City of Rocks Mountain Biking
In south-east Idaho’s ranch country, City of Rocks is well known as a rock climbing destination; less known for it’s potential for mountain biking. I stopped by to look for lines on the course granite slopes. To my great pleasure, City of Rocks is ride-able. Slick rock it’s not, however. Long cross country tours are out. But this place is a secret free-ride spot with committing lines and drops, flowy but abrupt transitions, and either cactus lined run-outs or cliffs. Potential, indeed.
Shevlin Park, Central Oregon mountain biking
Rarely am I in front of the camera. But today, Angelique Valdez got some shots of me on one of my favorite trail rides in Bend — Shevlin Park loop. A fast sprint with a few rewarding climbs.
Kirt Voreis, Enduro Down Hill
This is the third in the series of where does Kirt Voreis ride with his Specialized Enduro. Down Hill mountain biking requires skill, daring, confidence, and a bike that withstands abuse. Typically you wouldn’t downhill on the same mountain bike you trail ride with. The Enduro challenges this. Though a “big” single track bike and “small” DH bike, the Enduro rocks both worlds. From fast descents to technical corners, to big air, in the hands of Kirt, the Enduro very well defines the all mountain ride. Featured in this gallery is Kirt at the Cline Butte DH course with AllRide team rider Austin Aldrich.
Kirt Voreis, Enduro Down Hill
This is the third in the series of where does Kirt Voreis ride with his Specialized Enduro. Down Hill mountain biking requires skill, daring, confidence, and a bike that withstands abuse. Typically you wouldn’t downhill on the same mountain bike you trail ride with. The Enduro challenges this. Though a “big” single track bike and “small” DH bike, the Enduro rocks both worlds. From fast descents to technical corners, to big air, in the hands of Kirt, the Enduro very well defines the all mountain ride. Featured in this gallery is Kirt at the Cline Butte DH course with AllRide team rider Austin Aldrich.
Kirt Voreis, Enduro DH Jump Line
Second in the essay of where Kirt Voreis rides the Specialized Enduro. From single track to down hill jump lines, Kirt rides in Bend, Oregon.
Kirt Voreis, Enduro Single Track
Kirt Voreis, Specialized team rider, enjoys Bend’s single track on a 2010 Enduro
Buddha between the spokes
Find your bliss. Until you do, everything is toil and suffering. A subtle message. View images of Kirt Voreis introducing the joy of riding to Cascade Academy middle school kids here.
Kirt Voreis and James Reigner, AllRide, and the Phil’s Trail Head Pump Park
An artist creates from what is given. Kirt Voreis and James Regner create the path for mountain bikers to jump, pump, bank, and otherwise express themselves. What do you do with a reclaimed dirt road leading from a parking lot trail-head to a network of single track mountain biking trails? Make features, of course. More images here.
Kirt Voreis 5.24.10
Kirt Voreis called me up to do some shooting at his old rail road dirt jump course. Santa Cruz rider and Bend local Jamie Goldman was to be there as well as some of Kirt’s AllRide team. Hell ya! Unfortunately, shit happens. After a few warm up laps, some 360s, and Toboggan saddle grabs, Kirt concussed himself on a hard landing. A trip to the ER became the photo session. Kirt was joking with the hospital staff and laughing at himself. After a long career as a professional mountain bike racer Kirt understands the risks and continues to push the limits for the love of the ride. I look forward to the next session! See more photos here.
COTA’s Spring Fling Trail Building Party
Central Oregon Trail Alliance held it’s annual Spring Fling trail building party. Numerous well organized and equipped volunteers gathered in the woods on the outskirts of Bend to create the new Steve Larsen memorial trail. COTA has a grant to build 35 miles of single-track in the Wanoga complex within the next year, and is about half way there. Trail builders, under the leadership of lead builder Chris Kratsch, carved about 4 miles of trail during the few hour event, then finished the day with a BBQ and Deschutes brew at Pine Mountain Sports. COTA gathers every Wednesday at Pine Mountain Sports in the evening to build and maintain the growing network of trails in the Bend area.
Ride of Silence
The Ride of Silence rode through the streets of Bend tonight.
“To HONOR those who have been injured or killed.
To RAISE AWARENESS that we are here.
To ask that we all SHARE THE ROAD.
THE RIDE OF SILENCE WILL NOT BE QUIET!
On May 19, 2010, at 7:00 PM, the Ride of Silence will begin in North America and roll across the globe. Cyclists will take to the roads in a silent procession to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways.In 2003,
Chris Phelan organized the first Ride of Silence in Dallas after endurance cyclist Larry Schwartz was hit by the mirror of a passing bus and was killed.
The Ride of Silence is a free ride that asks its cyclists to ride no faster than 12 mph and remain silent during the ride. There are no sponsors and no registrationfees. The ride, which is held during National Bike Month, aims to raise the awareness of motorists, police and city officials that cyclists have a legal right to the public roadways. The ride is also a chance to show respect for those who have been killed or injured.”
See more images
Dirt Jumping at Slalom
Some of the boys from Kirt Voreis’s All Ride team and photographer Sven Martin at the Slalom dirt jump course in Bend, www.kirtvoreis.com
Biggest storm cycle of the winter, and it’s spring
April and May has seen the longest and deepest winter storm cycle of the year. Spring passes are on sale at Bachelor, and we are skiing waist deep powder! More snow expected throughout the first week of April, including two feet today. What a great opportunity to photograph Dillon Moore and Ari DeLashmutt shredding South Side stashes! More images.
Gary Crosswhite
Gary Crosswhite broke his neck in an accident seven years ago. The initial prognosis suggested he would never walk again. After a difficult recovery and the refusal to let his injuries dictate his life, Gary takes control. Intent on not simply walking again, Gary rides bikes and is on his way to snowboarding. In the meantime, he rides Mt. Bachelor on his sit-ski at full throttle, ripping through powder and airing over natural features. An inspiration to all! Good on you, Gary.
Bachelor Back Country
There are few places more accessible for ski touring in Central Oregon than the “Bachelor back country.” From the ski area itself, a quick walk to the true summit goes without saying, and dropping below the boundary line to Quall Butte is thrilling if you are willing to hike back and not rouse the ire of ski patrol. Hiking Bachelor’s cinder cone, or, simply “The Cone,” and skinning out to Todd Lake where several little glades and occasional rock drops are found are two of the most popular destinations.
Tumalo Butte is, perhaps, the most popular place in the area. A strait forward climb to the top through glades and rime covered dwarf pines brings you to the north facing bowl. Great views of Bachelor, Broken Top, and the Three Sisters Wilderness abound. The bowl is deemed “too mellow” for some, but there are decent sized rock drops and enough open space to find a line. Snowmobiles are allowed on the east side of the bowl, but dogs are not allowed without permit.
I personally enjoy going there with my wife, Angelique.
Bend in March
In the middle of March, Bend saw nearly 2 feet of snow in the mountains, perfect for riding at Bachelor. Warm, dry weather for biking east of town on Horse Ridge. And in town, demolition, with the intent of rebuilding.
Gabe Rousseau/Oregon Adaptive Sports
For many people, snow riding is a form or self expression. It’s the style of equipment, cloths, ability of the rider, beauty of the mountains…. For Gabe Rousseau, it’s much more. Gabe has Muscular Dystrophy. MD is a group of disorders that involve muscle
weakness and loss of muscle tissue that get worse over time. It is debilitating. As such, skiing is an expression of defiance for anybody with MD.
It is Gabe’s way to convince himself and the world of his unique celebration of momentum. His sit-ski is state of the art. His wheel chair is bright pink decorated with uplifting stickers. His head phones are loud with rock-n-roll. Disability aside, he hits the slopes with loving support from family and friends, and assistance from the Oregon Adaptive Sports program http://www.oregonadaptivesports.org/. Hit the slopes is an understatement. He tears the place apart, at full speed, with snow blowing up all around him, covering himself, and leaving a huge rooster-tail in his wake. “Look out world,” Gabe seems to shout, “I am ALIVE!”
