Did you get to ride in that dry, warm weather on Sunday?

Sunday’s blue sky was a real treat up on Powell Butte.
(Photo: Doug Hecker)

After what felt like weeks of incessant rain, Portland was gifted a dry day on Sunday. It was a rare full day of dryness with even a bit of sun thrown in here and there. Temps even reached the 60s!

I took a walk around the neighborhood and saw all manner of people out and about on bikes. The parks were packed with families who dusted off their rigs and the bike lanes were full of group riders and errand-doers.

One of our friends on Facebook, Doug Hecker, shared this great image of he and friends up at Powell Butte Nature Park. I asked him to share a bit about it:

“On Sunday afternoon I tried to convince my partner to go on an off-trail waterfall hike but they weren’t feeling up for it so I suggested riding from our Brentwood-Darlington abode and hopped on the Springwater Corridor towards Powell Butte. It has been 2 years since I had been on the Springwater. I had previously hadnt taken my bike on dirt trails before so I was pleasantly surprised. We rode a couple of laps on the Elderberry trail, Summit Lane, and exited via the Pipeline Rd. We scored a neat picture of Hood while we were there and dreamed of future excursions. The car parking situation is tough on a sunny Sunday afternoon and it seems that the crowds are nicely spread out so you will definitely see plenty of other people and pets. I viewed as a nice urban escape.”

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A perfect day for a ride to Arbor Lodge Park in north Portland.
(Photo: J. Maus/BikePortland)

I too haven’t ridden there in years and now I’m really itching to go back. With the Springwater as an access point, Powell Butte’s off-road bike trails are accessible by nearly everyone.

Did you get a chance to take advantage of Sunday’s weather?

— Jonathan Maus: (503) 706-8804, @jonathan_maus on Twitter and jonathan@bikeportland.org

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Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car owner and driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, feel free to contact me at @jonathan_maus on Twitter, via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a supporter.

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mw
mw
6 years ago

I thought there were signs somewhere at Powell Butte telling bikes to stay off the trails all winter long?

Brian
Brian
6 years ago
Reply to  mw

Only if wet, but hiking is ok for some reason

Dave
Dave
6 years ago

Just a brief test ride on a client’s bike but boy was that a sweet 15 minutes.

Sam
Sam
6 years ago

It was bald eagle mating season on the Columbia Slough Trail by PIR. That dirty little trail has some of the best bird-watching. In addition to the eagles there are herons, egrets, hawks, and all sorts of ducks and geese.

J.E.
J.E.
6 years ago

The bicycle:car ratio on inner SE residential streets Sunday afternoon was something you often don’t even see in the height of summer. Best of all, it was mostly people traveling in groups: lots of families, couples, and friends cycling together.

Art Fuldodger
Art Fuldodger
6 years ago

Up to St. John’s from SE, over the bridge (we were the timid folks riding the sidewalk), up Saltzman to Skyline, down Germantown to Leif Erickson, and down Springville (trying to rein in the steed…whoa!) and back over the bridge to Culmination for a pint. Then a roll along Willamette (the extra room is much appreciated!) and slowly back to SE in the gloaming. A lovely January day, indeed.

Christopher of Portland
Christopher of Portland
6 years ago

I rode part of the Marine Drive path in the morning but it was cold, windy, and raining at the time.

Madi Carlson
6 years ago

I noticed the nice forecast and had been waiting for Sunday all week! I took my kids to Gateway Green for the first time and they had an amazing time. And on the way there we caught the most amazing view of Mount Hood.

Kate
Kate
6 years ago

I was itching to get back on my mountain bike, so I headed out to Syncline. Mostly overcast, but it felt good to get some terrain under the tires.

rachel b
rachel b
6 years ago

Fearing and dreading summer.

DR
DR
6 years ago

53 miles touring all parts Portland; Germantown, St. Johns, Marine Drive, Tillikum Bridge, and back to suburbia on the westside. Fantastic weather and Mt. Hood was beautiful!

Brian
Brian
6 years ago

Great ride with a lot of climbing. First time up Hall Blvd this year. It still hurts.

PeaDub
6 years ago

45 miles, 5,700′ of climbing (Council Crest, Pittock, Skyline->Germantown, Springville). It was a lovely day to ride, and so much fun being on the go-fast bike!

adventure!
6 years ago

I did get a ride on Sunday! Did a bit of a loop on the Willamette (Esplanade-Springwater-Sellwood Bridge-Willamette Greenway-Tilikum.) While there were definitely people out, it was lighter than I expected for such a nice Sunday in January. For a momenet I thought the Superbowl was happening until I double-checked the calendar!

And Jonathan, technically it only got up to 57F on Sunday. 😉

Brian
Brian
6 years ago

Those midday sun breaks got me excited for Summer and dry trails, and commuting in the daylight again.

Jules (DJ)
6 years ago

At the tail end of a week of food poisoning the sun was summoning, so I slammajammed some Zofran and hit up Sauvie for a chill 37 miler. Didn’t puke once.

Eric
Eric
6 years ago

Bald Peak was socked in at 11:30. The ride there and the ride home were quite nice though!