Ride report: Sauvie Bike Jam

[This report was written by BikePortland.org correspondent and “Transportation Diplomat,” Aaron Tarfman.]

[St. Johns Bridge
Photo: Aaron Tarfman]

Today we headed out for a berry picking ride to Sauvie Island. While some folks would take heed of the 80% chance of rain and decline a trip on Hwy 30, we didn’t let a few dark clouds spoil our mission for fruit. We headed out of North Portland and made our way to the bridge with nary a drop in sight. As we massed across the St John’s bridge (sorry, we weren’t naked this time) we got a slight sprinkle, but not enough to deter serious berryers.

Hwy 30 was the usual mass of cars and trucks and the mild sprinkle continued during a short stop on the way. With our mission bidding us on, we persisted in our quest for berries.

We conquered the Sauvie Island bridge and swung around to Sauvie Island Farms. Our timing was perfect and the drizzle ceased shortly after we arrived. Breathing in success (or was that some other smell), we cycled through the mud to the strawberry patch.

Yes we biked where few Trek Portlands’ dare to go and persevered in our hunt for berries. The sky was amazing and the views were so much the better for it.

Slaving away under the mostly blocked sun, we consumed almost as much fruit as we bagged. It took at least a half hour before I began getting sick of eating strawberries. But it was completely worth it and I had enough for at least 4 batches of smoothies. Some of us never got tired of eating the super sweet fruit.

[A break in the rain. Photo by Aaron Tarfman]

Getting out of the field was much easier than getting in due to my newly attached mudshoes. I could virtually float over the soil. We wandered through the raspberry field on the way out and found our mission for the next berry ride. As we all hosed off our bikes, we marveled at how an 18 lb. bike could handle 10 lbs of mud. Finally we got the berrys and little Cody wrapped up for the ride home.

I had to depart early to meet up for the Exchange Cycle Tours ride. Thankfully we just did a short ride because I was already shleppin’ 9 lbs of strawberries, which my fellow riders helped consume!