The Big Lonely

The Big Lonely - October 11 2024

Please read this entire page before registering

 

Unsupported Bikepacking Adventure starts and ends in beautiful beer & bike paradise: Bend, OregonGrand Depart-style event: Ride as fast as you can or as slow as you want, but rely only on yourself and your gearBenefits the Bikepacking Roots BIPOC GrantExplore the diverse and expansive Central Oregon region on two wheelsMix of 30% singletrack, 50% gravel/doubletrack, and 20% paved, scenic bikewayClimb the iconic Mrazek trail in the Skyline Forest, ride along the Metolius and Crooked Rivers, traverse the relentless Ochoco mountains, and descend from an 8000’ volcano & across the high desert on singletrack350+ miles & 25000' of elevation gain with resupply in the unique cities of Sisters, Madras, and Prineville

The route travels through land once held sacred and no longer solely occupied by these indigenous peoples: Northern Paiute, Yahooskin, Tenino, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Molalla, Klamath

 

Course Records:

Men's Solo (Geared): Tom Schwemberger (2022) - 1 Day 4 Hours 53 MinutesWomen's Solo (Geared): Meaghan Hackinen (2022) - 1 Day 9 Hours 35 MinutesMen's Solo (Singlespeed): Maxwell Anderson-Young (2022) - 1 Day 18 Hours 21 MinutesNon-Binary Solo (Geared): Kirill Glushko (2022) - 1 Day 17 Hours 10 MinutesWomen's Solo (Singlespeed): Melissa Byrd (2021) - 2 Days 15 Hours 41 Minutes

Welcome to the Big Lonely 2024. Please read the Adventure Manual because this is not a typical cycling race.

 

Northwest Competitive Adventure is proud to announce that registration has opened for The Big Lonely 2024 Edition. If you’re familiar with the event, you’ll likely notice that our registration process has changed. Since the inception of the race, we have tried to reduce barriers to entry by making The Big Lonely free to compete, inclusive to all athletes, and equally welcoming to seasoned veterans as well as new ultracyclists.

 

Unfortunately, in the last few years, the event has grown significantly and registration has filled within hours of opening. A side effect of the popularity is that prospective riders will register for the race, occupying a place at the start line, and then neither show up nor communicate their inability to attend. Last year, nearly half of the field did not attend the race, which was exceptionally frustrating to the 200+ eager wait-listed riders who would have loved to take their place. We attribute this pre-race attrition to the early-season opening of registration, registration being free for riders, and the lack of a clear process for cancellation. 

 

This year, we have implemented a process for registration. After riders have registered here, they will be required to submit their receipt for their direct donation to Bikepacking Roots within seven days. If this receipt is not submitted within 7 days, registration will be canceled. Once this receipt is acknowledged, riders have a place at the start line unless they need to cancel. 30 days before the race start, riders will receive a link to register for tracking via our partner, FollowMyChallenge. Here, riders will be able to rent a tracker or connect their own tracking device to the service. If tracking registration is not completed within 7 days, your place at the start line will be given to a wait-listed rider. 

 

All of that clarification out of the way, I would love to have you at the start line of The Big Lonely. It is a beautiful, challenging, and incredibly rewarding experience. 

 

Welcome.