This Sunday, August 12, the 23rd annual Providence Bridge Pedal will take place in Portland, Oregon. This is a community celebration of Portland’s Willamette River bridges. There are various ride options available from a full 18-mile ride to the shortest three-mile loop.
Grab your bike (or rent one) and join your friends for the one opportunity each year to bike or walk on Portland’s car-free streets and bridges, including the upper decks of both the Marquam and Fremont (pictured above) bridges.
Registration fees range from $40.00 for the 18-mile Marquam Express route to $25.00 for the five-mile Bridge Stride. The three-mile Kids Pedal is free for kids 12 years and under. Registration is required for all participants who are pedaling or walking. A child in a bike seat, bike trailer or stroller does not need to register. Online registration will remain open until 11:59 p.m. Saturday, August 11. Register Now.
The Marquam Express option gives riders the best views of Portland. Enjoy sunrise and a light breakfast from on top of the Marquam Bridge before starting the ride. Bikers can ride up onto the Marquam as early as 6:00 a.m. The views of the Willamette River and downtown Portland as the sun rises over the Cascades are spectacular. Marquam Express riders begin as early as 7:00 a.m. with a rush through downtown on I-405 over the Fremont Bridge before joining the full Bridge Pedal route.
ROUTE OPTIONS:
- Marquam Express – Enjoy sunrise and a light breakfast on top of the Marquam Bridge with stunning views of downtown Portland, the Willamette River and the Cascades. Then bike on I-405 to the Fremont Bridge and onto the rest of the Providence Bridge Pedal route.
- Main Ride – This new configuration crosses six downtown bridges with a thrilling ride on I-405 from the Marquam to the Fremont Bridge. Riders may do multiple loops.
- Kids Pedal– Even the youngest cyclists can enjoy being part of Providence Bridge Pedal with this three-mile loop crossing the Hawthorne and Steel bridges. Adults are welcome too as long as they are chaperoned by a child under 13 years of age. Although this is a free event, registration is required. Kids Pedal is the one Providence Bridge Pedal event with a registration limit so sign up early.
- Bridge Stride – The Providence Bridge Stride route for 2018 is five miles long and crosses the Fremont and Steel bridges.
While this event is for all ages, there is the 6 Bridge Challenge for kids who are 12 years and younger. Children registered for either the Main Ride or Marquam Express will receive a “6 Bridge Challenge” scorecard with their registration materials. During the ride, get the card stamped at the designated booth on the Marquam and Fremont bridges. Present the completed stamped card at the finish line “6 Bridge Challenge” booth and receive a free t-shirt.
For more details on each of the specific routes, registration fees, or to sign-up for one of the rides, visit 2018 Providence Bridge Pedal.
Image: ParkLuck
