Length: 43 miles
Pace: 14 - 15 mph
Terrain: Flat
Elevation: 886 feet
Ride Type: RE-Group
Cancelation Guidelines: Rain / Temps < 40F / Lightening / Wind > 25 mph
You must arrive and be ready to ride at least 10 minutes before the scheduled departure time!
DETAILS:
This ride is an old favorite with some new twists in the form of recently completed bike paths along the Sandy River. Parts of the Sandy River (OR) Greenway/Ch’ak Ch’ak Trail were just completed this fall. The improvements don’t show up in RWGPS yet (so those parts of the route appearing as being unpaved are now beautifully smooth, paved trails). Also, RWGPS doesn’t allow a proper exit from Chinook Landing Marine Park (a mid-ride restroom stop). Therefore, we won’t be strictly following RWGPS everywhere along the route.
There are two start locations:
- 10:00 AM at Clark Public Utilities for those wishing to ride the I-205 Bride
- 10:55 AM at Home Depot on the Oregon side (contact leader if you plan to meet us there)
We will stay on trails, if they are clear, wherever possible to avoid riding on Marine Drive.
The route goes between Fairview and Blue Lakes. The smaller Blue Lake, to the north, lies in an artificial drainage basin and has no natural inlet or outlet. Water normally enters the lake only from rain, surface runoff and groundwater seepage. It’s hard to see from our route. There are great views of Fairview Lake, however, which was created in 1960 when water managers built a dam across Fairview Creek, a tributary of the Columbia Slough. The lake is used for water storage and recreation and is typically about five feet deep. There are lovely homes on both sides of Interlachen Lane.
A bit farther east, we’ll ride past the Troutdale Airport on wide, low traffic roads to the Sandy River Greenway/Ch’ak Ch’ak (a Chinuk Wawa word for “bald eagle”) Trail. The trail atop the levee was opened in October, 2024 but the eastern-most section, leading into that part of Troutdale closest to the Sandy River, was still being landscaped in January, 2026.
On the return we’ll make an optional (if everyone is feeling good) loop out Tomahawk Lane (on Tomahawk Island) to look at some beautiful boats before returning over the I – 5 Bridge.
This is a re-group ride, where everyone is expected to keep the pace but no one will be dropped.
REGISTRATION
Registration is required and almost always free to both members and non-members. Please scroll to the bottom of this page to register for this event.
ROUTE MAP
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53885472
NOTES
- Please arrive 15 minutes early to be a part of the announcements and safety briefing.
- Riders are expected to have read the Safe Riding Policy and be familiar with the Ride Style Definitions.
- Please direct questions to the ride leader or Road Captain.
- Helmets are required. Lights (front and rear), RoadIDs and cell phones are recommended.
- Remember - we want to be awesome representatives for cycling and spread a love for our great sport locally by obeying all traffic laws and riding in a safe and courteous manner. Ride safely and have fun!