12 Great Portland Road Rides

Whether you are new to town, just visiting or been around for a while, some of these routes will tickle your fancy. A collection of Portland cycling routes, some classics, they all start and end close to the city, offering a solid feel to Portland area. Some are hilly, some are more flat but all are ideal for a quick spin, winter base miles or summer fun.
To note for people from out of town – Most of the rides in this area do have a good amount of elevation change, watch the numbers and look at the elevation chart before riding :-) to see what suits your style.

Below are ordered by length, please note the elevation gain and plan timing accordingly. Number 13 is a bonus, but superstitious me didn’t want it in the title.

#1 – South West Uppers

25 miles – 2500ft : Southwest Portland, Climby, Punchy

This is my “go to” less than 2hr ride. Sweet local roads with a high amount of climbing. Great if you are trying to mix interval training in. This ride captures a variety of great architecture along with a great scenic view of Portland from Council Crest. This ride can easily be modified by removing some loops.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28961703

#2 – Pleasure no treasure

29 miles -3200ft : Southwest, Loops, Climby, Punchy

An older version of South West Uppers. Pleasure no treasure climbs Pittock Mansion first. – This is one of my favourite short punchy rides on sweet local roads. With a high amount of climbing, good if you are trying to mix interval training in. This ride also captures two classic view areas Pittock Mansion and Council Crest. This ride can easily be modified by removing some loops.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/26811209

#3 Rock Creek Classic

35 miles – 3000ft : North West, Lollipop, Pastoral, Rolling with a couple of med climbs

Rock Creek is a staple for roadies wanting a shorter workout with fewer cars and a nice mix of hills and rollers. Ride it as hard as you like, the pleasure to pain is up to you to define on this one.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/27396435

#4 Forest Park Shred

35 miles – 3,000ft – Dirt Shred: Close Proximity, NW Portland, Dirt, Loop, Gravel Bike OK

Most of my routes in the classics are road, but Dirt? No problems, check out this close in ride to get your fix. It’s mainly firelanes, but super fun on a CX bike or maybe hardtail mtb. With some fast downhill rippers and some testing punchy nutty techy climbs.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/27557549

#5 Lake Oswego Loop

38 miles – 2200ft : South Portland, Loop, Mix flat and climb, Mellow, Paced climbs

Lake O Loop is a great ride, short and sweet. Passes through of a mix of unique suburbs including Lake Oswego and Oregon City for a change of scenery.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45455367

#6 Boring (Oregon) and back

40-90 miles – 900ft : East side Portland, Flat, Bike trail, Out and back

You want a simple flat car free ride. This smooth top multi-use trail (no motor vehicles) goes out for over 20miles to Boring, Oregon. You can stop and turn around at any point. At the end of the trail in Boring, there is water, restrooms and a store. This is great in colder winter months as you don’t have to deal with sweat and cooling sweat! from drastic climbs.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/27451515

#7 Vista House / Crown Point

50 miles – 1,800ft : East Portland, Mix flat and climb, Riverview, Mountain Views, Mellow, Out and back

Riding into the Columbia gorge is always breathtaking, the old historic highway 30 is popular in the summer with cyclists. The ride offers amazing views from the Women’s Forum and Vista House along with gradual climbs and multiple route variations. One thing to watch out for in high season, the locals of Corbett (which you pass through) can be pretty aggressive with their driving and the roads narrow in points.

#8 King Kong Classic

51 Miles – 4500ft : North West, Pastoral, 2 Long Climbs, Seanic

This is a classic Portland winter training ride,originated by Ira Ryan (Ira Ryan Cycles). It’s perfect in any season and has some punchy climbs and some nice scenic backroads.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30491210

#9 Canby Ferry Loop

54 miles – 3,100ft : South Loop, rolly, mellow, ferry crossing

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/26850193 , check the ferry hours here

#10 Tickle Creek

60 miles – 2,500ft : East, Loop, Best on a weekend, Rolly, Mellow

Tickle Creek is one of those more meandering rides, good in any season, not too far from stops and explores some lesser travelled roads. Some further Tickle Creek info and pictures can be found here

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44151834

#11 Bull Run Especial

68 miles -3,200ft : East, Loop, Hilly, Tree Lined

Bull Run to the East of Portland covers amazing idyllic road climbs and drops to rivers. This ride has a good amount of elevation gain so beware, but this ride has to be experienced to be believed, a true classic to the area.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/46937206

Further Bull Run details here :

#12 Larch Up Mountain

84 miles – 4,300ft Ascent : Eastside, Beautiful climb, Sustained up, Out and back

Larch Mountain is an extension from the ride above. The actual Larch mountain climb is brilliant, deep in woods, winding and a challenging climb. but be aware it’s 14miles of climbing and 3000ft just in that one climb. But the views from the top are amazing and the descent is a piece of cake. Take a jacket in earlier months as it can be cold / cooler coming down.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/16684499

#13 Bonus – Kelly Point

24 Miles – 550ft : East side, Flat, Quiet, 50% Bike Paths

A great flat NE Portland ride, a smidge of gravel but easy on a skinny tyre bike. Rambles over some slough waterways and through a chill industrial area.This is best experienced on a weekend. #chill #weekday. Stop in at Kelly Point park for extra bonus or Cathedral Park under the ST Johns Bridge.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41004475

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