Portland, Oregon is known for copious amounts of bike lanes weaving around the city, warm dry summers and 12 bridges that cross the Willamette River. It’s no wonder it’s such a bike friendly city where people want to get outside. Here are three of my top favorite 1-3 hour bike rides within the city limits.
🚲 Columbia Slough, Kelley Point Park & St. Johns → Start this bike route just northwest of the Alberta arts district by Peninsula Park. Bike north through Kenton up to the Columbia River slough. The slough trail follows the wetlands up until Marine Drive which will take you to Kelley Point Park where the Columbia and Willamette river meet. Loop back down towards NE Portland through St. John’s and stop by Cathedral Park and Sparrow Bakery for an ocean roll.
🚲 Waterfront Loop → Start in the “beach town” of Sellwood at Riverfront Park and bike across the Sellwood bridge hugging the trail North along the Willamette. Once you arrive at Waterfront Park in Old Town, cross the Steel Bridge and start biking south along the Eastbank Esplanade. Before you cut back onto the Springwater corridor trail, check out the Tilikum crossing bridge which is used only for bikers, pedestrians and public transportation.
🚲 Eastside Tabor & Laurelhurst Loop → This is the perfect east side city biking loop. Start biking east on Salmon Street near Hawthorne and wind through the quiet neighborhoods as you get closer to biking up Mt. Tabor. Once you reach the top of Tabor take in the views of the city and head northwest towards Laurelhurst Park. Finish your bike ride along the rainbow road on Ankeny Street and grab an ice cream cone at Fifty Licks towards the end of your ride on 28th and Burnside.
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Lydia Schuldt,
from the waves.
