Happy spring! We’ve been waiting to push out this month’s newsletter because exciting changes have been happening within the shop that we wanted you to know about before anybody else. However, in the spirit of 2022, we will have to delay this announcement until next month’s newsletter due to some unforeseen difficulties. We apologize for the letdown and hope the contents below are enough to hold you over until then.

If you would like to opt out from receiving future writings, go to the bottom of this email and unsubscribe.

In this Roundup:

• Shop Updates (Rentals, Finally!) 📰
• WE ARE HIRING! (And Need Help Finding Candidates) 🕵️‍♀️
• Coast to Coast for Kids in Africa 🌍
• Bone Crusher XCO 🏁
• STA Update (STAY OFF MUDDY TRAILS) 🌲
• COTA Update (Board Elections) 📮
• OTT Update (Ride Recommendations) 🗺
• Huy Doan! 📷

Shop Updates 📰 

🆕 Our Rental Fleet For The 2022 Season Is Here!

Finally, we have rental bikes again! Browse and reserve here.

🏷 It's time to SAVE on footwear, apparel, and accessories! Up to 40% off! These items won't last long, so get them now.

🔧 Repairs?

The current turnaround for a basic tune is 5-7 days. Hurry in soon before this doubles! Walk-ins welcomed, appointments recommended. Call 541-719-1213 to schedule.

Please note that certain parts are taking longer than usual to get because of increased demand and industry shortages.

🚲 Riding?

Most lower elevation Central Oregon trails (including Peterson Ridge) are beginning to lose their snow blanket and thaw out. If frozen, ride with caution. If muddy, please stay off. If dry, rip it!

WE ARE HIRING 🕵️‍♀️

Sisters Oregon’s premiere bike shop is searching for new crew members to keep its cogs turning. Regardless of experience, if passionate about bikes, Blazin Saddles wants to hear from you! Prepare to learn a lot and join a fun, diverse crew in wonderful Central Oregon. Seasonal and year-round, full-time and part-time positions with competitive pay and perks available.

We would greatly appreciate it if you could forward this link to anyone that may be interested in joining our team. Thank you.

If interested, contact casey@blazinsaddleshub.com or 541-306-7383.

Coast to Coast for Kids in Africa 🌍

We’re thrilled to promote a good cause whenever we see one, and this coast-to-coast cycling race certainly meets our criteria. It will begin on June 12 in Astoria, Oregon, and end on August 13 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. All funds raised will be used to drill wells in remote villages in Africa. The ride will be limited to 25 riders, so if you or anyone you know might be interested, sign up ASAP by making a deposit and emailing: bruce@heartsandhandsforhumanity.org. 

Bone Crusher XCO in Madras April 23-24 🏁

This race showcases the Madras East Hills trails. This year’s 2-day event features a Short Track race on Saturday and XCO on Sunday. See more here.

STA Update🌲

TrackBack (in honor of 22 years of Sisters Trails):

2000 – First meeting of the Sisters Trails Committee, a subgroup of the Sisters Community Action Team (CATS) which was set up to help Sisters Country break the cycle of poverty and to assist the community in long-term planning to manage growth and change. The task of the TrailsCommittee was to plan a network of non-motorized commuter and recreational trails within an area defined by the Sisters School District. Some who were present at the meeting: Jerry Norquist, Bill Willits, Vickie Hornbeck, Tom Coffield, Jeff Sims, Lorri Craig, and Bob Shaw.

2001 – Received a 2-year grant from the National Park Service (NPS) River and Trails Program to prepare a Community Trail Plan. Sue Abbot, a recreation planner with the NPS assisted the group in preparing the plan and conducting public meetings and surveys.

2003 – Sisters Community Trail Plan completed by the Sisters Trails Committee consisting of: Sue Abbot, Bill Willits, Jerry Norquist, Jeff Sims, Jim Craig, Jim Yuskavitch, May Fan, Tom Coffield, Dave Marlow, Lorri Craig, Brynn Hazel, Lee Hicks, Eugene Trahern, and Judy Trego. The Plan proposed 36 trails with over 145 miles of length, including bike paths, footpaths, shoulder bikeways, shared roadways (all surfaces), and horse trails Some were existing trails that would be improved with signage and connections.

(In the next installment, read about STA's original goals! Sisters Trails Alliance History was compiled by Jeff Sims and Chuck Humphreys, updated in October 2016.)

Join STA and donate

COTA March Update: 📮

From COTA Trail News - March:

This month we say a huge THANK YOU to COTA’s many dedicated volunteers. COTA volunteers logged 13,750 hours in 2021 - the equivalent of 6.6 full-time jobs! One way we say thank you is through COTA’s Volunteer Rewards Program. This program allows volunteers who are active COTA members and log their hours to earn rewards like trail tools, NW Forest Passes, gear, and more based on the number of hours they work. COTA would be a shadow of itself without your hard work - THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS!

Board Elections Coming Up:

Interested in joining COTA’s Board of Directors? We won’t lie, it’s a big job, but it’s also super rewarding. Check out our Board job description for details. This year, COTA members will vote for 4 at-large positions and the Crook County Chapter Representative position. Nominations will occur in April and voting in May; more details will be in upcoming newsletters. Your COTA membership must be active for you to run or vote. Questions? Email us at contact@cotamtb.com.

Bend Chapter:

Winter came back! The Wanoga Fat Bike Park grooming team have been busy and hope you have gotten some fat biking in while the trails are superb. That said, as trails melt out, we need your help spreading the word to ride early when the trails are still frozen. If you do find yourself among puddles and mud, ride through them to avoid trail widening. If mud is frequent, turn back or hop on a forest road to avoid causing erosion.
 

Want to get in on the action? Join COTA’s Meetup group. Our Meetup group is the portal to all our activities: work events, trainings, chapter meetings, and more!

OTT Update 🗺

It’s a perfect time to start dreaming and scheming about rides, big and small. While the Oregon Timber Trail is an ambitious 670-mile trail, many of us also like bite-sized weekend rides and base camping. One day rides? Yeah, we do those too. So, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best rides that hit the OTT, or are what I’m calling “OTT adjacent” - in the same zone, but are fun trails we use for bike practice, fully loaded or otherwise.

This Month's Must Watch 📺 

Huy Doan: Take the Shot 📷

“For Huy Doan, cycling has been a hobby, an escape, a form of expression. Starting at his childhood home near Chicago, the bike has always been a means of expanding his world. Of discovering what might be around the next corner.

Along the way, bikes helped Huy build lasting friendships, fuel his creative pursuits, and discover a path to becoming a successful photographer in Los Angeles."

We hope this Monthly Roundup brought you value. Please don’t hesitate to respond to this email with thoughts or feedback. Thanks again for being a part of the Roundup!
 

See you in the shop,

The Crew at Blazin Saddles Cycle N' Supply