We Did It - 26 miles

The crowd is ready to get going on the 16th Annual Providence Bridge Pedal. Providence Bridge Pedal is the second-largest community bicycle ride in the country and the third largest in the world. More than 18,000 cyclists were expected to participate this year and the crowd was estimated at near 20,000.

Pedalers are getting antsy waiting for the start of the Providence Bridge Pedal


Riders pedal away from Portland toward The St. John's Bridge.


It's a beautiful way to spend a day - seeing the city from atop a no-car bridge


A peek of the city from the St. John's Bridge


I probably could have prepared better. Three bike rides: one in Sunriver (13 miles) and two on the Springwater Corridor in Portland, Oregon (each 10 miles). Not nearly enough to prepare for scaling 8 city bridges and a 26 mile bike ride but . . . I did it.
Finally . . . the FINISH LINE!!!

The hardest bridge for me was the St. John's Bridge but I shifted down to first gear and made it the entire way...without walking. That was my goal. And, the slow, steep terrain took its toll on me. I was definitely feeling the burn...but I didn't give up. I just kept telling myself, "If I can run a half-marathon, I can ride a full one." I just didn't take into account the different muscles you use for biking, as compared to running. And, I'm hoping I'm not going to be too sore tomorrow.

Getting Ready

Monday night we went for a ten mile bike ride. That might sound like one crazy workout to some. But, it's really just a crazy warm-up for Sunday. The Portland Bridge Pedal is just around the corner.

And, while we've done the Bridge Pedal before, in the past we've only been brave enough to ride over the six city bridges or 13 miles but NOT this year. We're stepping - or should I say pedaling - it up.

We're going UP 8 bridges - or 26 miles. That sounds like plenty of pedaling to me but my husband wanted to do the 36 mile ride. I wasn't sure about the extra 10 miles.

I said, "baby steps", maybe next year we can do the 36 miles and cross all 10 bridges. And, if you don't like bike riding or 13, 26 or 36 miles sounds like too much - there's also the 5 mile Bridge Stride. So, you can feel free to walk a five mile route and see the city from the top of a bridge or two. And, if you don't want to walk - you can always volunteer. Just an idea.

We don't mind doing the bridges more than once especially since the money goes to a good cause - or two of them. The beneficiaries are Providence Heart and Vascular Center, and the BTA or the Bicycle Transportation Alliance.

So, we'll be getting some exercise, seeing the city from a perfect vantage point and helping a couple good causes all at the same time.

What about you? Are you planning anything out of the usual for this weekend?

Monday - Make a Commitment

August 8th is the date to start getting ready for. It's the Providence Bridge Pedal and believe me, it's worth the ride. It's the 15th Anniversary of the Ride and it helps raise money for Providence Hospital's Heart and Vascular Institute. Plus, you'll be helping your own heart and vascular system at the same time.

So, if you think you aren't ready, you've got time to pull out the bike, pump up the tires and start getting those feet in shape for that pedaling.

I'm looking forward to the event - hope you will too.

Providence Bridge Pedal

Sunday I woke up with a sore throat and was worried that I wouldn't be able to make the ride but, after a hot shower, I was ready for another busy day.

The Providence Bridge Pedal has a bike ride for every skill level. There is a 38, 24, and 14 mile bike ride option.

We signed up for the easiest of the three. And it helps that it's a party atmosphere here in Portland on the bridges, with live bands, balloons and families riding tandems. I always have a lot of respect for Moms and Dads but I have even more respect for the parents riding with baby buggies attached to the back of their bikes. Of course they had to be in super shape, which I'm not.


I was wishing I would have pulled my bike out earlier than the morning of the ride - if not to get in shape, then at least to check the tires, which were flat.

But 14 miles later we stopped at Starbucks and had an iced coffee - Yummy reward. Then we rode the six miles back home. It was tiring but a lot of fun.


The Providence Bridge Pedal supports the Heart and Vascular Institute at Providence Medical Center. It's a good cause and a fun ride over a lot of the bridges in the city. Plus, if you aren't a bike enthusiast, you can walk a five mile Bridge Stride for the cause.

Did you know that Portland is the number one city for biking in the country? If you're planning a trip to Portland in the next year, you should plan it around the Bridge Pedal/Bridge Stride, you'll end up getting the best views of the city and be heart healthy too.