Spring break is just around the corner! But the sun is still on the other side of the Cascades.

Does anybody have good route suggestions for riding to Bend from Portland. We'd like to get as much sun as possible so I believe we will be staying out of the Mt Hood Forest and instead, heading south from The Dalles. That is all we have so far though. Also any comments, concerns tips or tricks that have to do with getting to Bend would be great.

Thanks

There are two ACA routes accessible from Portland: the Lewis and Clark trail, which goes up the Columbia Gorge, and the Transamerica Trail, which goes close to Bend.

The Transamerica Trail heads east from Eugene. You can take the Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway from Newburg down to Eugene and then catch the Transamerica Trail to Sisters/Bend. I've ridden from Newburg to Sisters on this route and can recommend it. You do have to climb over Santiam Pass (you can also try the shorter/steeper Mackenzie Pass, if it is open), which requires some well-shouldered freeway riding but the ride up from Eugene is fabulous. Here is my journal of that ride (see days 1 to 6).

Have a great time.

Fuggetaboutit. Santiam Pass is blanketed with fresh snow that likely won't be gone from the shoulders for weeks. Even lower elevations are currently not safe to ride.
https://www.tripcheck.com/RoadCams/ca....jpg?0.7055475

Spring Break is a School thing, next term the Ka Ching of Tuition payment
is repeated.

It does not get respect from the Oregon weather .

Eastern Oregon does benefit from the Cascades pulling out a lot of moisture
as it climbs over the mountains in snow,
so I'd think about going up the Gorge follow 30 until the Dalles,
east of the Cascade range
then take 197 south to pick up 97, that goes to Bend.
It is the high plateau, so will still be rather cold..

How about Hawaii instead?

Spring Break is still a few weeks away. I84 to Hwy 97 would be a better choice than over the passes. If you really want to do it, I'd wait until the day before and check the weather forecast and road conditions for I84 and 97. If there's no snow/rain in the forecast and the roads look good, it's do-able. It'll probably be cold - especially at night. There are some spots you'll be able to get off of 97, but much of the ride will be on 97 and some of it will be on I84 (research Rowena - that'll get you off of I84 for a stretch - if it's clear)

Edit - Avoiding 97 link.

Personally, I'd drive over to Bend and pack for cross country skiing, mountain biking, or snow shoeing/hiking.

Of the Cascade passes, Hwy 22 out of Salem would be the best for a shoulder, but it really wouldn't be a good idea.

I'd have to agree with the nea sayers. Even if the weather cooperates, you'll be dealing with traffic, and wet, gravely, icy shoulders. Mackenzie Pass won't be open for months. 97 would be a nightmare for such a long distance. Though it's not my style (I hate driving somewhere to bike), I'd agree with mtnbud and drive to Bend, where, if you're lucky you could still do some nice road riding.
Or, what I'd do is pick another destination and save central Oregon for another time.
Good luck.

+5 or more-- I agree with the previous posts. I tend to think of that area for early spring ski tours right now. The days are even a little too short for that yet. Too much tent time.

A long, long time ago, I rode a loop in March starting near Hood River down 97 to Madras, over Mt Hood to PDX and back. It was not fun, but it was memorable! I might even go as far as calling it a mistake. It was my first and last credit card tour; especially in an area where facilities are either non-existent or long distances apart. I blame it on being young and a little stupid. Picture, going over Government Camp with walls of snow on each side of a wet road-- and all the ski area traffic heading back to Portland.

Check out the conditions on Santiam pass today. Heck, the skiing is just starting to get good! This site will help monitor conditions in other parts of Oregon.
https://www.tripcheck.com/popups/Cam....05&curRegion=4

https://www.tripcheck.com/Pages/CamerasEntry.asp