DF Connection

In this podcast, we hear from Sarah Swallow, who was instrumental in developing the Sky Islands Odyssey bikepacking route in Southern Arizona. The Odyssey is a journey through the vast borderlands of the Southwest, featuring a diverse network of rocky and sandy roads that traverse the ever-changing landscapes characteristic of the Sky Islands bioregion in the Sonoran Desert. Learn about the route...

Let's talk river conservation with Jacob Kimiecik who is a project manager with the Deschutes River Conservancy.  Learn about the role of the Deschutes River Conservancy and their impact on the Deschutes River.  And hear about their current projects to restore the natural flow to the middle reach of McKay Creek outside of Prineville, Oregon.  This includes rebuilding the creek so th...

We all know about the iconic psuedo "Red Chicken" sculpture within the Phil's Trail System in Bend, Oregon. But ... do you know the story of the actual sculpture, the Phoenix Rising, located at Galveston and 14th street? In this podcast, we talk with Romy Mortensen of Art in Public Places , a non-profit formed in the 1970s to bring art, culture and education to Bend and Central Oregon. This podcas...

In this episode, we focus in on backcountry hygiene, peeing, pooping, and proper disposal.  We interview Kait Boyle who is a mountain biker and record-holding ultra-cyclist who also helped co-found Bikepacking Roots and serves as its Education and Events Director.  Bikepacking Roots has worked with the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics to create the Ride Where You Love Campaign -...

In this podcast, we talk with John Flemming , who created the High Desert Spiral sculpture located at the intersection of Simpson and Mt Washington just at the entrance to Broken Top in Bend, Oregon. We hear about his inspiration and some of the trials and tribulations of building the tallest sculpture in Bend at 39 feet. “There is something universal about spirals,” says the artist. “In the high...

Hear from the founders of Dirty Freehub, Kevin and Linda English, about what is happening behind the scenes at Dirty Freehub. We all know that Dirty Freehub is about great routes, but hear about the advocacy and education work going on within Dirty Freehub. In this episode, Kevin and Linda talk about the first year of Dirty Freehub being a non-profit, the refined mission, the collaborative work wi...

When you think of a wilderness area, you may think of some form of a natural area. Erik Fernandez from Oregon Wild explains to us the depths of what a wilderness area actually encompasses. And why sometimes they have rules that limit your ability to ride your bike.   Photo Credit: Justin Rhode ----------------------------------------- This podcast is produced by Dirty Freehub, a nonprofit org...

You may see these rocks in Eastern and Central Oregon, but what exactly are Basalt rocks? Joining us today is Dr. Kim Ely discussing how Basalt rocks differ from other types of rocks.  ------------------------------- This podcast is produced by Dirty Freehub, a nonprofit organization that publishes hand-curated (and great!) gravel cycling route guides. Our mission is to connect gravel cyclist...

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 Poke The Bear gravel bike route.   ------------------------------- This podcast is produced by Dirty Freehub, a nonprofit organization that publishe...

Today we will be talking how Bend, bikes and bike shops have evolved in the last 50 years. Who knows better than Susan Conner who is the owner of Sunnyside Sports here in Bend. This year marks their 50-year anniversary since the shop opened in 1972! ------------------------------- This podcast is produced by Dirty Freehub, a nonprofit organization that publishes hand-curated (and great!) gravel cy...

In Baker City, Oregon there is this old-school historic elementary school, The Churchill School, that has been turned into an eclectic mix of art studio, bike hostel, high-end Airbnb, movie house, and dance studio. We talk with Brian and Corrine Vegter, the curators and owners of this special place.  The Dirty Freehub Team of Kevin and Linda English have stayed here and loved it. They camped...

There are only 10-15% of old-growth forests left in Oregon. Erik Fernandez, Wilderness Program Manager, from Oregon Wild describes old-growth forests and how we can work on doing our parts to help protect the little old-growth we have left. Love where you ride! https://oregonwild.org/ https://oregonwild.org/connect-us Photo Credit: Erik Fernandez ------------------------------- This podcast is pro...

In June of 2014, two fires started nearly simultaneously sweeping through the Skyline Forest which have become known as the Two Bulls Fire. Paul Dewey, Founder of Central Oregon Land Watch describes "the mushroom cloud" and the significance of the fires just outside of Bend, Oregon. Love where you ride! https://www.centraloregonlandwatch.org/ https://www.centraloregonlandwatch.org/skyline https://...

Hosting gorgeous grassland framed by the Baboquivari Mountains to the west, this wildlife refuge in Southern Arizona is home to pronghorn, mule and white-tailed deer javelina, coyotes, coatimundis, mountain lions and over 320 species of birds including an assortment of raptors and the endangered Masked Bobwhite Quail  Dirt roads course through the refuge providing great opportunities for grav...

In this podcast, we talk with Daarla K who is a rancher and farmer in northeast Oregon. She and her husband operate a 1000-acre farm that has been in his family since 1886. Learn how to safely pass by big tractors and combines, how to get through a cattle drive, and what aggressive behavior by a bull looks like. We also talk about how to support local farmers. ------------------------------- This...

Today we talk beer, malt, farming and what it looks like when you combine them all in one place.  Our guest is Seth Klann who is a master brewer and the owner and operator of Mecca Grade Estate Malt located in Madras, Oregon. (Part of Dirty Freehub‘s Over the Rainbow route.)  This podcast was recorded onsite at Mecca Grade Estate Malt in front of a live audience as part of our Love Where...

Does this mean smile and be happy and listen to some tunes as you ride? Or is it something else? Something bigger than just self? Not I, but we? In today's episode, we talk with Kait Boyle, who is the Co-Founder of Bikepacking Roots and the creator of the Love Where You Ride campaign. The campaign is an opportunity for backcountry cyclists to learn about their impact on the outdoors and how to min...

Bend, now a town of outdoor enthusiasts, micro-breweries, and technology used to be the center of timber production. The Old Mill District was the heart of this activity with two active mills, one on the east bank of the river and one on the west bank. In the 1950s over 50 rail cars per day would off-load timber into the river. On today's show, long-term resident and bad-ass gravel cyclist Jeff Bo...

On today’s show we will be talking about the art of mountain bike trail building in Central Oregon. For us, gravel cyclists, some of these trails are super sweet to ride. Our guest is Kent Howes who is a master trail builder and has been building trails for over 30 years, he’s also been a professional trail builder since 2007.  ------------------------------- This podcast is produced by Dirty...

Sonoran Desert cycling means taking in saguaros and beautiful exposed geology. A great place to see and ride through the desert in Arizona is Brown's Ranch. Brown's Ranch is located within the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, an incredible area conserved in Scottsdale, Arizona. On today's episode, we talk with Stu Alt, a trail steward and local who walks us through the geology, plant-life, history, and...

Ryan Ranch area was homesteaded in the 1890s. In the 1920s a berm along the Deschutes River was constructed to keep the river from flooding valuable pasture land. Prior to this, the area historically functioned as an emergent freshwater marsh that was connected to surface flows from the Deschutes River. In the early 2010s, the meadow was reconnected to the Deschutes River through a restoration pro...

In today’s podcast, we will discuss the balance of conservation and recreation, and what recreational enthusiasts can do to protect the lands that are important to them.  Joining us is John Sterling who severed for 17 years as the Executive Director of the Conservation Alliance . Prior to that, he was the Director of Environmental Programs at Patagonia. ------------------------------- This po...

What! It is not public land? Ben Gordon, Executive Director of Central Oregon Land Watch, joins us to discuss a large area of private land called Skyline Forest and what the future entails for this 33,000 acres of land. Stay involved! https://www.centraloregonlandwatch.org/ https://www.centraloregonlandwatch.org/skyline https://www.deschuteslandtrust.org/about-us/our-work/current-projects/skyline-...

The rock doctor is in the house! Dr. Kim Ely discusses about the unique geological features of Hayrick Butte, a rare type of volcano located in the Willamette National Forest next to the Hoodoo ski area. ------------------------------- This podcast is produced by Dirty Freehub, a nonprofit organization that publishes hand-curated (and great!) gravel cycling route guides. Our mission is to connect...

When someone says “wooden bike”, what do you think of? Before I started talking to my friend Sam who rides a wooden gravel bike, I always thought wooden bikes were either a piece of art, some strange gimmick or maybe a child’s strider bike. Today we will be talking with Scott Campbell who is the founder of Celilo Cycles here in Oregon and their specialty is wooden bikes. --------------------------...