Feature

Hikes, Bikes & Baseball Guide

The crack of the bat will herald a new season as the boys of summer retake the field at Vince Genna Stadium.

Play Ball! Bend Elks Baseball is Back

Bend Elks open the 2021 season June 3

By Damian Fagan

In the film, “Bull Durham,” Annie Savoy, played by Susan Sarandon, says, “Walt Whitman once said, ‘I see great things in baseball. It’s our game, the American game. It will repair our losses and be a blessing to us.’ You could look it up.”

For those who attend the Church of Baseball, this statement gets an amen— even if it is only a paraphrase of what Whitman really said.

“Even though it will be a little bit different, we are really excited to bring baseball back to Bend this summer,” said Kelsie Hirko, the Bend Elks’ marketing and sales manager, as well as operating owner (she’s married to General Manager Michael Hirko).

After last year’s cancellation of the Bend Elks Baseball Club’s season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, baseball returns to Vince Genna Stadium this summer, like sunshine after a summer storm. The Elks will open their season on Thursday, June 3, hosting the NW Star Academy before hitting the road to take on the Ridgefield Raptors.

“We are going through a lot of preparations, getting the field ready to play on and cleaning the kitchens, as well as figuring out social distancing and how to block seats or rows,” said Hirko. “We are also working directly with the State to have a COVID-conscious plan for every game day and getting that approved by the Oregon Health Authority.” “I’m absolutely excited to get out on the field,” said Kyle Nobach, the Elks’ head coach. Nobach played for the Oregon State University Beavers from 2015 to 2018 and is looking forward to his first season on the field with the team. He got the head coaching job in 2019, and built the roster to play in 2020, then sat out the season with everyone else.

Along with some help from GM Michael Hirko, Nobach constructed the 2021 roster from players at Division I and NAIA schools, or those committed to play baseball next year in college—including Mason Guerra, a top-ranked Oregon prospect from Westview High School in Beaverton, who committed to OSU.

“We’ve got a couple of players coming out of high school who’ll be able to mix in with the college guys to learn the ropes and help them mesh at that level, getting ready for their first year of college baseball,” added Nobach. Joining Nobach (’18 College World Series champ) on the coaching staff are fellow Beavs Tyler Graham (’06 CWS champ) and Joey Wong (’07 CWS champ), and pitching coach Xander Klaus, who works with Nobach in Washington.

Nobach understands and believes in not only the physical aspects of the game, but the mental ones as well. “You can fail a lot but that’s really how our brain learns is through errors,” said Nobach. “Our brain says that’s not right, and then eventually through neuroplasticity it creates change. The best players in the world understand this and they just learn faster than everybody else.” Heady stuff, but then again, “Baseball is the game of life.”

Another key component to the Elks’ success is the families that host players for the summer. “We still are in need of host

Damian Fagan families,” said Hirko. Almost all the players have been vaccinated and host families automatically receive game-day tickets, as well as other perks from the club.

Concessions also play a big role at home games, so the club will have the grills going and merchandise for sale. “We are excited to be working with a company called Porter that will allow fans to order online and then get a text message to just walk up and pick up their order,” said Hirko. Keeping fans in their seats to enjoy the game versus standing in line to order will be a welcome option.

“In the High-Risk level that Deschutes County is currently in (as of last week; the county is now in the Lower-Risk category), capacity at the stadium is 525 people, including staff but not the players,” said Hirko. At Lower Risk, the stadium capacity would rise to around 1,700 people, or 50% of capacity, but with social distancing regulations still in place, maximum attendance would be around 900 people. “That’s a little lower than our average attendance but a lot better than 500,” said Hirko.

So, with plans in place, stadium upgrades underway, and a roster all set, now we await the umpire’s call, “Play ball!”

Bend Elks Baseball Club

June 3 First Pitch 6:35 pm Vince Genna Stadium 401 SE Roosevelt Ave., Bend bendelks.com General admission $7/Preferred seating $10/ Field Level Box seats $15

Hitting The Trail, Wheels Spinning

Grit Clinics & Ladies All Ride offer camps and classes to up your mountain biking game this summer

By Megan Burton

Lindsey Richter, one of the founders of Ladies All Ride, observes an attendee practice her climbing form.

Ilove a good winding hike in the forest or desert wilderness of Central Oregon. In addition, I relish the chance to get out on the road and ride to work or through town. As a seemingly perfect blend of these two activities, mountain biking began to pique my interest as soon as I stepped foot in Bend. It’s a popular sport around the region and it’s hard to chat with new friends without finding a mountain biking enthusiast in the group. Central Oregon is known for miles of unique trails; Bend Trails reports that there are over 900 miles of single-track trails in the region.

Ladies All Ride is partnered with Grit Clinics to host group trainings for those, like me, looking to level up their cycling game. These two companies have been traveling the nation for years, teaching mountain bike skills and sharing their passion for bikes. They offer classes for beginners and for experienced riders who want to work on certain skills, like jumping and cornering. Having never been on anything other than a road bike, I signed up to join them in their Women’s Foundational Skills class.

The clinic was as thorough as it was laid back. While we were all learning new skills, we were also laughing and chatting. We went through the basics of form and positioning on the bike. We practiced lifting the bars up for small jumps to get up and over obstacles and even propped our bikes up on a nearby picnic table as we practiced the feel of climbing a steep hill. Finally, we hit the trail. This was the most fun I have had on a bike with a group of strangers. We sped down hills, then practiced taking quick corners and conquering obstacles.

Corners were not my friend. Even as I struggled, the coaches and clinic members were supportive. We all practiced through the same bit of tough trail until we nailed it, with reminders about where to keep your gaze and arms, and of course, there were many cheers of motivation. Failing was not only allowed, it was encouraged. I quickly learned that most of mountain biking is not about how skilled or strong you are but about digging into your own reserves of power.

Lindsey Richter and Meredith Brandt are the founders for Ladies All Ride and Girls All Ride. For them, biking is more than just a fun sport. The duo created Ladies All Ride with the mission of helping “women see the symmetry between bikes and life.” Stating that mountain biking can be “a catalyst for growth, change and connection with others and oneself.” I was lucky enough to have Richter as one of my coaches for my clinic experience and chatted with Brandt before the clinic. Both of them are devoted to sharing the life lessons that accompany the skills you learn on the bike. Their courage and passion are infectious, and I can’t wait to get back out there and fail again this summer.

Courtesy Ladies All Ride Courtesy Ladies All Ride

Trailing On

This summer, discover new trails in Bend, or ones you may not have visited yet

By Jack Harvel

The Outback Trail connects Shevlin and Discovery Parks in west Bend, and is the newest trail from Bend Parks and Rec.

Courtesy Bend Parks and Rec.

Central Oregon offers a lot of places to go for a hike, many that don’t require leaving Bend. This summer, make some time for two new in-town trails, along with some other lesser-frequented spots.

The Outback Trail used to run for about a half-mile in the south end of Shevlin Park, but after an extension completed in March. it can now take walkers and riders all the way to Discovery Park near Summit High School. The trail moves between a developed park

area into a natural area and through future housing developments to connect the area to Shevlin.

“The section of Outback Trail that we just opened is used by runners, it’s used by mountain bikers, but it’s like a corridor that takes you to Shevlin Park,” said Henry Stroud, trails planner for Bend Park and Recreation District. “We really see the value in the Outback Trail is that it provides a way to get to Shevlin Park and get out towards Phil’s trailhead that’s off road.”

The new section of Outback Trail begins with a mural under Skyline Ranch Road called “Women of Discovery,” painted by local artist Douglas Robertson. The section of the trail uses a gravel surface but will be replaced by asphalt as the Discovery West area is developed.

“The trail itself, you’re not getting single track mountain bike or technical trails, but it brings you to Shevlin Park and it brings you closer to Phil’s trailhead, where you can get those opportunities,” Stroud said.

Another new section of trail in Bend, Manzanita Trail, is still only about 75% complete. The trail is directly west from Discovery Park and connects with

Shevlin’s Western Larch Trail around its center.

“We’ve also been doing new trail work connecting Discovery Park to some of the new neighborhoods that are being built, and part of that is on the Manzanita Trail,” Stroud said. “Our trails within town are used for recreation and transportation and we tried to design them for both purposes.”

Both projects increase the connectivity between the “neighborhood” park of Discovery to Shevlin, a regional park.

“They connected different areas of Shevlin Park and they formed like a big loop in between Shevlin Park and Discovery Park,” Stroud said.

The trails are new and aren’t especially busy when compared to others in Bend.

“The new section of Outback and the Manzanita trail that runs out of Shevlin Park is really pretty. You get really nice views of the mountains that’s kind of like an undiscovered trail at this point,” Stroud said.

Stroud said another trail with the same kind of privacy and scenery is the north section of the Deschutes River Trail from Sawyer Park. For families looking to bring children onto a trail, parks staff recommended parks in east Bend.

“Rock Ridge Park and trail is a newer park, and it’s kind of a hidden gem, but one that, it’s really popular in that area, but maybe less known about to the city,” said Bryan Longoria, marketing and communications coordinator for BPRD. “It has a closed loop trail within the park that’s got, I think, it’s about a mile is unpaved, but also has paved areas.”

Longoria also recommends Big Sky Trail in Big Sky Park, which follows a canal and features stunning mountain views.

“There’s really great views out there, there’s a playground, there’s also an offleash area which is kind of nice for families with pets,” Longoria said. “I like Big Sky because it feels like it’s a lot more outside of town than it really is.”

The new section of Outback Trail begins with a mural under Skyline Ranch Road called “Women of Discovery,” painted by local artist Douglas Robertson.

Courtesy Bend Parks and Rec.

Guide A Guide to Outdoor Yoga this Summer

Whether you want to flow next to the river or stretch out with a beer, Bend has an outdoor yoga class for you

By Hanna Merzbach

Yogis practice at the Haven Coworking patio space, perched on the cliffs above the Deschutes River.

Many of Bend’s yoga studios are leaving the Zoom screens behind and opening yoga spaces for practice. But for people who still don’t want to be confined indoors, Bend will have a bounty of outdoor yoga options throughout the summer. Here are five Bend studios offering outdoor yoga classes this summer season.

The Yoga Lab

Three days a week, The Yoga Lab holds hour-long riverside flows at Pioneer Park. Yogis can tune into nature and get grounded, all while practicing physically distanced. The owner of The Yoga Lab, Ulla Lundgren, will also teach a lakeside yoga flow at The Suttle Lodge & Boathouse every Sunday starting May 30. Yogis can make a day of it and enjoy a paddle, hike around the lake or stay for dinner and drinks at the lodge. Find more information at theyogalabbend.com.

Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Pioneer Park 1525 NW Wall St, Bend $15

Sundays 4:30-6 p.m., May 30-Sept. 5

(no class on July 4)

Suttle Lodge & Boathouse 13300 US-20, Sisters $15

Free Spirit Bend

Throughout the summer, Free Spirit Bend will offer outdoor classes six mornings a week. Yoga teachers guide students through vinyasa flows and fitness classes on the grass next to the Deschutes River Trail and Wheel Fun Rentals in the Old Mill District. Participants are spaced 6 to 10 feet apart, and no masks are needed. The studio will also hold special outdoor yoga events, such as a women’s outdoor and tea-drinking class, prenatal yoga picnics and sunset flows. See freespiritbend.com for the schedule and pricing of these events.

Daily 9:15-10:15 a.m. except Thursday

Yoga grass next to the Deschutes River Trail and Wheel Fun Rentals in the Old Mill District $14

The Haven Coworking

Starting in June, coworking space The Haven will start offering outdoor classes on its patio, which sits on the cliffs overlooking the Deschutes River, across from Farewell Bend Park. Membership at The Haven isn’t required to attend yoga classes. Stay tuned for the Haven’s class schedule, which will be released on their website, worklifehaven.com.

The Haven Coworking

Courtesy of Tiffany White

Yogis practice at the Haven Coworking space, perched on the cliffs above the Deschutes River.

Starting in June when the weather warms up, Wild Thing Yoga will host weekly classes outside at the Deschutes Brewery, Healing Reins Therapeutic Riding Center and the LOGE Bend. All classes will be donation-based, and proceeds will go to local nonprofits, such as the riding center. Find more information at wildthingbend.com.

Fridays 5:30 p.m.

Deschutes Brewery Warehouse 399 SW Shevlin Hixon Dr, Bend

Saturdays 9:30 a.m.

Healing Reins Therapeutic Riding Center 60575 Billadeau Rd, Bend

Sundays 9 a.m.

LOGE Bend 19221 SW Century Dr, Bend All donation-based

Bend Beer Yoga

This summer, Bend Beer Yoga will resume its outdoor events, which mix the drinking of beer (or cider, wine or cocktails) with beginner yoga poses and are typically held at breweries throughout Bend. This option is perfect for people who have little yoga experience but love to drink and have fun. Details on beer yoga events will be released on bendbeeryoga.com.

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