Thursday Morning Portland Velo (Portland; every Thursday)

Ride distance varies between 37 and 45 miles with an optional coffee stop around mile 26. All routes take the Columbia River Bike Path to the I-205 Bridge. There is a bit of up and down, but nothing serious, the only real climb being a 1.25-mile ascent up Payne Road, but this can easily be bypassed and you will end up at the same spot within three miles. The shorter route (37 miles) provides wonderful topside vistas of Lacamas Lake, the longer (43 miles) includes a loop around the lake. Again, both eventually end up at the same place. Other options include the 45-mile Green Mountain route which, despite its name, is actually not much of a climb.

The goal of this ride, and the Tuesday ride as well, is to provide a ride accessible to the majority of club members. Hence, we generally have two distinct groups: those who show up wanting a hard ride can go off the front; those who want a more social experience or who are on a recovery day can hang with the ride leader. The only requirements are a) that you are able to maintain 16-18 mph on the flat, b) that you show up with filled water bottle(s), spare tube and tire levers, c) that you are comfortable riding in a group setting, and d) that you obey all traffic laws, point out potholes and other road crap to the riders behind you, ride single file when “car back” is shouted out, and otherwise don’t behave like a jackass.

No one gets dropped on this ride; no one gets lost or left behind. Regroups as often as necessary.