Cycle to Sisters for National Bike Month

May is National Bike Month, so may we invite you to grab your gear and celebrate your love of cycling in Sisters country? Sisters is a silver-level biking community as designated by the League of American Bicyclists and offers a great route for every rider, from challenging mountain trails to scenic bikeways and even great racing events. 

If you love to live life on two wheels, head to Sisters this May for a wheel-ey great National Bike Month! Here’s what the area has to offer:

Mountain Biking

As one of the premiere mountain biking regions in the state, Sisters offers a variety of mountain trails to challenge even hardcore cyclists. You can pioneer a path of your own, or wet your wheels on one of the area’s most popular mountain biking trails.

The Peterson Ridge Trail System offers nearly 25 miles of mountain trails for all ages and abilities. The ladder-system loop features distinct trails that interlock, giving riders the chance to design your own unique route. PRT East is more cross-country, while PRT West is slightly more technical with a good mix of road and rocks. 

The Paulina Plunge is a safe and fun family mountain bike tour that’s perfect for all peddlers. Your expert guide will help your group descend over 2,000 feet, making stops along the way at six impressive waterfalls and two natural waterslides. 

The McKenzie River Trail is one of the most renowned mountain biking treks in all of North America. This deceptive 25-mile descent is typically ridden as a shuttle and requires “black-diamond” level skills to successfully complete. If you can manage the ride, you’ll be treated to stunning scenes of the river, surrounding forests, and Tamolitch Pool. 

Road Biking

If you prefer a smooth and scenic ride, the Sisters region offers nine great road routes that combine stunning scenery and stress-free surfaces. They each begin and end at the Sisters Village Green, winding along high-desert highways, through dense forests of Juniper and Ponderosa Pines, and near the beautiful Metolius River. Each route varies in length and difficulty, but the well-maintained asphalt and chip seal roads and light traffic make them a perfect trip for even novice riders. 

Ride the Oregon Scenic Bikeways

The Oregon Scenic Bikeways are official state-designed bike routes that showcase some of the best scenes in the state – and two of them begin right in downtown Sisters:

Sisters to Smith Rock Scenic Byway is a moderate 37-mile ride that begins in Sisters and winds through forests and valleys, alongside streams and rivers, and near the stunning Cascade Mountains before ending with the dramatic cliffs of Smith Rock State Park. 

McKenzie Pass Scenic Byway is an extreme 38-mile journey along the stunning McKenzie Pass on Highway 242 – but the reward is more than worth the work. You’ll follow an 1860s wagon route, traveling through lush lodgepole and fire forests until you emerge at Windy Point and the pass’s unique windswept lava flows. After a challenging five-mile ascent you’ll reach Dee Wright Observatory, a unique mountain overlook that offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes. 

Race the Sisters Stampede

Join us on Memorial Day weekend to participate in the largest annual mountain bike race in the Pacific Northwest – the Sisters Stampede! This year’s event happens on May 30, 2021 and offers 33 racing categories across two challenging routes that explore the scenic Peterson Ridge Trail System. Test your wheels across 14 or 27 miles as you battle fellow racers for the top spot and a $500 cash prize (among other great swag). This family-friendly event also includes a fun Kids Race and an after-race party sponsored by local companies like Three Creeks Brewery and Blazin’ Saddles Bike Shop. Spaces are limited, so register today! 

Book your Sisters Accommodations

After your ride, Sisters Vacation Rentals can help you retire to relaxation. We offer a variety of rentals in the heart of Sisters, putting you close to many of the city’s major biking trailheads. In a rental like our Fourth Sister Retreat, you can even pamper your peddlers thanks to a year-round sauna and hot tub.