Dirty Freehub

Ready for a wicked hill climb? Our Oregon Coast gravel route Winchuck Wicked (27 miles with 2,800 feet of climbing) got its name because most of the ride feels surprisingly friendly—rolling through forests, river valleys, and quiet backroads—until you meet the hill. For 2.5 miles, it pitches up at an average 9% grade and reminds you exactly why this route earned its reputation.

The adventure begins in Brookings, one of Oregon’s quietest coastal towns. Founded in 1913 as a lumber company town, Brookings was once so isolated that residents relied on a weekly supply boat for mail and groceries until Highway 101 finally connected the south coast. Today, you'll trace the Winchuck and Chetco River valleys into the rugged Coast Range, riding through towering forests, historic timber country, and sweeping mountain and ocean vistas.

Seem too easy? Link Winchuck Wicked with our Bombsite Route to create the legendary Bombsite Wicked (55 miles and 6,800 feet of climbing)—a full day of gravel, grit, and bragging rights.

https://dirtyfreehub.org/routes/oregon/winchuck-wicked/

Three cheers for Marcella reporting major issues on Dark Skies which is East of Bend, OR We had just rerouted this route … then a storm went through and washed out the roads.

Good time to plug that we REALLY need you to post comments on the Ride Guides. Even if all you write is “Route is good.” That’s a tremendous help!

New Route in Oakridge Oregon: Roaring Buffalo. With 40 miles and 3,500 feet of gain, the route is front-loaded which means you get the climbing out of the way and then enjoy a longggggg downhill. Awesome area to ride with quiet roads and views just like this one ... Here's the Ride Guide: https://dirtyfreehub.org/routes/oregon/roaring-buffalo/

Community Ride: Tombstone. Join us Sunday, June 14th, west of Sisters, Oregon (Fish Lake if you know the area) for this amazing route with BIG, BIG trees, a fun history (think pioneers), and great mix of single track, gravel, and a smidge of pavement. 28 miles and 2,400 feet of climbing. The weather should be hotter but we are going to be in plenty of shade!

Here's the link to all the details: https://dirtyfreehub.org/events/tombstone-june-2026/

Join us on a community ride in Tumalo (aka Bend, OR) to ride Coffee Run! on Friday, June 12th at 11:00. The route is 31 miles and 2,100 feet of gain with incredible views and a stop at Sisters Coffee. Here's the link with all the details and how to register: https://dirtyfreehub.org/events/coffee-run-june-2026/

Join us for the Big Summit Prairie ride in the Ochoco National Forest (East of Prineville, OR.) The ride takes off June 13th at 9:00. We are riding the full 50 miler, with Jen as the ring leader for the day. (Weather is looking perfect, wildflowers are blooming!)

To register, go to: https://dirtyfreehub.org/events/big-summit-june-2026/

Flashback Podcast: Navigating a Gravel Bike Route.

Think navigation is as simple as following a line on your screen? Think again. In this episode, we sit down with Linda English, Executive Director of Dirty Freehub, to dig into the art and science of finding your way on gravel. From the most common mistakes cyclists make to the great phone-vs.-bike-computer debate, Linda shares practical tips, hard-won wisdom, and a few laugh-out-loud stories from the trail. Whether you're a first-time route follower or a seasoned rider looking to sharpen your skills, this episode will help you ride with more confidence — even when the route gets complicated.

Podcast: https://dirtyfreehub.org/podcasts/navigating-a-gravel-bike-route/

Coming soon: route near Mountain Home, Idaho. From today’s adventures:

Think river-hugging miles through steep canyons, a tip-toe crossing over a dam with stunning views of Anderson Ranch Reservoir, and wide-open cattle country bursting with wildflowers in the spring. We were blown away by the colors, captivated by the rushing water, and loved every mile of the smooth roads. Keep an eye out for adventure-seeking motorists, rafters, fly fishers... and plenty of free-range cows. 🐄 Slow down around blind corners—Bessie always has the right of way. We will publish it shortly.

Finding new routes is always a bit of a treasure hunt—we never quite know what we’ll discover when we start exploring a new area. In Driggs, Idaho, we set out to ride a route that came highly recommended. It looked promising, but there were two small hiccups: it crossed private property and passed right by a landfill.

Challenge accepted!

After re-riding a few sections, we uncovered a much better option. We were able to weave in a beautiful land preserve complete with a gravel bike path (bonus points for gravel!) that neatly bypassed the landfill. Then, as if that wasn’t enough, we found a public mountain bike trail that solved the private property issue and added a little extra adventure and spice to the route.

Sometimes the best routes aren’t the ones you start with—they’re the ones you discover along the way!

Fun report on Murders Creek out of Dayville, OR. Thanks for the comment EricA!

"We rode this in late May 2026. This is one of the most spectacular rides I've done. The ride rolls out through scenic ranchland and quickly climbs up into an eye-dropping canyon. The river is along the main road, and then when you turn off, you're riding along a creek the entire way. So the sound of running water is always with you. Until the branch up into the Schneider wilderness area, the road is smooth with minimal washboard. The last 5 mi or so up to the historic ranch is a bit more technical in spots but it's mostly smooth. The amazing scenery continues and it struck me how remote this area is and how accomplished these earlier settlers were to homestead out here.

I want to give a +1 to Dayville. The Fish Inn RV Park (named after the founder, of the Fish family!) is an absolute jewel. The family who runs it is kind and keeps the place spotless. The sites are well-shaded and quiet. We were lucky to share time there with Ziggy the black lamb, who's destined for a 4H competition later in the summer."

Ride guide: https://dirtyfreehub.org/routes/oregon/murderers-creek/