Crater Lake Rim
Take on the challenge of what many consider to be the premier road ride in Oregon. Beautiful views abound on this stunning route that lies in our proverbial back yard.
ENTHUSIAST ROAD
Whether you're out to log solo miles, hang in for fast paced group rides or test your mettle in a crit or road race, look no further.
ADVENTURE
All day comfort and the ability to take the road less traveled. An upright body position and wider tire clearances take the edge off of rough roads.
TOURING
Stretch your legs and take in the sights with these sturdy, versatile and purpose build rides.
Trek Domane AL 4
While there are many road bikes we can recommend for this ride, the Domane ALR 4 is a very good choice. Having a lightweight bike will help tackle the many big hills, while the ride quality will make sure you aren't completely beat up.
Crater Lake FAQ
Can you transport me from Klamath Falls into the Park?
Due to our permitting and insurance, we are only able to transport equipment. You need to supply your own transportation into the park (including any entrance fees).
What is the Ride like?
Crater Lake is arguably one of the best road bike rides in the United States. It is one of the most stunning roads that circumnavigates the lake with panoramic vistas every few miles.
The ride is hard, by most people’s measure, tackling 35 miles and 3500’ of elevation gain. If you do not have a lot of experience on a bike, we strongly recommend one of our Electric assist bikes. It still will require effort, but people of average fitness are able to ride it with careful attention to the battery level.
Most people take 3-5 hours to complete the ride, but some people draw it out up to 7- or 8-hour venture.
There is no off-road or trail option, this is open to car traffic, though once you get onto East Rim Drive, the traffic greatly decreases. The trails that exist within the park are strictly regulated for non-bicycle travel. While there is one small trail that is open to bikes, it’s not a trail we recommend checking out until your second or third visit.
What time of year is best for this ride?
Please note that Crater Lake gets upwards of 15 feet of snow per year. While they do an amazing job of clearing the roads, it can be as late as early July before the entire rim is open. You can still do rides in May and June, though you may only get parts of West Rim Drive. This is still a great ride and very scenic, but it would be an out-and-back ride of less than 20 miles. Come September, the weather can be very unpredictable up there. We don’t recommend making long term bookings for September for this reason, however a week booking is still feasible.
Where in the park are you able to deliver the bikes?
Due to constraints in our permit, we are only able to deliver the bikes to the Steel Visitor Center, or Picnic Hill. We usually recommend Steele Visitor center as you will not have to end your ride on a huge climb, but some people want to get an early look at the lake and choose Picnic Hill instead.
What is the earliest you can deliver?
The earliest we can deliver bikes up there is 10:30 AM, the latest we can pick up is 6:30 PM. Pickup and delivery does not have to be on the same day, allowing for multi-day excursions. Please note that the price of the delivery includes two trips, one for drop-off, one for pick-up.
Are rental bikes included in the price of the delivery?
No, the rental bikes are in addition. Place your reservation at zachsbikes.com/rentals. If you wish to send your bike to us to have it assembled and delivered, that is a possibility as well. Please email servicedepartment@zachsbikes.com to setup a service date. We can transport up to 9 bikes in a single trip.
What kind of lead time do you need to book the delivery?
We require a one week booking with a non-refundable deposit of 50% due 7 days prior to the date of the delivery. This service requires quite a bit of manipulation of our staff schedule and resources and we cannot always guarantee a solution booked in a shorter time frame.
