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Ablis CBD For Sports Performance With Pro Biker Kyle Jameson

CBD For Sports Performance? Kyle Jameson Thinks So

Professional mountain biker and business owner Kyle Jameson is no stranger to pushing his limits. “My first ride was in 1998,” he says, “The feeling of flying through the trees was an overwhelming feeling of happiness.” He’s chased this feeling his entire career while overcoming injuries and obstacles. And when he needs support, he uses Ablis CBD for sports performance and recovery. 

His first mountain bike ride happened in 5th grade, while Kyle was  living in California. Now, he’s 32 and has since turned his childhood passion into a full-blown career. 

Kyle is one of the mountain biking scene’s most notable bikers and filmmakers. He’s not only competed in the Red Bull Rampage (where he qualified twice) but he’s also traveled the globe to film bike riding and has hosted successful events for biking enthusiasts like himself. 

Beyond The Trails

During an interview with Outside TV in 2011, Kyle mentioned that he liked “to make [his] own way down the mountain,” which he’s done in both mountain biking and his own business. 

He owns an excavation and trail building company, where he’s been building trails for over ten years. Once he learned how to find his own flow down different mountains, he chose to share his skills—and love of the sport—by uncovering the best mountain biking routes and building out parts of the trail system where it’s needed.

“I figured that it was time to grow up and start my own business,” said Kyle with a laugh. “I wasn’t interested in all the traveling that trail building had in store, so I felt the need to branch out and do general excavation.” 

Kyle also says that excavating trails gives him and his team the ability to pick and choose their mountain bike builds. They have several new builds on the horizon, for which Kyle is grateful. 

Many hours in his week are focused on his business, but Kyle also makes sure he saves time for things that give life its fun and flavor: mountain biking and spending time with his family. 

Along with being a business owner and a pro mountain biker, Kyle is also a new dad. His daughter may not know it yet, but it’s only a matter of time before he introduces her to the sport he’s loved since that first bike ride in 1998. 

“The feeling of flying through the forest on two wheels will never get old,” said Kyle. 

An Ablis Partnership: Using CBD For Sports Performance and Recovery

The 32-year-old dad is still shredding down mountains—and recently partnered with Ablis CBD to create a one-of-a-kind helmet.  

Kyle is a long-time Ablis fan and has used CBD for sports performance and recovery for years. “I love all the products Ablis has,” he said. “The company is run by riders for riders. I’m a big fan and believe that the team at Ablis knows how to produce a great product.” 

Not only will the Ablis CBD helmet keep Kyle looking cool, but it will also keep him safe from any unexpected injuries. In the past, he’s experienced a heart-pounding moment where the words “you’ll never bike again” rang in his ears. 

Despite the doctor’s grim verdict after Kyle broke his wrist while riding his bike, he “willed [his] way back.” Hearing that his dream was over didn’t stop him from setting a goal and working to achieve it. 

Right now, Kyle’s using the same mentality to work through an ACL tear that forced him to set down his bike for about six months. As he returns to two wheels, Kyle says he won’t let this injury dissuade him. He’s going to continue pushing forward in recovery until he can hit up his favorite trail in Bend again. 

Give it a few months, then keep an eye out for a blur flying down Tyler’s Traverse in an Ablis CBD helmet. It’s probably Kyle Jameson.

Keep up with Kyle by following him on Instagram — @kylekjameson.

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Why Ablis Loves Living in Bend, Oregon

By Ablis CBD 

Jim Bendis and Max Bendis founded Ablis CBD in the city of Bend, OR: home to outdoor-loving, creative people like them. Jim settled down in Bend after graduating from University of Oregon in 1983. He says that this town is “an outdoor enthusiast’s nirvana”. His son, Max (who was born and raised here), agrees that Bend is “the hub of adventure culture in Oregon.” 

The Ablis CBD founders have a point—The city of Bend neighbors Deschutes National Forest, Willamette National Forest, and Mt. Hood National Forest. Here, there’s plenty of outdoor adventures like hiking, mountain biking, skiing, and river rafting. 

An outdoor enthusiast’s nirvana…without a doubt. 

Ablis CEO Cody Cloyd is also a Bend native. He briefly moved away to go to college at the University of Oregon, but was “drawn back [to Bend] by the people he grew up with and the never-ending list of things to do here all year” after he graduated.

The great events are just one of the many reasons why Ablis CBD loves Bend, Oregon. Read on for more reasons why they’re happy to call this town home as they share a few of their favorite things to do in Bend.

Cody’s Can’t-Miss Events in Bend, OR 

  • Bite of Bend — Food, drinks, music. What more could you ask for?  
  • Zwicklemania — This annual brewery event is going virtual for 2021.
  • Beerfest — If you love craft beer, you can’t miss this! 
  • Munch and Music — A Bend summertime tradition with food trucks and live music. 
  • Winterfest — Holiday fun with art installations, ice carving, live music + more. 

What makes this city unique, in your opinion? 

Max: “It is the land of craft. It’s hard to say what causes this, maybe it’s in the water! But it’s the craft products—from beer, kombucha, cider, spirits, wine, cbd and other cannabis goodies, all the way to handmade snowboards and other neat outdoor things. We breed craft and creativity here. That is my favorite part about Bend!” 

Read More from Ablis — Beer Guide: The Best of Bend, OR Breweries 

Cody: “You don’t have to go out of town to experience outdoor activities. The Deschutes River runs through the center of town, there are killer rock formations to climb on in town, and some of the city parks are big enough and feel like you’re out in the woods, without even leaving town.” 

City Parks in Bend, OR

Jim: “It’s a real community made up of fun-loving outdoor enthusiasts.” 

What is your favorite outdoor activity in Bend?

Max: “Mountain biking! There are a lot of great places for mountain biking around here.” 

A Few of Max’s Favorite Places to Bike in Bend (*During MTB Season)

Cody: “There’s too many to pick just one! Right now, it’s skiing and snowboarding since that’s what’s available during this season. I’m actually quite the beginner on the slopes. I only started last year! I’m still working on my bucket list of places to check out, but I have been frequenting Hoodoo and am loving it!” 

Jim: “I love running along the river and through the woods.”

If you had a friend visiting from out of town for a weekend, where would you take them? 

Max:I would try to hit as many of my local favorite outdoor spots, adventures, and—of course—restaurants and breweries! A few of my go-to’s would be The Bite, Los Jalapenos, Crux Fermentation Project, and The Podski (a local food truck park). It would be hard to sample all of Bend in just a weekend…but we could try!” 

Cody:Silver Moon Brewing for lunch and beers, and then Smith Rock for hiking or climbing if it is not too cold/snowy. If it’s dumping snow, then we check out Mt. Bachelor for some tubing, skiing, or snowboarding.”

Jim: “Mountains during the day. Downtown Bend at night.” 

Plain and simple, why do you love living in Bend, Oregon?

Max: “This is a tough one because there are so many reasons! A huge reason is being with my friends and family. A lot of us have grown up together here and have had so many good times in Bend. The outdoor activities and the delicious beer and food are a plus as well! 😉” 

Cody: “Bend has everything I need: awesome people, killer food, great views, and never a lack of active things to do.”

Jim: “It’s the lifestyle.” 

There’s no doubt about it: There’s no place like home. Want to learn more about the minds behind Ablis CBD? Meet the team. 

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Beer Guide: The Best of Bend, OR Breweries

Although I may not frequent Bend’s breweries as much as I used to before becoming a dad several years ago, I have many great memories exploring Bend’s brew scene with friends and family. If you’re in the area and have time for a few great beers—even if you can’t tell an IPA from a Pilsner—here are six of my favorite local breweries to stop and enjoy a drink.

Bend, OR: Birthplace of Craft Brews

The brewery scene in Bend is one of the reasons why craft beer has exploded across the country. Not to pat ourselves on the back, but this is the town where it all started with the first initial craft breweries. You won’t see Deschutes on my list (although I love them, I love these six breweries more), but a lot of people credit them for pioneering craft beer as a whole. 

Fun fact: Bend’s heavy involvement in craft brewing acted as inspiration to Jim and Max Bendis when they decided to create Ablis CBD with the same craft mindset—small batches, high quality, and small community. This helped shape the ethos of Ablis…and it helped Bend make a name for itself as the city with top-notch craft breweries.

There are plenty of craft beers now created in Bend, but it’s neat to know that there are a few that were here from the start. If you want to see where the craft brewery boom began, visit Bend! I personally consider this the beer mecca of America…and trust me, it’s worth a pilgrimage. 

6 Great Breweries to Experience in Bend 

A lot of the breweries in town are really about the experience. They have the whole shebang: food, drinks, events. Here are a few of my favorites that I recommend putting at the top of your Bend, OR brewery bucket list. (Have a few brews and try to say that ten times fast!).

1. Silver Moon Brewing

24 NW Greenwood Ave, Bend, OR

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This local brewery’s tagline says it all: “Same Great Beer. Same S***ty Location.” It’s what they’re known for. Although the exterior of Silver Moon looks like it could be a dive bar, it’s one of the best tasting rooms in town. 

They call it “the Moon”. 

The walls of the Moon have seen a lot since the building first opened in the 50s—It’s been everything from a furniture store to a machine shop with a strip bar (!!). Its unusual history only adds to Silver Moon’s awesome atmosphere as a down-to-earth, small-town brewery that packs a punch in every sip. 

Jam-packed with random knowledge? Mark your calendar for “Trivia on the Moon”, but keep an eye out for the competition: My Ablis friends, Chad and Parker. They were “year-long champs” in 2020 (mainly because they won the last game before the weekly event was put on hiatus due to COVID-19, and nobody had an opportunity to dethrone them!). 

If you’re hungry, they have great food here (I like to order the fried pickles with their house-made ranch). Our team at Ablis has also collaborated on a few beverages with Silver Moon Brewing in the past, but even if that wasn’t the case, they’d still be my favorite brewery in Bend. 

Go to drink: Mango Pale Ale

Visit Silver Moon Brewing

2. Bend Brewing Company

1019 NW Brooks St, Bend OR

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When things warm up in Oregon, I’d suggest hitting the patio at my second favorite brewery, which just so happens to be the second-oldest brewery in town: Bend Brewing Company. They have a smaller, local feel, which is one of my favorite things about them. 

At Bend Brewing, you’ll find rotating brews (give them a phone call to find out what’s currently on tap) and a great atmosphere for drinking beer with your friends. 

Go to drink: Tropic Pines IPA

Visit Bend Brewing Company

3. Crux Fermentation Project

1441 SW Chandler Ave. #100, Bend, OR 

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This tucked-away pub is really something special: a brewery restaurant experience like no other. They have a very well-maintained craft focus, and when you dine in the pub, you’re able to walk right past the different tanks and things they use to brew their beer. 

Crux definitely creates amazing drinks—Probably because the people who started it was passionate about the beer above all else. Pro tip: If you see the El Santo stand in their courtyard, grab a bite to eat. You won’t regret it!

Go to drink: Battlestar

Visit Crux Fermentation Project

4. 10 Barrel Brewing Co.

West Side — 1135 NW Galveston Ave

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East Side — 62950 NE 18th St 

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They may have “sold out” to Anheuser-Busch, but in my eyes, 10 Barrel Brewing Co. simply pursued their dreams and won out by becoming the bigger brewery that they always wanted to be. At the end of the day, they kept their spirit and culture when they joined forces with Anheuser-Busch, and they continue to feel like a small-town brew pub even if they’re technically owned by “the big guys” 

10 Barrel loves to bring the community together with events and great brews on tap at their two locations: West Side and East Side. If you have to choose just one, I’d suggest heading to my favorite: the East location, in the industrial district. 

Go to drink: Pearl IPA

Visit 10 Barrel Brewing Co.

5. Cascade Lakes Brewing Co.

1441 SW Chandler Ave. #100, Bend, OR 

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This local brewery has been around for a long time. When I first started drinking, one of the first drinks I had was their Blond Bombshell! There’s no doubt that this brewery is a staple in my life and in Bend, OR. 

They started out in Central Oregon in 1994 and haven’t stopped brewing delicious beer since. Although their brewpub in Bend isn’t open right now, you can still visit their Redmond location for patio dining and great beer. 

Go to drink: Blonde Bombshell

Visit Cascade Lakes Brewing

6. Wild Ride Brewing

332 SW 5th St., Redmond, OR

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Wild Ride is a little outside of Bend, close to where I live in Redmond. The owner, Brian Mitchell, is interested in producing the best product possible, which I believe he does. I love the beers that Wild Ride has created so far. 

For a long time, this was Redmond’s only brewery. It was opened in 2014 by three friends who simply loved beer, and although none of them knew anything about brewing, they’ve found brewmasters that continue to create award-winning beers for Wild Ride Brewing. 

Go to drink: 3 Sisters American Red Ale 

Visit Wild Ride Brewing

Awesome Beer Events in Oregon 

Zwickelmania — All across Oregon

If you can’t tell, we’re really passionate about beer here in Oregon. “Zwickelmania” is named after a “Zwickel”: the port on a bright tank, which carbonates the beer. Visitors can go in and out of the breweries tasting samples, which is a great way to get a taste of the Bend brewery scene (almost all of the breweries in town participate). 

Bend Brewfest — Bend, OR 

This craft beer festival offers some of the best beers in the country, as well as the best beers in our city. Bend Brewfest is three days with craft beer, food trucks, live music, and good times. It’s located right across from the Deschutes River in the Old Mill District, which is an awesome area that’s also filled with different shops and restaurants you can enjoy, too. 

Tentatively scheduled for August 19-21, 2021

Bend Ale Trail 

If you still have time to explore, trek the “largest beer trail in the West”. You can download a “passport” from their website, then visit a few participating breweries to receive a prize. Visit Bend began the Bend Ale Trail in 2010 with 6 breweries, and has since expanded to include 22 breweries. 

When you’re traversing the trail or visiting one of my six favorite breweries, remember to have fun, stay safe, and keep an eye out for Ablis CBD on the menu. We always love partnering on new creations with our local breweries. 

Cheers, friends! 

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The Best Mountain Biking Trails Near Bend, Oregon

We are all about outdoor activities at Ablis, and mountain biking is a passion we can all seem to agree on. 

Bend offers tons of trails, of varying difficulties, for anyone looking to cover some ground and get your heart pumping. 

I am happy to share some of my favorite spots to tear up some dirt around Bend.

Why Bend for Mountain Biking

Bend is a killer destination for mountain biking. Oregon itself has some of the most epic mountain biking in the Pacific Northwest. 

Plus, we are really lucky to have some of the best spots right here in Bend. 

You can do over 30-mile rides inside Bend, so you could easily make a whole day of it.

I’ve been riding pretty much my whole life, except a few years after high school because of multiple injuries. 

I’ve gotten even more into riding in recent years, but I had to build it back up, and I don’t know if I’ll ever again have the confidence that I used to.

However, I feel really good about riding again this year!

That being said, there are some things to consider beforehand when you’re planning a ride. 

Choose the Right Course

First things first, you need to know what level of difficulty you’re going to be comfortable with.

A lot of the trails aren’t marked very well, but Mount Bachelor, for example, uses the same kind of markings as a ski terrain. 

So, you have the green circle — which is the easiest way down. The blue square is a little more medium and then there’s a black diamond and a double black diamond. 

They’ll also have signs that say mandatory drops and mandatory jumps on certain trails. 

For the most part, the trail system in town isn’t marked super well. However, there isn’t anything too crazy out there!

Then, determine how long of a ride you want to do. 

As I said, Bend has some longer rides available. You can do up to 100 miles near Bend. We even hold 100-mile races each year. 

Currently, my rides are 5 to 30 miles. Rarely more. The longest ride I’ve done myself was probably 35 or 40 miles. 

I did a couple of long road rides with my dad back in the day. I think we did 60 miles once.

We rode from town up to the top of the old McKenzie pass, which is a scenic byway just outside of Sisters, Oregon. It’s a super windy road up to the top, it’s only open in the summer, and they don’t plow it during the winter. 

There’s not a lot of traffic on it because it’s not the main highway. So, it’s great for scenic rides because it’s absolutely beautiful and super calm. 

Personally, I am more fond of gravity and downhill trails. 

We’ve got some of those around here, including Mount Bachelor

Mount Bachelor, a ski resort during the winter, is open for downhill mountain biking in the summer. They have a trail up there called Red Line that is pretty next level. 

It’s probably one of the coolest things in Bend, in my opinion. 

Red Line is a flowy, jump trail and it was built by some next level trail designers. 

Our friend Kyle Jameson was actually a big part of building it! 

Black Sage Dirt Works is his and another buddy’s company and they build incredible trails. They even built a pump track for us over at our property in Tumalo.

Related: CBD and Me: Kyle Jameson – Ablis CBD

Flagline trail is another favorite of mine. It’s a climb through a forest with incredible views.

There are so many to check out in Bend. There is truly something for everyone. 

Be Prepared

There’s nothing worse than getting all the way out to a trail and realizing your bike needs servicing. I always make sure my bike is dialed, check the tire pressure and the shock pressure, and just make sure it’s running smoothly overall. 

Then, I make sure I have all my gear, depending on if I’m riding a local trail or if I’m going to, say, Mount Bachelor.

It’s a little bit different because a trail like Bachelor, requires the full-face helmet and you’ll need all the motocross type of gear to ride up there. It’s just pretty gnarly. 

Around town though, just the basics will do (little pads and a helmet). 

Snacks and beverages are crucial. Having a little nutrition and maybe some CBD, caffeine, and water are important as well. 

A ride is always better with friends. Ride with people who know the trail if you can. 

However, I’m trying to make it a goal to explore a little more because sometimes I get stuck in riding the same trails all the time. It’s so easy to stick with what you know. 

Taking bike trips with friends has gotten me out of my comfort zone because they’re always looking for new places to explore. 

We’re in a high desert, so it gets super hot and all the moisture goes away in August. Everything is completely dried out, which makes the trails sandy and loose. 

Trails are open, but they’re not ideal in the high desert until Fall, which is my absolute favorite time of year for rides. 

It cools off a little bit, we get some moisture, some of the trails get some work. So it’s prime time.

The most practical advice I can give would be to look before you leap.

Be mindful of not trying to exceed your skill level too much. 

Play on the line of exceeding it, because that’s how you progress but don’t go too far.

Injuries suck and they can hurt your confidence on the trail.

Ablis and Mountain Biking

This year, we gave away a crazy special bike in our summer raffle. 

Last year, we did a local scavenger hunt and gave away five bikes. They weren’t as decked out as the one from this year, but it was still so fun to put together. 

We made these custom tokens out of tree branches essentially, hid them out in the woods, and made a big scavenger hunt out of it. We had so many people out looking for these tokens.

This year, we kept it pretty mellow because we couldn’t find anything that was super COVID friendly other than an online raffle.

We’d like to do it again next year for sure, but we’ll probably do something a little bit different.

This year, the raffle proceeds went to the Central Oregon Trail Alliance. 

Last year, we didn’t do a benefit. It was more about giving back to the community and having a great time outside!

One of the guys who won last year was a total beginner, but he decided to take up mountain biking and ended up losing about 65 pounds. He said he has ridden about 1,000 miles since he won the bike!

We are so proud to be a part of that story.

Related: Ablis’ Bike Raffle with COTA

The Best Local Resources

Bend Trails

It’s kind of a local organization. They post about some of the more popular trails. On their homepage, they have the latest Bend trail reports.

Mountain Bike Project – Oregon

This site gives you an in-depth look at specific trails all over the country. It includes difficulty, distance, elevation, and other trail info. 

Trail Forks Oregon

Another great link to access info on Oregon’s bike trails and their difficulty ratings.