What we’re about
Have you ever been the last person in the group ride? Or left behind? Wheezy Riders is THE mountain biking group for people who are looking for a group they can ride with... and not die! This is the group to get outside, have fun, and not feel like you have to prove something.
How we ride: We ride at a "social pace," meaning an average person would be able to talk and ride at the same time. (Though some of us are asthmatic and "average" is a goal we'd love to achieve!) We stop at hilltops to catch our breath and hydrate. We walk up hills or around obstacles if we feel nervous about it. We don't leave people behind. We have fun and encourage each other. We welcome all ages, shapes, and identities. We will cancel or reschedule rides if smoke AQI is 100 or above.
Active times: This group is active May to October/November with AT LEAST 1 ride per month. We have weekday evening rides and weekend rides. Anyone is welcome to host a ride or suggest a place or route–just message Emily and we'll put it on the calendar! Expect rides at Phil's Trail, Peterson Ridge, Maston, and local canal trails.
This group is free to join but tips are appreciated to help with costs for Meetup.com ($300/yr) and stickers. If you want to tip, you can donate via Pledge below, or to the founder's venmo: @emilyamills - Please put Wheezy Riders as the memo!
From the founder, Emily Mills: I moved to Bend in summer 2022 and was eager to get back into mountain biking after a years-long break... but I quickly realized my exercise-induced asthma put me not only in the slow groups, but the very back of the slow groups. I even got left behind on a group ride! I REALLY wanted to participate and make MTB friends, but it was very apparent that I couldn't keep up with the "all skill levels welcome" groups that didn't actually welcome all levels. I just knew there had to be other people who felt the same way as I did, so I founded Wheezy Riders to be a slower-paced group that took breaks and made sure no one would be left behind.
Upcoming events (1)
See all- After Work Friday Ride @ Phil'sPhil's Trailhead Parking Lot, Bend, OR
Join us at Maston for an 11 mile ride! We'll leave promptly at 9am before it gets mega-hot.
Ride facts:- Route: Marvin's Garden to ELV to Phil's, back to the parking area. 8 mile loop. There are a number of hills I know I'll have to stop and catch my breath on! Here's a link to the trailforks map.
- Time: About 1.5 hours.
- Terrain: Packed dirt, some rocky areas.
Please arrive 5-10 minutes before the posted start time. We wait about 5 minutes for stragglers then ride out. If you arrive late, refer to the route info and map and try to catch up!
Bring:- Water
- Fuel: Carbs and sugars are the best mid-ride fuel. Protein is for after!
- Sunscreen
By participating in a group ride you agree to take ownership and liability for yourself and your bike at all times and do not hold accountable Wheezy Riders or any group leader or member. All participants must wear helmets. Ride at your own risk.
