The Big Lonely is an unsupported bikepacking adventure starting and ending in beautiful beer & bike paradise, Bend, Oregon…
Begin your adventure in beer & bike paradise: Bend, Oregon. Riders will start the race by climbing the iconic Mrazek mountain bike trail through the Skyline Forest to majestic views of the Central Oregon Cascades and then descending on forest roads and singletrack to the Western-style town of Sisters. Beyond Sisters, the route travels north through the deep canyons of Lake Billy Chinook and then turns east toward the relentless Ochoco Mountains.
After resupplying in Prineville, riders are treated to a gentle paved ride along the Crooked River Scenic Bikeway. Some of the most challenging riding awaits as riders face a dry 110 mile desert segment that separates them from the finish. Once the Newberry Caldera Rim has been crested and the subalpine rim trail conquered, a fast and fun 30 mile mountain bike trail (with nearly 3000 feet of descending) brings riders back to Bend where they finish atop Pilot Butte.
This event is the primary annual fundraiser for the Adventure Access Fund, a non-profit organization which provides financial resources, education, and equipment to new and prospective BIPOC adventurers.
350 Miles // 25000 Feet Elevation Gain
30% Singletrack // 50% Gravel Road // 20% Pavement