Bridge in 2007.
(Photo © J. Maus)
If you’re one of the 10,000 people signed up to ride in the 31st annual Seattle-to-Portland Bicycle Classic in July, take note. For the first time since 1989, the route entering Portland from Highway 30 will be different this year.
The STP route usually winds through Northwest Portland and then crosses the Willamette River via NW Lovejoy and the Broadway Bridge. But this year, due to streetcar construction, organizers have decided to use the St. Johns Bridge instead.
The new route will take riders across the bridge in St. Johns, then onto N. Willamette Blvd and N. Rosa Parks, then south to Holladay Park in the Lloyd Center via N. Vancouver Ave. Here’s a map detail of the route through Portland:
And here’s a snip about the change from the Cascade Bicycle Club:
“The route adds a mere half-mile, and offers spectacular scenery with no railroad tracks, no trains, less traffic, and fewer stop lights – all welcome when you’ve spent nearly 200 miles in the saddle. Plus, crossing a majestic, Gothic suspension bridge seems a fitting way to end a self-propelled journey from Seattle to Portland, wouldn’t you say?”
I agree. With its stunning views of downtown Portland on N. Willamette, this route is much more pleasant (I just hope they get a permit for extra room on that road because 10,000 riders on a very narrow and scary bike lane could get ugly). Learn more about STP on the event website.
The Seat