Don’t let the name scare you.

The Bone Crusher XCO (Cross-Country Olympic) mountain bike race in Madras on April 13 and 14 is the perfect event for giving racing a try. This community-driven event was born with the mission of being fun for riders of all abilities, and designed so spectators can watch all of the action. Madras is proud of its thriving trail network and is excited to showcase it with this event, now in its fourth year.

The Madras City Council approved the East Hills Trail network after it was proposed in 2017 by Brennan Marrow, the Madras Central Oregon Trail Alliance chapter representative. The community was excited to have recreation opportunities grow in the area and rallied behind the trail-building efforts, which began in 2018. In the first year alone, 20 miles of volunteer-built trails were completed. The area now boasts 28 mountain bike trails, 13 equestrian trails and 32 hiking trails. More trails continue to be added.

The trails at Madras East Hills

Madras East Hills trail network is unique in Central Oregon in that it is on city land, which allows wood features and e-bikes, unlike regional federal lands at this time. The area has quickly become a destination for regional riders and a stop for Portland riders headed to Bend. Lead trail builder Ron Hollingshead has developed trails where riders can start on novice wood features such as ground level bridges and progress their skills to riding more advanced features such as fly overs. Trails have good sightlines and continuous wiggles to ensure e-bikes do not surprise other trail users. There is a circumference loop if riders want a big ride, endless inner loop options for shorter rides, and plenty of sessionable jump lines on one-way trails.

Bone Crusher is not like more typical mountain bike races, which usually see riders leave the start line to voyage into the wilderness for hours only to be seen again at the finish. Race promoter Andrew Loscutoff saw this area as perfect for the style of spectator-friendly mountain bike racing that is popular in Europe. Cross-country Olympic is a circuit race, in which riders will do multiple laps for a specified amount of time. This lends itself to riders being able to pre-ride the whole course, master the terrain, and for spectators to be able to view most of the action.

Bone Crusher a race for all

This race is approachable for a never-before racer, yet also exciting for an expert. This is a no-pressure, community-sponsored event with local food carts and volunteers running the show. There are race divisions for all ages and skill level, including an e-bike division. Each race group will be assigned a number of laps to complete to make for a 45-minute race for beginners up to a 75-minute race for experts. If a rider is not having a good day or gets an unfixable mechanical issue on the course, it is easy to get back to the start and end their race early. Parents can easily move around the course and offer encouragement to their racers too. For this reason, Bone Crusher boasts one of the highest numbers of junior racers every year.

The course is approachable for all skill and fitness level riders. Yes, there is climbing, but none of it is steep or lengthy. There is a jump line on the White Buffalo trail portion of the course that is well-marked and has a ride-around if getting air is not your thing. Trail intersections for the course have been tailor built as flow corners it feels like one long trail and it’s almost impossible to get off course.

In addition to the XCO on Sunday, is the Cross-Country Short Track (XCC) on Saturday. This will be OBRA’s XCC state championship. The XCC is an even shorter loop on fire roads and wide single track with a few friendly obstacles such as 8-inch log step downs. The race, where passing is easy, is 20 minutes, plus a lap. This is an exciting race to watch and an even more exciting race to participate in. Many riders will participate in both days’ races.

Bone Crusher is a special event. Community built and supported, the race reflects the town: unassuming and welcoming. Come as you are and expect to have a great time.

Proceeds from the race go directly back into the community for trails and youth programs, too.

World champions compete in the 2024 High Desert Stampede

More Information

For more information on the Bone Crusher and mountain biking in Madras, visit these sites:

Bone Crusher: bonecrusherxco.com

Madras East Hills info: madrastrails.com

Madras COTA Chapter info: cotamtb.com/madras.html