Good Bend, OR Rides?

[tealamb]

Hi all!

My husband and I will be spending 5 days in the Sunriver area around Labor Day weekend, and I'd love to hear from anyone either living in the area, or with some local knowledge/experience, about any must-do rides. So far, I've got a ride planned to Paulina Lake: about 40 miles roundtrip, and what appears to be a good amount of climbing. Any other rides in the 30 to 50 mile range, with some climbing, that we shouldn't miss?

Also, my husband is an amateur frame-builder...are there any framebuilders or interesting bike shops in the area?

Thanks in advance for your help.
Sarah

[SadieKate]

Road or mountain bike?

[tealamb]

Ooops - sorry. Road bike.

[SadieKate]

Here you go. Route 2B around Bachelor is incredible. There is water only at the resorts on the west side. If the weather is really hot that weekend, do this instead of Paulina. Or better, do both if you can.

http://www.deschutes.org/index.cfm?o...865E7D3C09D97F

The guide has lots of rides down in the Sunriver area but I haven't explored those yet. I'm still learning the road rides up in Bend. Now if you want more info than you'd ever want to know about the singletrack, I'm your gal.

No framebuilders in the area any longer but tons of bike shops. The best wooden fender builder I've ever seen is here but no store front.

High end road bikes - Bend Bike n' Sport
Kind of funky mtb/touring/commuter shop - WebCyclery
Best BBQ - Baldy's (near Bend Bike n' Sport)
Best Bakery - Nancy P's
Best Breakfast - Westside Bakery
Best Middle Eastern Food - Kebaba

Anything else?

[jobob]

You forgot best beer.

[snapdragen]

and I seem to remember some pretty fine vodka.......

[tealamb]

Wow! Not only do I get a great link and a ride recommendation, but bonus food recs, too! Thanks so much, SadieKate. Never occurred to me to Google "Deschutes biking"...

We'll for sure do the ride around Mt. Bachelor (Route 2b). It looks gorgeous and challenging. Gotta work off the calories we'll end up consuming at Nancy P's anyway; might as well have stunning views to go along with the pain.

And inquiring minds do want to know: what's the best local brew?

Thanks again. I'm getting SO excited to get away and ride some new rides!

[SadieKate]

BEST BEER - Deschutes Brewery is widely considered by many to be the best brewery, but we have a truckload of local breweries so it's always best to make your own tests for the best beer.

I will warn you that the Deschutes Brewery pub in downtown Bend can be a meat market atmosphere and jammed with tourists. Food is pretty good, but it is the beer that makes the trip worth it. Go during the day at odd hours if you can, especially since you'll be there on a holiday weekend.

DB just released for their 20th Anniversary the Black Butte Porter XX. Perfect for dessert.

Their seasonal Rooster Tail Cream Ale (I think I have the name right) is pretty darn good. You can always get a spiffy growler filled and take it back to Sunriver, then repeat. Great home-brewed rootbeer also.

They also do tours and tasting Tuesday-Saturday.
http://www.deschutesbrewery.com/Abou...s/default.aspx

BEST BURGER WITH A VIEW OF MIRROR POND - On the beautifully landscaped Pine Tavern patio. Ask for the "Little Menu" which has all kinds of reasonably priced burgers, salads, sandwiches, to die for mac n' cheese, etc. Make sure to try the fried scones with honey butter. Regular menu has the best steak in town.

[jobob]

Jobob give Dechutes brewery and especially the Rooster Cream Ale a big thumbs up.

BEST BURGER WITH A VIEW OF MIRROR POND - On the beautifully landscaped Pine Tavern patio. Ask for the "Little Menu" which has all kinds of reasonably priced burgers, salads, sandwiches, to die for mac n' cheese, etc. Make sure to try the fried scones with honey butter. Regular menu has the best steak in town.

Is this Bend Brewery pub you're describing? (which also serves a mighty fine brew, and has a much nicer dining atmosphere than the Deschutes pub, IMHO).

[melissam]

Jobob give Dechutes brewery and especially the Rooster Cream Ale a big thumbs up.

Public Service Announcement: When Jobob recommends a particular brew, those inclined to drink good beer should listen. Or so I've been told...

[SadieKate]

Jobob give Dechutes brewery and especially the Rooster Cream Ale a big thumbs up.

Is this Bend Brewery pub you're describing? (which also serves a mighty fine brew, and has a much nicer dining atmosphere than the Deschutes pub, IMHO).

Nope. The Pine Tavern. This is the "fine dining" restaurant a couple doors before the Bend Brewery though you can go in your shorts and tennies (no fine dressing required). We didn't know about the "Little Menu" until recently so we'd been only going for special occasions. The "Little Menu" is comparably priced with the nearby brew pubs and has the best seating/viewing of the river. Even inside, the back dining room has a good view of the river and two big ponderosas growing up through the floor and ceiling.

Though I have to agree with you as far as the atmosphere between the DB and the Bend Brewery (but then you knew that).

[SadieKate]

Public Service Announcement: When Jobob recommends a particular brew, those inclined to drink good beer should listen. Or so I've been told...

This sounds like she hasn't been sharing.

Oh yeah, am I supposed to be doing any shopping?

[tealamb]

Well, we're leaving early this Saturday morning for Bend, and I thought I'd pop back in and thank you all (esp. SadieKate) for your great tips on rides, eats, and brews. We decided to drive up to Portland after our stay in Sunriver, to spend a few days at a nice dog-friendly hotel, go to Powell's books (me), and a framebuilder (DH), drink great coffee (and beer!) and eat good food. I'm so excited!

Of course, what would vacation planning be without some excitement? Our trusty wagon had to go in to the shop unexpectedly, so we're taking a smaller car, and despite my oh-so-subtle hints, DH hasn't yet tested it out with bikes AND rocket box on the top. I've got my priorities straight, tho, so if need be, I'll carry our pup in my lap and my luggage at my feet so the bikes can go in back.

Thanks again, and I'll be back with a trip report!

[Susan126]

Joe and I LOVE the Bend area! We try to get there every other year to bike. We love it and always find great rides. We stopped in a bike shop in Bend (Hutch's I believe) and they were great! We also loved Cog's Wild. They shuttled us to the start of the McKenzie River Trail. One year on our way back to Bend after the ride we almost didn't make it across the pass as a raging forest fire was roaring through the trees! I have pictures of it. It was scary!

Have fun!

Pictures from my last visit to Bend . . .

Fun times in the Bend area on my bikes!

Pictures and report when you return.

Tailwinds!

Sue