Bend 2013

Each year I spend a week riding in Bend.  For 2013 it started on Memorial Day as everyone was heading home (bumper to bumper) heading out of Bend and I was driving to Bend at full speed.

Monday - Before heading over I did a standard ride in Mac Forest.  In the Mac it is either up or down, this day it was 12 miles and about 2000 feet of gain.  If you are heading over to Bend from the valley, I also recommend stopping and doing the Iron Mountain hike.  You can't ride your bike on it, but it is a great hike. The trail head is at the top of Tombstone and it is 1.8 miles to the top (1350 feet of gain).  You cross the Santiam Wagon Trail which you can ride your bike on.

Iron Mountain Trail

Tuesday - I like to stay at the Inn at 7th Mountain because I can get into the Phil's trail system or the Deschutes River trail right out my front door.  My "go to" ride is riding up COD and Funner and then coming back down and hitting ODP (Old Dirty Pirate) on the way back.  It takes me about 2:15 and you get 21 miles and only 1650 in gain.  There are a number a great obstacles on each of these that are all very rideable (I especially like the Pirate Cove trail).  You have to know where this is, as it is not on the "official" map. After that morning ride, I went out to the Lava Lands National Park to walk through the lava fields.  A very cool short hike.

Lava Fields

 Wednesday - With a planned hike up Tam McArthur Rim out of Sisters, I had to do a shorter ride. I chose the Deschutes River Trail (DRT) which is a ride I never get tired of.  There are more technical and challenging rides in the Bend system, but there aren't many that are more beautiful.  You can ride it from Bend to Sunriver or out to the Lava Lands monument.  It can be short or long.  I went from 7th Mountain up to meadow and back.  Just a perfect morning with a stunning view as the fog lifted.

Then it was off to TMR for 5.4 miles round trip hike with 1250 feet of elevation (recommended) and then back to Sisters for lunch.  I also stopped at Blazing Saddles and Euro Sports bike shops.  Euro Sports has the best buys on Specialized Demo bikes, but they don't start selling them till Labor Day weekend. For example, a 2013 Specialized Stumpjumper like mine (see picture) with dropper seat post was $2,500.

Deschutes River Trail

The Meadow

A perfect view

Sunrise

Tam McArthur Trail

Thursday - This was my "rest" day which started with another classic ride.  I climbed COD (and did DOP) and Funner, then after the pump track came down Tiddlywinks and Storm King. It was 23 miles and 2100 feet.  Finished the day reading by the pool.  A great rest day.

Friday - Woke to rain which isn't bad in Bend in the summer as it knocks the dust down.  Skipped a morning ride and headed to Smith Rock state park to scout out the trails and get in a hike.  They have a great mountain bike trail that circles the "rock" and goes along the river then out and around the back side.  I elected to go up to "Monkey Face" and then up and over which was very very steep up and down, but great views.  Then that night I had my wife shuttle me up to the Funner trail head and I road Funner and COD under the lights.

Smith Rock State Park

Monkey Face

Climbing Up on the Misery Trail

View coming down (bike trail in the distance)

Saturday - Started the day with a quick lap on COD (10 miles and 730 feet) then ran in a Bend Charity 5k race (took third).  It was their first one ever and there was considerable confusion on the route, so I could have just as easily finished last, but it was fun.  I thought about an afternoon ride, but it was very relaxing by the pool and I finished my once a year Clive Cussler novel.

Sunday - it was a true day of rest and time to head home. Great fun, riding, food and rest.  I can't wait for 2014.  If you get to Bend, be sure and stop in at Repeat Performance and here are some great restaurants to try:  Flat Bread (by REI), Chow, Noi, Zydeco, Los Agaves (Sisters), Kebaba's, Barrio's, Parilla Grill, Baldy's BBQ and Nancy P's Bakery!