An ordinary Monday morning. Two wheels dance beneath your body as you fly through a sun dappled forest of ponderosa pine trees. The dance floor is an endless ribbon of flowy singletrack trail. You’ve enjoyed a leisurely 10-mile mountain bike ride and still have time to grab an Ocean Roll and wipe the dirt from your brow before your 10 a.m. office meeting. Welcome to Bend, a mountain biker’s dream. The proximity of Deschutes National Forest land near town allows access to hundreds of miles of trail and is just one of the elements that make Bend the mountain bike mecca it is today.
[Photos above: Left of Jaclyn Walles on Tiddlywinks and Funner, by Aaron Staylor | Right at Mt. Bachelor by Max Rhulen]
With trails ranging from mellow double track and technical cross-country to downhill and jump, plus a lift-access bike park at Mt. Bachelor, the region is touted as a world-class destination that offers trails for all abilities. The ease of incorporating rides into daily life without making it an all-day ordeal is high on the list of attractive qualities. Sometimes making an ordeal is a big part of the fun, though. Fortunately, a cornucopia of mind-blowing adventures lies within an hour’s drive.
Bend’s mountain bike aura is the confluence of several factors, including accessibility, top-notch bike shops, guide and shuttle services, organized group rides and a remarkable trail alliance. Plenty of trails in Bend are usable year-round and many mountain bikers also fancy skiing in the winter, adding to the allure. Several existing trails have been assessed by adaptive riders and deemed appropriate for adaptive mountain bikes, like the Bowhead Reach. It’s an electric adaptive off-road bike with two front and one rear wheel that is customizable to fit a rider’s specific mobility needs, allowing more riders to enjoy the trails.
Developing a Trail Utopia
Central Oregon Trail Alliance (COTA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing, protecting and enhancing the mountain biking experience throughout the area, is perhaps the most significant instrument in Bend’s reputation as a mountain bike hub. The nonprofit stewards more than 520 miles of singletrack trails, five bike parks and nine miles of groomed winter fat bike trails. “COTA was established in 1992 and has been pivotal in the creation, development and continued maintenance of trails,” shared Alex Brieger, the trails program director for the organization. Driven by his deep passion for big backcountry mountain bike rides, Brieger directly oversees all aspects of trail planning, building, maintenance and training, ensuring trails in Central Oregon meet the highest standards for quality and sustainability.
“We have about 80 miles of trail currently in the plans,” he said. The ongoing development of new trails keeps locals engaged and gives visitors a reason to return year after year. For instance, five new trails at the Wanoga Sno Park—including a novice jump line and two advanced downhill trails—strengthen Bend’s magnetic force. Nearly 70% of COTA’s funding comes from donors and members with the remainder funded by grants. “We have a staff of just four people, so we rely heavily on volunteers. I truly enjoy connecting with all of them,” Brieger said.
He invites folks to get involved by digging in the dirt at a trail work event or simply joining COTA’s membership program.
All Riders are Welcome
Not only does Bend attract seasoned riders, it’s a welcoming place to dip your toes into mountain biking. With myriad bike shops that have gear to get you out on the trail, knowledgeable mechanics to keep your bike rolling, educational events, meet-ups and group rides, there is no shortage of opportunities to throw your leg over a bike and get riding. Local businesses like Grit Clinics and Cog Wild provide lessons, coaching and skills camps to help riders improve confidence and ability on the trail. Riders can hop on a shuttle or guided tour, streamlining the process.
“We make it easy for folks to come ride with us by having everything they need. We teach skills, guide rides, rent bikes and explain routes. Someone can show up with just athletic clothes and—with our support—have a full adventure on trail,” said Kirin Stryker, co-owner of Cog Wild, a small, family-operated outfitter and long-standing pillar in the community.
Offering bike shuttles, guided tours and lessons, Cog Wild has been a valuable catalyst in facilitating adventure tourism and attracting riders from around the world. It also runs Cascadia Junior Cycling, which provides programming for youth through off-road racing teams, clubs and bike camps.
“My favorite part of the job is coaching a group of elementary-aged girls through Cascadia Junior Cycling. They are so much fun, and it’s a great reminder to be less serious while out riding. We stop for snacks, look for frogs and lizards, and play games while shredding singletrack trails,” said Stryker.
Grow Up, or Grow Old, on a Bike
Kids who grow up in Bend have a unique opportunity to benefit from bike programs like Cascadia Junior Cycling, Bend Endurance Academy and Vámonos Outside. With a bounty of beginner-friendly trails right out their doors, it’s inevitable that many mature into talented bikers. The easy-to-ride trail systems allow families to introduce little ones to mountain biking as soon as they can balance, and the progression to more aggressive downhill and jump trails is natural. Bend native, 13-year-old Soren Donnelly can vouch for that. He and his sister have been hitting the trails since they were toddlers.
“Being in this community, it’s easy to progress. Biking has definitely made me closer with my family, especially my dad,” Donnelly shared. “Having family friends who all bike has made it easier for my dad to push me and support my riding. When there’s a big group who are all going together, it’s motivating.”
It’s no secret that the one-time small town of Bend has evolved into one of the most celebrated mountain biking destinations in the United States. Whether you can backflip a dirt jump, hit the 8-foot drop feature at Mt. Bachelor, or you’re a trail-curious 7- or 70-year-old, Bend has a little slice of mountain bike heaven for all to enjoy.
ICONIC RIDES
Tiddlywinks Trail: A 7-mile intermediate level trail with jumps and rock features in the Wanoga Complex.
Lookout Mountain Trail: Located in the Ochoco National Forest outside Prineville, Lookout Mountain offers a 4,500-foot descent and a 360-degree view from the summit.
Lower Whoops: This downhill only jump trail in the Phil’s Complex is one of the most popular rides in Bend.
Old Cascade Crest (OCC) Trails: True backcountry all-day epics are the name of the game in the OCC. Situated off the Santiam Pass highway, these are steep, primitive, remote trails with several route options.
