Fat Tire Biking Trails near Bend to Explore this Winter

While more established winter pastimes such as Nordic and downhill skiing have surged in popularity in the past few years, fat biking is growing at a much slower pace, and that’s just fine with Central Oregon Trail Alliance winter trail steward Gary Meyer. Meyer is the leading champion of fat biking in Bend, and is responsible for the ongoing development of the Wanoga Snow Bike trails—a dedicated trail network offering nine miles of groomed trails. Meyer, an avid year-round cyclist, first found his passion for winter biking in Alaska, where fat biking originated. Meyer has taken this passion to the limits, competing in the Iditabike in 1988 on a custom bike, and contributing to the development of the first fat bikes, which were only made commercially available in the mid-2000s. The sport is still in its teens, but all signs point to a growing following. Bend is the ideal place to give it a try.

Photo by Trevor Lyden

A fat bike is considered a specialized rigid mountain bike that can accommodate the 3.5-inch (or wider) tires used to maintain traction on the snow. Rentals are readily available, but Meyer cautions, your best bet for a positive inaugural fat biking experience is to go with an experienced rider or a guide. This is to ensure that you’re riding in the ideal, and somewhat specific, firmness of snow conditions. Meyer explains that the ideal conditions are basically the opposite of those for downhill skiing—you want hard and firm, not soft and deep—when the skiing is bad, the fat biking is good.

Locally, Cog Wild offers one-day guided rides for intermediate to advanced cyclists, during which you can expect to learn all the fundamentals, from how to dress for the sport to how to stay warm—and best practices, like deflating your tires to a low PSI. The location of the guided rides vary depending on snow conditions, from higher-elevation Tumalo Falls trails early in the season to lower-elevation rides, which can even include setting off directly from the Cog Wild offices at LOGE on Century Drive.

After mastering the basics, rent or buy a fat bike and set out to explore the trails. Central Oregon Fatbikes Facebook page is a resource for enthusiasts and boasts more than one thousand followers. Meyer is the lead communicator along with a lively group of participants who share details and photos of day-to-day conditions at trails near and far. Whether it’s a one-off adventure or the beginning of a new winter sport, explore Central Oregon on these trails with a fat bike on the snow.

Photo Brandon Nixon

Wanoga Snow Bike Trails

This pair of looped trails starts off at the Wanoga Sno-Park off Century Drive. Here, you’ll not only find the most consistent and quiet trail conditions (due to the lack of snowmobiles), but you’ll also meet the enthusiastic fat biking community and their dogs, which are welcome on the trails. The two loops are groomed by volunteers three times a week and are very well marked with great views—the inner loop is a short three-mile ride, and the outer loop clocks in at six miles. New this year, the inner Snowshoe Loop has been widened to accommodate adaptive fat cycles.

Parking: Non-motorized end of the Wanoga Sno-Park across from
the sledding hill. Purchase a Sno-Park pass at the Cascade Lakes
Welcome Station on Century Drive.

When: November 1 through April 1, conditions permitting.

Ticket To Ride

This accessible ride starts at the Cascade Lakes Welcome Station. In the summertime, it’s a popular family mountain bike trail due to the mellow elevation gain and relatively short six-mile loop, which earns it a green-level beginner designation. You can opt to ride the whole Ticket to Ride loop or just head out and back up the scenic canyon following the COTA signage. Be aware that this is a narrow, shared-use trail for snowshoers and Nordic skiers.

Parking: The Cascade Lakes Welcome Station on Century Drive, where you can purchase a Sno-Park pass.

When: Meyer suggests waiting until snowshoers and skiers have packed down the trail’s snow after fresh powder falls.

Tumalo Falls

This trail embarks from the Skyliners Sno-Park and ends at the Tumalo Falls Viewpoint—a stunning sight draped in winter white. Do this as a loop or as an out-and-back ride. The Tumalo Creek Trail is a three-mile ride up to the falls, from here you can either ride back down the trail or loop back on the snow-packed road. You may opt to ride up and back on the road, which is closed to cars in the winter. This popular trail is also used by snowshoers and skiers, so be sure to yield right of way.

Parking: Skyliners Sno-Park off Skyliner Drive. Purchase a Sno-Park pass in advance.

When: Meyer suggests heading out to this popular trail on weekdays to avoid the crowds.