Sunday, Dec 10, 8:30am: Alex Barr, Bull Run, and Bike Paths!

[sky...@skylerbishop.com]

We are heading east this week to tackle the foothills of Larch Mtn. while staying at modest elevations for warmth.  This is a bit of a hybrid ride, with some urban bike paths, sneaky connectors, and beautiful, tranquil backroads.  

Starting NE Portland, we'll cruise out the Marine Drive Path to Troutdale.  Then the climbing gradually starts as we head up to Vista House, descend down to Latourell Falls, and tackle the challenging Alex Barr Rd.  From there we flirt with the Sandy River as we navigate the backroads to Bull Run and Dodge Park, before rolling west again toward Gresham with a few dirt trails to keep in interesting.  We wrap up the route with some utilitarian riding along bike paths to avoid busy roads and arrive safely back in PDX.

Be prepared for wet and cold conditions. Fenders are HIGHY encouraged, for the sake of your fellow riders!  Conversational pace, pre-season training camp vibes.  Don't push the pace, build that endurance base!

Day/Time: Sunday, 12/10, 8:30am roll out

Start/End Location: Grand Central Bakery - Beaumont cafe, 4440 NE Fremont St., Portland, OR 97213.  

For those riding from Gresham area and want to avoid the bike paths, we should be rolling through Troutdale at ~9:30am give or take.  You could hang at Good Coffee and catch us as we ride through at mile 18 of the route (Good Coffee, 336 E Historic Columbia River Hwy).

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45113277.  We will all be stopping at Dodge Park to fill our water at the ~54 mile mark.

Pace: Zone 2/3. Purposeful on the flats/piano on the climbs. I'm committed to riding at endurance pace on this day.  If folks start pushing tempo, don't feel the need to keep up with them, just find me and we'll chat and chill and put in the winter work.  There are lots of other opportunities to hammer each other, this ride isn't on of them!

Equipment: Road or gravel bike; 32mm tires minimum, 38mm ideal.  Alex Barr Rd. is steep, so gravel gearing would be helpful!

No RSVP required, just show up, ride, and make new friends!  Ride is unsanctioned, on open roads, with no official leader.