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LL Stub Overnight - April 7-8




Celebrate Chris & Ryan's birthdays with an overnight bikepacking trip to LL Stub Stewart State Park. Strap your gear to the bike, and let's roll out for some camping and libations!  We'll be heading out Saturday morning on April 7th and returning back to Portland Sunday the 8th.  

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Soothsayer Says...

The tarot card drawn by our soothsayer for this particular ride reveals the 'Death' card...

This card is also referred to as the Child of Great Transformers.  The frightening image of the bony Reaper with a scythe contradicts the true interpretation of this card, which is that of rebirth and transformation.  

 Death is not the final end but a new beginning. This cards represents the passing of the old, the natural end of a situation, and the dawn of a new opportunity.  Happy Birthday to Chris and Ryan, another year awaits!


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Meeting Place & Route to Camp

  • The ride will depart from Velo Cult bike shop Saturday (4/7) at 9:00 a.m.
    • Velo Cult address: 1969 NE 42nd Ave, Portland, OR 97213
      • Meet in the back parking lot, but park on the street if leaving a car overnight
  • The route out to LL Stub will be mostly paved; 48 miles, with around 2600 ft. of total elevation gain
    • The route includes 8 miles of gravel road through Forest Park and around 14 miles of car-free bike paths; the other 25 miles or so are on proper streets (some include designated bike lanes)
    • Route from Velo Cult to LL Stub Stewart

Camping

  • We will be camping at the Brooke Creek Hike-in Camp area within the park
    • There are 23 primitive campsites with water nearby
      • Cost is $11 per site + processing fee
      • ~2 tents will fit at each site
      • 1 picnic table at each site
    • Two common areas with fire rings
    • There are two water spigots in the area
    • 2 vault toilets in the area. Nearest flush toilets and showers are half a mile away in the Dairy Creek West loop
    • Sites 1-9 are available first come, first served, in-person only
    • Sites 10-23 are reservable online ahead of time
      • I recommend reserving one of these now if you plan on coming
      • Sites 20-22 are reserved for a few of us already

Food

  • There are no places to purchase food within 10 miles of the park...
  • Bring at least enough food to get you to the town of Banks, located 10 miles from LL Stub Stewart
    • In Banks, there is a proper grocery store called Jim's Thriftway (open from 7 a.m.-10 p.m.)
    • There is also a pizza shop, a Subway, coffee shop, and gas station in Banks.
    • Banks is your last chance for food and beverages!!
  • Packing dehydrated/freeze dried meals is an option, boil water at camp and presto!
  • I like bringing instant oatmeal with dried fruit for breakfast
  • Whatever you decide to do for food, be sure to plan accordingly


Gear

  • This will be different for everyone.  Some of us are more minimalist than others.
    • Some folks run panniers, others seatbags and handlebar bags.  I don't recommend using a hobo stick and garbage bag, but whatever method of carrying your stuff works for you, go for it
  • We will obviously be camping, so bring whatever setup is right for that (i.e. tent, sleeping bag, pad, etc.)
    • If you plan to boil water, bring a stove, or a friend with one
    • Water filters are always good to have for the ride
    • Lights and/or headlamps are good to have at night
  • Make a list beforehand and ask friends what they plan on bringing, sometimes it's easier and lighter to share items
  • Maybe we have a meetup at Velo Cult the Friday before we leave and have a "who's bringing what" gathering...
  • Need gear?
    • Mountain Shop does rentals for seat bags, frame bags, and handlebar bags.  Oh, also bikes if you need to rent one.
      • Prices are very reasonable (bags are only $8 for 3 days!)

Route(s) back to Portland

  • There are a few options for our return back to Portland.  This is a choose your own adventure...
    • Route option 1 is the same route taken out to the park, just reversed.  Even less climbing than on the way out though
    • Food options are 11 miles back into Banks, or bringing enough with you
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    • Route option 2 will be more fun... with roughly 50% gravel / 50% paved, 51 miles with about 4400 ft. of elevation gain
    • No food options along this route... you will need to pack it all with you
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    • Route option 3 is more for those who need to return back in a timely fashion, or for those who maybe had too much fun at camp.  This route is an easy ride back into Hillsboro where you can take the train back to Portland
      • It's an easy 23 miles with 300 ft. of total elevation gain
      • Food options available in Banks or Hillsboro
      • Route 3
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*******This is a self supported ride.
You are responsible for your own safety and well being.*******

  • You may not have mobile phone service.
  • Load the route onto your device before that day.
  • Weather can be unpredictable; bring layers.
  • Be smart and come prepared, hope for the best, plan for the worst.  
    • Bring more food than you plan to eat
    • Bring water (duh)
    • Bring a water filter
    • Bring 2 spare tubes, a patch kit, and a pump
    • Bring a multi-tool
    • Bring lights 
    • Bring a spare power supply/battery
    • Bring a spare brake & derailleur cable


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