Whether you’re a mountain biker, road rider, cyclocross racer, or bicycle commuter, you probably spend a decent amount of time pedaling. Bend’s urban infrastructure isn’t exactly the most bike-welcoming terrain, but plenty of locals prefer riding a bike anywhere they can, like Sean Shriver, who runs his tree-trimming business from an electric bike. Local geologist Matthias Perle hauls his two kids to school and back on the back of an electric cargo bike. And graphic artist David Caplan, an avid mountain and road biker, uses an old Sun Fox cruiser to get around town during all seasons.
Some local riders prefer sticking to the trails, like the bicycle mechanics we interviewed at Sunnyside Sports, Hutch’s, and Bend Velo, each of whom is lusting after a different type of mountain bike.
When they need to replace or upgrade parts on their top-of-the-line mountain bikes, they can order locally-assembled, high-end components from the fine fellows at Hope Components, a European company that just opened its first U.S. assembly division in Bend.
At the other end of the bicycle spectrum, steel-frame bikes are making more inroads lately, in the form of the J. Livingston bike. These beauties are custom-made right here in Bend, and named after local biking icon, John Livingston.
Unicycling is taking off, particularly with kids at Pine Ridge Elementary School, where dozens of students are learning to ride the single-wheeled contraptions before school, thanks to a unicycling club. Bend Parks & Recreation also offers unicycling camps and workshops.
Check out our Bike Issue articles:
Upgraded by Hope
A Balancing Act for Pine Ridge Elementary Students
Meet J. Livingston
The Bike Guys’ Bikes
How Important are Bike-able Neighborhoods for Homebuyers?
Bicycle Re-Source of Bend Receives $2,000 Grant
This article appears in Jul 13-20, 2016.
MAKE LOCAL JOURNALISM HAPPEN
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
um… cool? but if the target was a barn door, you missed it.
how is it that no one – including the source – will report on the 3 most amazing cycling opportunities to Deschutes County: the creation of about 4 miles of bike path (ie. golf course path) connecting Bend to Sunriver; creation of a North Unit Irrigation District bike path connect Bend to Smith Rock State Park; and creation of a back road paved route (Sizemore Road) connecting Bend to Sisters?
So, yeah, we’re cool, but oh my god we could be amazing.
Hey Source…wait a second. Ya think it’s tough to commute in Bend. Well, it may be tough, but the tough ARE going strong so please don’t dis this. We negotiate, take the alleys, know when and where to make our presence and keep on working to make this the best it can be. It CAN be better, and we’re out there trying to make this happen. Join US!