The promotion of bikepacking in Oregon just went up another notch.
Colorado-based New Belgium Brewing Company — the eighth largest brewery in America — now offers a $300, three-day ride through rural, unpaved backroads of eastern Oregon. The Oregon Ramble (June 8-11) is one of three “Ramble Rides” the company offers (along with title sponsor Blackburn, a maker of racks, bags and other accessories).
Here’s the teaser from New Belgium’s website:
“Kick Off The Ramble Ride Trio With A Three-day Cruise Through Central Oregon. A fun and challenging fully-supported bikepacking adventure through Central Oregon’s scenic Ochoco mountains and the Painted Hills.
With snow in the higher elevations, we’re choosing a stunning route through Central Oregon. Following the Central Oregon Backcountry Explorer route pioneered by Sarah Swallow. We’ll be starting in Prineville, OR and looping over three days through 150 miles of the Ochoco Mountains and the John Day River Basin.”
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You can learn all the details at Bikepacking.com. You’ll note that the route shares a few miles with the Oregon Outback route outside of Prineville. But what the Ramble doesn’t share with the Outback is the need to carry all your own stuff. This is a fully supported ride — meaning you don’t have to schlep everything. That’s likely to please some and irk purists.
The whole ride is fully catered and camp is “fully stocked thanks to New Belgium Brewing.” Also note the ride is limited to 50 people. You can learn more and register here.
With the massive success and popularity of the Oregon Outback and the soon-to-be legendary Oregon Timber Trail on the horizon (with detailed GPS route map likely to be released in May), and numerous other routes and rides, Oregon is becoming one of the premier bikepacking destinations in country.
— Jonathan Maus: (503) 706-8804, @jonathan_maus on Twitter and jonathan@bikeportland.org
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