Hoorah, the holiday season is here, and so is the snow! Whether winter festivities are your jam or not, we have a slew of community updates and happenings to keep you informed, involved, and illuminated. One of the most magical things about our small town during the holiday season is how we come together and give to one another—even when the trails are blanketed in white.

In this edition, you'll find news regarding this year's Holiday Bike Drive, updates from our trail alliances amidst a very challenging time for non-profits, and a heartwarming film about those leading the charge for women in the cycling industry. Grab your calendars, a cozy blanket, and settle in for some community news that'll warm your spirit!

In This Edition:

📰 Shop Updates & Holiday Bike Drive

🏆 Outlaw MTB Team: NICA State Championship

⛏️ COTA Update: Supporting Our Trails

🌲 Sisters Trail Alliance: Join Our 30 Volunteers

🎥 Women in Cycling: Making Waves

📰 Shop Updates

Holiday Hours

CLOSED: Thanksgiving Day, Friday & Saturday (Nov 23-25): We’re taking time to be thankful for our family, friends, and customers—and to get outside!

Holiday Bike Drive

Winter Service Specials

Quick 24-48 hour turnaround on basic tunes
Now is the perfect time for seasonal maintenance:
- Sealant refresh
- Shock service
- Winter bike prep

Give us a call or stop in for any questions related to service this winter. It’s the best time to get repairs and overhauls done!

Holiday Shopping & Deals

NEW! Holiday Fundraiser: 10% of all Patagonia purchases support local trails and youth organizations. Patagonia has lead the charge in sustainable outdoor clothing that aims to give as much as it takes from the natural world. We could not be more thrilled to help spread their mission through their quality gear that lasts longer than nearly any other gear out there.
Special Edition Blazin Saddles Jersey - 10% off for a limited time

Great inventory of bikes, clothing, and accessories in stock (but going fast!)
Perfect gifts for cyclists:
- Oregon Coast Gravel Guide (from our friends at Dirty Freehub)
- Winter riding gear and apparel
- Bike lights for shorter days (remember, shorter days do not mean less riding)

McKenzie Pass Update

McKenzie Pass officially closed to all users on November 1. Expect it to open back up in late spring.

🏆 Sisters Outlaws MTB Team

On October 20th The Sisters Outlaws MTB team competed in the NICA (National Interscholastic Cycling League) Oregon state championships, held at Barnes Butte Recreation area in Prineville, Oregon. The Championship race brought together both the North and South league conferences, and with over 400 student athletes the large fields created deep competition and tight racing. The Outlaws all put in monster efforts in their respective categories and it paid off- The team finished 3rd out of 38 teams in the state! The Sisters highschool team is made up of 5 riders, making it one the smallest teams in the league. Despite the numbers, our focused riders battled to multiple podiums. Senior Lilly Pomering placed 5th. Junior Weston Dean placed 5th. Sophomore Josie Ryan placed 3rd. In the huge 85 deep HS1 boys field our two freshmen, Brecken Riemer and Gavin Elbers finished 4th and 38th respectively. With only one middle school rider in attendance the team didn’t have the numbers to place well in the team results, but that didn’t stop our Black Butte 7th grader Gavin Shultz from representing! He rode a great race, finishing 6th of 54 riders.

For inquiries about the program please reach out to head coach Jon Fogarty at outlawsmtbteam@gmail.com. Learn more by visiting their website here.

⛏️ Central Oregon Trail Alliance Update

A Trail Story That Touches the Heart: "I have a 23-year-old son named Braden, who has profound autism and struggles with verbal communication. Mountain biking has become an invaluable way for us to bond and connect. When we're out on the trails, my son experiences a sense of independence that's often difficult for him to find in his day-to-day life. I'm deeply grateful for the work COTA does to care for these trails. Thank you for creating and maintaining these spaces that mean so much to families like mine." Michael Boll, COTA member since 2022.

Our beloved trails are more than just dirt and rocks—they're where memories are made, bonds are strengthened, and lives are changed. But right now, COTA is facing a critical funding shortfall that threatens our ability to maintain these special places. With each mile of trail costing $1,000 annually to maintain, COTA needs your support more than ever.

Why Your Help Matters:

Critical trail maintenance is at risk of delay

We could lose valuable staff members

The non-profit sector is facing unprecedented challenges

Every dollar you donate goes directly to caring for hundreds of miles of trails and bike parks. Your support isn't just about maintaining trails—it's about preserving spaces where families like the Bolls can connect, where riders can find freedom, and where our community comes together.

The future of Central Oregon's mountain bike trails is in your hands. Together, we can ensure these special places continue to serve our community for generations to come. Learn more and donate here.

🌲 Sisters Trail Alliance Update

STA has revamped their volunteer system to better match your interests and skills. Now you can easily find the perfect way to contribute through your Better Impact profile. Simply login and select your interests under the "My Profile" tab.

Fundraising & Development Volunteer Opportunities:

Contact local business sponsors
Write donor thank-you cards
Support membership drives
Plan fundraising events
Assist with grant applications

Education & Outreach (New Committee!) Volunteer Opportunities:

Coordinate winter community forums
Organize speaker series
Collaborate with Deschutes Trails Coalition
Support educational campaigns

Current Communications Team Volunteer Opportunities:

Social media management
Newsletter content creation
Map sponsorship coordination
Local business outreach

Additional Committee Openings:

Accessibility
Board of Directors
Environmental Impacts
Membership Management
Youth Development
Trails

From trail maintenance to tool management, from counting trail users to creating maps—there's a place for everyone in STA’s community!

Ready to get involved? Email Stephanie@sisterstrails.org to learn more about specific opportunities, work groups, and available training.

🎥 Must Watch: BONNIE: A film about what it takes to make a difference for women in cycling

In 2008, Bonnie Tu founded Liv—the world’s first and only comprehensive bike brand dedicated exclusively to women. She knew it was risky to invest in women-first research, design, and engineering. She knew it was unconventional to make bikes, gear, and opportunities that optimize a woman’s power. And she knew it could be a lot of trouble to do things differently—but that’s exactly how she made a difference in women's cycling.

That's all for November! While the snow may have temporarily transformed our trails into winter wonderlands, our cycling community lives on. Whether you're cozying up with maintenance projects, planning spring adventures, or supporting our local trail organizations, thank you for being part of our two-wheeled family.

As always, if you have any ideas for future newsletters or events, we'd love to hear from you! Drop us a line at info@blazinsaddleshub.com.

You make everything we do possible—even in the off-season! See you next month, and don't forget to stop by to talk bikes, grab some winter gear, or just warm up with some bike-shop banter. We are thankful for each and every one of you on this Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving,
The Blazin Saddles Crew
541-419-1213

(P.S. Stay tuned for a HUGE update next month)

November Roundup 🦃