Big Red

Pinch me! This … really … is … our … hometown ride? A path along a river, a tremendous waterfall, a view from the top of a butte, lava fields …. gravel roads, paved roads, double track, single track and bike paths. Plus it’s close to town … and it rides great most of the year. Not toooooooo sandy during the summer and not too snowy during the winter (yea, it can hold a bit of snow when it snows in town.)

It’s the signature ride we send people to when they are debating on converting to gravel from road riding. They always come back smiling. (less)

The West Side Tour is just that …. A quick tour of Bend’s West side. It’s a lot more urban than we normally ride, but we’ve tossed in enough forest roads to make it an honest gravel route. Bring your silly hat because you just can’t take this one too seriously. There’s enough little girls on pink bikes to make you laugh, some of them will be on the terrain park at the Phil’s Trailhead.
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One quick check on the bike math, 36 miles with 4400 feet of gain, will tell you that this route is a climber’s delight. It’s a punchy one that never seems to quit offering up steep climbs, including a trip up and down the brutal Powerhouse Hill Road (gravel) with gradients of 15% plus.

Besides the climbs, this is a mixture of hobby farms, real farms, deep lush forests, and timberlands; some logging roads that are gated and closed to motorized traffic, some county gravel roads, and some pavement. You’ll enjoy the occasional bird’s eye views of the Coastal Mountains and surrounding areas. Blackberry bushes line much of the route for easy u-pick. Other temptations include the Youngberg Hill Winery tasting room and the Herb ‘n Farm self-serve stand (highly recommended) before the final climb. (less)

What is a trophy fish? It’s not the one hanging on the wall at your favorite brewpub! Drop-in at the fish hatchery and ask our friend Bob to explain it. Besides the fish hatchery, which includes an awesome nature walk, you’ll also have a fun, flat, fast route. Most of the route is void of traffic as we kept you off the main drags, opting for the gravel and the little roads … to see the mountains, visit the cemetery, look at old barns, green grass, white-tailed deer, and loads of cows. It’s a route that will whiz by …. (less)

Hot Diggity Dog!! That’s what we think of this route. It starts in one cool cat town: Patagonia. With miles and miles of just plain ole fun gravel through grasslands and woodlands. But really, who doesn’t like the idea of riding to the border and back? (less)