The Big Lonely is an unsupported bikepacking adventure starting and ending in beautiful beer & bike paradise, Bend, Oregon…
The Big Lonely shares a name with a 2015 documentary about Michael Nelms, a man, who upon becoming homeless, chose to live in the wilderness of Oregon rather than under a bridge. This event benefits the underserved and vulnerable homeless population of Central Oregon. As athletes, we choose to test the limits of our self-reliance. Let’s ride for those who do not have a choice.
The route is 362 miles long with 25,000′ of elevation gain. It is comprised of approximately 50% gravel & doubletrack, 30% singletrack, and 20% pavement including the Crooked River Scenic Bikeway.