A tourism trifecta: bikes, buses, and yes, more bikes

By GEORGE CUSTER/Editor  —  The bees may be buzzing during this early part of summer, but they can’t compare with the amount of out-of-towners that are buzzing around Oakridge and Westfir this weekend. Three large recreation events have filled these two cities to the brim: The Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder, The Bus Fair, and Mountain Bike Oregon.

I found myself short of available reporters to cover the action that manifested literally overnight. These events needed to be covered, however. So, I hit the road early. Well, it was early for me anyway. My first stop was the Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder event being staged at the east end of Greenwaters Park.

I asked a gentleman who was cutting vegetables in the outdoor kitchen where I could find a spokesperson? He pointed me toward a canopy that was emblazoned with the organization’s name. There I was introduced to Sarah Stokes. She said that she was not the head person. I had her cornered, though, so she relented and gave me all the details about the Gravel Grinder event.

Five days of grinding it out

Sarah explained that the Gravel Grinder is a four-event series that stretches across the western states. The Oregon Trail race is so named because the riders follow much of the historic trails that brought the original settlers over the Cascades to Oakridge and points west. Many people locally know this section as the Lost Wagon Train trail. The riders that would compete in Saturday’s race are called pioneers. That portion of the circuit will have them ride from Oakridge to LaPine. It’s about ninety miles with a total elevation climb of about 10,000′ overall.

Sarah further mentioned that the five days of racing covers around 350 miles with elevation climbs in the tens-of-thousands. Each section of the race is designed to be completed in a day. The entrance fee includes all meals, tents and gear portage that is packed up and moved to each location and is erected and waiting for the riders as they come into camp. Also, along each race segment the participants are provided snacks and water. The courses have been prepped to ensure that medical teams can access any portion of the trail should it be needed.

“Another part of the Oregon Trail that truly incredible is that you go from the high desert of Oregon to the alpine lakes, to the temperate rain forest of Oakridge and back down and into the desert.” Sarah said. ” It’s an experience that you really don’t get anywhere else in the country.”

On to the Bus Fair

At least it was convenient for me to walk from the Gravel Grinder event over to the Bus Fair. It was an encampment of over two dozen “schoolies” covering the west half of the park. Schoolies is the term that these inventive and creative people use to describe their school buses-turned-mobile houses. Not quite an RV – all of them are custom built by converting old school buses. Certainly not a trailer – they’re self-propelled. All very unique in style and livability. Lots of pride of craftsmanship was on display this weekend.

I was immediately ambushed by Vanessa Tharp at the entrance to the event. Vanessa is spokesperson and all-around organizer assistant to Brock Butterfield, owner of Bus Life Adventure, creator of the Bus Fair. Vanessa happily informed me that the event has several aspects to it. Though the schoolies formed the core of the fair, there is music, food, and arts and craft vendors,  and educational seminars. She said, “There is an expo where you can go and explore (the buses).”

Campers are invited to “Linger Longer”

Ms. Tharp explained that there is VIP camping and regular camping throughout the weekend. Brock also had the idea for additional camping/parking after the Bus Fair inside the Oakridge Industrial Park. The idea behind the “Linger Longer” concept was to allow those people who may want to stay a few extra days in Oakridge.

While walking amongst  the schoolies, I had the opportunity to speak with Kelly and Hollie Darden, both school teachers in Dufur, Oregon. “This is our first event and we are loving everything.” Kelly said. The bus, that is now their schoolie is the same bus, that for many years, hauled many of the Darden’s school teams to various event.

Now I hop across town to MBO in Westfir

Melanie Fisher was my first contact upon crossing the Office Covered Bridge in Westfir to the Portal. Though Melanie lives in Bend, she has been a part of Mountain Bike Oregon for years, indicating that she drove shuttle busses in the past.

Mountain Bike Oregon, or MBO as it’s known as, has been holding this three-day event for nearly two decades. The organizers provide for a total mountain bike riding experience. All the big names in mountain bikes and equipment have booths set up inside the enclave that is the old Hines Lumber Company land.

The Westfir Portal is so named because of its proximity to the world-class, nine-mile Alpine Trail.

As Melanie further explained, MBO is meant to be a total experience for the riders. Shuttle services throughout the day affords riders flexibility in choosing when they want to ride and where. Though MBO provides breakfast and lunch, Local food carts and vendors are ready to augment meals in the evenings. “It’s like adult summer camp in a way” Fisher added. Camping is spread throughout the old mill site.

Randy Drieling, the event’ founder, started a mini bike race that’s still a big draw as part of the activities on Saturday evening.

MBO: A legacy event

Daniella Crowder, the current owner and director of MBO, took a few minutes out to speak with me. Daniella and her husband Elliot purchased MOBO for Randy in 2019. She readily announced that there are 444 people registered and on-site. The Crowders live in Newport. The two run a mountain bike events company that does events all over Oregon. The Crowders have also owned a bike shop in Newport for over eighteen years. “I hire one van from each of the local shuttle companies,” said Daniella.

During my interview with Daniella, she was constantly being paged by her staff. “Boss lady” is her call sign that comes over the walkie talkies from the various support personnel.

Casey Miller from Newport took a few minutes to chat about his experience at MBO. Miller has a twelve-year old son who is signed up for the mountain biking clinics. Mr. Miller is a county commissioner for Lincoln County.

I  caught Alex, Ben, and Jerimiah under the shade of a tree at the trails end near the parking lot. This was Jerimiah’s

first experience at MBO. Alex and Ben are both two year veterans of the event. All three riders hail from Bend. When asked, they said that they had just completed their first run – The epic Alpine Trail. They all agreed that the bus up the mountain gives you that social bit, and then there’s the beer garden afterwards.