Free Your Inner Maude

OK, well smoke did chase me to the coast for a few days while Jesse was visiting, but this summer (my third living in Oakridge, OR) was the first time I managed to be there from May through October. Starting with my first summer working at the Oakridge Bike Shop my intention was to stay…

I finished up the school year, saw some great music, rode some great trails and now I’m back in Oakridge, Oregon for the 3rd summer in a row. Last summer was so short and culminated in yet another wildfire threatening the town. We are all hopeful that this summer will finally be fire and smoke…

If I were a poet I would tell you about the air so hot and dry my skin cracks and my nose bleeds If I were a poet I would tell you about the wind red sky in morning, they say… hold tight to the tent, my dear If I were a poet I would…

Last weekend I snuck away for a much needed solo bikepacking trip in the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. It was going to rain yet *again* in Santa Barbara and all of our forest roads and trails were still closed from damage following the heavy rain in January. This route developed by Kurt Refsnider is just…

Shocked, I remained on the ground. I had just tripped in camp and fallen backwards onto an eight-inch rock, landing squarely on my sacrum. The pain was excruciating. Was this it? The very first night of our trip and I was going to have to call for an evacuation? Is there any chance I would…

There is a reason I often head to the southern hemisphere in December and January — these long dark nights are for the birds! I know, I know… y’all are like “you live in Santa Barbara, give me a break”. It’s true most of the days here are absolutely perfect and gorgeous for outdoor adventuring….

Alternate title: Will democracy stand? The eve of election day is so incredibly fraught the last six years. Of course, I hoped that with the election of Biden (not my first choice, but still…) and control of the house and senate we would move in a more sensible direction. You know, one where a measurable…

Baby, it’s hot outside! Honestly, September is always my least favorite month in Santa Barbara. If you don’t live in this region you would never expect it, but it’s general the hottest month of the year here. Over Labor Day Weekend Jesse and I were out in 100 degree weather doing this: When Jesse brought…

Hello, I have been writing, but just not here! I just finished an article for The Town Bicycle, a new online magazine focusing on women in bikepacking. Please click here to read it! Thank you and hopefully I’ll be back to (not so) regularly scheduled blogging soon :).

I stopped for the second time on the 1,000 foot climb to rest, this time curling up on the ground in the fetal position beside the road. To put this is in context, when I am touring I often have a 3,000 foot climb for breakfast and another in the afternoon; however, today this mildly…