Downtown - Springville - Kaiser Loop

Every time I do this route from my office in downtown Portland, I am amazed at how quickly I can ride from the stressful urban jungle to the bucolic landscapes of rural Washington County.

To get there, find your way onto NW Johnson and head west. Johnson is a designated bike street (follow the bike and arrow markings a.k.a. "sharrows") that will connect you all the way to the base of the West Hills. When you get to NW 24th, go right (north) for a few blocks, then turn left onto NW Lovejoy.

When you get onto Lovejoy, shift down and get ready to climb. Veer right onto NW Cornell Rd to begin your ascent in earnest.

Cornell is a key connecting route into the West Hills. It's a beautiful climb (especially the two paths in the forest that take you around tunnels about one mile up the road), but it can get busy during rush hour. After two miles and about 320 feet of climbing, you'll finally get some peace and quiet when you turn onto NW 53rd.

53rd is a tough climb that many people avoid (NW Thompson is an easier alternate and they both end up in the same place); but I love 53rd because it's off the beaten path and takes you through a beautiful section of Forest Park.

After about two miles you'll be dropped onto NW Thompson. with just about one-half mile left to climb before reaching NW Skyline Blvd. Once you'ver grunted up the tough final pitch (about 9% grade), you'll finally get some rest as things flatten out as you head north on Skyline.

Once you're on Skyline, you've got 3.4 miles of fast, sweeping curves and views of the valley to the west. Then you'll hang a left onto NW Springville Rd - one of my favorite descents (and ascents for that matter) in the area.

Keep your head up while descending Springville. There's a spot about 1.3 miles down (just before a big right turn) where a gorgeous view of the valley opens up.

Springville ends where the Washington County suburbs begin. Lucky for you, you'll hang a right onto NW Kaiser Rd. and head north once again into old farm country.

Classic barns and farm houses dot Kaiser Rd. You'll cross over NW Germantown and continue on Kaiser for another two miles before going right (north) onto NW Brooks Rd. Brooks will climb you steadily back up to Skyline Blvd where you'll hit the half-way point of the loop and start heading back to downtown.

Stay on Skyline for about 7.7 miles before turning left NW Thompson (the same road you climbed up on). Follow Thompson down to Cornell, fly through the tunnels (which can be a bit dark and scary in traffic) and eventually back into northwest Portland.

For an excellent post-ride drink and food stop, I recommend Tilt on NW 13th (1355 NW Everett St.). They've got huge portions and tasty burgers, pie, salads and beer.