-growth forests along the Oregon coast, challeng...

In this episode, we dive deep into the history of the Monterey Cypress with Nancy Appling Salucci of the Heritage Tree Committee and Beth Dehn of Oregon Travel Information Council. What makes this unique tree so special, and why did it stand out in a world of towering giants? We explore its origins, the man who planted it, how this impressive tree came to be on the rugged coastline of Oregon, and...

In this episode, we sit down with Tony Bixler, the President of Local Ocean Seafoods, a popular restaurant and fish market in Newport, Oregon. Tony shares the story of how Local Ocean was founded in 2005 by Laura Anderson and Al Pazar, focusing on sustainable, local seafood from the Oregon coast. He discusses the restaurant’s changes to improving overall workplace sustainability and emphasizing th...