Saturday, August 16, 2025
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Please RSVP: camping limited to 10 people
Bureau of John Russell
Sat, Aug 16, 2025, 11:00 AM
Meet at 11, ride at 11:30 am, camp after 4 pm.
5:00 PM
End location: Stub Stewart SP, return Sunday via Hillsboro MAX
You’ve heard of the Dead Freeways Ride exploring the Portland freeways we’ve never built or removed entirely, but what about all the freeways that did get built? Did you know that the majority of Portland-area freeways are legally open to bikes and non-motorized vehicles? Did you know that Oregon State Parks were originally developed as a branch of the Oregon State Highway Department thanks to the same declaration that preserved public ownership of our Pacific beaches? A representative from the Bureau of John Russell will be on hand to familiarize everyone with the intricacies of OAR 734-20-0045: Prohibition of Non-Motorized Vehicles on Freeways. He’ll show you the ropes, having ridden every mile of freeway in Western Oregon himself. With over 50,000 miles of cycling experience, and thousands of miles of unsupported bike touring, he will also show everyone the ropes of bike touring and camping, so please come prepared with hammocks, tents, sleeping bags, and anything else you need for an enjoyable night outdoors at LL Stub Stewart State Park. There may be an attempt to provide a support vehicle to carry gear for those with limited carrying capacity, but support is not guaranteed. Please bring approximately $20 cash to cover camping fees, MAX fare, food, and firewood, etc. but no one will be turned away due to lack of funds. Meet at 11, ride at 11:30 am. We’ll be starting in SW Portland at the Goose Hollow MAX Station (SW 18th & Jefferson). For the main portion of the ride, we'll travel on over 20 miles of wide shoulders in a nearly straight line along US 26, originally planned as the "Wolf Creek Highway" and more commonly known today as the Sunset Highway. After a supply stop in Banks, we'll enjoy a much quieter afternoon along the car-free Banks Vernonia Trail before making camp at two reserved hike-in camp sites at L.L. "Stub" Stewart State Park, for a total of ~35 miles on Saturday. On Sunday, we will break camp (1 PM checkout) and meander up to 30 miles back to the MAX Blue line in Hillsboro through scenic rural Washington County. In total, the ride will be an approximately 65 miles long over two 30- to 35-mile days. While the route does not loop, we will connect to the MAX on each end, so please bring appropriate fare unless you want to bike the whole way home. For those of you who would prefer to ride on your own and meet us along the way or at camp, an approximate route is posted below. Please do not drive to the campground without coordinating beforehand, as parking may be limited at costs $10/night. Camping is limited to ten people, so please RSVP if possible: https://www.facebook.com/events/2145896042589896/ Come have fun and ride the roads you never thought you could! Time and details subject to change. Text and explanation of OAR 734-20-0045: https://www.tcnf.legal/freewayright/ Map of Portland-area freeways closed to bikes: http://goo.gl/maps/Bc9Xx https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-motorized_access_on_freeways Timeline of Oregon State Parks under the Highway Department: http://npshistory.com/publications/oregon/admin_history/appendix2.htm Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/52106671
RSVP on Facebook or contact the Bureau of John Russell directly.
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