From a band of “rogue outlaws” to a non-profit, the Disciples of Dirt have proven to be the keystone the Eugene mountain biking community needs
The Carpenter Bypass trail system is seen on Jan. 6, 2024. (Alex Hernandez/Emerald)
Alex Hernandez
Almost 30 years ago, the organization Disciples of Dirt was formed in Eugene, changing the trajectory of mountain biking in the Eugene community for decades to come. This organization has played a hand in the construction and maintenance of every trail in the greater Eugene community and laid the foundations for the explosive growth of mountain biking in the last five years.
In the early days, the group was known by hikers as “rogues” or “devils on wheels,” but they shifted community perception through thousands of hours of volunteer work and over $100,000 dollars in private funds spent on trail renovation.
Disciples of Dirt built over 20 miles of illegal trails by hand at Carpenter Bypass in the late 90s and early 2000s, and hosted key events that have introduced new bikers to the budding sport. Over the last thirty years, the Disciples have been silent stewards of greater Eugene, working tirelessly to build, protect and maintain trails for people of all walks of life to enjoy the outdoors.
Their end goal? To have trails accessible to all mountain bikers in Eugene, their city of origin.The Disciples of Dirt began after Dave Hallock, 71, bought his first mountain bike in the mid-80s. Mountain bikes, called ballooners or clunkers in the early days, were […]
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