(The Oregon Outback, organized by Velo Dirt, begins in Klamath Falls, Ore., and ends 368 miles north at Deschutes State Park. GearJunkie Editor Amy Oberbroeckling rode the 2014 edition, held in late May.)
We rolled out of a hotel parking lot in Klamath Falls, Ore., as a pack. More than 100 cyclists pedaled out loaded up and ready for a journey that would take most riders days to complete.
My mountain bike was loaded up with all the gear I needed for 4 days of bike-packing across the state. The Oregon Outback is an organized (but free and completely unsupported) ride straight up the middle of the state.
I rode with six friends from the starting point in the south of the state all the way up to the Columbia River — a 368 mile journey. Along the way we camped, ate at small town cafes, and jumped into cold rivers for relief.
While the course was tough, the breathtaking views more than made up for the hard effort on the bike each day. We covered a variety of terrain — from deserts to mountains — but stayed mainly on dirt and gravel roads.
This trip was my first extended trip in Oregon, and with each pedal stroke I became evermore convinced that the state is just one giant idyllic panorama. I couldn’t imagine a better way to take in the sights than from the bike saddle. Here are a few photos from our journey across the state. — Amy Oberbroeckling
—Want to ride the 2015 ‘Oregon Outback’ yourself? Stay in touch with Velo Dirt for details on next year’s route.
