Summer is in full swing here in Sisters, and our trails are buzzing with activity. This month's newsletter is bursting with updates that'll have you itching to hit the trails. From the long-awaited opening of McKenzie Pass (smooth new pavement, anyone?) to upcoming women's rides and volunteer opportunities, there's something for every type of rider.

We also bring news about local trail improvements, including updates on Bike Park 242 and Peterson Ridge. And for those who like to mix their riding with a side of culinary adventure, we've got details on an unmissable beer pairing dinner that's sure to refuel you after a day on the trails.

So grab your helmet, pump up those tires, and dive into this month's roundup of all things cycling in Central Oregon!

In This Edition:

🔧 Shop Updates (Women’s Night!)

🌲 COTA Update (Bike Park 242 Work Event)

🦌 STA Update (Volunteers Needed)

📨 Support Proposed Shuttle Services (a win for our community)

🍖 Cascade Lakes Beer Dinner (yum yum yum yum)

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 SPRD Group Rides (Schedule + Signup)

📺 Must Watch: You’re Never too Old to Send

🔧 Shop Updates

Repair Queue

We're currently experiencing steady demand for basic tune-ups and repairs, resulting in a 7-day turnaround. As we're in the heart of cycling season, our mechanics remain dedicated to providing top-quality service for every bike that comes through our doors.

To ensure your ride receives the attention it deserves and to minimize any time without your bike, we recommend calling ahead to schedule an appointment. This approach helps us manage our workspace efficiently and allows us to better accommodate your needs. You can reach us at 541-719-1213 to set up your service appointment.

Additionally, here are a few key maintenance points to consider:

🍼 Tubeless Sealant: Sealant typically dries up every 6-9 months. Now is an excellent time to refresh it, ensuring you don't find yourself walking out from rides later this summer.

💨 Dust Management: Our Central Oregon trails are becoming increasingly dusty, affecting all moving parts of your bike. To maintain optimal functionality, it's crucial to keep your steed sparkling and your chain charming. We offer a range of products to help you clean, maintain, and lubricate your bike effectively.

🧑‍🔧 Suspension Service: Mountain bike suspension generally needs servicing every 50 to 75 hours of riding. These expensive components deserve proper care and will last much longer with adequate maintenance. As one of the few shops in Central Oregon offering in-house suspension servicing, we're here to help. If your squishers feel funky or you think it's time for a check-up, bring your bike in, and we'll happily diagnose it.

By staying on top of these maintenance tasks, you can confidently know your bike is always ready for your next adventure.

Ship & Save!

Great news for cyclists everywhere: we've got a double advantage that could save you significant money on your next bike purchase!

Firstly, freight expenses have recently shifted in our favor, creating an excellent opportunity for savings on shipping. Secondly, if you didn't know, Oregon has no sales tax, which helps mitigate the sticker shock often associated with purchasing a new bike.

This combination creates a unique opportunity for:

Visitors who want to ride while here and ship their new bike home
Local riders planning trips who want to ship their bikes

By leveraging both the freight savings and Oregon's tax-free status, you could enjoy substantial savings on your dream bike/trip!

2024 Rentals Are Live!

As a reminder, most of our 2024 rental fleet is now live and available for rent at blazinsaddleshub.com/rentals!

We currently have the following bikes available:

SCOR 2030 NX (XC/trail)
SCOR 4060 ST GX (trail/enduro)
Salsa Warbird C GX Eagle AXS (gravel)
Salsa Confluence Flat Bar Altus (eGravel)
BMC 24" Twostroke AL (kids)

NBDA Bicycle Retailer Excellence Award

For the seventh year standing we’re honored to have been awarded NBDA’s Bicycle Retailer Excellence Award. We’re the only bike shop in Oregon to have been awarded this prestigious award this year. We thank each and every one of you for making this possible. You are what sets our shop apart!

A note from NBDA’s President on why they love our shop:

“We love your bike shop because it's not just a place to buy bikes; it's a community hub where enthusiasts gather, novices find guidance, and everyone feels welcome. Your shop embodies the spirit of passion for cycling, offering more than just products but a genuine experience.

Here, customers aren't just transactions; they're individuals with unique needs and aspirations, and your team goes above and beyond to meet them. Your commitment to education and empowerment is evident, whether through informative workshops, personalized advice, or ongoing support.

Moreover, your shop is a beacon of inclusivity, embracing cyclists of all backgrounds, ages, and abilities. It's a place where seasoned riders share the road with newcomers, fostering camaraderie and mutual respect.

Your shop's passion, expertise, and community-oriented approach shine through every day!

I am so thankful you are part of the NBDA Community and together, we will continue to promote cycling culture, advocate for cyclists' rights, and ensure that bike shops like yours remain the heart and soul of our communities.”

Help Us Out Online

In today's digital world, brick-and-mortar businesses like ours face unique challenges. When potential customers search for "Central Oregon Bike Shop" online, we need to ensure our shop stands out. One factor that can make a significant difference is reviews from customers like you.

As a valued subscriber to our newsletter, we kindly ask that you take 2-3 minutes out of your day to share your experiences with Blazin Saddles by writing us a review on Yelp. Your feedback not only helps prospective customers make informed decisions but also plays a crucial role in the success of small businesses like ours. Every review contributes to our ability to reach and serve the Central Oregon Cycling Community more effectively.

You can write a Yelp review by following this link. Thank you!

Just Landed: Special Edition Jersey!

For the last 14 years we’ve heard it time and time again: “Love your name, love the movie - did you name the shop after the movie?” While we promise that the shop name did not come from the movie’s, we’ve decided to play off of it anyway with this special edition jersey in honor of the Blazing Saddles movie’s 50th anniversary and the shop’s 14th:

They just landed and look better than we could’ve ever imagined! They’ll set you back $76 and have you feeling mighty cool. Hurry in as stock is limited!

McKenzie Pass Update

McKenzie Pass officially opened on the morning of July 4th, featuring fresh, smooth pavement for cars and cyclists to enjoy. This opening follows the completion of a significant improvement project funded by a Federal Lands Access Program grant.

Key updates and information:

The narrow, winding section between the winter gate and the summit on the east side has been fully paved.
Paving work is now moving below the snow gate on the east side. Expect some delays as crews flag traffic through one lane during this phase.
The entire project, including striping and signage, is expected to be complete by late August.

Women’s Night Led by Kim Ryan

Following the success of last month's event, we're excited to announce another Women's Night on July 18 at 6pm, led by our shop ambassador Kim Ryan in collaboration with COTA (Central Oregon Trail Alliance).

Here's what you can look forward to:

A fun evening at the shop
Group trail ride
Trail maintenance activity
Meet and greet with women representatives from both COTA and STA (Sisters Trails Alliance)

Last month's event was a blast for all who attended, and we're aiming to make this one even better! It's a great opportunity to connect with fellow women cyclists, learn more about trail stewardship, and enjoy our beautiful Central Oregon trails. Give us a call in advance to let us know you'll be attending. See you at the shop, 6pm on July 18!

🌲 Central Oregon Trail Alliance Update

Bike Park 242 Work Event

Bike Park 242 is gearing up for some mid-July clinics, and we're calling on our amazing community to help prepare the pump tracks and jump lines for optimal shredding.

Maintenance Day Details:

When: July 12, 8 AM at Bike Park 242
Tasks: Weed removal, rock clearing, and general trail grooming
What to bring: Wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty, gloves, and closed-toe shoes or boots
Tools: We've got you covered with weed whackers, blowers, and rakes

Whether you can spare an hour or make a day of it, your help is invaluable in creating the best possible riding experience for everyone.

But wait, there's more! We're thrilled to announce two upcoming clinics at Bike Park 242:

Intro to Pump: July 16 & 17

Intro to Jump: July 23 & 24

Both clinics will be led by the talented Steve Smith and are the perfect opportunity to level up your skills or introduce a friend to the joy of riding. (See more details in SPRD Group Rides section below.)

Sisters Chapter Meeting

Date: July 25, 2023 | Time: 6:00 PM | Location: Blazin Saddles

What's on the agenda?

Bike Park 242 advancements: Get the latest scoop on improvements and future plans
Peterson Ridge developments: Hear about what's new on one of our favorite local trail systems
Welcome Michelle Smith: Join us in greeting our new Sisters COTA Chapter Representative!

This is your chance to stay informed, share your ideas, and get involved in shaping the future of our local trails. Whether you're a seasoned trail steward or just getting interested in our local riding scene, we'd love to see you there!

Remember, we hold these meetings every last Thursday of the month at 6:00 PM at Blazin Saddles.

🦌 Sisters Trail Alliance Update

Volunteer for Alpine Running’s Cascade 100 Trail Run

Get ready to be part of something epic! We're thrilled to announce that STA (Sisters Trails Alliance) is supporting Alpine Running's Oregon Cascades 100 endurance trail run on August 24 and 25. This incredible event will see runners pushing their limits from Bend all the way to Sisters on 100-mile and 50-mile courses.

Here's where you come in:

STA needs about 15 awesome volunteers to help manage Aid Stations 11 & 12. It's a chance to be right in the heart of the action, cheering on amazing athletes and keeping them fueled up.

Volunteer Details:

Dates: August 24-25, 2023
Shift Duration: 4 hours each
Time Range: Starting at 2 PM on the 24th until 6 AM on the 25th
- Special Note: Some shifts include an overnight component. Trust us, those early morning runners will be extra grateful to see your smiling face!

STA Trail Issue Hotline

If you come across a fallen tree or major trail issue on an STA trail, you can help us all out by doing the following:

Take a photo of the issue
Save the coordinates or screenshot your mapping app
Email the information to trails@sisterstrails.org

Once reported, the issue will be addressed promptly by a trail maintenance team. Thank you for helping us keep our trails in top shape!

📨 Support Proposed Shuttle Services

The Sisters Ranger District is currently collecting comments regarding two proposed shuttle service companies beginning shuttle operations to and from several trailheads in the Sisters area.

We’re excited by this proposal because:

It will mitigate overcrowded parking lots
It will direct tourists down trails that can handle usage
It will result in more volunteers working to better our trail systems
It will educate more of the community on forest and trail use etiquette

You can read the formal proposals by both shuttle companies here.

If this sounds as good to you as it does to us, we would appreciate it if you could email your thoughts to the Sisters Ranger District at comments-pacificnorthwest-deschutes-sisters@usda.gov. All comments should be sent by July 19. This could be big for our little community!

🍖 Cascade Lakes Beer Dinner at Luckey’s Woodsman

We're thrilled to announce an unmissable culinary event that's sure to tantalize your taste buds and quench your thirst for craft beer excellence.

What: 5-course Beer Pairing Dinner

Where: Trailside Kitchen, Sisters, Oregon

When: July 24 @ 5:30 PM

Who: Cascade Lakes Brewing and Luckey's Woodsman

Cost: $130 (minus $50 reservation fee)

Here's what you can look forward to:

Five mouthwatering courses, each expertly paired with hand-selected Cascade Lakes beers
An intimate, cozy setting perfect for savoring every sip and bite
Interactive experience with Chef Jackson Higdon of Luckey's Woodsman, who'll personally serve and explain each pairing

Whether you're a seasoned beer connoisseur or just love great food, this event promises an unforgettable evening of local flavors and craft brews. Learn more and make a reservation here.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 SPRD Group Rides

Every year we partner with SPRD to offer free group rides to the Sisters Community. We’ve already had a few phenomenal ones and look forward to continuing them through August.

Mountain Bike Group Rides are every Tuesday from 5:30 to 8 PM.

Gravel Bike Group Rides are every Thursday from 5:30 to 8 PM.

Rides always begin from the shop parking lot and are catered to the average ability of the group that shows up. They’re a great opportunity to learn skills, meet friends, and stay active! No registration is required, just show up ready to have a great time!

Additionally, this year SPRD is excited to offer Intro to Jump courses! Each clinic will focus on a different skill offered at Bike Park 242. Participants must bring their own bike and helmet, and should already be proficient bike riders. These courses are instructed by Steve Smith.

Intro to Pump:

Starting on the junior pump track, learn how to control speed with proper body positioning and rolling techniques.

7/16: Ages 4-10 — 9-12PM — $35 ID / $46 OD

7/17: Ages 10+ — 9-12PM — $35 ID / $46 OD

Intro to Jump:

Starting with the beginner/green jump line, learn tips for judging approach speed to clear a jump.

7/23: Ages 4-10 — 9-12PM — $35 ID / $46 OD

7/24: Ages 10+ — 9-12PM — $35 ID / $46 OD

* (ID is in district, OD is out of district)

📺 Must Watch: North Shore Betty: You’re Never too Old to Send

This month's must watch is all about shattering stereotypes and embracing the pure joy of riding, no matter your age. Meet Betty Birrell, a true trail blazer who's been shredding the legendary North Shore Mountains of British Columbia for nearly three decades.

At an age when some might be hanging up their helmets, Betty's still dropping in and proving that life on two wheels is one big, thrilling playground. Her story is a powerful reminder that passion knows no age limit.

So, whether you're gearing up for our upcoming women's group ride or just looking for some mid-week motivation, this video is a must-watch. It'll have you itching to hit the trails and maybe even try that feature you've been eyeing!

Well, folks, that wraps up our July roundup! We hope this newsletter has you revved up to hit the trails, join a community event, or maybe even try your hand at some trail maintenance.

Whether you're planning to conquer the newly paved McKenzie Pass, join our women's night, or simply enjoy a post-ride beer, we're thrilled to be part of your cycling adventures.

Got ideas for future newsletters or events? We'd love to hear from you! Drop Casey a line at casey@blazinsaddleshub.com.

Until next time, keep those wheels spinning and those spirits high!

Cheers,

The Blazin Saddles Crew

541-419-1213

July Roundup 🍻