(Photo © J. Maus)
Forest Park, Portland’s 5,000 acre urban park and wooden wonderland, might not offer the type of trail access many off-road advocates would prefer; but it’s still a great place to ride a bike.
Now, Portland-based Pedal Bike Tours is taking advantage of the park’s many miles of gravel and dirts roads by offering twice-daily guided tours.
Calling it the “ultimate Oregon combination of primeval forest and vibrant city,” Pedal Bike Tours owner Todd Roll says, “This ride appeals to both casual riders who want to enjoy the greenery and solitude of the park without a long drive to the mountains, as well as more aggressive riders looking to get a good workout on the gravel and dirt road.”
For $49 you’ll get a bike (if you need one), a lift up to Leif Erikson Road (ride starts at 600 feet) and then be led 11 miles through thick forests and ferns. The tour heads south into Portland and after rolling on dirt and gravel roads, you’ll end up just above NW 23rd Street and then wind through the Pearl District back to Pedal Bike Tours’ shop in Old Town.
Stay tuned for more news about bike access in Forest Park.
that seems pretty cheap…
I agree, that is really cheap. How could you pass it up?
Heck. For $49, I’ll lead ya all the way to the People’s Republic of Eugene, guerrilla camping included, BYOB.
“And if you look to your left, more trees.”
Maybe take us to where all the bodies have been dumped throughout the years would make it a more exciting ride.
NWTA has a weekly Wednesday evening ride for free…But you need to bring a bike.
Imagine what one could charge if there was quality singletrack trails to ride to in FP. Hopefully Pedal Bike Tours will support NWTA’s efforts.
“And over here is another $1M+ household that feels personally threatened by recreational facilities within minutes of their property line…”
Pedal Bike Tours has a good looking, well working website. For the travel time involved, at 10 miles, their rides at the coast and the gorge seem kind of short. For being local, at 11 miles, the Forest Park/Leif Erikson tour seems about right.
If you want to keep the bike for 24 hrs, the price, $49 bucks, can be an extra good deal if you add $18 to the tour price to get the bike for a 24 hr period. Stand alone price for 24hr rental of a road bike is $60. So if you get the package, effectively…you’d only be paying $8 for the tour.
Interesting that they don’t use or rent off-road bikes. So apparently people will be riding road bikes on Leif, which should work fine. Also interesting and smart that the tour starts at the northwest end of the trail instead of starting out from the Thurman street access point; avoids the worst of the crowding at the Thurman entrance.
Seems like this could turn out to be a very popular tour.
This is why I visit this site. I think the Forest tour and the Downtown tour would be great for someone, like me, considering relocating to Portland in the next few years. Very affordable as well!