Bend, Oregon: Biking, Climbing, and Beer

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Why pedal a narrow road with long, steep hills at high elevation? Crater Lake National Park's Rim Drive makes the effort worthwhile. This 33-mile loop offers breathtaking views of the bluest water you've ever seen.

While in Crater Lake National Park, mountain bikers should check out the Pinnacles Panorama. This 9.4-mile out-and-back trail—winding single-track and a wide dirt road—gives riders a good look at the strange 200-foot stone"trees." The eruption of Mount Mazama created these pumice pillars, as well as Crater Lake itself.

The Lower Rogue River Trail in Siskiyou National Forest can be pedaled as a 12-mile single-track shuttle, a 24-mile out-and-back, or a 42-mile loop on single-track, pavement, and gravel. This tough and technical route offers a well-maintained trail through dense, temperate rainforest—you'll get a stunning view of the river at Copper Canyon.

For classic Ashland mountain biking, take on the 27-mile Watershed Loop. This gravel road travels through dense forest, but offers a few distant views. After grinding up 3,000 feet in five miles, riders will enjoy a long stretch of level pedaling and a sweet, six-mile descent.

The Caves Highway route lets cyclists explore Oregon Caves National Monument, take a hike, and get some road riding in as well. After making the scenic 8.3-mile climb to the cave entrance—check out views of the Siskiyou Mountains—take the cave tour, wander through old-growth forest, and then coast back down. The road is winding and narrow, so get an early start to avoid cave-bound traffic.