Dirty Freehub

New podcast: Wild & Scenic River. Ever wonder what makes a river truly "Wild and Scenic"?
If you are a gravel cyclist, paddler, or outdoor enthusiast, you know that our finest adventures are often shaped by the beautiful waters flowing right alongside us.

In this episode of The Connection by Dirty Freehub, National Park Service experts Corita K. Waters and Susan Rosebrough break down the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968—the landmark federal law keeping our nation's most precious waterways protected and free-flowing.

🌱 Simple Ways to Practice Backyard Stewardship: You don't need professional training to make a difference. You can protect your local waters by:
- Learning your river's values — find out what makes your local waterways unique
- Treading gently — riverbanks are fragile ecosystems that are easily damaged
- Cleaning your gear — always wash your gear after paddling or fishing to stop the spread of invasive species
- Leaving it better — pack out your trash (and pick up any left behind)

Episode Here: https://dirtyfreehub.org/podcasts/wild-scenic-rivers/

Anybody know for sure if this structure in Friend Oregon made it through the fire? So many awesome memories of this as a rest stop.

Iconic Japanes Hollow route near The Dalles, OR. 45 miles of fun. With this collapsed building that we always love. Here’s the feedback from Jennifer Lehman. “I rode this today and absolutely loved it! Definition of a five star route!! I shortened/flattened it a bit more by turning onto Upper Five Mile Creek from Pleasant Ridge at ~MP10 to Dutch Flat Road. The cemetery detour is worth it. I will probably attempt the full meal deal when I ride again in the spring.” Here’s the Ride Guide: https://dirtyfreehub.org/routes/oregon/japanese-hollow/

New kit day … if you ordered one, you should have it! Thanks Diana Spencer!

Egads, the rocky sections of the Pyramids will make you wishing for big tires or a mountain bike. This route starts just west of the Santiam Pass, west of Sisters Oregon. Thanks David Butler for the photos and the route update. May those rocks be mashed down into the dirt sooner rather than later.

Route guide link in comments 👇

Cannibal 5 gets a MAJOR upgrade. The stats: 61 miles, 7,500 feet of gain, 5 big climbs, and near Yachats Oregon (Coast)

Including a spin along the crest of Cannibal Mountain—because with a name like that, you knew this wasn't going to be a recovery ride. Remote. Rugged. Gorgeous. A little ridiculous. Exactly our kind of ride.

Dig into the freshly updated guide:
https://dirtyfreehub.org/routes/oregon/cannibal/

Should we call it Cheese Whiz, Cheddar Puff or Mild Cheddar? We created a gravel bike version of the Cheddarhead route that skips the single track. 91 miles and 8,200 feet of gain. We gave you the option of slicing it into two sections and staying the night in Tillamook or breaking it into three sections and pitching a tent. Right now, the easier version is just called Cheddarhead (sans single track) which you will find in the notes section. Whichever version you pick, no matter how many days you take to ride it, we see ice cream in your future!

Here's the Ride Guide: https://dirtyfreehub.org/routes/oregon/cheddarhead/

“This ride was fantastic! Riding as described if not better.” From WalterM on Brickhouse that starts near Detroit, Oregon.

Walter found plenty of summer shade, quiet forest roads, babbling brooks, and beautiful riding. His advice for that uphill start? Just enjoy it. And the highlight: “Oh, and I saw a bear!!”

See the Ride Guide for all the details. The route is 33 miles and 4,300 ft gain.

Thanks for the ride report, Walter!

Here's the Ride Guide: https://dirtyfreehub.org/routes/oregon/brickhouse/

Flasback Podcast: The Japanese Bomb

In 1942, a Japanese pilot launched a float plane from a submarine and dropped incendiary bombs on Mt. Emily near Brookings, Oregon—marking the only enemy bombing of the U.S. mainland during World War II. The mission was designed to ignite massive forest fires and force the United States to divert critical resources from the Pacific.

While the attack itself failed to cause significant damage, the real story began decades later. In a remarkable journey of healing, the very same pilot returned to Brookings—not as an enemy, but as a friend. To cement this new bond of peace, he presented the town with his family’s 400-year-old samurai sword as a lasting symbol of reconciliation.

Link to podcast: https://dirtyfreehub.org/podcasts/japanese-bomb-site/. Link to the route where you visit the actual bombsite: https://dirtyfreehub.org/routes/oregon/the-bombsite/

Looking for the route The Sixes along the Oregon Coast? Not so fast ... it was in development but it just didn't meet our Five Star criteria. That's the way we roll. Call us picky .... but why bother to have routes that aren't the BEST of the BEST? Thanks Chip for putting the nail in coffin. We pulled it off the site.