Advertise on podcast: DF Connection

Situated directly within the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon, the field station is a nonprofit educational facility and friendly lodging basecamp for travelers, scientists, families, and gravel cyclists. Our guest Elizabeth Basa, Executive Director of the Malheur Field Station discusses about the historic roots of the 30-building campus and her current work to revitalize it into a community hub for science, nature, arts, and wellness. The Malheur Field Station offers accommodations for lodging, dormitories, dining hall, and gathering spaces for individuals or groups up to 75. It is accessible to the Steens Mountains and the Alvord Desert. The campus is a point for stargazing, birding, gravel cycling, and educational opportunities. About the Guest: Elizabeth Basa is the Executive Director of Malheur Field Station. Her background includes K-12 science education as a middle and high school teacher, extensive work in curriculum design, and founding a social enterprise serving families in the Chicagoland area. Ways to Get Involved: Opportunities to support the station through stays, financial or material donations, bike fleet donations, and subscribing to their monthly e-newsletter. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MalheurFieldStation Website: www.malheurfieldstation.org Newsletter: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/newsletter-form/subscribe-to-get-notified-about-new-events-1398 ------------------------------------------------- This podcast is produced by Dirty Freehub, a nonprofit organization that publishes hand-curated (and great!) gravel cycling Ride Guides. Our mission is to connect gravel cyclists to where they ride through stories about culture, history, people, places, and lands with the hope that they will become involved as advocates, volunteers, or donors with organizations that protect and preserve recreation spaces. Our Podcast Channel  / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Connection ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Our Ride Guides / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dirty Freehub⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Our Ask / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate⁠⁠

In 2017, a mountain biking crash on Moab's Porcupine Rim left Skye Chaney with a spinal cord injury, seven broken ribs, and a fractured sternum. In this episode, Skye takes us from that first ride back on an adaptive mountain bike to the gravel roads of Central Oregon and beyond, tracing a path that's carried him through Whistler, Arizona, Jackson Hole, Whitefish, and his home trails in Bend. We talk about what it actually takes to dial in an adaptive setup for gravel-specific riding, how he made the jump from mountain biking to gravel, and the moment — mid-mechanical, mid-storm, or mid-nowhere — when a ride goes sideways and you have to problem-solve your way home. Skye is candid about cycling being a different way into the same things every rider chases — freedom, challenge, speed, dirt, grit, and a good day outside. For anyone standing at the edge of gravel riding, wondering if it's for them, Skye has a straightforward answer: just try. We close out talking about what's next on his list — new routes, new events, and the trails still calling his name. ------------------------------------------------- This podcast is produced by Dirty Freehub, a nonprofit organization that publishes hand-curated (and great!) gravel cycling Ride Guides. Our mission is to connect gravel cyclists to where they ride through stories about culture, history, people, places, and lands with the hope that they will become involved as advocates, volunteers, or donors with organizations that protect and preserve recreation spaces. Our Podcast Channel  / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Connection ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Our Ride Guides / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dirty Freehub⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Our Ask / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate⁠⁠

This podcast episode features National Park Service experts discussing the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, a federal law passed in 1968 to protect natural waterways. To earn this designation, a river must remain free-flowing and possess at least one outstandingly remarkable value, such as unique geology, wildlife, or cultural history. While Oregon leads the nation in these protected miles, such rivers exist across 41 states and provide vital benefits like clean drinking water, recreational opportunities, and historical preservation. Speakers Corita K. Waters is a River Partnerships Specialist with the National Park Service and co-leads the Interagency Wild and Scenic Rivers Council which works through collaborative partnerships to actively advance Wild and Scenic River awareness and protection. An avid boater and swimmer, Corita also works to provide ’s tools for people to access to their local rivers for recreation and enjoyment. Corita has a degree in Biology and Environmental Studies from St. Mary’s College of Maryland and works in Washington, DC.  Susan Rosebrough serves as Team Lead for the National Park Service’s Hydropower Assistance Program where she coordinates program planning nationwide and supports NPS interests in multiple Federal Energy Regulatory Commission licensing proceedings. Susan represents Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Nevada, and Hawaii, as co-representative to the NPS Wild and Scenic River Steering Committee providing technical assistance to parks on wild and scenic river planning and water resource project evaluation. Susan holds an M.S. in Water Resources Engineering from the University of Washington. In her free time, she enjoys exploring our public lands and waters by hiking, biking, paddle boarding, and sea kayaking.  Learn more Oregon | Rivers.gov (rivers.gov/Oregon) National Park Service National Park Week ------------------------------------------------- This podcast is produced by Dirty Freehub, a nonprofit organization that publishes hand-curated (and great!) gravel cycling Ride Guides. Our mission is to connect gravel cyclists to where they ride through stories about culture, history, people, places, and lands with the hope that they will become involved as advocates, volunteers, or donors with organizations that protect and preserve recreation spaces. Our Podcast Channel  / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Connection ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Our Ride Guides / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dirty Freehub⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Our Ask / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate⁠⁠

In this podcast episode, Dr. Kim Ely aka the "Rock Doc" discusses the geological origins and unique features of Wolf Rock, a massive volcanic monolith located in the Willamette National Forest. As the largest monolith in Oregon, this site represents the eroded core of an ancient volcano that existed long before the modern High Cascades formed. The discussion highlights the rock's distinctive wolf-like shape, its sheer 700-foot cliffs, and its popularity among adventurous rock climbers. Despite its impressive scale, the landmark remains largely secluded due to its remote location and the lack of traditional hiking infrastructure. Dr. Ely also explains how tectonic shifts millions of years ago ended volcanic activity in the region, leaving behind resilient structures that survived through eras of glacial erosion. ------------------------------------------------- This podcast is produced by Dirty Freehub, a nonprofit organization that publishes hand-curated (and great!) gravel cycling Ride Guides. Our mission is to connect gravel cyclists to where they ride through stories about culture, history, people, places, and lands with the hope that they will become involved as advocates, volunteers, or donors with organizations that protect and preserve recreation spaces. Our Podcast Channel  / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Connection ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Our Ride Guides / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dirty Freehub⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Our Ask / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate⁠⁠

This podcast episode features a discussion with a Geological Survey and Services Program Manager Jason D. McClaughry regarding the unique characteristics of the Wildcat Mountain Caldera in Oregon. A caldera is described as a massive volcanic depression formed when a volcano collapses into its own emptied magma chamber. Unlike famous landmarks like Crater Lake, the Wildcat Mountain Caldera is approximately 41.8 million years old, meaning its circular shape has been hidden by millions of years of erosion. The experts use a puzzle analogy to explain how mapping and data collection allow geologists to reconstruct the history of these ancient, invisible landscapes. For more reading: DOGAMI Bulletin 108, Geology of the North Half of the Lower Crooked River Basin, Crook, Deschutes, Jefferson, and Wheeler Counties, Oregon, by Jason D. McClaughry, Mark L. Ferns, and Caroline L. Gordon; https://pubs.oregon.gov/dogami/B/B108/p-B-108.htm. This map and report fully describes the geology and geologic history of the Wildcat Mountain caldera. Published in 2021.Field trip guide to the middle Eocene Wildcat Mountain Caldera, Ochoco National Forest, Crook County, Oregon, by Jason D. McClaughry, Caroline L. Gordon, and Mark L. Ferns Ore Bin / Oregon Geology magazine / journal. Published in 2009.------------------------------------------------- This podcast is produced by Dirty Freehub, a nonprofit organization that publishes hand-curated (and great!) gravel cycling Ride Guides. Our mission is to connect gravel cyclists to where they ride through stories about culture, history, people, places, and lands with the hope that they will become involved as advocates, volunteers, or donors with organizations that protect and preserve recreation spaces. Our Podcast Channel  / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Connection ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Our Ride Guides / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dirty Freehub⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Our Ask / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate⁠⁠

In this podcast episode from Dirty Freehub, conservation expert Skyler Vold describes the greater sage grouse as a foundational and visually striking bird of the Western United States. These birds are sagebrush obligates, meaning they depend entirely on that specific habitat for food and shelter, even thriving on toxic plants during harsh winters. However, their survival is currently threatened by massive wildfires, the spread of invasive grasses, and the encroachment of juniper trees. Because they function as an umbrella species, protecting the sage grouse ensures the stability of the broader ecosystem and numerous other animals that share their home. This discussion emphasizes that monitoring these birds provides essential data on the overall environmental condition of the Oregon high desert. ODFW’s State Wildlife Action Plan: https://swap.oregon.gov/ ------------------------------------------------- This podcast is produced by Dirty Freehub, a nonprofit organization that publishes hand-curated (and great!) gravel cycling Ride Guides. Our mission is to connect gravel cyclists to where they ride through stories about culture, history, people, places, and lands with the hope that they will become involved as advocates, volunteers, or donors with organizations that protect and preserve recreation spaces. Our Podcast Channel  / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Connection ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Our Ride Guides / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dirty Freehub⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Our Ask / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate⁠⁠

In this episode of The Connection podcast, Jennifer Ware-Kempcke discusses her artistic journey and her collaboration with Dirty Freehub to create the cover art for the Deschutes River Basin gravel cycling guidebook. As a dedicated watercolorist and teacher, Jennifer explains how her work is deeply inspired by the natural landscapes and shifting light of Central Oregon. She details her preference for versatile techniques, ranging from photorealism to abstract styles, while emphasizing her constant drive to experiment with new mediums like pastels and oils. The conversation explores the technical challenges of commissioned work and the history of plein air painting, which involves capturing scenes directly outdoors. Jennifer also highlights her commitment to the local art community by teaching classes and exhibiting her pieces in various regional galleries. Ultimately, the source illustrates the powerful connection between outdoor recreation, environmental storytelling, and visual art.

This podcast excerpt features an interview with ecologist Martha Brabec of Boise Parks and Recreation regarding the impact of goatheads, an invasive and noxious weed common in the American West. These plants are notorious for producing sharp, puncture-prone seeds that frequently damage bicycle tires and reduce local biodiversity. Brabec explains that because goatheads are annuals, they can be effectively managed if individuals learn to identify them, pull them by the root, and dispose of them in the trash. https://www.facebook.com/Boiseparksandrecreation/ https://www.instagram.com/boiseparksandrecreation/ https://www.cityofboise.org/departments/parks-and-recreation/open-space/weed-warriors/ ------------------------------------------------- This podcast is produced by Dirty Freehub, a nonprofit organization that publishes hand-curated (and great!) gravel cycling Ride Guides. Our mission is to connect gravel cyclists to where they ride through stories about culture, history, people, places, and lands with the hope that they will become involved as advocates, volunteers, or donors with organizations that protect and preserve recreation spaces. Our Podcast Channel  / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Connection ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Our Ride Guides / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dirty Freehub⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Our Ask / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate⁠⁠

In this episode, we sit down with David Shaw, a Professor Emeritus in the College of Forestry at Oregon State University, to explore the fascinating ecology and management of Oregon's dwarf mistletoe. While heavy infestations can deform trees by creating massive, dense branch structures known as "witches' brooms"—which can sometimes grow larger than a van—Shaw explains why these plants are actually crucial drivers of forest biodiversity. Learn how these unique structural formations provide vital nesting habitats for wildlife like the spotted owl, and how the mistletoe's aerial shoots act as the sole food source for the caterpillars of the Johnson's and Thicket hairstreak butterflies. ------------------------------------------------- This podcast is produced by Dirty Freehub, a nonprofit organization that publishes hand-curated (and great!) gravel cycling Ride Guides. Our mission is to connect gravel cyclists to where they ride through stories about culture, history, people, places, and lands with the hope that they will become involved as advocates, volunteers, or donors with organizations that protect and preserve recreation spaces. Our Podcast Channel  / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Connection ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Our Ride Guides / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dirty Freehub⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Our Ask / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate⁠⁠

In this episode, we’re joined by Sire Pro from the Coos History Museum to explore how the timber industry built Coos Bay from the ground up. Towering forests and deep-water ports shaped more than just the landscape of Coos Bay—they shaped an entire community. We dive into the early 20th-century boom that fueled the local economy, the key events and figures that defined Coos Bay’s timber trade, and the technological advances that transformed logging and milling along Oregon’s South Coast. Sire also unpacks the environmental challenges that came with large-scale logging, how those impacts were addressed over time, and the role Coos Bay played in the broader Pacific Northwest timber industry. Bonus: Sire also shares about myrtlewood wooden coin. Coos History Museum: cooshistory.org Image Credit: Coos History Museum ------------------------------------------------- This podcast is produced by Dirty Freehub, a nonprofit organization that publishes hand-curated (and great!) gravel cycling Ride Guides. Our mission is to connect gravel cyclists to where they ride through stories about culture, history, people, places, and lands with the hope that they will become involved as advocates, volunteers, or donors with organizations that protect and preserve recreation spaces. Our Podcast Channel  / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Connection ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Our Ride Guides / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dirty Freehub⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Our Ask / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate⁠⁠

In this episode we sit down with Rick Marshall, a retired Army Major, veteran, and cyclist, for an honest conversation about living with PTSD and finding moments of calm on two wheels. This isn’t a story about fixing trauma or pushing through pain. It’s about learning, over time, how movement, solitude, and nature can offer connection and relief. This episode is especially for combat veterans—and for anyone who loves and supports them. ------------------------------------------------- This podcast is produced by Dirty Freehub, a nonprofit organization that publishes hand-curated (and great!) gravel cycling Ride Guides. Our mission is to connect gravel cyclists to where they ride through stories about culture, history, people, places, and lands with the hope that they will become involved as advocates, volunteers, or donors with organizations that protect and preserve recreation spaces. Our Podcast Channel  / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Connection ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Our Ride Guides / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dirty Freehub⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Our Ask / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate⁠⁠

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with David Dietz — a passionate Bend, Oregon cyclist navigating life and the road with Parkinson’s Disease. David shares how he first fell in love with riding and what his cycling routine looks like today. David shares about the learning curve of adapting his riding style, listening to his body, and finding what truly works for him on and off the bike. This conversation is honest, empowering, and full of wisdom for anyone facing physical challenges, anyone who loves cycling, or anyone seeking stories of resilience. ------------------------------------------------- This podcast is produced by Dirty Freehub, a nonprofit organization that publishes hand-curated (and great!) gravel cycling Ride Guides. Our mission is to connect gravel cyclists to where they ride through stories about culture, history, people, places, and lands with the hope that they will become involved as advocates, volunteers, or donors with organizations that protect and preserve recreation spaces. Our Podcast Channel  / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Connection ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Our Ride Guides / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dirty Freehub⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Our Ask / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate⁠⁠

Jim Sipe is an avid cyclist and writer who shares about his journey living and riding with Type 1 diabetes. Today, he offers a personal look into how he prepares, adapts, and stays safe while pursuing a sport he loves. Whether you live with Type 1 diabetes, love long-distance rides, or enjoy hearing real stories from the road, this episode offers a grounded, honest look at one cyclist’s personal journey—inspiring all of us mile after mile. You can find and follow Jim here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetasteofprogress/Blog: https://thetasteofprogress.com Featured post for this episode: https://thetasteofprogress.com/2025/09/16/type-1-diabetes-cyclist/# Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/jim_sipe ------------------------------------------------- This podcast is produced by Dirty Freehub, a nonprofit organization that publishes hand-curated (and great!) gravel cycling Ride Guides. Our mission is to connect gravel cyclists to where they ride through stories about culture, history, people, places, and lands with the hope that they will become involved as advocates, volunteers, or donors with organizations that protect and preserve recreation spaces. Our Podcast Channel  / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Connection ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Our Ride Guides / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dirty Freehub⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Our Ask / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate⁠⁠

A blend of history and ecological restoration, Camp Polk Meadows Preserve is a thriving haven for fish, wildlife, and native species thanks to years of dedicated restoration. In this episode, we learn about the unique challenges of balancing conservation with public access, history of the site, and how the Deschutes Land Trust and the local community work together to restore habitats. More Info on Deschutes Land Trust: deschuteslandtrust.org ------------------------------------------------- This podcast is produced by Dirty Freehub, a nonprofit organization that publishes hand-curated (and great!) gravel cycling Ride Guides. Our mission is to connect gravel cyclists to where they ride through stories about culture, history, people, places, and lands with the hope that they will become involved as advocates, volunteers, or donors with organizations that protect and preserve recreation spaces. Our Podcast Channel  / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Connection ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Our Ride Guides / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dirty Freehub⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Our Ask / ⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate⁠⁠

Whale Watching on the Oregon Coast invites gravel cyclists and nature lovers to discover the magic of whale migrations along one of the most scenic coastlines in the U.S. This episodes shares about how to connect with the whales, best seasons for sightings, and unusual whale mortality events as well as how we can help the whale population as cyclists. This episode was produced from a live conversation between our guest Michael Milstein of NOAA and Dirty Freehub. We’ve shaped the interview into this format so it’s easier to listen and enjoy, while keeping the guest’s ideas and perspective at the center. ------------------------------------------------- This podcast is produced by Dirty Freehub, a nonprofit organization that publishes hand-curated (and great!) gravel cycling Ride Guides. Our mission is to connect gravel cyclists to where they ride through stories about culture, history, people, places, and lands with the hope that they will become involved as advocates, volunteers, or donors with organizations that protect and preserve recreation spaces. Our Podcast Channel  / ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Connection ⁠⁠⁠⁠ Our Ride Guides / ⁠⁠⁠⁠Dirty Freehub⁠⁠⁠⁠ Our Ask / ⁠⁠⁠Donate⁠⁠