Dirty Freehub is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping cyclists discover outstanding gravel rides while building a deeper connection to the places through which they travel.

Its free, curated ride guides include the practical information needed to plan an adventure: route maps, downloadable navigation files, distance, elevation gain, surface conditions, technical difficulty, photographs, and detailed descriptions. Riders can search for routes that fit their interests and abilities, from approachable mixed-surface outings to demanding backcountry adventures.

For Central Oregon cyclists, Dirty Freehub offers an extensive collection of routes around Bend, Sisters, Camp Sherman, the Cascades, and communities throughout the state. Familiar rides such as Water and Lava combine gravel cycling with opportunities to explore the Deschutes River, Benham Falls, Lava Butte, and the volcanic landscape that shaped Central Oregon.

Love Where You Ride

Dirty Freehub’s mission extends well beyond providing a line on a map. Its ride guides introduce cyclists to the history, culture, wildlife, and environment of each area. Podcasts, photographs, stories, and educational links help riders understand what they are seeing along the way.

The organization hopes that this connection will inspire cyclists to become better stewards of the places they ride—perhaps by volunteering, donating to a local organization, supporting conservation efforts, or advocating for responsible land use.

Wildlife and environmental impacts are also considered when routes are developed. Dirty Freehub researches sensitive areas, encourages responsible riding, and may reroute or temporarily close a route when necessary to protect wildlife or the landscape.

Supporting Oregon’s Small Communities

Many Dirty Freehub routes begin in or pass through small towns. Riders are encouraged to purchase food, fuel, lodging, and other services from locally owned businesses.

Rather than directing large numbers of cyclists to only a few popular destinations, Dirty Freehub maintains a broad collection of routes. This helps disperse riders across different areas while providing a steady stream of visitors to rural communities. The organization sees cycling as one small way to create positive connections between urban and rural residents.

Routes with a Story

A Dirty Freehub ride might lead cyclists through a forest preserve, beside a restored salmon stream, past an old railroad grade, through ranch country, or into a community shaped by mining, timber, agriculture, or Native American history.

The ride is the invitation—but learning about the place is an important part of the experience.

Dirty Freehub also invites riders to participate in its community by commenting on route guides, sharing routes with friends, testing routes under development, submitting favorite rides, or supporting the organization financially.

Whether you are searching for a short gravel outing near Bend or a remote adventure elsewhere in Oregon, Dirty Freehub provides the information—and the inspiration—to explore responsibly.