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Explore Our Community By Bike

We love riding our bikes as much as you do! Take a look at the community rides and events that we support, and feel free to share your ideas with us. Join our list to stay informed and up-to-date.





Cyclocross Season is HERE!



- Cyclocross Bike - 
Check out the local race schedule HERE
Kick off the season with Tuesday nights at the Portland Trophy Cup Races



Cross Crusade Presented by River City Bikes
Are you Cyclocross Curious? All are welcome! Learn more here.

October 15th, 2023
Race #1 Cross Crusade PIR Heron Lakes
PIR Portland OR
October 22nd, 2023
Race #2 – Cross Crusade PIR Infield
PIR Portland OR
October 28th - 29th, 2023
Race #3 & #4 - Cross Crusade Cascade Locks, OR
Easy Climb Trail
November 4th, 2023
State Championships
Molalla, OR
November 5th, 2023
Race #5 – Cross Crusade Fernwood
Molalla, OR
November 12th
Race #6 - Cross Crusade Rainier High School
Rainier, OR



Saturday, September 30th
Meet at 4:30pm, Roll by 5:00pm
- Mountain Bike - 
RCB Mountain Ride Series in partnership with NWTA & NW Trail Sisters
Rocky Point Trailhead w/women-led crew - More Info & Sign-Up 
Trailhead Parking Lot
Saturday, October 28th
Meet at 4:30pm, Roll by 5:00pm
- Mountain Bike - 
RCB Mountain Ride Series in partnership with NWTA & NW Trail Sisters
Sandy Ridge Trailhead Night Ride w/women-led crew - More Info & Sign-Up 

Trailhead Parking Lot
Every Thursday
Rolling (not racing) @ 5:15pm
 
 
- Road Bike - 
Intermediate Thursday Group Ride 
Join us for an intermediate/advanced ride rolling down Springwater Corridor, across Sellwood Bridge with a regroup at the top of Riverview Cemetery. From there it's a rolling and climbing tour of Portland's west hills, ending at Council Crest Park. Social and informal "choose your own adventure" rides break off from there. Disclaimer: This is an unsupported ride and all riders should be self-sustained. Ride leaders will be available to help attendee's safe return, as needed. It's that time of the year - bring lights!
 

 
RCB MLK parking lot *please do not park in lot to ride* 
Every Wednesday in September 
Rolling at @ 5:15pm
- Gravel Ride -  
Forest Park Wednesday Gravel Group Ride  

Intended for gravel and adventure bicyclists looking for an evening pedal through Forest Park. A casual no-drop rollout along the waterfront to NW Portland and up to Forest Park, via the Thurman St gate. All paces welcome on Leif Erikson Dr to the picnic table at NW Saltzman. Social and informal "choose your own adventure" rides break off from there. Disclaimer: This is an unsupported ride and all riders should be self-sustained, with ride leaders there to help attendee's safe return, as needed. It's that time of the year - bring lights!

RCB MLK parking lot *please do not park in lot to ride*
Every Saturday
 9am
- Road Bike - 
Sorella Forte Women's Group Ride 
30-40 miles with a pace that generally hovers in the 14-19 mph range, faster than a recreational cruise. Learn more about his ride at sorellaforte.com 
 

RCB MLK parking lot *please do not park in lot to ride* 
See you Next Summer! 
- Road Racing Bike - 
Mt Tabor Series - Road Racing 
Thats a wrap for 2023. Thank you all for supporting this event!
Check out the podium pictures here. 
 




It's always trail work time.

- Mountain Bike - 
Looking for something to do?  Check out upcoming NWTA & Trail Sister events.


Women-Led Hydraulic Brake Clinic 

In partnership with the NWTA Trail Sisters, RCB Mechanics Isabella, and Sarah hosted a robust one-hour, hands-on clinic exploring Sram and Shimano hydraulic brake systems. And of course, there were drinks and shop talk after. This clinic was a hit and we sold out in one day!  Sign up for more clinic updates.  

Looking forward to more group rides.

We partnered with the NWTA for a monthly series of rides led by our amazing RCB Women. READ previous ride recaps here:

“Halloweekend” Sandy Ridge Night Ride 
Rocky Point Group Ride
Gateway Green Group Session


Local Organizations We Support


 
 

Their mission is to create, enhance, and protect mountain bike riding opportunities; to advocate for trail access; to promote responsible mountain biking; and to build, maintain, and ride sustainable trails. Learn More

 

 

Bicycles and Ideas for Kids' Empowerment B.i.k.e. is a non-profit organization that uses bicycles as a tool to encourage at-risk youth to pursue personal, athletic, and academic success, with a goal of transforming their lives. Learn More


 
 

A local female-identified riding club who share a passion for riding a bike. To support a more equitable cycling community, this team welcomes riders of all races, ethnicities, sexualities and gender identities. Learn More

Oregon Timber Trail logo

 
 
They are dedicated to stewardship, education, and community, striving to provide quality mountain bike trails that link Oregon's communities through profound backcountry landscape experiences.

Local Ride Route Short Videos

Our Rubber to the Road film series is a collection of our favorite local bike rides in and around Portland, Oregon. These short films give insight of the routes along with tips on bikes, equipment, and getting there. 


Sauvie Island Ride

Bike Recommendations: Road & Hybrid

The heart of this ride is a flat 12-mile lap around Sauvie Island, home to farm fields and wildlife preserves, and you’ll discover incredible views throughout. It’s a straight shot out of town along Highway 30 to get to the island and back making this an ideal road ride for training or just riding fast with friends. 


Waterfront Loop Ride

Bike Recommendations:  Hybrid,  Kids Bikes or pretty much anything!

There's no better way to explore Portland than by bike and this casual route will show off all the best of this great city. This is a perfect route for beginners or for a cruise with friends. There's plenty of places along the way to eat and drink or for great photos. RCB staffer Andrew Baxter reveals the route aboard Momentum Street, one of the most popular bicycles from the River City Bicycles Outlet store.

Leif Erikson Drive Ride

Bike Recommendations: Gravel, Mountain Bike, Hybrid &  Kids Bikes

Leif Erikson Drive is wide trail running the length of Forest Park just to the west of downtown Portland. An automobile road in the early part of the century and now closed to motor traffic, this 11.2 mile trail extends from NW Thurman St to NW Germantown Road. Elevation gain from point to point is approximately 350 feet. Concrete mile marker posts note every 1/4 mile. This relatively smooth dirt and gravel road is ideal for a car free ride and can be ridden on just about any bike though for novice riders we recommend wider tires. This is a multi-use trail with a high density of walkers, runners, and dogs in the first two miles from the Thurman Street trailhead. Leif Erikson is a great route for a quick escape from the city into the woods without venturing too far from home.


Thrillium MTB Ride

Bike Recommendations: Full Suspension Mountain Bike

Thrillium is very easily on our short list of the Portland area's premiere downward-sloping trails. It features a great mix of bike-park-esque features included but not limited to gap jumps, sizable berms and rock gardens- but it also includes a fair amount of natural, rougher sections as well. Though some of the jumps are some of the biggest you'll find in our general area, all of them- as well as other challenging features- offer ride-around options which makes the trail friendly to intermediate-level riders. Thrillium isn't an overly difficult trail but it can be fairly challenging if you're trying to drop it at full gas and have ambitions to clear every feature along the way.

Stub Stewart MTB Ride

Bike Recommendations: Gravel / Cyclocross, Any Mountain Bike & Kids Bikes

L. L. “Stub” Stewart Memorial State Park is a 1,654-acre Oregon state park located 34 miles west of Portland. It’s a quick trip by car and the park offers just under 8 miles of mountain bike trails for all skill levels along with sites for picnicking, camping, cabin rentals, and access to the paved Banks-Vernonia trail. Purpose-built cross-country trails can be linked together for a nearly endless flow of riding and there’s two ferried trails designed to test riders with berms, jumps, drops, trail gaps, and a wallride. Bring a picnic and enjoy great views from the Hilltop Day Use Area in between or after runs. 

Fairmount Loop Ride

Bike RecommendationsRoad & Hybrid

Fairmount Loop is the perfect in-town road riding escape for a lunch ride, some quick training, or for those days when you don't want to be too far from town. There are many ways to climb up to the loop from town and all will offer a bit of a challenge for your legs. The loop itself is mostly flat with just a few little rollers and lots of swoopy turns. Exit off the loop and climb up to Council Crest for the best view of the city by far. A quick roll back down the hill and you're at your favorite coffee spot in no time at all.

Vista House Ride

Bike Recommendations: Road, Hybrid & Touring Bikes


The ride east from Portland to Vista House takes in views of the Columbia River, Portland Airport, and plenty of quiet country miles. The views of the Gorge along the way are spectacular. The Vista House itself has a lot of history. Construction began in 1916 and was completed in 1918, as a memorial to the Oregon pioneers. It also served as a comfort station for those traveling on the Historic Columbia River Highway. The octagonal stone structure towers 733 feet above the Columbia River and now serves as an interpretive center. There are water fountains inside and bathrooms also downstairs. (The staff there however, may have you remove your shoes to help preserve the marble floor inside.) This 60-mile ride is a Portland road ride classic and we recommend it for intermediate+ riders. 

Banks-Vernonia Ride

Bike Recommendations: Road, Hybrid, Kids Bikes or your moms cruiser!


The Banks–Vernonia State Trail is a 21-mile paved State Trail running primarily north–south, between the towns of Vernonia in and Banks, Oregon. The route can be accessed from either town, though we like the trailhead parking center in Banks best. Banks-Vernonia is nearly entirely flat with only small sections of climbing or descending as it passes through L. L. Stub Stewart State Park. The trail crosses 12 bridges including the Buxton Trestle, a 600-foot-long former railroad trestle that takes riders across a ravine at over 80 feet high.

Powell Butte Ride

Bike Recommendations: Gravel / Cyclocross, Any Mountain Bike, Hybrid & Kids Bikes

Powell Butte Nature Park is a 608-acre park centered around an extinct cinder cone volcano. You'll find forested trails, meadowlands, and an urban creek with remnant populations of native salmon and steelhead. It's a fantastic natural area located close to the city and easily accessible by bicycle. Car parking is available though we highly recommend riding the Springwater Corridor trail out and back. The park holds about 8 miles of multi-use trails so be on the lookout for hikers and even horses on most days. Morning rides are the best due to low traffic and incredible views of Mt Hood to the east. Trails are closed when muddy.

Gateway Green Ride

Bike Recommendations: Gravel / Cyclocross, Any Mountain Bike & Kids Bikes

Short and fun trail intro options for everyone in the city! Gateway Green was an enormous undertaking that was in the works for almost twelve years before opening in 2017. It just got some major additions in 2020 that the video doesn't show yet! The amount of work that went into making this a reality- both physically and politically is impressive to say the least. Special thanks to the Northwest Trail Alliance, Portland Parks and Recreation, and all the volunteers who put countless hours into this project to make it a reality. Gateway Green is the Portland area’s first, extensive, 25-acre mountain bike-specific park which lies just on the other side of I-205 from Rocky Butte and just a few blocks away from the Gateway Transit Center. It’s incredibly accessible by either the 205 bike path, or the Blue, Green and Red MAX lines, and is only seven miles away from River City. For more information on the park, be sure to visit www.gatewaygreenpdx.org, and we hope to see you out there soon!

For more local ride suggestions visit our rubbertotheroad.com archives or buy the books, Volume 1  & Volume 2, for written directions and descriptions. Proceeds from the books are donated to the, The Street Trust (Bicycle Transportation Alliance) and the Community Cycling Center.