Bend has a world-class reputation for biking. Between smooth paved forest trails, river bluffs, and high-alpine lift access, there’s a massive spectrum of riding here. For casual riders like us, we explored the best options to have a safe and fun time (hint: it was on an e-bike).
Our Biking Philosophy (And Why We Use E-Bikes)
We bike to see cool stuff, get outside, and cover real ground without hating our lives on the uphill. We aren’t trying to earn a badge for maximum suffering nor do we want to miss out on scenic spots because it’s a few miles too far away. And to be fair, e-bike does not equal zero work. This isn’t a motorcycle and by the end of the day, those “easy” trails we did on 1 or 2 assist have jumped to maximum as we make our way back.
1. Paved and Scenic: Sunriver to Lava Butte and Benham Falls
If you’re looking for paved paths with minimal interaction with cars, Ponderosa pine forests, and volcanic views, the trail network around Sunriver and Lava Butte is hard to top. Sunriver alone boasts 34 miles of paved, car-free pathways winding through the pines. It looks deceptively gentle, but Central Oregon’s rolling elevation can pack a punch without e-bike assistance.
The Reality Check
Rent an e-bike. Period. The paved paths around Sunriver and Benham Falls look easy on a flat map, but the subtle, relentless inclines stack up. We zipped past people on standard pedal bikes, including some fit 20-somethings who clearly thought youth would carry them through. They were visibly suffering and it was equal parts hilarious and sad.
Navigation Warning: Ditch Google Maps & Skip the QR Code
Learn from our mistake: do not rely on Google Maps for trail routing here. Google will gladly attempt to route you onto a narrow highway shoulder with fast-moving traffic. In our attempt to avoid that, we took a “slight detour” down a gravel track that quickly devolved into crossing train tracks and lugging bikes up an aggressively unfriendly off-road trail meant for dirt bikes.
Also, Sunriver promotes an official digital map via QR code at kiosks. Save yourself the headache as even the local bike shop staff will tell you it’s terrible. Download the Ride with GPS app instead. We have zero affiliation with them, but it completely saved us in Bend for our 2nd bike trip and we found it to be far superior for tracking actual, bike-friendly paths.
Logistics and E-Bike Rules
We snagged our e-bikes from Sunriver Sports, who saved the day with a last-minute rental when everywhere else was booked solid. Keep in mind that while you can reserve bikes online if you’re at least 48 hours out, several shops enforce a two-day minimum rental. That wasn’t going to work for us since we were staying in Bend proper, so calling around for same-day walk-up options was a lifesaver.
- Important Rule: Sunriver pathways strictly allow Class 1 pedal-assist e-bikes only (max 20 mph). Throttle-operated Class 2/3 bikes are banned. Make sure your rental shop gives you a compliant Class 1 rig (like the Momentum models we used).
2. Urban Trails and River Bluffs: Archie Briggs Canyon and Beyond
If you’re looking to stay local in Bend, we found the bluffs up through Archie Briggs Canyon to be the ultimate sweet spot. This route is ideal for casual riders who want real elevation, river canyon views, and local scenery away from the standard tourist clusters.
Choosing where to ride (and skipping the defaults)
Most downtown bike shops naturally steer casual renters toward the paved loop around the Old Mill District or out toward 7th Mountain Resort. Unless you enjoy dodging double strollers, leashed dogs, and selfie sticks, pass through those areas quickly and head for the bluffs. Bike shops default to smooth asphalt because they assume casual renters will hesitate the second dirt enters the picture.
When we asked our rental shop about doing Archie Briggs instead, we got a lukewarm, “Yeah, I mean… you can do that, I guess.” Having done a little research beforehand, we went anyway and it ended up being the visual highlight of riding in Bend proper.
The Experience
Navigating up through Archie Briggs rewards you with high-angle overlooks of the Deschutes River canyon and sweeping urban-meets-mountain views. The route is a mix of paved sections and well-maintained unpaved dirt paths. Because it isn’t 100% paved, you share the trail mostly with locals rather than tourist crowds. And on an e-bike, those intimidating bluff inclines become an absolute breeze.
Logistics
We picked up a pair of Momentum e-bikes from Wheel Fun Rentals in Bend. Super convenient, hassle-free, and they even handed us same-day coupons for local spots, which led directly to post-ride ice cream.
3. Mt. Bachelor Downhill
Mt. Bachelor offers lift-served downhill mountain biking during the summer. It sounds amazing on paper: take the chairlift up, gravity-feed your way down, and enjoy the high-alpine air without pedaling uphill.
The Reality Check
We actually planned to ride Bachelor. But while hiking up Fly Creek toward the summit, we stopped to watch the downhillers coming off the chairlift. They were fully body-armored, decked out in full-face helmets, and looking like they were preparing for battle. (Okay, maybe not full combat, but definitely serious business.)
We took a look at the terrain, evaluated the cost, the required effort, and our actual skill level, and made the executive decision to scratch it off the list.
The Takeaway
Vacation pivots happen all the time. Unless you already have solid downhill experience, paying for a lift ticket to slide out on volcanic scree and risk ruining the rest of your trip isn’t worth it. Besides, why not spend those saved lift-ticket dollars on beer and ice cream instead?
Quick Comparison and Practical Tips
| Route | Difficulty | Surface Type | Standout Landmark | Ideal Bike Type |
| Sunriver to Lava Butte / Benham | Easy Terrain, Sneaky Elevation | Fully Paved (34-mile network) | Lava Butte, River Views an Benham Falls | Class 1 E-Bike (Unless you enjoy suffering) |
| Archie Briggs & River Bluffs | Moderate | Mixed (Paved & Dirt) | Archie Briggs Overlook | E-Bike |
| Mt. Bachelor Downhill | Advanced to Expert | Loose Volcanic Cinder / Rock | High Alpine Lift Views | Full-Suspension Downhill Rig |
Navigation and Local Pit Stops You Shouldn’t Skip
- App to Download: Skip phone maps and QR codes; use Ride with GPS for accurate trail navigation.
- Goody’s (Sunriver): Essential post-ride ice cream after cruising the pine trails.
- Deschutes Brewery Tasting Room (Bend): The ideal spot to park the bikes and enjoy a cool drink or the amazing Willy Burgers.
- Ben & Jerry’s (Bend): Essential post-ride ice cream after a long day and Wheels of Fun had a coupon for 20% off same-day. Hopefully they never get rid of it!