Outside
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Local Teen Chases His Dream of Elite World-Cup Bike Racing 

Chase Riggs is eager to test himself against the world’s best on the World Cup circuit of mountain-bike racing
Avatar photo by Dallas Finn Calvert

Chase Riggs didn’t see the massive crash coming during the 2026 Fox U.S. Open. Thanks to the vitality of youth, the 16-year-old from Bend bounced but didn’t break. He spent several hours in the hospital, undergoing tests and x-rays before getting the all-clear to race in the men’s 15-16 divisional qualifiers for the Monster Energy […]

Posted inNatural World

A First-Timer’s Guide to Mushroom Foraging

Time in the woods at one of Oregon’s many hidden spots
by Kimberly Bowker

We meet for a second date. Since dating in Central Oregon immediately requires a shared seasonal outdoor activity — such as snowshoeing, hiking, or boating — we decide to go camping. Hiking beside an undisclosed river near an equally undisclosed campground (see — I’ve already learned the first rule of Fight Club, err, Forage Club […]

Posted inOutside Features

Bend Into Balance: Ben Dullum

An interview with the athlete whose recent time running the Oregon section of the PCT beat the previous record by 59 hours
by Adriana Mariño

The Oregon section of the Pacific Crest Trail extends along 460 miles parallel to the coast, consisting of an elevation gain and loss of over 65,000 feet, more than twice the height of Mount Everest. Since 2015, the decade-long record for running the length of it sat at 8.5 days, averaging close to 55 miles […]

Posted inOutside

Post-Fire Land Recovery with Native Seeds

Deschutes Basin Native Plant Seedbank offers expertise and native seeds to landowners impacted by wildfires
by Damian Fagan

After devastating wildfires spread across Central Oregon this year, it’s now the post-recovery period for landowners and land managers. Returning the landscape to pre-fire conditions, or better, requires much more than just spreading some seeds. “We’ve been a well-kept secret for 25 years,” said Berta Youtie, restoration ecologist with Eastern Oregon Stewardship Services and secretary/treasurer […]

Posted inOutside Features

Ready to Go? Pack an Emergency Kit for Evacuations and Everything Else

“PPP” for your next pursuit, whether playful or perilous
by Nancy Pietroski

PPP: No, not Pole, Pedal, Paddle. You may have heard the old saw: Prior proper planning prevents piss-poor performance (and profound problems). Be educated and prepared before you embark on any adventure, especially when venturing into this positively pristine land of ours and beyond. Let’s start with The 10 Essentials, which have been around since […]

Posted inNatural World

Get Involved: National Public Lands Day

“Together for Tomorrow” theme invites volunteers to give back to public lands
by Damian Fagan

National Public Lands Day takes on a great significance this year due to the Trump administration’s assault on public lands, endangered species and wild environments, and the release of several executive orders set to derail environmental legislation. Though this national day includes a variety of activities for volunteers to engage in – from trash cleanups […]

Posted inOutside Features

Local Freerider Chases Big Air and Gravity-Defying Tricks  

Arlie Connolly keeps grounded by riding, working out and doing homework, while chasing big-time success in the extreme sport
Avatar photo by Dallas Finn Calvert

Arlie Connolly was 3 years old, whizzing around on training wheels while vacationing at the Oregon coast. He was having a grand time until an older kid blew by him wearing cool bike gloves. He sensed he was missing a crucial biking accessory and told his dad he simply must have his own pair.   “He […]

Posted inOutside Features

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

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 […]

Posted inOutside

Bend Into Balance: Interview with Tommy Ford

Central Oregon Olympic skier talks about learning to ski, injuries and more
by Adriana Mariño

Shortly after learning how to walk, Tommy Ford began skiing at the mere age of two. It was “on the backs of my parents going up the chair” at Mt. Bachelor where he first discovered his life’s passion and vocation that later led him to three Olympic Games, several World Cups and World Championships, and […]

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