Arts, Entertainment and Events, Front Page, Oakridge/Westfir, Outdoors

Big-time organized mountain biking returns to the woods of Oakridge-Westfir after lengthy pandemic

Share this article
oakridge,westfir,sasquatch duro, mountain biking,mudslinger events
A massive throng of mountain bicyclists pedals up Oak Street and onto Westoak Road at the start of Saturday’s Sasquatch Duro event in Oakridge-Westfir. Doug Bates/The Herald

By DOUG BATES/Editor/The Herald — About 250 bicyclists, some from as far away as Europe, gathered in Oakridge’s Uptown district Saturday morning before racing off to the trails and gravel roads of the Willamette National Forest north of town.

Sasquatach Duro,Oakridge,Westfir,Mudslinger Events,mountain biking,trail map
Maps posted near the starting line on East First Street showed the three optional routes Sasquatch Duro entrants could choose from. Doug Bates/The Herald

The event, called the Sasquatch Duro, marked the return of major mountain bicycle competition to Oakridge-Westfir after nearly a year and a half of cancellations because of COVID-19. The sponsors of Saturday’s spirited scramble, Mudslinger Events LLC, based in Monroe, said 270 cyclists registered for the Sasquatch Duro but there were about 20 no-shows, probably because of heavy rains in the area on Friday, the day before the event.

Saturday’s weather, however, was described as “perfect” by the organizers — mild, partly sunny and without a drop of rain.

The word “Duro” in the event’s moniker is cyclist slang for “severe.” But the scores of impressively fit-looking athletes who jammed East First Street between Pine and Cedar streets prior to the event Saturday morning looked quite up to the task.

At precisely 8:30 a.m., Officer James Cleavenger of the Oakridge Police Department sounded the siren of his patrol car, then led the pedaling throng to Oak Street and then onto Westoak Road. From there, cyclists had three competitive options in the nearby woods:

oakridge,westfir,mountain biking,sasquatch duro,time transmitters
At the starting gate at East First and Pine streets, each Sasquatch Duro entrant was issued a device that would transmit their start and finish times. Doug Bates/The Herald

“Little Squatch” — about 32 miles with 2,576 feet of elevation.

“Big Squatch” — about 59 miles with 6,522 feet of elevation.

“Monster Squatch” — about 84 miles with 9,420 feet of elevation.

Oakridge businesses including Willamette Mountain Mercantile and Cog Wild bicycle shuttles provided services for the Duro participants, many of whom stayed in Oakridge-Westfir the nights before and after the event, said Mike Ripley of Monroe, the event director. Entrants received food vouchers that could be redeemed at five different dining establishments in Oakridge and Westfir.

The Mudslinger Events group brought the Sasquatch Duro to Oakridge-Westfir in 2018 and 2019 but had to cancel it in 2020 because of the pandemic. Very few face masks were evident among participants Saturday, and Ripley estimated that more than 90 percent of them had been vaccinated.

Ripley said the event is part fund-raiser. “We’re going to help out Michelle Emmons and the Alpine Trail Crew Association,” he said.

Michelle Emmons McPharlin of Oakridge, an avid mountain bicyclist, is a founding board member of the trail steward organization.

“The world of gravel cycling is exploding,” Ripley said, and Oakridge-Westfir is at the center of it because of the vast network of gravel roads built during the heyday of logging in the Northwest. About 65 to 70 percent of the Sasquatch Duro competition was on gravel, he said.

 

+ posts

📣 Support Your Local News Publication: Donate to Highway 58 Herald! 📣

The Highway 58 Herald is your trusted source for all things local, from community events to breaking news. But we need your help to keep delivering the stories that matter most to you. Your generous donation ensures we can continue providing in-depth reporting and vibrant coverage of our community.

Every dollar helps us maintain high-quality journalism and keep you informed. Please consider making a donation today and support the voice of our community. Donate today!

Thank you for helping us keep Highway 58 Herald strong and vibrant!

Comments are closed.

Saxon Insurance Medicare Advantage Plans Oakridge Oregon
Lane County Libraries The Power of Partnership throughout Lane County Oregon

graphic: Classifieds

GARAGE SALE: Tell folks about your upcoming garage sale here.

LANDSCAPING SERVICES:  It’s that time of year.  Let everyone know what services you have to offer.

JOB OPENINGS: Need to let the community know that you need help. Post your job openings here.

 

OFFICE SERVICES AVAILABLE:  Copying, Scanning, Emailing & Faxing Services are now available at The Herald’s office in Oakridge.
CLICK HERE for details.

graphic: Classified Ad Posting is Now Available - For Sale • Help Wanted • Landscaping • Rentals • Homes for sale • Repairs • Remodeling • and More! - Post your classified ad with us today.

Follow H58H on Social Media

The calendar is temporarily disabled due to a rendering error. Please reload the page.