The Larch way around Portland is a lollipop, both because of its shape and for the sweet smiles it will put on your face.
The route starts in Sellwood and shoots north to the confluence of the Williamette and Columbia rivers. It then turns directly east, passing by the Sandy River Delta and turning south towards the signature climb of the ride.
As you turn away from the banks of the Sandy, you will climb for roughly 20 miles and 3800' (3.6%) with some flat or false flat reprieve mixed in to keep you motivated. The purists will tell you that the official climb is from the split of the old highway onto Larch Mountain Road, in which case the climb is roughly 14.5 miles and 3500' (4.6%). The majority of the climbing is done when you make it to the top of Larch, but don't be fooled, the fun has just begun.
This route is not an out and back, the stick of the lolli is only about 10 miles long and you will be descending on much windier and steeper slopes soon enough. The return to Portland is made from much further south via Bull Run, which includes 5 miles at 3.8%, plus a few other bumps along the way.
After a quick ride through east county farmland, the familiar spring water trail takes you east towards Portland, but a quick trip south is required to meet distance requirements and to give you the opportunity to time trial River Road as you make your way north back for the start.
It will be SWEET.
Registration open until midnight 8/19/26.
Email to follow on 8/20/26 with waiver and cue sheet.
Check-in 6-6:55 a.m. Ride start: 7 a.m.