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The Twin Peaks ride is a complete Portland experience, that includes the physical landscape (two extinct volcanoes – Mt. Tabor & Rocky Butte) the Willamette River and visiting many of Portland's eclectic neighborhoods.
The ride starts in historic old town at the Smith Block building amid the cast iron and brick storefronts from the 1880s. The ride continues along the Willamette River and crosses the Hawthorne Bridge to Ladd's Addition. The diagonal street layout and traffic roundabouts each with their own rose garden. This differentiates this historic district from the surrounding neighborhoods. It’s a short ride on to the Hawthorne Neighborhood with its numerous shops and restaurants. The climb to Mt. Tabor begins an approximate 400 foot elevation gain. The east-side of Mt. Tabor provides views of Mt. Hood through the Douglas firs. While the top provides views back to downtown Portland's cityscape.
A quick descent down and a short ride brings you to the base of Rocky Butte. Enjoy scenic views of the Columbia River Gorge, Mt. Hood, and Mt St. Helens from the castle like WPA works project at the top (Joseph Wood Hill Park). Descend and ride along Alameda Ridge with (great views of downtown) and then through some of Portland's finest, older homes in the Irvington Neighborhood. The ride nears the end when you cross over the Broadway Bridge into the Pearl District with its trendy shops and restaurants. Enjoy!
Mt-tabor-portland
The Twin Peaks ride is a complete Portland experience, that includes the physical landscape (two extinct volcanoes – Mt. Tabor & Rocky Butte) the Willamette River and visiting many of Portland's eclectic neighborhoods.
The ride starts in historic old town at the Smith Block building amid the cast iron and brick storefronts from the 1880s. The ride continues along the Willamette River and crosses the Hawthorne Bridge to Ladd's Addition. The diagonal street layout and traffic roundabouts each with their own rose garden. This differentiates this historic district from the surrounding neighborhoods. It’s a short ride on to the Hawthorne Neighborhood with its numerous shops and restaurants. The climb to Mt. Tabor begins an approximate 400 foot elevation gain. The east-side of Mt. Tabor provides views of Mt. Hood through the Douglas firs. While the top provides views back to downtown Portland's cityscape.
A quick descent down and a short ride brings you to the base of Rocky Butte. Enjoy scenic views of the Columbia River Gorge, Mt. Hood, and Mt St. Helens from the castle like WPA works project at the top (Joseph Wood Hill Park). Descend and ride along Alameda Ridge with (great views of downtown) and then through some of Portland's finest, older homes in the Irvington Neighborhood. The ride nears the end when you cross over the Broadway Bridge into the Pearl District with its trendy shops and restaurants. Enjoy!
Forest Park/Leif Erikson Drive
(Rating: Moderately Difficult) 20-30 miles (4 miles of city to the park entrance and 11 miles one way of trail inside Forest Park)
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Explore Forest Park one of the largest urban forests in the United States (5000+ acres) by bike via Leif Erikson Drive. Leif Erikson Drive is a gravel and dirt road (for bikes and pedestrians only) that runs approximately 11 miles halfway up the ridge through the park. Don’t worry about the slightly bumpy ride your 27 speed bike is equipped with shocks on the front fork and directly beneath your seat.
Leave from old town and venture forth through the shopping and cafes of the Pearl District and Nob Hill to the Thurman Street Neighborhood. The last half mile of Thurman Street to Forest Park is the hardest part of the climb; don’t despair once inside Forest Park Leif Ericson Drive is gently rolling. Forest Park is heavily wooded with second and old growth forest. Glimpses of the Columbia and Willamette rivers and Mt. Hood and Mt. St. Helens can be seen through clearings in the forest.
You can ride halfway through the park and turnaround at Saltzman road (5.5 miles one way) or continue on to the western entrance at Germantown Road (11 miles one way). Either choice provides you a great combined city/urban forest ride. One of our favorite treats after this ride is a stop at St. Honore Boulangerie for French pastries or a bistro lunch.
Council Crest
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Riding to the top of Council Crest brings you to the highest point within the Portland city limits. While the ride is a bit of a climb, you are rewarded with views of five Cascade volcanoes on a clear day – Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Adams, Mt. Rainier and Mt. Jefferson. The 360 degree view of mountains, the Willamette Valley and the Tualatin Valley is one of the best in the city.
The ride begins in Historic old town and uses three modes of Portland’s bicycling infrastructure to take you through the heart of downtown: a buffered bicycle lane on Oak Street, a regular bicycle lane on Broadway that later turns into a cycle track lane completely separated from traffic.
A ride through Portland State University and the South Park Blocks brings you to Montgomery Street and the Portland Heights neighborhood. Portland Heights contains some of the finest, older homes in all of Portland. Refuel and pickup some picnic goodies at Strohecker’s market before reaching the top of Council Crest.
Descend via Fairmount loop and Terwilliger Boulevard.
