Bend, OR

As soon as I moved to Bend a few weeks ago, I started hearing rumblings about Bend’s annual Pole, Pedal, Paddle, a six-part race in which participants ski (Alpine and Nordic), bike, run, kayak, and sprint their way from Mount Bachelor to the Les Schwab Amphitheater. Tongue twisting title aside, the Pole, Pedal, Paddle celebrates the essence of Bend: serious outdoor sport that takes full advantage of Bend‘s mountains, rivers, and trails. Plus, the entire population of Bend seems to show up, either to compete or cheer on the thousand or so participants. The sextuple-threat contest attracts everyone from elite athletes, to teams of friends or coworkers, who divide up the legs of the competition and often dress up in costume.

One of my friends competed in the “Open Team” category, a just-for-fun way to enjoy the race. Midmorning on Saturday I walked about half a mile from my apartment, glad to be on foot since many of the roads were closed for the day, and found a shady spot in the grass along Century Drive to watch my complete the biking leg. On my right I watched bikers zoom past, finishing off their nearly 22-mile downhill ride from Mount Bachelor, and on my left I saw runners jog by, starting off their 10k run. I had fun looking at the costumed athletes. I probably saw at least six different Superwoman’s biking and jogging by, the ever-present men wearing dresses, bikers with horns on their helmets, and a man clad head to toe in orange metallic spandex.

After my friend crossed the biking finish line, we walked up Colorado Avenue and over to the Deschutes River to watch the runners hand off to the kayakers. Here I joined a larger crowd of people, cheering on the runners as they neared their finish line and watching the kayakers drag their boats to bank of the Deschutes River. I was surprised at how many people around me were also competitors in the race. It seemed that every other person I saw had a paper number pinned to his or her shirt.

While I was enjoying the camaraderie, competition and the first heat of the summer, I found myself wanting two things: better walking shoes and more sunscreen. Comfortable as they are, my flip flops were not cutting it as I walked from location to location, often through dirt paths. By the day’s end I was the not-so-proud owner of a pair of brown dirty feet and bright red sunburned shoulders- not a pretty sight.

Like the rest of the athletes and spectators, I ended my Pole, Pedal, Paddle day at the Les Schwab Amphitheater, watching sprinters cross the finish line and walking around the crowds of people. My friend and her teammates grabbed apples and granola bars from the Trader Joe’s stand providing free food for the athletes. Snacks are also available to non-competitors at different booths around the amphitheater. By 2:00 my first Pole, Pedal, Paddle experience came to an end, and I walked from the amphitheater feeling invigorated, a little sunburned, and a bit more like a real Bend resident.

Here’s the breakdown:

When: This year’s race took place on May 17. Elite competitors start crossing the line around 10:30, but the festivities last until late afternoon.

Where: The race starts at Mount Bachelor, but the best spectator spots are in town along Century Drive, Colorado Drive, along the Deschutes River, and in the Les Schwab Amphitheater in the Old Mill District on SW Powerhouse Drive. See maps and parking information at the Pole, Pedal, Paddle website.

What to Bring: Water, sunscreen, a blanket or chairs (only bring these if you plan to plant yourself in one spot, forget them if you want to walk around), good walking shoes, a camera. Portable restrooms are set up around the city for the day, and the bathrooms at Farewell Bend Park along the river are also a good option.

Cost: Free to watch. If you’re interested in competing in the event, be prepared to shell out at least $40 per person, more if you‘re competing individually.

Find out more about the Pole, Pedal, Paddle here.