First ride in Bend!

[feltbee]

I just moved to the area last week and after getting the house setup (for the most part), I was able to sneak out yesterday morning for my first ride here in Bend. It was hard waiting so long for that first ride. But it was a good one. I headed over to Phil's and rode up Phil's and past the helipad, Whoops, and down to Ben's. I can't wait to get some confidence to make Whoops a more fun ride and hit some of those jumps! Coming from the Denver area, I'm not used to trail features like that. Thinking I need a more cushy bike for that and not my Yeti ASRc! Anyways, I'm hoping to get out this weekend and do another loop over that way (possibly this route Mrazek, Farewell, Skyliner, Whoops, Ben's Loop Mountain Bike Ride, Bend, OR) or ride along the river down to Sunriver and back.

[TheSchwagman]

Sweet! Welcome to Bend! Don't be in a hurry to go long travel (although my steed is a 140mm full susser). Ride a lot of epic loops before you go out and buy something. If you hit Funner & Tiddly Winks, you'll definitely end up with an enduro style bike, but for the trails you mentioned your ASRc is good. You really NEED to ride up North Fork to Happy Valley in the next week. The wild flowers up there should be gorgeous! I recommend Ben's/Skyliner/Tumalo/North Fork/Mrazek as a loop.

[Nat]

Welcome to town! You're in for a treat.

[feltbee]

You really NEED to ride up North Fork to Happy Valley in the next week. The wild flowers up there should be gorgeous! I recommend Ben's/Skyliner/Tumalo/North Fork/Mrazek as a loop.

I'll try and give that a shot! Thanks for the heads up.

Yeah, I love my ASRc, but even back home I had been thinking of upgrading to something else. I'm sure I'll ride this for another few months unless I can find a sweet deal on a different frame. Then I'll transfer over parts and sell my frame.

[newfydog]

Welcome to Bend!

Avoid that river trail on weekends to avoid conflict with hikers, but put it high on your list to see.

[Dry Side]

I find for everything below Shooting Star a hard tail single speed (32Tx18T) w/100mm up front is the ticket. FS is just not needed in the Phil's trail complex. FS is nice for the upper elevation trails (South/North Fork, Farewell, Flagline, Swede Ridge, Metolius-Windago), but not a must have. I have a FS, but tend to pick my HT bikes more often.

[feltbee]

I find for everything below Shooting Star a hard tail single speed (32Tx18T) w/100mm up front is the ticket. FS is just not needed in the Phil's trail complex. FS is nice for the upper elevation trails (South/North Fork, Farewell, Flagline, Swede Ridge, Metolius-Windago), but not a must have. I have a FS, but tend to pick my HT bikes more often.

I was thinking that while I was riding there. I've got a hardtail frame that I have setup with as a ghetto singlespeed (old derailleur for chain tensioner). I just need to get a second set of pedals to put on there and then it would be ready for some action.

I can't wait to explore all the trails though. I'm also really looking forward to riding the NUT and MRT.

[TheSchwagman]

Clearly the OP needs another bike, not a different bike.

For me, even with the buffed trails we have, my one quiver bike is a trail bike (5" travel full squish, enduro style...). But then again, I'm fairly long of tooth and soft in the middle. But I'd love to have a nice hardtail too.

[feltbee]

Clearly the OP needs another bike, not a different bike.

Amen brother! I need a new hardtail (29" of some sort), a dedicated singlespeed, a new FS with more squish, and a cyclocross bike.

[Rockin]

I was thinking that while I was riding there. I've got a hardtail frame that I have setup with as a ghetto singlespeed (old derailleur for chain tensioner). I just need to get a second set of pedals to put on there and then it would be ready for some action.

I can't wait to explore all the trails though. I'm also really looking forward to riding the NUT and MRT.

Don't forget Oakridge

[icsloppl]

An ASRc should be an excellent all-round bike for the area. In many cases, the riding can be described as going as fast as possible between technical features or sections. If you have a long-travel squish bike you'll get dropped like a rock. If you go too light, you can get eaten by the rocks.

Watch what other people are using. Typically high-end 29'er HT's for the racer types and 100mm-120mm FS (mostly 29'ers) for the rest of us.

[StreamRider]

Avoid that river trail on weekends to avoid conflict with hikers, but put it high on your list to see.

+1

Way too crowded for a decent ride.

[dirt farmer]

Welcome! Now that you've discovered our little slice of Heaven, you'll have to keep quiet - mum's the word - , or we'll have to kill you! (JUST KIDDING!)

Any Yeti is fine for Bend and it's environs.

[feltbee]

Thanks all! Sounds like I've got the right bike for the job around here.

I'll avoid the river trail this weekend and plan to ride it one weekday morning.

[StreamRider]

You really NEED to ride up North Fork to Happy Valley in the next week. The wild flowers up there should be gorgeous!

Where do you usually start?

[icsloppl]

Where do you usually start?

Tumalo Falls or Skyliners make nice loops.

Map -

http://www.ormtb.com/Central_Oregon/...r_Dutchman.pdf

[CaptainCogset]

I have an older Yeti ASR and a newer ASR5c. I have the ASR from my racing days and got the ASR5c for a little more plushness and fun. Both are great bikes for all the local trails. Welcome to Bend and hopefully you will keep your Yeti and add a new one to expand the tribe around here.

[feltbee]

Thanks Captain! I had an aluminum ASR an loved it. Had the chance last year to join a little team/club that was for repoing the ASRc as a do all kinda bike. Got a heck of a deal on it. Have been curious about switching to a ASR5c for a small weight gain but more squish. Can't find the perfect deal on it though. Love the Yeti brand and the people that work there.

[Glide the Clyde]

You moved to Bend before riding in Bend?? Wow! Enjoy.

[wasfast]

give me a text. I would be happy to ride with you. 541.5nine1. 639six

[sketchbook]

Anyways, I'm hoping to get out this weekend and do another loop over that way (possibly this route Mrazek, Farewell, Skyliner, Whoops, Ben's Loop Mountain Bike Ride, Bend, OR) or ride along the river down to Sunriver and back.

Nice! Welcome to bend. And way to get out there!

This ride you listed above is great. I added that ride to the MTB project so glad it's being utilized!

In in Switzerland till late Tomorrow but would live to show you around more.

Cheers!

[feltbee]

Nice! Welcome to bend. And way to get out there!

This ride you listed above is great. I added that ride to the MTB project so glad it's being utilized!

In in Switzerland till late Tomorrow but would live to show you around more.

Cheers!

That sounds great. Shoot me a message sometime when you're back. I tried the route, but got a bit turned around and didn't get to do it all. Still had a great time though exploring.

[sketchbook]

Ha. Yeah the start where you go from Phil's over to Mrazek is a bit of a challenge. It's not well marked. Will hit you up once I settle down. Been missing the Bend trails.

Switzerland has some nice stuff but its nowhere near as accessible as bend.

Lucky us

[TheSchwagman]

Where do you usually start?

Skyliner snow park. Then connect via Tumalo ridge trail.

[feltbee]

Right! I made it over to the otherside of Skyliners and found that little trail cutoff at the gravel road intersection. I eventually found myself on Mrazek, but never made it over to the Farewell trail section.

I think I just need to hit up a shop and get some good trail maps to carry around for the summer.

[StreamRider]

Bend and Central Oregon Mountain Biking

Bend, Central Oregon Mountain Biking and X/C skiing | Adventure Maps

I like to ride with a GPS loaded with a map of the trail system and routes I can follow.

[StreamRider]

Check out this great source for Bend trails.

Deschutes National Forest Mountain Bike and Hiking Trails

[GauchoGreg]

Have you seen the bandana maps? Saw them at the checkout at one of the shops but had already spent my money and did not buy one, but Pretty cool stuffable map

[feltbee]

Haven't seen that, but what a great idea. I'll have to hit up a shop and see if I can find one. Thanks!

[GauchoGreg]

Yeah, I thought it was a great idea, too. Just remembered where I saw them, the Altrec store over by Safeway off Century Drive. Just found their web-site, too: TrailRags - Bend, Oregon 97702 | Washable trail maps printed on bandanas | Bike Run Hike

Does not look like they cover over to Mrazek/Farewell, yet, though. But they do have a bunch of good winter rides (when non-paper would be most handy), though.

By the way, welcome to Bend. Great place to live. Been here since 1998, and riding here before that. But after a time without doing much riding, I'm just really getting back into it with more steam as my son is 9 and is also really getting into it. Only problem is too many things to do.

See you on the trail.