Weekender! Bend, Ore.
The Bend Adventure Weekend
By Suzanne Johnson
Photo at right: Excited participants head for the kayaking leg of the Pole Pedal Paddle in Bend, Ore. Photo courtesy of D. Boswell Photography
Build a thrill-filled getaway around one of these classic Bend competitions:
Bend is one of our perfect four-season getaways for the recreational athletic competitor. If your idea of rest and relaxation includes a race bib and a finish line followed by a great meal and a hot tub, plan a trip to this high-desert town. Here are a few ideas for a perfect trip.
The Pole Pedal Paddle Weekend
May 18 – 19
If you’ve not yet checked the Pole Pedal Paddle off your bucket list, make plans to do it this year. The five-stage event encompasses downhill skiing, Nordic skiing, road biking, running, and kayaking. Athletes race solo or in teams, just for grins or with plans of glory.
Reserve lodging at McMenimen’s Old St. Francis School, where a post-PPP soak in the Turkish bath reinvigorates you for an evening around the fire pits outside O’Kanes Pub.
On Sunday, break from the extreme sportsmania and get to know Bend’s peaceful side. Check with local experts at The Patient Angler to plan a day on the river with your fly rod and waders.
After all that catch and release, satisfy those taste buds with the catch of the day on the patio of Anthony’s Homeport, along the banks of the Deschutes.
The Road Warrior Weekend
June 8 – 9
Sign on for the Century 500, a five-day road bike extravaganza of century rides through Central Oregon’s best back roads. Rides kick-off June 5. Riders can participate for one or all five days.
Take a day off the two-wheeler and hop aboard the Cyclepub, a multi-rider pub-crawler that explores Bend’s best microbreweries.
After 100 miles in the saddle, pamper yourself at the Oxford Hotel in downtown Bend, conveniently located near the Anjou Spa (try their signature massage) and Zydeco Kitchen (don’t miss the barbecued shrimp).
The Pacific Crest Weekend
June 28 – 30
When your team of adventurers includes kids, head to the Pacific Crest Sports Festival, for running, biking, and multi-stage events for athletes of all ages.
Lodging at the Sunriver Resort turns the weekend into a mini-vacation with all the amenities and atmosphere. Be sure to get out to the Sunriver Brewhouse for at least one meal, to sample flights of the best microbrews of Central Oregon.
Best adventure to follow up the competitions? The Paulina Plunge, the coolest trail-riding tour in town, with multiple stops, to take a plunge into waterfall-fed pools!
The Sunrise to Sunset Weekend
July 6 – 7
Get to Terrebonne (just north of Bend) before dawn on July 6 for the popular Smith Rock Summer Classic, for a 5k, 10k, or half-marathon, starting just as the sunrise lights up this climbers’ paradise.
Complete your day with a sunset view from Mt. Bachelor’s Pine Martin Lodge; ride the chairlift up to dine on delicious fare in a surprisingly lovely atmosphere.
Save Sunday morning’s run for Tumalo Falls, at the end of Skyliner Road in Bend, then wind up your weekend with a leisurely afternoon on the patio of Chow, where artfully prepared salads and sandwiches leave you happily satiated.
Freelancer Suzanne Johnson lives, writes and plays in the Cascade Mountains of Central Oregon. Find more of her writing at SuzanneMyhreJohnson.com
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