I'm moving to BEND!
IT seems like a great little town. I've been living in Bellingham and riding the North Shore for about 4 years now, and while it is sad to leave all that behind, I hear rumors about the amazing riding in Bend.

So where are the great trails? I like to ride downhill, drops, stunts, faces,...basically freeride and downhill. (think: North Shore) Any help finding some trails like these would be great, and If anybody wants to ride, I will be moving down on the 5th of may with nothing more than my motorcycle, my bicycle, and some clothes!

Show me the town!

I don't live in Bend I live on the wet side of the cascades but I ride over there a few times a year..

Bend has a lot of XC but not a lot of DH/freeride stuff. Check out www.cotamtb.org.

dang, I like the assistance of gravity when I ride...I'll have to find myself an abandoned hillside and build some stuff.
If you build it, they will come....

Better buy some land..

If you build it.. They will tear it down and fine you.

dang, I like the assistance of gravity when I ride...I'll have to find myself an abandoned hillside and build some stuff.
If you build it, they will come....

I live in Bend, and I think you were just kidding about building stuff willy-nilly. The local trail user group has an amiable relationship with the local land managers. Please try not to fock it up for the rest of us. Otherwise we'll all be saying, "That new guy blew it."

There are TONS of riders and riding here, but the technical and stunt stuff is spread out. With 300+ miles of trail around town, you might ride 10 miles between technical sections. There's new stuff going in each year. There are also a few new stunt riding areas within the city, so maybe you won't even have to go onto USFS or BLM land.

I am moving back to Bend in 2 weeks after being gone for a few years. I am into DH and freeride also. Let me know if you want to ride. There are a few good dirt jump spots, Cline butte is a great DH with some drops and a dirt jump/mtn x course. COTA is getting some land for a dirt jump and freeride park. They are going to put injumps, logs, bridges, and some other stuff but they need people to work on it. Think they are going to start building in a few weeks. They are also trying to get Mt. Bachelor to open for MTbike in the summer that would be sweet. I, like you really am going to miss my riding spots but maybe we can get some people together and make Bend more than just an XC spot.

I'm definitly down to ride. I will be moving into town on the 5th or 6th of May, and i start my new job on the 7th. The freeride park would be awesome, if they need volunteers I would love to help build some stuff.

All the XCers laugh when we pedal uphill, but we laugh the hardest going down....

If you want stunts, cruise up to Hood River and ride Post Canyon. It's 2 hours from Bend and is doing it's best to emulate the North Shore. It's getting pretty gnarly, you should check it out.

Nickel,

PM me if you want a tour of the trails. Very smooth singletrack around town, a couple of features on Lower GS.

Tap

All the XCers laugh when we pedal uphill, but we laugh the hardest going down....

Well...there goes the neighborhood! :rolleyes:

Along that thread, a bunch of us from the Seattle area will be down there the annual trip the 10th through 14th and camping in the Phil's area just past the trailhead and by KGB at the usual spot. I've heard a lot about new stuff on GS and some other new trails in the area. I heard that the "new" trails (Bens, Phil's, and Kent's) coming from the trailhead are super bumpy and no fun at all right now???
Also, how is going up Farewell to Mrazek vs taking FS 500 to 700?
Lastly, is the logging over with in Storm King?
Can't wait to escape the rain for awhile.

- stunts are on new lower GS section, a couple ladders and a teeter. the singletrack in here is very tech, tight, and rocky :D
- new trails from trailhead are all in great shape. very nice to ride.
- logging is still at Storm King.
- dunno bout Farewell, etc

Odd. I had some frinds that went down there 2 weeks ago and told me to avoid the new trails from the trailhead like the plague. That they were awful. And, that Storm King was wide open and no problem with the logging.

Thanks for the info on GS. I figured the new stuff was on the lower section by the picnic table.

Next question: so where's the new jump park in relationship to the trailhead at Phil's?

Thanks again!

Odd. I had some frinds that went down there 2 weeks ago and told me to avoid the new trails from the trailhead like the plague. That they were awful. And, that Storm King was wide open and no problem with the logging.

Thanks for the info on GS. I figured the new stuff was on the lower section by the picnic table.

Next question: so where's the new jump park in relationship to the trailhead at Phil's?

Thanks again!

The jump park is not built yet.

Storm King is rideable but messy for a short bit.

The picnic table is gone. GS has also been rerouted near there.

The new trails from trailhead are a little bumpy but not at all bad.

Hi Nat. Just wanted to say thanks for showing us around on Saturday. We all had a great time. Todd and Amy joined us Sunday for the MRT. Lots of fun, although Chuck went down pretty hard and is a little sore and banged up. Monday we shot over to Smith Rocks for a good hike and watched the many climbers. That evening Paul and I parked over at COD again and went for a ride on the Deschutes River trail. Caught it for a couple of hours before it got dark. Hopefully we will be back sometime in the near future. Cheers.

Hi Nat. Just wanted to say thanks for showing us around on Saturday. We all had a great time. Todd and Amy joined us Sunday for the MRT. Lots of fun, although Chuck went down pretty hard and is a little sore and banged up. Monday we shot over to Smith Rocks for a good hike and watched the many climbers. That evening Paul and I parked over at COD again and went for a ride on the Deschutes River trail. Caught it for a couple of hours before it got dark. Hopefully we will be back sometime in the near future. Cheers.

Hi Eric. I had a great time riding with you guys; I'm glad you contacted me. That was a long ride and I was pretty tired the next day, but it was good fun. I had enough obligations at home that I didn't get to ride the rest of the weekend. Let me know when you head back this way so we can do it again.

Nat

Thanks for the feedback Nat. And the pics. The long ladder down looks fun. Looking forward to this trip so much that we're leaving a day early and will be down late evening a week from today. Hoping you guys get some rain this weekend to help keep the dust down.

We'll be camping past the trailhead by the clearing below KGB. Stop by to say Hi or come on out. Planning on riding all over Phil's Thursday. KGB to Deschutes to Benham and back via CIA/COD Friday. Up Ben's or GS to Upper /Lower Whoops, out Skyliner's to Farewell. Up Farewell, down Mrazek and back to camp Saturday. Pack up and do MRT Sunday on the way home.

If you had to choose two ups/two downs for Phil's on Thursday. What would they be? Up Ben's, down Phil's, back up COD Storm King down GS?

Oh, the choices...

Hey Nat,
The new stunts look fun. I haven't been out to ride them yet, but was thinking of heading over tomorrow. Would you be interested in riding? Anytime works for me.
Todd

Hey Nat,
The new stunts look fun. I haven't been out to ride them yet, but was thinking of heading over tomorrow. Would you be interested in riding? Anytime works for me.
Todd

Sounds good, but I work until about noon, then have to meet my landscaper at 3:00. That means I have only about 90 minutes to 2 hours, but if you're up for it, we could ride together until I have to head home. I hate making people wait up for me, so I hope I don't delay your plans or anything.

Thanks for the feedback Nat. And the pics. The long ladder down looks fun. Looking forward to this trip so much that we're leaving a day early and will be down late evening a week from today. Hoping you guys get some rain this weekend to help keep the dust down.

We'll be camping past the trailhead by the clearing below KGB. Stop by to say Hi or come on out. Planning on riding all over Phil's Thursday. KGB to Deschutes to Benham and back via CIA/COD Friday. Up Ben's or GS to Upper /Lower Whoops, out Skyliner's to Farewell. Up Farewell, down Mrazek and back to camp Saturday. Pack up and do MRT Sunday on the way home.

If you had to choose two ups/two downs for Phil's on Thursday. What would they be? Up Ben's, down Phil's, back up COD Storm King down GS?

Oh, the choices...

I don't see any rain in the forecast, but the soil is PERFECT right now. There's hardly any dust at all.

You're planning on doing two up/two downs all in one ride? Jeez, that's a lot of riding (for me anyway). I think I'd go:

Loop 1: Phil's trailhead > up Phil's > helipad > down lower whoops > down Ben's > trailhead

Loop 2: Phil's trailhead > up Kent's > over to Phil's > helipad > down Storm King > down Grand Slam.

I guess another option would be to start at Skyliner trailhead > up Skyliner > down Storm King > Phil's trailhead > get back up to Skyliner trailhead somehow (I'd drive).

Damn, I'm getting tired just picturing riding that much in one day! I'd better go lie down...

Up Farewell > down Mrazek should be good too. Did you know that it's the Bend Bike Festival this weekend?

http://www.bikecentral.org/bikefest.php

Sounds good, but I work until about noon, then have to meet my landscaper at 3:00. That means I have only about 90 minutes to 2 hours, but if you're up for it, we could ride together until I have to head home. I hate making people wait up for me, so I hope I don't delay your plans or anything.

Nat, that sounds good to me. Do you want to meet on the trail? I was thinking maybe KGB at the intersection by the hike a bike hill where we ended our ride on Sat. How does 12:45 sound? Also we need to talk about landscaping. We need some work done.
Todd

Yes, I knew about it. Can't make this weekend. It's the big MS Mountain BIke Madness Ride up here in Fall City and I designed the course. So, it's my b'hind if folks don't like it. But, I think they will.

Two laps is not such a big deal for me. I guess even at 42, I'm used to it. We averaged 40 miles a day last year there.

I've heard that Farewell up to Mrazek is not as good as just going up the jeep road (700, 500) from Tumelo. That's the way we went last year but I was thinking about going down Skyliner's to Farewell and up. Then down Mrazek and back to camp.

Breakfast(at the Victorian if we're lazy) bike, beer, nap, food. Repeat as needed.

What about VooDoo? I've heard that's fun too. Have not done that one yet.

Come by and say, "Hi" we'll be there just about a week from now.

Nat, that sounds good to me. Do you want to meet on the trail? I was thinking maybe KGB at the intersection by the hike a bike hill where we ended our ride on Sat. How does 12:45 sound? Also we need to talk about landscaping. We need some work done.
Todd

Todd, check your email.

Yes, I knew about it. Can't make this weekend. It's the big MS Mountain BIke Madness Ride up here in Fall City and I designed the course. So, it's my b'hind if folks don't like it. But, I think they will.

Two laps is not such a big deal for me. I guess even at 42, I'm used to it. We averaged 40 miles a day last year there.

I've heard that Farewell up to Mrazek is not as good as just going up the jeep road (700, 500) from Tumelo. That's the way we went last year but I was thinking about going down Skyliner's to Farewell and up. Then down Mrazek and back to camp.

Breakfast(at the Victorian if we're lazy) bike, beer, nap, food. Repeat as needed.

What about VooDoo? I've heard that's fun too. Have not done that one yet.

Come by and say, "Hi" we'll be there just about a week from now.

40 miles/day is stretching it for me. You're in great shape.

Farewell is a steep climb and FUBAR if it's dusty, but I bet it's firm right now. The only jeep road I can picture is at the beginning of the dirt road, just past the bridge. That road spits you out onto Mrazek miles below where Farewell does, so I'd rather climb up Farewell.

I love the Victorian Cafe, especially their eggs benedict.

VooDoo is fun. There aren't any major features on it to differentiate it though. It's real similar to Phil's, Kent's, and all the other lower trails. I use it as a connector between Kent's and Ben's.

I'll keep an eye out for you.

40 miles/day is stretching it for me. You're in great shape.
Farewell is a steep climb and FUBAR if it's dusty, but I bet it's firm right now. The only jeep road I can picture is at the beginning of the dirt road, just past the bridge. That road spits you out onto Mrazek miles below where Farewell does, so I'd rather climb up Farewell.
I love the Victorian Cafe, especially their eggs benedict.

VooDoo is fun. There aren't any major features on it to differentiate it though. It's real similar to Phil's, Kent's, and all the other lower trails. I use it as a connector between Kent's and Ben's.
I'll keep an eye out for you.

Great shape? Not really, but trying.

Farewell: Thanks! We'll see how everyone feels when we get there. That's the jeep road we took last year that goes through the upper burn. Great views though!

Victorian Eggs B: Oh yeah!(drooling...)

Great, thanks again.

I'm moving to BEND!
IT seems like a great little town. I've been living in Bellingham and riding the North Shore for about 4 years now, and while it is sad to leave all that behind, I hear rumors about the amazing riding in Bend.

So where are the great trails? I like to ride downhill, drops, stunts, faces,...basically freeride and downhill. (think: North Shore) Any help finding some trails like these would be great, and If anybody wants to ride, I will be moving down on the 5th of may with nothing more than my motorcycle, my bicycle, and some clothes!

Show me the town!

Im moveing to bend in september to go to COCC. I ride DH, DJ, FR, XC also. whoops is really fun. go to Willamette pass for downhill 60mins away.

when are you moveing to bend?

theres drop hear and there. I think the best drop is 7 or 8 feet.

Is September we should carpool to Willamette pass

Well, I've been in bend for about a month now, and while the weather is pretty nice, the riding is a little tame. I'm sure it's great if you are into cross country, there are massive stretches of single track. I rode the Mrazack (spelling?) trail the other day, and was like 8 miles downhill. Pretty cool...but it was like riding on dirty pavement...no technical sections at all, and ridiculously smooth.
I rode phil's the other day, KGB and some GS and the same was true...everyone said it was technical and difficult, but I never even put my helmet on. So far I have not found anything even near technical...except Cline Butte. Now here is a technical trail, unfortunaly it is like 15 minutes out of town, and when you are poor, buying gas all the time sucks.

Anyway, don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, the riding here is extensive, but its not the kind I'm used to. It's not that much fun to hammer around on a freeride bike in the middle of the flat desert. If anybody wants to go pound down Cline Butte, let me know, it would be a great downhill ride.