With the forecasted heatwave next week, things are about to get even hotter and, potentially, unbearably smoky in Central Oregon. With temperatures expected to be over 100℉ for days on end, we think it’s important to provide some input on riding in such extreme weather. Heat exhaustion is not something to be played with, and choosing to ride in the morning or evening—or better yet, on a trainer or not at all—is the smartest way to avoid it. If you do ride, make sure to stay extremely hydrated and routinely apply sunscreen. Here are some other tips for cycling in the heat.

As an alternative to riding, we might suggest watching out for those in our community who are the most susceptible to this extreme heat (namely the elderly and homeless). Shepard’s House Ministries in Bend and Redmond are searching for volunteers to help shelter the homeless through this demanding time. More information can be found here.

The latter half of summer is always an adverse time for our community. By staying smart and watching out for eachother, we get through this together.

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In this edition: 

📰 Shop Updates (SUMMER SALE!)

🚨 Attention BMC URS Owners (Exciting New Tech!)

⚠️ Central Oregon Trail Alliance Update (Info About Trail Closures)

🌲 Oregon Timber Trail Update (Old Cascade Crest Stewardship)

🐶 July’s Must Watch (For All You Dog Lovers)

Shop Updates 📰 

🏷 SUMMER SALE 7/28 - 8/10 ONLY

All kid's bikes on sale: up to 25% off! Select full suspension and hardtails: up to 25% off! $250 off E-bikes! This sale will only be happening from July 28 to August 10. Don’t miss it!*

*Sale only applies to select in-stock items.

🎇 NBDA 2022 Bicycle Retailer Excellence Award!

Blazin Saddles has been granted the 2022 Bicycle Retailer Excellence Award by the National Bicycle Dealers Association (NBDA)! The National Bicycle Dealers Association is a non-profit organization established in 1946 which promotes the interests of cycling and specialty bicycle retail across North America. The NBDA has certified Blazin Saddles as among the top local bicycle retailers in the United States. Fewer than 125 qualified for this honor. 

We couldn’t have done this without your continued support. Thank you.

🔧 Repair Turnaround Time

The current turnaround for a basic tune is approximately 12 days. Walk-ins are welcomed, and appointments are appreciated. Please call 541-719-1213 to schedule.

Demand for bicycle parts is exceptionally high, so please know that getting parts in may take longer than usual.

🚴‍♂️ McKenzie Pass Status

As of 6/21 McKenzie Pass is OPEN to cyclists and vehicles! If you ride, ride safely, and remember rider etiquette.

Check blazinsaddleshub.com/mckenziepass to keep up on the latest information.

🗺 Central Oregon Trail Updates

Check out the amazing Bend Trails Website for the latest reports on local mountain biking trails.

Attention BMC URS Owners 🚨

BMC recently announced a new MTT suspension stem for the URS that will make riding more comfortable on all surfaces. We'd be happy to install one for you!

Read more here.

COTA July Update ⚠️

From COTA Trail News - July:

What's up with all the trail closures?

“There are a bunch of trail closures west of Bend right now. What gives? As explained in this USFS press release, Central Oregon received additional funding to treat more acreage to protect communities from wildfire and increase forest resilience. As a result, we’re seeing more trail closures.

Please respect trail closures! It is critical for safety, and if people don’t, we could lose weekend access. Also, each time an operator has to shut down because someone is in the closed area, the closure lasts that much longer. 

Thanks for your help and patience! For more information, check out the Deschutes Collaborative Forest Project.”

Sisters Chapter Update

“The Sisters Chapter has been busy planning enhancements to Bike Park 242. Heads up that Bike Park 242 will close temporarily sometime this summer while crews reshape the jump lines and make other upgrades. Contact Mark, the Sisters Chapter Representative, here.”

Read COTA's 2021 Annual Report 

“Did you know COTA maintains 500 miles of trails? Or that COTA builds an average of 10 miles of new trail a year? Or that we held 180 work events in 2021--that’s 1 every other day! Check out COTA’s 2021 Annual Report for this info and much more.”

Donate to COTA

Become a COTA Member

Help Build Trails

Oregon Timber Trail Update 🌲

 2022 OLD CASCADE CREST STEWARDSHIP REPORT

“This past Friday through Sunday, the Oregon Timber Trail Association (OTTA) hosted a Willamette Tier stewardship event in partnership with Salem Area Trail Alliance (SATA), Willamette National Forest and Cascade Volunteers. On a rugged section of the Old Cascade Crest trails along the spine of the Oregon Cascades, a group of 29 people and three dogs completed miles of benching and brushing, totaling over 400 hours and valued at $12,000! The terrain is steep and raw, through majestic old growth and high mountain lakes. These grades present their own challenge to keeping a trail open and enjoyable. Constant slough from the hillside above, growth from rhododendron and other vegetation on the sides, and erosion on the downward slope all conspire to narrow the trail significantly over the years. With steep exposure, maintaining a wide and well-graded trail is critical.d valued at $12,000! The terrain is steep and raw, through majestic old growth and high mountain lakes. These grades present their own challenge to keeping a trail open and enjoyable. Constant slough from the hillside above, growth from rhododendron and other vegetation on the sides, and erosion on the downward slope all conspire to narrow the trail significantly over the years. With steep exposure, maintaining a wide and well-graded trail is critical.” Read more here. Check out Old Cascade Crest on Trailforks here (you need to ride here if you haven't).

This Month's Must Watch 🐶 

It all starts with the trail. The crunch of the dirt, the smell of a dewy morning ride, or the feeling of brushing away pebbles with a perfectly timed belly scrub. These are the happy memories of a trail dog’s life well lived. 

Raven is a 13-year-old retired trail dog from Squamish, British Columbia who’s spent countless days frolicking on loamy singletrack beneath towering spruces. Old age has slowed her down, and now Raven happily lies in the driveway, watching dog after dog, and their human, head for the hills. 

Celebrating the joys of mountain biking through the eyes of the trail dog, Raven takes us from her driveway memories in BC to the high deserts of Utah, to freshly cut South African trails and back again. We meet some of the feistiest, four-legged trail personalities along the way, who all enjoy the mountain bike world in their own way, just like us humans do, whether it’s hitting jump lines, lapping through the loam, or setting out to build new trail.

We are crossing all of our fingers and toes the next time you hear from us, Central Oregon doesn't have fewer trees due to wildfire. Please be smart, safe, and watch out for one another. We will get through this.

See you in the shop,

The Blazin Saddles Crew

Live to Ride

Ride to Live