Alright Delight: An Overnighter

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Bend, OR, US

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Route Overview

Dawn Rae + Rob Knoth

Adventurous bikepacking routes for families

63 mi.

4,514 ft.

Quaint at the start, spicy on the finish. An overnighter that weaves together a variety of locals' favorite bike routes - from decommissioned forest roads along the Deschutes, to paved bike paths in Sunriver and Bend, to some of the most flowy and ripping singletrack. A little something for every part of your bike-loving personality.

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Route Details

A meandering, multi-dimensional route that takes in the myriad of biking options Bend offers, almost entirely on trails or dedicated paved bike paths. Ride from town and experience the cycling magic right beyond the city limits.

## Route Details

* If you're not able to ride to the start, overnight parking is legal on @slice[Lolo Dr](d,0,180.18), in front of the Embark building. (Keep the parking lot open for customers.)
* For last minute bike needs, hit up @poi[Crow's Feet](62778948). Need a pre-ride power up? Visit the @poi[Sparrow Bakery walk-up window](62778949). We recommend an ocean roll.
* The route begins by weaving through the Tetherow neighborhood with views of the Cascades. There's an off-road, @slice[dirt path](d,524.23,1988.6) on the east side of the Skyline Ranch Rd that at @point[mile ~1.2](d,2005.17) turns to paved. Hop on it whenever you'd like. Keep an eye out for the singletrack option that parallels the paved path, starting just after you cross @point[Metolius Dr](d,2720.95). Fun diversion for those interested, with an awesome @point[wooden bridge](d,4561.55) feature. 
* Once you cross Century Dr, you're on a @slice[paved bike path](d,4858.25,11211.1) that weaves through the woods and gently climbs all the way to the @poi[Cascade Lakes Welcome Center](62778951).
* Ride the path through the tunnel, and hop onto a small section of Catch + Release trail before @point[turning left](d,12128.46) on a forest road to head towards the Deschutes River.
* This @slice[section](d,13154.09,23499.02) follows forest and decommissioned dirt roads all along the Deschutes, with great views of the river and lava fields. Eventually you reach Benham Falls, crossing a wooden bridge.
* Turn right after crossing the bridge and head into the parking lot. At the south end, pick up the @slice[Deschutes River Trail](d,23689.19,27762.99). Enjoy lovely views of the river and low tech, high enjoyment singletrack.
* From here, enjoy tooling through the Sunriver community on a @slice[separated paved path](d,27871.81,37451.2). While the route doesn't pass any stores or restaurants, they are available, just a Google away.
* [If you would like to shorten the route, turn right at @point[mile 18.7](d,30125.42) to take the bridge over the Deschutes, rejoining the route at the @point[start of Roundabout Trail](d,44850.21). This cuts out about 9 miles.]
* After a quick stint on busy @slice[Spring River Rd](d,37451.2,39790.57), the route loops back on the west side of the Deschutes, first through a residential area, then forest roads, and finally to trail. 
* Before starting Roundabout Trail, @poi[fill up at the Deschutes River](62778946) - the last water source before dry camping a few miles up trail. 
* And now begins the dirt odyssey portion of the route. Take @slice[Roundabout Trail to Afternoon Delight](d,44834.13,49241.75), gently climbing until you cross Conklin Rd.
* Continue on Afternoon Delight to Kiwa Spring Rd. This is the uphill route to Duodenum and for Royal Flush. It's also the most ideal place to camp. Many options for dispersed camping along @slice[this section](d,51099.8,53638.61) of the forest road.
* Wake up your legs the next morning, with a steady @slice[climb](d,53758.69,55493.24) up Duodenum. Descend down perhaps the most prolific, flowy s curves in the Bend trail system. @slice[Ssssssssssssssss](d,55582.24,56918.31). 
* After Duodenum, option to take in @slice[Royal Flush](d,57143.2,58871.95) - a fast, feature-rich downhill-only trail with numerous jumps and high-banked curves. Pretty rowdy loaded. Not feeling it? - @slice[double back](d,51561.73,53670.3) on the forest road.
* Pick Afternoon Delight back up, @slice[riding it to where it ends](d,59381.93,62653.56) at @point[Tyler's Trailhead,](d,62642.66) and Catch and Release begins.  
* @slice[Catch and Release](d,62653.56,70011.97) takes you all the way back to the @poi[Welcome Center](62778951). Pick up Ticket to Ride here at the west end of the parking lot. 
* Ride @slice[Ticket to Ride](d,70466.88,74326.37) to a brief pedal on @slice[Gland Slam](d,74410.31,74879.12). Vector onto the forest road and settle in for a @slice[looooong climb](d,74879.12,82839.57).
* Eventually reach @poi[Shooting Star shelter](62778952). Take in the view, some snacks and electrolytes, and pat yourself on the back. The hard work is done. 
* Hop on @slice[Upper Whoops](d,82829.71,85983.31) and let the flow begin. 
* At the end of Upper Whoops, you have multiple trail options. We're fans of continuing on @slice[Pinedrops](d,85992.07,88946.57) (as we've routed) for it's swoopy goodness and some of our favorite ponderosas (although this area is currently deep in a forest thinning process). If you liked the jumps and ledges of Royal Flush, opt for continuing on Lower Whoops here. For some more technical riding, head down Phils. 
* Whatever option you took, get back on route at @point[road 300](d,89842.62), following @slice[Phils](d,89760.96,91558.81) to @slice[Kents](d,91574.66,98592.07) to the Phils TH parking lot. (Again, multiple route options here; follow your fancy and the one-way trails.)
* Take @slice[Marvins Garden](d,98671.78,99438.58) to @slice[West Bend Trail](d,99438.58,101098) back to where you started. Feeling peckish? Numerous eats available around the @poi[NW Crossing/Mt. Washington roundabout](62778953).

## Good to Know

* This route is rideable early spring through late fall. 
* Especially in the shoulder seasons, check [Bend Trails](https://bendtrails.org) to make sure the singletrack portions of this route are not muddy and are clear of blowdown. Stay off the trails if they're wet - it causes ruts that dry into nasty, almost concrete hard ridges. 
* Almost any bike will serve you well on day one of this route, but for day two, you will most definitely want a mountain bike (rigid, hard-tail, or full squish).
* Water is limited on this route. Last reliable source is the Deschutes River at mile ~27.5. Plan accordingly.
* There are many bail out opportunities on this route making it a prime overnighter if the weather looks iffy and a quick reroute might be necessary.
* If you're short on time, energy, or looking for a family friendly option, check out the more mellow version of this route, [Tight Alright Delight: A Chill Overnighter](https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39628721).
* Prefer to party first, relax later? Our [Overnight Delight: Family Bikepack](https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36129202) route has got you covered. Almost 100% singletrack on day one, mellow touring on day two.

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Alright Delight: An Overnighter

Route Overview

Route Details

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Just save a link

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