Sunny Spring Road Bike Rides

March 13, 2014 (Updated July 30, 2014)

Spring sunshine always gets our wheels turning: the ones in our heads that start planning the ultimate spring road trip and the ones on our bikes that have been sitting in the garage all winter. Central Oregon is an excellent place to spin along, head, heart and handlebars. We suggest you check out the four of Oregon’s 11 scenic bikeways that make their home in this region.

Sisters to Smith Rock Scenic Bikeway
This rolling, 37-mile ride leaves the Old West mountain town of Sisters and offers views of the lovely Deschutes River and the Cascade peaks on its way to the soaring red spires of Smith Rock State Park, one of the 7 Wonders of Oregon.
Watch a video of this ride here.

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Metolius River Loops Scenic Bikeway
A bit north of Bend, this moderate series of loops starts and ends at the historic Camp Sherman Store and Fly Shop. The loops tally up 24.3 miles total. The shortest loop, 3.3 miles, is a great family ride and provides beautiful views of the Metolius River.

Madras Mountain Views Scenic Bikeway
Oregon’s newest scenic bikeway, this 29.3-mile route passes through the high desert landscape and farmland with dramatic overlooks above Cove Palisades State Park near Lake Billy Chinook and dramatic views of the Deschutes and Crooked rivers. Starts and ends in the town of Madras.

Twin Bridges Scenic Bikeway
This moderate, rolling 36.4-mile ride begins and ends in Bend and passes through the town of Tumalo. Rim rock canyons, verdant pasturelands and views of the Deschutes River are all part of the stunning scenery.

Check out the turn-by-turn directions, videos and more at RideOregonRide.com. You can also order a free print guide to all of Oregon’s Scenic Bikeways, or view it online.


Editor’s note: In Oregon, a bicycle is legally considered a vehicle, and the same Oregon road laws apply. Please “be seen” and practice safe riding. Vehicle traffic, farm equipment and narrow shoulders exist on many Oregon roads, and you may find that construction projects, traffic or other events may cause road conditions or signage to differ from the map results, ride descriptions and directions. For travel options plus weather and road conditions, visit TripCheck.com, call 511 (in Oregon only), 800.977.6368 or 503.588.2941. Routes listed on this website are for informational purposes and intended as a reference guide only.

About The
Author

Eileen Garvin
Eileen Garvin lives and writes in Hood River. When she’s not hunched over her keyboard or digging in the garden, you can find her mountain biking, kiteboarding, hiking, skiing or camping somewhere in Oregon.