Let’s talk dirty.
The inaugural Bend Dirt Fest, organized by longtime endurance event director Mike Ripley and his company, Mudslinger Events, rolls into town on Friday, July 12, offering a mix of trail running, gravel grinding, and mountain biking fun—with a distinct local vibe.
The Bend Dirt Fest is a spiritual successor to one of Ripley’s most beloved events: The Oregon 24, a 12- and 24-hour mountain bike relay that ran for 15 years and drew up to 500 participants. The event’s magic—riding under stars, shared camaraderie, and community energy—ended abruptly last year when the Forest Service reclaimed the land it was held on.
“It was like my soul got ripped out,” Ripley admits. “Not only was the Oregon 24 my second largest event of the year, but it was also such a phenomenal feeling. But my hope is that we can replicate that vibe and culture with the Bend Dirt Fest.”
That culture includes inclusivity, affordability, and local flavor. Ripley says the Dirt Fest was designed to be “consumable” for Central Oregon residents, who sometimes feel priced out of big summer events. To keep it grounded, he’s offering things like a 1-to-1 volunteer-to-racer swap: “If one person volunteers, a buddy races for free.”
The event is small by design this first year—about 100 to 150 participants total, split between three disciplines: trail running, gravel cycling, and mountain biking. “We didn’t even launch until May,” Ripley says. “So, this is about planting a seed. We know it’ll grow.”
Three Ways to Get Dirty
The Bend Dirt Fest begins and ends at the Athletic Club of Bend, with parking available nearby at OSU Cascades. The event kicks off at 8 a.m., with participants taking on their choice of the following challenges:
- Trail Run (13.1 miles): The half-marathon route winds its way from the ACB onto Haul Road Trail and then through dusty singletrack before looping back to the finish line at the Club.
- Gravel Grinder (55 miles): A mixed-terrain adventure designed for intermediate to advanced riders. Most riders will complete the ride in 3-5 hours and will cruise back to the ACB for the post-ride celebration.
- Mountain Bike Course (36 miles): This one’s a team affair—you’ll need to register with one or two teammates. Riders start on pavement before hitting the westside singletrack. The bikers finish the course on the mountain before coasting home to the ACB for a cool beverage and some live music.
All three races include team categories, with prizes awarded by age group, gender, and team configuration. Creative team names are encouraged, whether you go funky or fierce. Age groups start as young as 10 for runners and 14 for bikers, with brackets extending to 70+.
While the competitive aspect is definitely there, Ripley emphasizes that it’s not just about racing. “There’s nothing like rolling out of bed in Bend and being able to hang out with your friends on the trail,” he says. “That’s basically the concept—even though we’ve got three events going at the same time.”
Ripley is no rookie when it comes to putting on races. Over the past 22 years, he’s grown Mudslinger Events from a grassroots effort into a full calendar of about 15 races a year, staffed by a tight crew of part-timers and supported by a volunteer force of over 700. But for Ripley, who grew up riding bikes in Eugene in the 1970s and now lives in the Willamette Valley with his wife, Andi, it’s about more than a business to him.
“This is my passion,” Ripley says. “I love being on the trail—running, biking, hiking—and connecting people to each other and to the outdoors.”
Come for the Trails, Stay for the Tunes
Spectators are encouraged to walk or bike to the Athletic Club of Bend, where the lower lot will be closed off at 8 a.m. to make space for the festival The trail run will finish live at the ACB, while gravel and mountain bikers will complete their timed segments out in the field, then ride back for a ceremonial finish and celebration with a DJ and a live band.
“This is really a concept event,” Ripley says. “It’s an idea that we hope will flourish. Bend is a great town with great trails and great people. All we’re trying to do is bring them together in a new way.”
Registration for the event closes July 9, and more information, including course maps, start times, and rules, can be found on the Mudslinger Events website.
This article appears in Source Weekly July 3, 2025.
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