Linda English, Author at The Source

Post-Fire Recreating in Central Oregon

Before heading out to ride in a fire-affected area, spend a few minutes doing your homework

by Linda English September 11, 2026September 11, 2026

This summer, those of us who weren’t preparing for an evacuation spent time looking for good pockets of clean air. AQI numbers had a whole new meaning. But now that fall is here, we are left with a patchwork of crispy forests, some closed forest roads and areas that will take years to recover. At Dirty […]

News

Spring Fling in Madras: A Gravel Cycling Paradise. ▶ [With Video]

Say goodbye to winter by riding in this gravel cycling paradise

by Linda English April 12, 2023January 5, 2025

When I first moved to Bend, I thought of Madras as one of the last towns to grab gasoline or coffee on my mad dash to the PDX airport. But now that I’ve logged more than a few miles on a gravel bike in the area, I can tell you Madras offers some of the […]

Outside

Gravel Girl’s Keys to Winter Cycling

For those who love life on two wheels, the winter season doesn’t have to be a bleak one

by Linda English October 12, 2022May 29, 2025

Let’s be honest here; when we talk about winter cycling there are just a handful of us willing to brave the elements. I head out in the worst of winter storms to downhill or cross country ski, but find myself wincing at the thought of snow flurries on a bike. Let me walk you through […]

Outside

Gravel Bike Adventures: Credit Card Tours

Bike adventuring without all the gear

by Linda English June 8, 2022June 24, 2025

Hot showers and a comfortable bed. That’s my idea of camping—so the idea of bikepacking has never been my thing. I see those bikepackers loaded down with all their gear and I wonder how they do it. I figure the first hill above a 4% grade and I would turn around. But what if I […]

Outside

The New World of Bike Racing

10 Barrel’s Riding Solo series ends this week, and it’s been quite a ride

by Linda English November 3, 2021April 13, 2025

It’s 3 pm on a Saturday in June and Molly Cogswell-Kelly was on her second attempt of the mountain bike race called the 10 Barrel Riding Solo Series. She had a week to put in her best time. The race course included Ben’s, Voodoo, Phil’s Trail, KGB and Marvin’s Garden—all part of the Phil’s Trail […]

Outside

Pivoting in the Sporting Events Biz

For Chad Sperry of Breakaway Promotions, the name of the game is asking, “What’s next?”

by Linda English September 1, 2021September 2, 2024

You can’t toss a rock in Central Oregon without landing on a business severely impacted by COVID over the past 18 months. One who knows this story quite well is Chad Sperry, CEO of Breakaway Promotions, a family-run business based in Redmond. In a typical year, Sperry organizes loads of running and cycling events, including the […]

Outside

Taking the Plunge into Gravel E-Biking

Whereas a devout gravel rider tries out an e-bike for a speedy weekend

by Linda English August 4, 2021July 19, 2025

I‘ve cranked more than a few miles over the years on bicycles: road bikes, mountain and my true passion, gravel. I’m not speedy but I can go the distance. I don’t mind rough terrain. I love a long climb and a rippin’ descent. And most of all, I love exploring, especially the backroads of Oregon—even […]

Outside

Winter Gravel Cycling: Routes for Even the Darkest of Days

Oh, you thought cycling season was over for 2020? Nope. Let these awesome Central Oregon gravel routes ignite your love for gravel riding.

Linda EnglishNovember 17, 2020March 12, 2025

With a few extra layers of clothing and some good route selection, you’ll be sneaking in quite a few extra miles

Outside

Gravel Bike Adventures in the Ochoco National Forest

Finding solitude and wide-open spaces, just east of Bend

Linda EnglishMay 20, 2020June 22, 2025

The Ochoco National Forest has a million roads with so few cars that I always give out a big HOWDY wave when they go by. It’s the perfect place for gravel cycling; a recreational paradise. Late spring through mid-summer is my favorite riding time, with loads of wildflowers. We often run into mustangs, deer and […]

Outside

Secrets to Winter Cycling

Looking to sneak in a few miles on a bike this season? This is how to do it

Linda EnglishDecember 11, 2019October 29, 2024

The Village Idiot. That’s exactly what I thought when I saw someone riding a bike in the winter. But once I learned to pile on the right clothes, check the weather and find the right routes, I was able to sneak in a few extra miles during the winter. Miles that don’t include staring at a computer on […]

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