This is the first part of some posts I’m going to make about my favorite routes/trails to ride. One of the things I’m always searching for is more places to ride, but they can be hard to find, so I’d start posting some of mine. Probably will eventually make a static page of these, but for now I’ll just post them to the blog. Also I’m hoping my (few) readers will contribute.
Sauvie Island
DISTANCE: ~12 miles around
The GOOD: Far and away the best place to TT, IMO. It’s flat as a pancake, and you’re out in beautiful farm country (it’s AMAZING in the summer when the sun is setting pink over the horizon, or in the fall when the mists are covering the autumn leaves, or in the spring when…ok, you get it). It’s also the perfect distance for Tri practice, 1 lap for sprints, 2 laps for olys.
The BAD: There’s almost always a headwind. Both ways. Just kidding, but there is usually a strong wind since it IS an island. Also you have to know when it gets busy with traffic (near Halloween, berry-picking season). I generally avoid the island on weekend afternoons. After work during the week it’s empty (the traffic down 30 isn’t even that bad either), and early on the weekends (before 11am), the only other people out there are also cyclists (or that weird guy on the wheel-ski things).
Getting there: Hwy 30 towards St Helens. Turn right at Sauvie Island. Go over the bridge (currently they’re building a new one, not sure when it’s going to be done). Go straight and park behind/next to the little store in the gravel lot. Doesn’t get any easier then that.
