Since 2015, when the Oregon Timber Trail was just a sketched line on a map, a concept to bring long-distance backcountry mountain biking to Oregon, Gabe Tiller has been there.
With his thirst for adventure and breathtaking photos, he crafted a story, a promise that with a dream and a bit of teamwork, we could all take the path less traveled, from one rural town to the next, The OTT was born. Gabe has been one of the key visionaries, along with Harry Daalgard and Chris Bernhart, to develop the specific alignment of the Timber Trail.
The genius of the trail is that it linked existing segments of singletrack. The trio interfaced with over one hundred stakeholders from the US Forest Service, dozens of trail groups, the conservation community, tourism representatives, elected officials, and local trail experts to see if the concept would fly. And fly it did.
Since 2018, Gabe has served as Executive Director of the OTTA. He has been the voice of the Timber Trail, the man behind the posts, the graphic design, the maps, and this past year he headed up all the trail work parties. If you joined us for a work party, surely you worked side by side with Gabe at the Watson Fire Rehabilitation. Gabe could be found staking trail alignment for crews to dig in, ready with a Silky to cut a snag.
Gabe will step down as executive director and will continue his planning work with Travel Oregon while developing the continuation of the Oregon Timber Trail with the Orogenesis Collective and doing select creative work with the OTTA in the future. Gabe will always be a spiritual founder of the Timber Trail and he'll always be a part of the project. Thank you for everything, Gabe. We are truly grateful for your hard work behind the camera, keyboard, and on trail.
Between wildfires and climate change, it has not been an easy year for the trail. The Timber Trail needs extensive work every year and relies heavily on your donations and volunteer trail work. We have a full calendar of trail work events on all four tiers coming up next year. Please sign up and join us! Out on the trail, whether riding or digging, is where the OTT experience really comes alive.
Our board is eleven members strong - all passionate mountain bikers and lovers of the outdoors who carry the torch for the OTT and its mission. With the overwhelming support of our community, partners, sponsors, and volunteers, the Oregon Timber Trail Alliance is now stronger than ever. As we enter our next chapter, our mission remains the same; The Oregon Timber Trail Alliance is dedicated to stewardship, education, community, and quality trail experiences throughout the Oregon Timber Trail corridor.
The Oregon Timber Trail links Oregon's communities and backcountry landscapes through profound mountain biking experiences. We know that challenging and inspiring outdoor recreation is a great vector for personal growth and wellbeing, as well as an enormous driver for the struggling economies of Oregon’s rural communities. We strive to make these experiences accessible to everyone and are proud to welcome riders from all over the world and all walks of life.
