🚲️ E-bikes on the trails

E-bike use approved on some local trails, a new pizza spot at The Pantry, and more summer concert announcements

Author

Derek Carlson
December 10, 2025

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Bend! So…e-bikes on the trails…hopefully only good, healthy discussion comes of this decision 😬 

In today’s Bend Buzz:

  • 🚲️ E-bikes approved for some Bend trails

  • 🍕 Pizza cart opens by The Pantry

  • 🎶 More summer concerts announced

Let’s get to it.

— Derek Carlson & Emily Elaro 

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SNAPSHOTS

🚵 Pedal Assist E-Bikes Approved on Bend Trails

Big news for you mountain bikers out there. A while back, we shared the news that the Forest Service was considering allowing Class 1 e-bikes on the trails around the west side of Bend. Well, that approval has officially gone through. If you’re looking to head out and hunt some KOMs this week, I’d recommend heading over to the COTA website, where they have a full breakdown of what trails are open for e-bike use, wildlife closures, etc.

🎁 Make the Holidays a Little Brighter

Want to ensure that children across Central Oregon have a brighter holiday season? The Telos Initiative is back with its 2025 Central Oregon Toy Drive. Last year, the drive had nearly 900 donations, and this year they’re hoping to surpass that number! Want to help? Pick up a toy and drop it off at one of their partner businesses, or purchase a toy or two from their Amazon gift list (these toys will ship directly to them). The toys will then be distributed to Shepard’s House Ministries, Bethlehem Inn, and NeighborImpact.

🎄 Support a Scout Christmas Tree Sale

Heading out into the forest to cut down a tree not quite your style? Why not pick up a tree right in town and support your local Boy Scout group at the same time? The scouts from Troop 90 will be set up at the ReStore Parking lot (off of NE 3rd), Wednesday through Sunday (4:30 - 6:30 PM on weekdays and 10 AM - 6:30 PM on weekends), and should still have a good selection of Oregon-grown noble firs that will put our local Charlie Brown-esque trees to shame.

🎸 A Trio of Concert Announcements at the Amphitheater

The summer concert season is really starting to round into form as another round of shows was announced this week. The shows include Yellowcard w/New Found Glory (May 23rd), Goo Goo Dolls (July 26th), Toto (August 19th), and Alison Krauss & Union Station (August 23rd). Online presale starts today for Yellowcard and tomorrow for the rest of the shows. If you want to show up in person to save on those pesky ticket fees, then in-person sales start on the 11th for Yellowcard and the 12th for the rest.

BUSINESS HAPPENINGS

🍕 New pizza cart opens at The Pantry: Looking for a new favorite pizza in town? Well then, I’ve got something for you. Idle Hands Pizza (previously at Bunk + Brew) has opened at their new location behind The Pantry. We stopped by over the weekend during their soft opening, and it was legit one of the best pizzas we’ve had in town (they didn’t give us a free pizza or anything like that - it was just really dang good). They’ll be open from 3 - 9 PM Wednesday through Sunday.

🧀 Schmakerz opens at LOGE: Need to grab a bite to eat on the way to the mountain (or mountain bike trails since we don’t seem to be getting a winter this year)? Schmakerz has you covered as they’ll be celebrating their grand opening today at LOGE. This new cart serves up breakfast sandwiches, burgers, chili, and grilled cheese sandwiches.

@THEBENDBUZZ

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LOCAL LOWDOWN

Wednesday 12.10

🎿 Mt. Bachelor December Passholder Party: Kick off the season with fellow snow lovers at this festive passholder gathering. Hawkeye & Huckleberry will be buzzing with ski energy, giveaways, and winter stoke all around. 4 PM Hawkeye & Huckleberry

🏃‍♀️ Holiday Lights & Cookie Run: The annual holiday lights & cookie run is back. Join your fellow festive runners at FootZone, where you’ll depart on a 3-mile run to see some of Bend’s best holiday light displays. Upon your return, you can warm up with hot cocoa and cookies. 5:30 PM FootZone

✍️ Urban Sketchers Meetup: Get out and sketch in the wild with the Urban Sketchers group. Each week, they meet at a different location and sketch the environment around them. 9 AM WildRoots Coffeehouse (east side)

🎸 Rock the Holidays: A high-energy holiday concert packed with big vocals, seasonal favorites, and show-stopping performances—perfect for anyone who wants their December with a side of rock ’n’ roll. 7:30 PM Tower Theatre

🎅 Santa Photo Op!: Suit up in your holiday best (or your ugly sweater finest) and grab a photo with Santa at the Deschutes Pub. Perfect for families, friends, and festive pint-lovers alike. 5 PM Deschutes Brewery Pub

✨ The Sparkle Party: Bring your glow! The ladies at Wild Well & Wealthy are hosting an evening dedicated to all things growth and success. Come celebrate your wins over the past year and prepare for an amazing year ahead. 5:30 PM The Haven

🍺 Drunk History: Winter Treats & Holiday Tortures: Silver Moon’s hilarious series returns with a holiday twist—expect questionable “facts,” comedic storytelling, and a good dose of seasonal chaos. 7:30 PM Silver Moon Brewing

🖨️ Block Printing: Holiday Cards: Create your own hand-printed holiday cards in this guided workshop. Freak’N Art brings the tools, ink, and artistry—just bring your festive spirit. 5:15 PM Freak’N Art

🧘 Yoga + Community Tea: Unwind with a grounding yoga class followed by a warm tea circle. As winter settles in, the sessions have moved into a cozy indoor yurt for the perfect calm-weather retreat. 6 PM Location shared upon signup

Thursday 12.11

🧶 Community n’ Crafts: Last month’s craft night at The Pantry was a huge success, so they’re rolling it back, and this month they’ve teamed up with Two Suns Art Studio, who will be providing the materials to create your own festive holiday garland. Best of all, it’s all free! 5 - 9 PM The Pantry

🎶 Ravensong Choir Holiday Performance: Let this community choir wrap you in harmonies, winter folk tunes, and cozy seasonal soundscapes. It’s intimate, heartwarming, and perfect for a slow December afternoon. 3:30 PM Downtown Bend Library

🔔 Bingo with Santa: Santa’s calling numbers and bringing the jingle. Craft Kitchen hosts this festive bingo bash packed with prizes, cheer, and the kind of chaotic fun only Santa can deliver. 4 PM Craft Kitchen

🎁 Holiday Card Decorating: Break out the glitter, stickers, and all the festive trimmings—10 Barrel’s turning into a holiday card workshop. Grab a pint, get crafty, and leave with cards that are way more personal (and adorable) than anything store-bought. 10 Barrel West

🤝 Biz and Bevs: Get your business network ready for the new year with an evening of small bites, tasty beverages, and networking at Bend Chamber’s Biz & Bevs event. 4:30 PM US Bank

✨ Berlin Skin x Iris & Stout Masterclass: Treat yourself to a little pre-holiday glow. Berlin Skin and Iris & Stout are teaming up for a luxe skincare masterclass featuring thoughtful rituals, expert tips, and winter-ready routines. A cozy, self-care-forward evening to nourish your skin and your soul. 6 PM Iris & Stout

🌙 Winter Nights: Wander the High Desert Museum after dark and enjoy an evening of cookie decorating, gift wrapping, dance parties, beverage tastings, and photo-boothing like a boss.  7 PM High Desert Museum

🎬 Elf: The Tower Theatre transforms into the most joyful place in Bend with a screening of Elf. Buddy, syrup, snowball fights—this is pure holiday serotonin. 7 PM Tower Theatre

🎤 Becky Robinson: Members Only Tour: Get ready for full-throttle comedy. Becky Robinson brings her explosive characters, rapid-fire jokes, and signature chaos to Midtown Ballroom for a night that’s anything but tame. 8 PM Midtown Ballroom

LIVE MUSIC

Wednesday 12.10

Long Gone Wilder Trio | Crosscut | 6 PM 
Fluffalove | The Commonwealth Pub | 6:30 PM
Sam B. Newman Band | Silver Moon | 7 PM | Tickets 
Desperate Electric | Silver Moon | 7:30 PM | Tickets

Thursday 12.11

Dust Devils | River’s Place | 6 PM
Paul Eddy | The Lot | 6 PM 
Nina & The Rebel Rockers | Silver Moon | 7 PM | Tickets
Family Mystic & Object Heavy | 
SHLUMP | Volcanic Theatre Pub | 8 PM | Tickets

WHO’S HIRING IN BEND

Looking for your next job? Here are some local listings that have popped up over the last week.

Searching for a new job? Browse the full job board

Looking for local candidates for your open position? Post your job

THANKS!

Stay warm, and thank you again for reading!

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