Review Date
April 15, 2008

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 2 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 2 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: Rock Magnet ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
Really fun introduction to riding in the Bend area. The scenery is outstanding as you pedal alongside a big river that changes from meandering through meadows to raging in whitewater torrents again and again. No real technical challenges here, just fast pedalling on a shared hiker-biker trail. There is one small grunt of a hill to climb on the upriver direction, but not much else to challenge you. There is potential for conflict with hikers, particularly around the popular waterfall and boat launch areas. The best way to ride seems to be midweek when there are few folks out enjoying the sights. If you are in the area and looking for a first ride, I can't imagine that you would do better than this to get you warmed up for the gnarly trails that abound.

Recommended Route:
We began at bottom near the Entrada Lodge and rode upstream as far as the Benham Falls bridge below Sun River. Return trip retraced our path back. We did this in the spring when temps were mild, but still ran out of water, forcing us to turn around earlier than we would have liked.

Review Date
September 29, 2004

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: konaaah ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
Great little trail with a variety of terrain for a novice. I rode a combination of asphalt, fire roads (with lots of stutter bumps)some great single track with a few sections of tiny whoops, a couple of tight, pedal crunching rock sections and one really steep and dusty downhill. Recommended in spring or after a light rain otherwise dust can be an issue. Great scenery, take some time to enjoy it and see if the rafters can wet ya down!

Recommended Route:
I rode from the campground at the volcanic monument down four miles of asphalt til I hit the Benham bridge then used a combo of fire roads and single track all the way back to town for a great 19 mile ride.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Phils, don't leave Bend without it !

Review Date
March 25, 2004

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 2 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 2 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: powert ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
Very easy to ride. Good if you want to introduce someone to MTB or looking for something to do with your GF or wife. I rode with clipless pedals for the first time on it and didn't have any falls. There are perhaps 2 tough climbs and one very technical rocky section.

MTB can ride on the hiker trail unless where posted. As always, be courteous.

Recommended Route:
We started at Meadow and rode upstream until we ran out of time. Then we pushed it on the way back.

Review Date
April 28, 2003

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months

Review Date
January 20, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a year