(Photo © J. Maus)
Portland’s infamous De Ronde van West Portland, modeled after the classic Tour of Flanders in Europe, takes off this Saturday (4/17). There’s been some confusion over whether or not the ride was even happening, so consider this post your official invitation to take part.
The men behind the ride, Hugh Givens and Brad Ross, are not officially hosting the event this year, but they’ve updated a website with a detailed route map and they still plan to meet and ride with whoever shows up.
If you want to attempt to conquer 47.5 miles of Portland’s steepest hills with Brad, Hugh, and a bunch of other masochistic psychos on a truly legendary ride, meet near the corner of NW Industrial and 31st at 10:00 am. You can view the most updated route map here.
Once on the route, you can find your way via the freshly painted lions of Flanders on the pavement. If you go, remember the ride’s basic rules (as published on RondePDX.com):
-
It’s just a ride:
- No Prize but Honor
- No Fee but Sweat
- No Support but Lycra
- No Sponsor but Yourself
- No Rules but the Lawful kind
- No Sanction but from the Madonna del Ghisallo
The De Ronde has been held since 2007. 100 people showed up to the first one, then word quickly spread and nearly 400 people showed up in 2008. Last year, the ride drew between 6-700 riders and was the subject of a segment on Oregon Public Broadcasting’s Oregon Field Guide show. Read previous coverage of the event here.
I’ve been getting phone calls and emails for weeks about this ride. People are coming from as far away as Seattle and Corvallis to take part. Are you planning to give it a go this year?