Outside Archives - The Source

Get Involved: National Public Lands Day

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

by Damian Fagan September 18, 2026September 17, 2026

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 […]

Outside 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

by Dallas Finn Calvert September 11, 2026September 15, 2026

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 […]

Outside 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 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 […]

Tommy Ford skis slalom in a black-and-white photo

Outside

Bend Into Balance: Interview with Tommy Ford

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

by Adriana Mariño September 4, 2026September 3, 2026

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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Welcoming Week Celebrates Immigrants, Refugees and Undocumented Central Oregonians

This is the ninth year the City of Bend has partnered with a national coalition to provide cultural and business programming

by Peter Madsen August 31, 2026September 8, 2026

For those who complain that Bend is too vanilla, the City of Bend’s Welcoming Week offers a window into its diverse communities. Now in its ninth year, Welcoming Week showcases the many stripes of Central Oregonians, particularly those who are immigrants, refugees and undocumented residents. Beginning Sept. 10 through Sept. 19, Welcoming Week’s theme is […]

Outside Features

Four People Walk into a Bike Shop

A business consultant and former bike shop employee shares a personality-type crib sheet for meeting customers as they are

by Peter Madsen August 27, 2026August 27, 2026

What bike shop personality type — or, better put, types — are you? I was a little embarrassed when I learned mine. After chatting with former bike shop employee and local business consult Jody Bagno-Dill, I realized that I’m a Performer with — mercifully — a good dose of Producer traits. Let me explain. I’ve […]

Outside

Go Clean Energy Conference Coming in September

Upcoming gathering covers solar power, EVs and other clean energy options

by Damian Fagan August 21, 2026August 20, 2026

It’s appropriate that the Go Clean Energy Conference, slated for Friday, Sept. 18, will be held at the OSU-Cascades Edward J. Ray Hall, because the building is a “North Star” for sustainability. In green building, “North Star” means prioritizing energy efficiency and incorporating sustainable principles in the phases of construction and operations. Hosted by 350 […]

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Where Did Summer Go? Thrilla Cyclocross Series is Nigh

The four-date bicycle race series gives local racers a chance to sharpen up before the mud and rain of later-season ‘cross races

by Peter Madsen August 20, 2026August 21, 2026

In as much as the Cascade Cycling Classic Criterium rings in summer, the Thrilla Cyclocross Series ushers us toward fall. For racers both wholly dedicated and those trying, at long last, to get back into race shape, the four-date bicycle race series is a place to catch up with teammates, heckle friends and, most certainly, […]

Outside Features

Motus Comes to the Crooked River Wetlands

Recently installed antenna will be used to help solve the mystery of migration

by Damian Fagan August 11, 2026August 13, 2026

A newly installed Motus antenna in Prineville’s Crooked River Wetlands will help biologists and the general public better understand the migratory patterns of small wildlife species such as birds, bats, butterflies and dragonflies. “Migration is a mystery in many ways,” said Kalysta “Kaly” Adkins, regional diversity biologist for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. […]

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Annual Midnight Event Creates Excitement in Central Oregon

The Perseid meteor shower continues through Aug. 24

by Julie Furnas August 7, 2026August 7, 2026

One of the most famous meteor showers, the Perseid, is making its annual journey through the skies over Central Oregon. Perseid meteors are unique in that they are very small (the size of a grain of sand or small pebble), very fast and very, very bright. The showers occur in August, making them easy to […]

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