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"Best Week in Oregon" Dual Sport Ride in High Desert & Cascade Mountains

The "Best Week in Oregon" Adventure Ride, Cascade Mountains and High Desert

The "Best Week in Oregon" Adventure Ride, Cascade Mountains and High Desert

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Right in the heart of the Pacific Northwest, the start-up of our newest adventure bike rental fleet in Bend, Oregon has us in the perfect location to make this incredibly fun 1-week riding package. Fly into RDM airport, your bike and hotels will be waiting for you, and along with all the highlights and other inclusions shown on this page, our job is to make some of the most fun dual sport riding days anywhere easy  to tap into. Self-Guided versions of this trip are possible if you choose dates we have availability, or check the dates listed to join group supported event with Support Truck to follow.

Yes, there's the Oregon Backcountry Discovery Route, and yes, this trip touches on parts of it. But instead of focusing only on that, we think we've got something even better to show you with the ride ahead. Come see why Oregon is one of the most sought after places to live in the U.S., and just how great our adventure riding and other outdoor activities are.

Itinerary

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Day 1 – Arrival Day: Welcome to beautiful Bend, Oregon! 

Welcome to Bend, and we hope you can arrive a little earlier and enjoy this outstanding town for outdoors lovers. We are nestled along the Deschutes River which writhes up from the Cascade Mountains, and serves as the backbone for our small town. From the river rafting and fly fishing opportunities to the vast array of mountain biking, dirt biking, hiking, skiing, snowboarding, rock climbing, golf, and other options we have in the area, we are incredibly proud to call Bend "home," and hope you have the chance to enjoy it as well before departure. (Prediction: Those of you outdoorsy-types looking for retirement or vacation home possibilities will end up purchasing a property here soon.) 

Upon arrival, groups will meet for dinner and to get everyone familiar with their motorcycles before takeoff. Bring anything you want to mount on the bike, and we'll make sure you're all set and fit for the great ride ahead. The twisting of wrists begins tomorrow.

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Day 2 - Bend to Ashland (241 miles)

Heading west on Cascade Lakes Highway past Mount Bachelor and along the shores of Devil's, Sparks, Elk, and Hosmer Lakes, leave the pavement behind and settle into some simple gravel riding over Windigo Pass on the way to Crater Lake National Park. Left behind by the collapse of Mount Mazama about 7,000 years ago, Crater Lake is the deepest in the U.S. at 1,949 feet (10th deepest in the world) and quite a site from the hiking trail around its upper rim.

Just a bit further south lies the cool Siskiyou Mountain town of Ashland with its ski resort of the same name overlooking. After this great first day of dual sport riding beneath the canopy of huge Ponderosa pine trees, settle in for a night on the town and prep for more great riding ahead. 

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Day 3 - Ashland to Lakeview (214 miles)

Obvious pavement routes are available, but there's also the option of ducking off into some dirt and gravel to make today's ride even more interesting. Around Upper Klamath Lake and through Winema and Fremont National Forests, California is just to the south with nearby Antelope refuges that make sitings possible. Settling into the "Tallest Town in Oregon," Lakeview sits at 4,802 feet and will be a great resting spot to prep for the next day's ride.

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Day 4 - Lakeview to Burns (264 to 312 miles)

A bit more pavement today to help cover the distance involved, but the route is simply perfect as it passes over Hart Mountain, through the stunning Steens Mountain range, and offers incredible views. Out here in the High Desert of Oregon, the riding dates we select for this route sure do make for a high probability of sunny and clear skies, so while everyone's encouraged to come prepared for a variety of weather, chances are good you won't see any rain (although the Steens Mountain Loop sometimes isn't open until early July because of snowpack.)

Winds out here can be significant, but nothing like what we deal with in Patagonia and other places. Burns is a simple lumber-focused town that will do well for an overnight spot to recharge for the next day.

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Day 5 - Burns to Baker City (149 to 267 miles)

With sections of dirt floor of Malheur and Umatilla National Forests available today, either take the long way that includes some off-pavement riding, or the shorter option on paved twisties during this fun ride canopied by our enormous Ponderosa and Douglas Fir conifers. Once a thriving gold mining town with over 2,000 inhabitants and served by a narrow gauge railway, Sumpter is now a bit of a ghost town in a beautiful mountain setting.

After passing through, touch on the original fur trading thoroughfare that is the Oregon Trail before heading into to Baker City for the night. Another simple, small town, part of what may be your getaway from regular big city life.

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Day 6 - Baker City to Bend (231 to 299 miles)

The final stretch, and one that might be welcome after the demands of this ride. The full & longest day is certainly "doable" for most experienced dual sport riders, by now some more pavement might make sense, and so we have some of the very best twisties and sweepers in the world available for the ride back to Bend if you prefer to keep it shorter. With the incredible John Day Fossil Beds along the way, and various possible routes both forested and desert-like, enjoy that fresh Oregon air! Guided Groups will celebrate the finish of the trip with a dinner along the Deschutes River in town.

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Day 7 - Departure Day from Bend, if you must!

As we've noted and bragged about, Bend isn't just the kind of town you'll want to pass through in a hurry. Inquire with us about arranging extra time in this fun small mountain town, and anyone interested in hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, rafting, rock climbing, golf, just floating the river, or even skiing (often possible through May) should plan on staying a bit longer. As described by Eric in the original announcement of our Bend-based rental fleet, you may end up living here someday, too!

Minimum Essential Gear for RIDE Training

If you're planning to jump on a guided tour or training with RIDE Adventures, it's essential that you have the right gear. This helps to ensure your safety and the safety of others while on the road.

Not being properly prepared can lead to injuires that could have been avoided. Our guides have created a Minimum Essential Gear Guide if you plan to book a RIDE Adventures. If you don't come minimally prepared there is a chance our guides will prevent you from hopping on a bike. Make sure you're prepared for the adventure. 

Bikes Available

2019+ Honda CB500x

2019+ Honda CB500x

Another recent assertion by Honda Motorcycles into the Adventure Riding world, riders seeking a compact-sized adventure bike have been raving about the CB500X. With plenty of power emanating from the parallel-twin engine, and an agile disposition, everything from paved twisties to gravel, dirt, and sand can be conquered with this fun adventuring option. Starting in 2019 with it's 19 inch wheel, this bike has proven itself for us in places like Patagonia, and will be a great option for riders exploring beyond.

  • Wet Weight - 430lbs
  • Seat Height - 32.7 inches
  • Fuel Capacity - 4.6 gal

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Seat Height:
32.7 in
Curb Weight:
430lbs
Fuel Capacity:
4.6 gal
Displacement:
471cc Parallel Twin
2024 Yamaha XT250

2024 Yamaha XT250

The Yamaha XT250 is a reliable and versatile dual-sport bike, perfect for both on- and off-road adventures.

Its air-cooled 249cc single-cylinder engine provides a broad powerband and excellent fuel efficiency, while the compact chassis and long-travel suspension ensure agile handling and comfort on various terrain.

With features like a 21-inch front wheel, wide-ratio five-speed transmission, and electric start, the XT250 is ideal for exploring dirt trails, commuting, or simply enjoying the thrill of the ride.

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Seat Height:
32.7 in
Curb Weight:
291 lbs
Fuel Capacity:
2.5 gal
Displacement:
249cc
Honda Africa Twin

Honda Africa Twin

Finally, the return of a legend! The long awaited, and thoroughly updated Africa Twin by Honda has been talked about for years, finally making itself available in various markets around the world in 2015. With a four-valve Unicam® cylinder head 998cc parallel twin engine, more power than an adventure rider could ever need is available along with suspension travel and ground clearance to handle the most remote and rugged terrains and pathways. 

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Seat Height:
33.5/34.3 in
Curb Weight:
511 lb
Fuel Capacity:
4.96 gal
Displacement:
998 cc
Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports

Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports

Finally, the return of a legend, and this version, a little bit more prepared for long adventure rides than it's smaller twin. The long awaited, and thoroughly updated Africa Twin by Honda finally became available in rental fleets around the world in 2015, forever winning our hearts over with incredible reliability while being extremely fun to ride the first few seasons. This "Adventure Sports" version is about an inch taller with 1.5 gallons greater fuel capacity than the standard Africa Twin. With a four-valve Unicam® cylinder head 998cc parallel twin engine, more power than an adventure rider could ever need is available along with suspension travel and ground clearance to handle the most remote and rugged terrains and routes.

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Seat Height:
35.4/36.2 in
Curb Weight:
533 lb
Fuel Capacity:
6.4 gal
Displacement:
998 cc
Honda Africa Twin CRF1100 (2020+)

Honda Africa Twin CRF1100 (2020+)

Just a few years after this legendary bike was reintroduced as a 1000cc world traveler in 2016, Honda made the Africa Twin CRF 1100 just a little bit better starting the 2020 model year. With four-valve Unicam® cylinder heads atop a 22.5degree parallel-twin engine, more power than an adventure rider could ever need is available along with suspension travel and ground clearance to handle the most remote and rugged terrains and pathways. An upgraded electronics package vs. the previous version includes cruise control, a 6-axis IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit,) and a 6.5 inch touchscreen display with Bluetooth integration. Pack it up for a long trip, or take the bags off for a day on the trails, nothing but fun lies ahead!

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Seat Height:
33.5/34.3 in
Curb Weight:
505 lb
Fuel Capacity:
5.0 gal
Displacement:
1084 cc
Yamaha Ténéré 700

Yamaha Ténéré 700

This highly-anticipated "masterpiece of value" has finally been released, giving dual sport adventure riders around the world one more incredible middle-weight adventure bike to choose from. With 73+ smooth, linear horsepower pouring through one of most beautiful exhaust notes out there, the Ténéré 700's unique anti-squat design puts that power into the ground, instead of into the rear shock. The result is one of the best handling, adventure bikes on the market, all backed by typical Yamaha-reliability. Take this agile machine on short trips or long, paved twisties or dirt roads, and know that this may be as close to the "perfect" adventure bike as we have seen in a while. With an attractive entry price, and corresponding rental rate, we expect the number of Ténéré 700's in our fleet operations to grow steadily and remain a factor for a long time. 

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Seat Height:
34.4 in / 874mm
Curb Weight:
452 lb / 205kg
Fuel Capacity:
4.2 gal
Displacement:
689 cc