The Classic Explorer (Portland)

Meet behind New Seasons at NE 33rd and Killingsworth. Routes: All routes cross over into Washington and back via the I-5 Bridge. Our base route goes through downtown Vancouver, then heads west on the OBRA time trial course (read: FLAT). The route from this point is out-and-back, so you can turn around at any point. Usual turnaround points are Vancouver Lake (28 miles total ride length), Frenchman’s Bar (32.5 miles) and the Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge (38 miles). On occasion we do the Fruit Loop, which involves a 1.5 mile gradual climb and a scenic 2.5 mile stretch of the Salmon Creek Bike Path, returning to Vancouver via Hazel Dell Blvd (total distance for this route is 35-36 miles).

Ride Rules: Several regroups on this ride, and no one gets dropped or lost. The only ride prerequisite is that you are able to ride 16-17 mph on the flats. Note: There is almost always a faster and slower group, so this ride can be anything from a fairly rigorous training day to a moderate recovery ride. Ride Leader goes with the slower group. Usually.