moto\local

Some Spots Around Portland

Bob Anundson

Portland has a lot of nice short rides just a few minutes from town. For now I will mention three and then hopefully add more over time. I live in Tualatin which is south of Portland. One of my favorite short rides is to take the Wilsonville-Newberg road west from Wilsonville to 219 near Newberg and then cross over the river going south and loop back through Campoeg, Butteville and staying on butteville road back to I5. If you haven't been to Campoeg then stop at the museum and see where the decision to be Yank or Brit was made for the Oregon Territory.

Instead of going south at 219 you could go north on 219 which takes you through Newberg and up over a mountain pass. You can loop back to Tualatin at Scholls which will point to Sherwood and then finally to Tualatin. Don't speed in Newberg unless you want to contribute to the towns's income.

If I'm heading east to Hwy 26 I don't have good choices. A past mayor, Goldschmidt, decided that a freeway east was a bad idea. However there are some slow but pleasant road to get to Mt Hood from I-5 south. I usually take I-205 to 213. Exit 205 and bear right towards Mololla but get into the left hand lane before the next light because you will make a left there. I don't know the name of the street but follow it to the first bridge at Carver. Cross the bridge and continue east on 224 towards Estacada. These are some very pleasant roads but they are residentual as well so respect the rights of folks living there.

You can make a left at 211 which will take you to Sandy and Hwy 26 or you can go another half mile and make a left to Wildcat Mountain Road and follow that to Firwood road and a point just east of Sandy on Hwy 26. The latter is usually untraveled and quite twisty. If you want to continue on back roads especially if you took the first path to Sandy make a left at the east end of Sandy on Ten Eych(signs point to Bull Run). It is drops quite steeply so watch out. Then make a right on Marmot road (staying straight takes you to Troutdale) to Barlow road where you make another left. Eventually you'll get to Oregon's Lolo Pass road. Take a right, not a left, to Zigzag. Again this is a very pleasant road and away from the crowded sections of 26.