Mountain Biking

For more than 30 years, Sunriver residents Steve and Michelle Brown have enjoyed mountain biking and how it provided them with the opportunity to explore remote natural areas.

“The Central Oregon mountain biking community is welcoming and provides an opportunity to make new friends,” Michelle shared. “Mountain biking is also a great way to stay fit — mentally and physically.”

Steve and Michelle had visited the Sunriver area for many years to enjoy the great mountain biking and skiing. When it was time for them to retire, they said Sunriver was the natural choice for their permanent home because they enjoy Sunriver’s rural atmosphere.

They learned how to mountain bike by participating in local riding clinics and riding with experienced mountain bikers, who are always happy to assist with skills and gear. Several of the local bike shops offer group rides and all offer quality rental bikes.

What is your advice for someone eager to learn how

to mountain bike? Start on easier trails such as trails in Phil’s Trails, La Pine State Park, Horse Butte, Sunriver Trails, Peterson Ridge or Maston.

What should someone who is mountain biking for the

first time in Central Oregon know? There are hundreds of miles of singletrack trails throughout Central Oregon. Local bike shops are happy to recommend appropriate trails and access points. Be prepared for changing weather conditions - even in the summer you could encounter rain, hail and lightning. Our local trail building organization, COTA (Central Oregon Trail Alliance), has developed and maintained trails in our area for 30 years. Please respect the work that has gone into our trails - Never ride in muddy conditions or off the trail. Keep single track single and always yield to hikers and equestrians.

What is a trail every mountain biker should try at least

once? There are too many excellent trails in Central Oregon to list and every rider will give you a different answer. Phil’s Trails network is classic Central Oregon singletrack and a must-do destination for mountain bikers traveling through our area. The Deschutes River Trail is popular, beautiful, and can be accessed from the Sunriver bike paths. For folks in the Sunriver area, be sure to check out the new trails right across Cardinal Bridge such as Roundabout and Afternoon Delight. The Sunriver Trails can connect to the Wanoga and Phil’s networks as well.

The Browns shared their favorite mountain bike trails in the:

Summer: Dinah-Moe Humm and Tyler’s Traverse, North Fork and Mrazek, Swampy Lakes, Peterson Ridge, Paulina Rim Trail

Fall: All the summer trails plus Flagline and Met-Win.

Winter: Wanoga Fat Bike Trails and Maston (when it’s dry).

Spring: Horse Butte, Horse Ridge, Maston (but not when they’re muddy).

Favorite places to eat or get coffee or a drink: Our neighborhood favorites are Sunriver Brewing Co., Big Belly Burger and Blondie’s Pizza.

When friends or family are visiting, we always wear them out with mountain biking, hiking, water sports and snow sports. We enjoy grilling on the deck, eating out and tasting craft brews.

Recommended mountain biking resources: Check out Bendtrails.org for trail ratings, maps and current conditions. Trailforks is a good app to see the developed trails in our area. Check out the Meetup App for local cycling groups with rides at various levels.

Photo by Michelle Brown