My wife and I are traveling to Bend, OR to visit friends in July. We’ll be there for about 5 days. I’m debating whether to take our road bikes, taking our MTBs (hardtails), or just renting bikes. Both of us train with power (hence why I’m thinking of taking our own bikes, plus rentals seem to be about $50/day). We’re coming from SoCal, so not far of a flight. Taking our bikes would likely be a combo of bringing them on the plane and/or shipping to our friend’s house. I’ve biked around Bend before on the road bike, but not MTB. We’d also like to road trip to Crater Lake for a day or two. Any thoughts/recommendations from the locals? Thanks!
-Pete
Baggage fees or shipping both ways will cost more then if you each rent a bike for 3-4 days…
Yep. Thought about that. I have softsided case for one bike and never been charged. I can ship hard shell case for about $80 RT. Cheaper than renting and the plus of having our own bikes…
The mountain biking is super fantastic around Bend. If you haven’t been before you’re most definitely missing out.
I vote mtb.
Whatever you decide, mountain bike in Bend! Visit the area 4 nights a month for work and ride some the best singletrack in the west after work each day. Some of the best trails 5 minutes outside of town. Amazing beer as well.
Ship one bike, soft case the other. Then, rent a MTB for a day. Haha, do all the possible options!
Just a follow up on the mountain biking. With the recent fires they’ve had close to town some of the trails may be affected…
http://www.kval.com/news/local/Two-Bulls-Wildfire-prompts-evacuations-north-of-Bend-262261711.html
Cheers!
My wife and I are traveling to Bend, OR to visit friends in July. We’ll be there for about 5 days. I’m debating whether to take our road bikes, taking our MTBs (hardtails), or just renting bikes. Both of us train with power (hence why I’m thinking of taking our own bikes, plus rentals seem to be about $50/day). We’re coming from SoCal, so not far of a flight. Taking our bikes would likely be a combo of bringing them on the plane and/or shipping to our friend’s house. I’ve biked around Bend before on the road bike, but not MTB. We’d also like to road trip to Crater Lake for a day or two. Any thoughts/recommendations from the locals? Thanks!
-Pete
The fires are getting under control, but check up on them-we’re expecting a pretty busy fire season here. I mostly road bike, but I always tell people visiting for a short time to bring MTBs. The upper elevation trails will be spectacular in July, the trails in town (Phil’s) could be pretty sandy if it stays dry but offer great options from 1-hour rides to full-day outings. http://www.trailrags.com/ , is a great place to get some cool trail maps as bandanas. They sell them in town at all the bike shops also.
Spent a week riding up there two years ago. Great for mountain biking as has been said. Also rode the main road up to Bachelor. Definitely a bike friendly town but holy smokes has it grown since last i was there. It is also famous for the abundance of craft breweries. The Deshutes Brew Pub is pretty cool place with great food and beer…right down town.