River City Bicycles, a prominent name in Portland’s cycling community, joined forces with the Northwest Trail Alliance (NWTA) for the second consecutive year to kick off their Women-Led summer ride series. This ongoing partnership with NWTA has significantly enhanced these rides, fostering a stronger sense of community among Portland’s mountain biking enthusiasts and notably increasing rider participation compared to previous years. River City Bicycles expresses immense gratitude for this collaboration and the vibrant community it has nurtured.
For their 2023 series, River City Bikes Portland aimed to cater to a broader spectrum of riders by organizing rides with varying skill levels. This particular ride was designed for beginners, and Stub Stewart State Park was selected as the ideal location. Stub Stewart’s trail system offers diverse options, accommodating everyone from novice to expert riders with trails ranging from green to black. Crucially, the main climb trail to access these diverse routes is manageable for riders of most abilities, making it a welcoming environment for beginners.
Approximately twenty riders participated in the event, and the group was divided based on experience. One group, comprising roughly half of the attendees, ventured into the woods and up to the “ride park” area to practice short laps on Greenhorn, a flowy green trail perfect for skill development. The remaining participants, identifying as newer beginners, stayed near the meetup area for a foundational bike handling 101 session, ensuring everyone felt comfortable and confident before hitting the trails.
After an hour of focused practice and trail riding, both groups converged amidst the sounds of encouragement and enjoyment echoing down Greenhorn. The combined group then returned to the trailhead for one final lap, after which everyone agreed it was time to conclude the ride and return to the parking lot for well-deserved refreshments. The post-ride social gathering was made possible by the generous donations from Hopworks Brewing and Liquid Death, who provided refreshing brews and sparkling waters for all participants.
River City Bikes Portland’s summer ride series is set to continue on September 30th at Rocky Point trails. While this upcoming ride will not be specifically geared towards beginners like the Stub Stewart event, River City Bikes and NWTA are committed to accommodating the diverse skill levels of all riders who participate. Enthusiasts are encouraged to sign up via the provided link (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/group-ride-w-river-city-bikes-rocky-point-tickets-661414176607) to learn more and join the next group ride with River City Bikes.
