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Bicycling Magazine Portland, OR: Two Willamette River Ferries 

Long on distance and short on climbing, this 69-mile loop swings through the fertile Willamette River Valley on low-traffic, cyclist-friendly roads.


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Author: Bicycling Magazine
Date: 8 Dec 2009 9:44:47 PM
Activity: Bicycling
State: Oregon (OR)
Distance: 69.02 mi  (Change units)
Survey Elevation: Total Gain: 1145 ft
Total Loss: 1168 ft
Net Change: -23 ft
Difficulty: 5 / 10
Tags: Portland, Oregon, Wilsonville, Willamette Valley
Rating: Unrated   Rate it

Rack up mileage without killing your quads on this relatively flat cruise on rural roads south of Portland. Featuring only 1,145 feet of climbing and no ascent higher than 216 feet, this 69-mile loop contains two quick ferry rides and plenty of well-spaced opportunities for re-supplying.

Start by heading west on Wilsonville Road. Sticking to the road's narrow shoulders, be mindful of cars as you trace the shores of the Willamette en route to Newberg, former home of President Herbert Hoover. Then, fly down the busier, but wider-shouldered OR 99 as you head toward Dayton before continuing south on quieter roads to reach the Wheatland Ferry.

Make sure to give thanks to the ferry operators (who keep the crossing open from 5:30 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. every day of the year except Christmas and Thanksgiving) before heading east toward Gervais. Wind your way north along more low-traffic, rural roads to hit the second river crossing, Canby Ferry, near mile 63. After crossing, you've got roughly 5 quick miles to go before returning to the Wilsonville Public Library and completing your ride.

-Mapped by Kevin Van Dyke

TO TRAILHEAD: This ride starts at the Wilsonville Public Library. From I-5 S, take exit 283 and turn left on Wilsonville Rd. The library is on the right in 0.4 mile.

Position Format: Datum:
Tracks

Portland, OR: Two Willamette River Ferries

Distance: 69.02 mi Points: 591
Total Time: none Speed: 0.0 mph Pace: 0:00 / mi
Active Time: none Speed: 0.0 mph Pace: 0:00 / mi
# Distance Instruction Distance to next
1 0.00 mi Start - Then go 0.02 mi
2 0.02 mi Turn Left - SW Wilsonville Rd Then go 11.59 mi
3 11.61 mi Slight left to stay on NE Wilsonville Rd Then go 0.85 mi
4 12.46 mi Continue onto S Avalon Park/S Sandoz Rd Then go 0.03 mi
5 12.49 mi Turn left to stay on S Avalon Park/S Sandoz Rd Then go 0.26 mi
6 12.75 mi Turn right at NE Wynooski Rd Then go 1.28 mi
7 14.03 mi Turn left at E 5th St Then go 0.70 mi
8 14.73 mi Turn left at Dayton Ave Then go 1.53 mi
9 16.26 mi Turn right at Co Rd 74/NE Fox Farm Rd Then go 0.03 mi
10 16.30 mi Turn left at NE Edwards Dr Then go 0.05 mi
11 16.35 mi Slight right at Benz Rd/NE Bienz Rd Then go 0.07 mi
12 16.42 mi Slight left at OR-99W S Then go 1.62 mi
13 18.04 mi Slight right to stay on OR-99W S Then go 2.64 mi
14 20.67 mi Slight left at SE Dayton Bypass/OR-18 W/OR-233 S Then go 11.04 mi
15 31.71 mi Turn left at Wheatland Rd NW Then go 1.12 mi
16 32.83 mi Take the Yamhill - Marion ferry to Gervais Then go 0.10 mi
17 32.93 mi Continue straight onto Matheny Rd N Then go 0.51 mi
18 33.45 mi Turn left at Matheny Rd NE Then go 3.12 mi
19 36.56 mi Turn left at River Rd NE Then go 1.63 mi
20 38.20 mi Continue onto French Prairie Rd NE Then go 0.62 mi
21 38.81 mi Turn right at St Louis Rd NE Then go 3.47 mi
22 42.28 mi Continue onto Douglas Ave NE Then go 0.21 mi
23 42.50 mi Turn right at 5th St Then go 0.25 mi
24 42.74 mi Turn left at Ivy Ave Then go 0.43 mi
25 43.17 mi Continue onto Butteville Rd NE Then go 2.42 mi
26 45.59 mi Turn left at Butteville Rd NE/Butteville-Gervais Rd NE/OR-219 N Then go 0.26 mi
27 45.84 mi Turn right at Butteville Rd NE Then go 6.94 mi
28 52.79 mi Turn right at Fargo Rd NE Then go 1.41 mi
29 54.20 mi Turn left at Bents Rd NE Then go 0.75 mi
30 54.95 mi Turn right at Arndt Rd NE Then go 3.91 mi
31 58.86 mi Continue onto S Knights Bridge Rd Then go 2.21 mi
32 61.07 mi Turn left at N Holly St Then go 1.88 mi
33 62.95 mi Continue onto NE 37th Ave Then go 0.25 mi
34 63.20 mi Slight left at N Locust St Then go 0.28 mi
35 63.48 mi Take the Canby - Wilsonville/Stafford ferry to W Linn Then go 0.15 mi
36 63.62 mi Continue straight Then go 0.02 mi
37 63.64 mi Turn right at SW Mountain Rd Then go 1.26 mi
38 64.90 mi Turn left at SW Advance Rd/Boeckman Rd Then go 2.62 mi
39 67.52 mi Turn left at SW Wilsonville Rd Then go 1.48 mi
40 69.00 mi Turn Left - Memorial Dr Then go 0.02 mi
41 69.02 mi Stop -

Points of Interest

Wilsonville Public Library

Location: 45.302677, -122.760300
Leave your car in the lot at the Wilsonville Public Library. There are restrooms and water fountains in the park across the street.

Wilsonville Road

Location: 45.289803, -122.815776
The shoulder on Wilsonville Road is narrow, so exercise caution as you pedal past open meadows in the lush Willamette River Valley. © Kevin Van Dyke

Willamette Greenway State Park

Location: 45.261144, -122.894375
Cycle past a section of waterfront preserved by the Willamette Greenway Program, enacted by the Oregon Legislature in 1967 to protect the natural integrity of land along the river corridor.

Climb

Location: 45.261506, -122.896028
If you're not in the mood to climb, this ride is for you. This quick, 1.8-mile ascent gaining just 165 feet (1.7-percent average grade), represents the day's toughest climb.

Newberg, Oregon

Location: 45.296822, -122.965229
Pass through Newberg, former home of President Herbert Hoover and present-day site of the evangelical George Fox University.

OR 99

Location: 45.281832, -123.007500
Traffic picks up on OR 99, so take advantage of the road's wide shoulders.

Pit Stop

Location: 45.222617, -123.077645
There are restrooms in the city park on Third Street and a small grocery store just across the street.

Wheatland Ferry

Location: 45.090566, -123.046210
The Wheatland Ferry runs from 5:30 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. every day of the year except Thanksgiving and Christmas day. The ferry costs $1 for cyclists. © Kevin Van Dyke

Gervais Food Market

Location: 45.107757, -122.898774
If you're low on fuel, stock up on food and drink at the Gervais Food Market on Douglas Avenue and Fourth Street.

Small Grocery Store

Location: 45.222919, -122.842641
On Butteville Road in Donald.

Canby Ferry

Location: 45.298981, -122.692748
The Canby Ferry runs daily from 6:45 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. Pedestrians and cyclists cross for free. Put your bike in a low gear when you hit the ferry: there's a hill waiting for you on the other side. © Kevin Van Dyke

Sharp Corner

Location: 45.318229, -122.703413
Use caution while flying down this sharp corner on the descent next to the Sandelie Golf Course. From here, it's just a few quick miles back to the library.

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