COTA
Posted inOpinion

E-Bikes are Coming to Bend Area Trails. It Seemed Only a Matter of Time.

With a new user group comes a new opportunity to support local trail maintenance and education
by The Source Editorial Board

When e-bikes began to enter the mountain bike scene, trail users were concerned. Getting out into the forest in this way was inherently an activity that required committment — and anyway, wouldn’t those fast new bikes ruin the trails, and add more congestion in our already crowded network? Those were just some of the assumptions […]

Posted inNews

We <3 Trails

A look ahead into what’s next for some of our trails in Central Oregon
Avatar photo Isaac Biehl

Raise your hand if you’ve used one of Central Oregon’s trails. Now keep reading if you plan to use them again. The High Desert is home to a variety of trails for all types of things—biking, walking, running, snowshoeing and more. As the community continues to grow, it’s important that these trails continue to evolve […]

Posted inOutside

What’s new in Redmond trail riding

In honor of the Redmond Issue, here’s an update on the trails in or near Redmond
Avatar photo Nicole Vulcan

Volunteers from Central Oregon Trail Alliance are the heroes who keep the local trails maintained—and who also build new trails for riders to enjoy. In honor of the Redmond Issue, here’s an update on the trails in or near Redmond, courtesy of Bob Gilbert, COTA’s Redmond chapter representative: “Our current focus is on the new […]

Posted inOutside

East Trails Project Off and Running

Madras COTA chapter creating multi-use trails for just about everyone, and every skill level
Chris Miller

The land east of Madras is sparsely covered with juniper trees, sage and other desert plants. It’s great habitat if you’re a sage grouse, but maybe not the best place to create a biking trail system—at least to the untrained eye. But, according to Central Oregon Trail Alliance’s Brennan Morrow, the dirt is primo for […]

Posted inOutside

Trail Lovers Unite

The Deschutes Trails Coalition is partnering up to foster a future of sustainable trails in C.O.
Chris Miller

It’s a group you may not have heard of, but if you love the trails in the Deschutes National Forest—and in Central Oregon—it’s a group to have on your radar. Formed about two and a half years ago, the Deschutes Trails Coalition is a partnership of environmental groups, the outdoor industry and trail stewardship organizations […]

Posted inNews

Big Things at Big Sky Park

The park’s updated Master Plan calls for off-road cycling, a radio-controlled car area, expanded parking and more
Chris Miller

Cycling enthusiasts will soon have the chance to ride a new bike park on Bend’s east side—but first, riders may want to kick in some funds. The park is scheduled to open in the fall of 2019 at Bend Park and Recreation District’s Big Sky Park, though park officials say they’re a bit short on […]

Posted inOutside

Growing Pains

How not to be a d#*k: Reminders for visitors, area noobs and hardened locals
David Sword

Bend is getting more popular every day. A study of Deschutes County by Portland State University found that, on average, the city of Bend is growing at a rate of 4 percent per decade. The current population sits at 94,520, according to the most recent U.S. Census estimates. Remember when there was only one Thai […]

Posted inOpinion

Letters 5/18-5/25

The Source Staff

Single Track Trail Riding Etiquette It seems to me that trail riding etiquette needs to be emphasized, now that single track bikers are out in number. This issue becomes all the more important as the lower trails become seasonally crowded, but the same issues apply to the upper trails. I ride at an intermediate plus […]

Posted inNews

Be Cool: Trail etiquette reminders from COTA

Avatar photo James Williams

Last night, at the Bend Bicycle Film Festival (which was awesome and well-attended), COTA rolled out its “Trail Love,” campaign… The Central Oregon Trail Alliance is an important group; it keeps our trails in tip-top shape. Those trees blown over by winter storms and blocking trails? They don’t move themselves—thank COTA. Those blown-out corners on […]

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