Pacific Northwest - Bridge Pedal 2009

I still can't believe it. Of all the days. Of all the rides. I will be going on a tour along old 99, ending in Portland on August 9th - THE DAY OF THE BRIDGE PEDAL! I had planned to ride many of the bridges before this, now I'll get more than I could have imagined. So, anything I need to know about this ride? It looks like a lot of fun. I'll be coming in from Gresham via the Springwater Corridor. I do plan on going on the 11 bridge ride, why not eh? After at least 550 miles in the previous seven days, what is another 40? If anyone else is going, I'll be the one riding on a 2008 Fuji Cross Comp, with panniers, and wearing a voler California kit (just the flag one).

start as early as possible. In the past there have been huge bicycle jams, but I went last year and it seemed to go OK (they got a lot of flack and made some changes to ease the congestion).

How early is early? I'll need to check in as well.

How early is early? I'll need to check in as well.


I think the earliest start time is 7AM. The on-site registration opens at 6:30 at the Red Cross parking lot on N. Vancouver Ave: http://www.providence.org/bridgepedal/registration.asp . You'll probably save time by pre-registering.

I also recommend starting early. Do the first couple bridges without stopping and you'll be out in front of the blundering herd. 20,000 cyclists can cause quite a log jam on the narrower bridges.

If you're coming in from Gresham on the Springwater, you'll need to head north on the Oaks Bottom trail and the Eastside Esplanade and then continue north on Williams. Vancouver and Williams are both one-way, but you should find your way to the Red Cross building pretty easily. Just follow the bicycles. :)

FWIW: if you're still feeling energetic after looping through Portland a couple times, you can head north and collect 2 bridges not on the Bridge Pedal route: both the I-5 and I-205 bridges have bicycle access. You can follow the "Two Bridge Loop" map through Vancouver: http://vbc-usa.com/roadscholars/Maps-Cues/RSTwoBridge.pdf . My wife and I have done this a couple times, but we live near the I-205 bridge, so it's easy to begin there and finish with the I-5 bridge.

I'll be taking the Interstate Bridge two days earlier, as I'll be coming from the north. I'll be registering beforehand, just need to pick up my stuff that morning. So, 6:30 ish it is. It will sure be an early morning for me, but I'll enjoy.

I'll be taking the Interstate Bridge two days earlier, as I'll be coming from the north. I'll be registering beforehand, just need to pick up my stuff that morning. So, 6:30 ish it is. It will sure be an early morning for me, but I'll enjoy.

I'm pretty sure my wife and I will be doing the 11 Bridges... we usually make up our minds the night before on whether we'll do the I-205/I-5 loop, too. We're pretty easy to recognize:
http://home.comcast.net/~jeff_wills/jeff-big.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~jeff_wills/diane-big.jpg

FWIW: we're Invaders From California- we moved up here after bouncing around Southern California (lastly in Rancho Bernardo). Tain't going back.

Well, my plans have changed, slightly. It looks like I'll be doing a century ride the day before, just to get a little closer to Portland (now staying at the hostel on Hawthorne). I will pre-register, and I hope to be able to get my stuff at the expo the day before. The things I'll do for a bike ride!

BTW, I rode up through Rancho Bernardo on Saturday, went wine tasting. Got in a good 80 miles, covering even singletrack trail! Ahh cyclocross bikes!

Well... I got there early and was about 10 rows back from the front of the 11-bridge pack. Anybody take any pictures? I didn't- I got out in front and put the hammer down. I didn't even stop for the (root) beer garden.

I found these on BikePortland:
YouTube - Portland Bridge Pedal 2009 Time Lapse
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ufobike/sets/72157621868826485/
http://bikeportland.org/photos/album/72157621993317992/bridge-pedal-2009.html

Awww....
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3443/3806846078_5d6b3268c1.jpg

I was in the 11 bridge ride, got through the start at just after 7am. It was a lot of fun. I didn't experience any of the jams I had heard about. I kept a quicker pace overall, as I needed to catch a train later on. I still had plenty of time though. I will have to do that ride again.