The Big Lonely

The Big LonelyThe Unsupported Bikepacking Adventure begins and concludes in the stunning beer & bike haven of Bend, Oregon. This Grand Depart-style event invites you to push your limits, whether riding at full speed or taking a more leisurely pace, relying solely on your own skills and equipment. The adventure supports the Bikepacking Roots BIPOC Grant and takes you through the diverse and expansive Central Oregon region on two wheels.

The course includes a mix of 30% singletrack, 50% gravel/doubletrack, and 20% paved scenic bikeway. Test your endurance by climbing the iconic Mrazek trail in the Skyline Forest, navigating along the Metolius and Crooked Rivers, traversing the resilient Ochoco mountains, and descending from an 8000’ volcano before crossing the high desert on singletrack. With over 350 miles and an elevation gain of 25,000 feet, you'll resupply in the unique cities of Sisters, Madras, and Prineville.

This route travels through lands that were once sacred and are no longer solely occupied by the Northern Paiute, Yahooskin, Tenino, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Molalla, and Klamath peoples.

Course Records:
- Men's Solo (Geared): Tom Schwemberger - 1 Day 4 Hours 53 Minutes
- Women's Solo (Geared): Meaghan Hackinen - 1 Day 9 Hours 35 Minutes
- Men's Solo (Singlespeed): Maxwell Anderson-Young - 1 Day 18 Hours 21 Minutes
- Non-Binary Solo (Geared): Kirill Glushko - 1 Day 17 Hours 10 Minutes
- Women's Solo (Singlespeed): Melissa Byrd - 2 Days 15 Hours 41 Minutes

We are pleased to open registration for The Big Lonely. Our aim has always been to make this adventure accessible to all athletes, welcoming both seasoned veterans and new ultracyclists alike. Due to the event's growing popularity, new measures have been implemented to ensure a fair registration process. Participants are now required to submit a receipt for their direct donation to Bikepacking Roots within seven days of registering. Failure to do so will result in cancellation. Additionally, 30 days before event start, participants will be prompted to register for tracking via FollowMyChallenge, essential for keeping your place at the start line.

We hope to see you at the start line of The Big Lonely, where you can engage in an amazing, challenging, and incredibly rewarding experience. Welcome, and gear up for the adventure of a lifetime!