Portland Century: Portland's Premier Cycling Event

I could not agree more! I recently moved to Portland and I've been in a million bike rides all over the country and I have never seen one so nice as this. The classical music at the end was a nice touch, too.

Improvement by
Leaps
and
Bounds
and
Mountains

thank you for getting it right.
very right.

SuperBad as in good! That was the most tasty salmon I've had in a long time and the asparagus was just right - slight crisp but not raw. just how I like it, that's how this ride was from start to finish. I wanted a smooth ride and I got one. I was on the century and those hills were BROOOOtal but great all the same.

Well I blasted you guys last year so I figured I should comment again this year. I was a little worried at the packet pick up (a little compact for the crowd) and when the paper signs showed up again at the start. But as soon as we left the Corridor and the Dan Henry's showed up I was relieved. The route was much better marked and the finish route so much better than last year. A few spots could have used a sign but in general very good. Stops were stocked better than last but could still use a little variety. Check some of the other local club rides (PWTC,Salem, MVBC) The lunch was great again this year. The hills were tough but that's why were there:)

I rode last year, and had a great time although the ride could have been organized better.
This year... WOW! What a difference. Ton's of food and water (thank you Hot Lips and Madison's), great signage, and a much better route (I did the 50). The volunteers were awesome, very generous. The headwind on Marine Drive sucked, but the temp was much better this year too (70-75 vs. 100 last year).
Thanks again to all involved. I will be back again next year, hopefully to do the 75!

I was beyond scared, and the only goal was to finish before the course closed: mountain bike, fat tires, and 100 miles total in the last 4 months seemed less-than-perfect preparation for my first century (never even did a half-century). I am thrilled to have ignored the 'extreme climbing' warnings and the stories about last year - loved the whole thing (even the weather was perfect, except for the Marine Drive headwinds). Can't think of anything to complain about - don't change a thing!!

Awesome ride! Thanks to all the volunteers for keeping us fueled and on track. Does anyone know why moles are suiciding at this time of year? Saw at least three.

My kids and my friend and I rode the 50 with the whole gang and we had a great time. I felt like I was involve din something very special and I enjoyed meeting the bikers along the way. We had this idea that we were at a huge party the entire time, a party that says loudly PORTLAND ROCKS!!!! KEEP RIDING!!!

All good! Great work on learning from last year. 100 mile route well marked and liked the more direct return path at end of ride. Looking forward to next year!

No offense to those organized group rides, but they're not my deal. Yes they are organized but no they are not exciting. I like the special perks offered by a ride like the Portland Century. I'm not looking only for excellent course marking, I'm also looking for stuff I wouldn't do on my own. On my own, I would not have an ice sculpture, you know?

Thank you very much for the Portland Century. EVERYTHING was great, except the head wind at the gorge. I enjoyed the route this year over last year, too. It was a beautiful ride. I don't live in Portland, so it was great to ride all of the bike paths and see the city. I wish I could recommend something to change, but I can't. You did good. See you next year.

This ride had it all and I enjoyed it. Cause pizza on course is so delicious (even though I could only stomach a little) and the finish line food was delectable. A red shirt volunteer even came up to our table to ask if we would like to have our plates cleared!!!! Now that is the royal treatment I needed to round out a summer of riding. Thank you for the area's most perfect ride.

This was my first century ride ever, and I truly enjoyed it. The course was stunningly beautiful, and the food and support was great. The only place I screwed up was missing the rest stop in Eagle Fern park -- I think a lot of other people misunderstood the signage there too. Looking forward to doing this again next year -- great job by all who put this together!

I almost missed that spot too b/c I wasn't paying attention - and I thought later that how could I not know because I wanted a rest stop so badly at that point. anyway, I've been on many a century, but this one was the most gorgeous, most adventurous, and MOST TASTY!!! Thanks for all the cool extras, mostly mentioned above, like good food, signs on course and friendly volunteers. not your average ride, but then again this isn't your average city!!!!!!

I just bought my first rode bike about 4 months ago. This was my first organized bike ride and I really enjoyed the scenery. I felt the 100 mile ride was very challenging, but rewarding. I felt that there should have been a closer rest stop after the roslyn lake rest stop. I felt depleted after completing all the hills after roslyn lake and not being able to replenish until Blue Lake. The dinner was fantastic as well as the beer. I know that the Portland Century is just getting started and smoothing out details, but more pictures would have been nice. For instance, the shamrock has thousands of pictures where you can actually find your own individual picture! I would have loved to have a picture of myself powering out those grueling hills! There seems to be a lot of fun pictures at the easy locations on the ride, but not a lot from the 100 mile route? Overall...great job!

Wow... I went into this with a whole lot of trepidation as it was my first century, and I wasn't confident that I was fully trained. But I had an absolutely amazing time. yes, there were a few moments when I cursed yet ANOTHER hill. But I did it, and it felt GOOD. The ride was amazingly well run, marked, etc. I loved the food. I hope you can repeat the weather. My only suggestions would be:
(1) consider routing Marine drive the other direction if possible.
(2) something better than PB&J for the lunch stop. Pasta? Fruit?

But overall, it was great. I love it. I can't wait for next year.

WOW! GREAT! AMAZING! REWARDING!!!

I'm no stranger to these kinds of rides but I must say I was quite impressed with everything on this ride. The arrows were good and the food was so yummy and healthy and very different than most rides that only serve boring pasta. I appreciated all the little touches, thank you for those.

I WILL BE BACK NEXT YEAR

This was my fourth full Century ride of the season and I must say that I was a bit disappointed in a few areas. I'm not partial to bike paths so the first part to get out of town is awkard and cumbersome. Paper signs suck.....dan henry's rule!
Please, how about some advanced warning signs to slow down due to sharp switch backs along the course epsecially coming out of Sandy into Bull Run.....yikes!
The Eagle Fern bike blender smoothies were great! Just what you need to start the real climbs of the day.
From Eagle Fern to Blue Lake was good; lot's of nice views and great challenging hills. I think we can all agree that the headwind blowing from the west?!...up the gorge sucked!
Variety is the spice of life......could you put more food out on the course where we need it rather than at the end? You can only eat so many bananas and clif bars (please take one only!)
One stop had Gluekos(Blue Lake) the rest were out at the time! You should check with PWTC, they throw OUTSTANDING rest stop fuel together for their riders.
Rethink the beginning and end but leave the the tastey center.

This was my 3rd century of the year and I loved it. Sure, we'd all like Dan Henry's all over, but come on, if all rides did that our streets would look like a quilt of DHs and I bet the city doesn't like that too much. I have a friend who works for the city and he said DHs are illegal unless they're legitimate markings used for water bureau or maintenance purposes. I don't mind those plastic yellow signs, I could seem them okay. I like maps, so I followed the map too - you cannot trust the riders in front of you!!

I was impressed with this ride in a lot of ways. Keep it this way and I'll be back every year. Please do not just make it just another group ride like PWTC, I'm in it for the fun stuff.

Good ride.. thanks! I'm looking forward to doing one of the longer routes next year.

Just read the comment from Anjelica regarding Marine drive...doesn't matter which direction you ride, the wind is inevitable.

Had a great time on the 50 mile route and LOVED the pizza. Oh, the train was also a nice touch after Smith & Bybee Lakes rest stop.

Thanks to all who worked to make this event fun!

Looks like a fun ride... well all but the idiots towards the end who, with a blatant disregard for both safety and the law, decided to climb OVER a stopped train rather than wait for it to clear the path.

I've forwarded copies of the photos to the railroad, as well as child protective services. I hope they follow up on it and press trespassing and child endangerment charges.

Oh come on Bill, it's not the end of the world! If you know trains as well as I do, you know there are most definitely safe times to make such a, adventurous crossing. Sure, it's not !!the safest route!!, but it's not as bad as you're making it seem.

I think it is for you to have wasted your energy forwarding copies to the railroad company. Sounds like you are an angry, bitter person who needs a little more fun in your life. You should come ride with us next year! We had a bunch of fun out there.