Sunday 12/16 ECT Group Rides - Discovery Trail (Vancouver, WA)

[Brad R]

Who says Portland has all the best bike paths? Let's ride to the 'Couve and discover the Discovery Trail. As an added bonus, this route takes us over BOTH Columbia River crossings. Pack some snacks and let's go visit our neighbors to the North!

Sponsored by the Community Exchange Cycle Touring Club
We leave no riders behind.

Forecast: Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers. Highs 40 to 45.

Both groups start from Madison Plaza (Eastbank Esplanade & SE Madision)

Meet: 10:00AM
Ride: 10:15AM


Intermediate Group:
Distance: 39.5 miles.
Route Map:
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Discovery-Trail-intermediate

Easy Group:
Distance: 24.6 miles
Eastbank, Rose Qtr, MAX Lightrail to Expo Center. Meet intermediate group at the Delta Park. Ride ends at Gateway TC.
Route Map:
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Discovery-Trail-easy

Our Club Ride General Guidelines/Info:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ExchangeCycleTours/message/126?l=1

Contact:
Brad Reber, madcat545[at]gmail[.]com (503)-766-3328
Steven Kung, info[at]ExchangeCycleTours[.]org (503)957-6672
Aaron Tarfman, aaron[at]yourbodypower[.]org (503)334-6091

[nahbois]

You'll be riding right by my house..... well sort of.

It is a nice trail. But it can be a bit tricky to find where it starts after crossing intersections. I ran it sooo much when I was training for my marathon.

Wish I could catch a ride with you. Enjoy it! Are you riding the whole trail or Fruit Valley Road/ I-205? (*EDIT: that would be a yes - I didn't look at the maps :) )

Be careful riding up Fruit Valley there is a bridge over the railroad tracks right before the start of the trail and it is a blind corner. Cars and Large Trucks take it very quickly and there isn't much of a shoulder for you to put some space between you and cars.

[Brad R]

Yeah, I got pretty lost the first time I tried this trail.

We're getting on at Fruit Valley Road and ending at the little park near NE 92nd. As far as I know that's the whole thing. If there is more I'd like to know about it. I'm a sucker for multi-use paths and will go out of my way to ride them (and the couv is definitely out of my way). :)

Sorry you can't join us. Another time, perhaps.

[nahbois]

How was the ride, Brad? It seemed like a nice enough day and I saw a lot of bikers on riding over the I-5 overpass.

[Brad R]

The ride was nice, nahbois. A little chilly at times, but pretty dry until near the end. The trail is a beautiful ride.

I posted a few pics of the ride here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/reber221/ECTDiscoveryTrailRide

[nahbois]

Great pics!!! I can't believe someone jumped into the rapids :) to save a bike!

It is a really nice trail. My boyfriend started riding a bike when I was training for my long runs along that trail, and we had planned to ride it together (somewhat of the same loop on your map) but I got in an accident a few days before.

After looking at your pics, I am soo jealous. It didn't look that chilly :)