Bike to PDX Airport
One-time Portland ride proving a bike beats city traffic to catch a flight — an 8-15 mile route from Irving Park straight to PDX, worth learning before you fly.
The vibe
Skip traffic, ride to your flight
Ted Buehler’s Bike to PDX Airport ride exists to prove a point: on a bike, getting to Portland International takes about the same time as driving — no traffic report required. The 8-15 mile route runs from Irving Park straight out to the airport, tracing the path locals actually use rather than a scenic detour.
This is a practical ride more than a social one. Expect a moderate pace focused on learning the route — the turns, the bike path connections, where the sidewalk cuts through — so you can do it solo next time you’ve got a flight to catch and a bag light enough to pedal with.
There’s no post-ride hangout planned; the destination is the point. Bring a lock if you’re leaving your bike at the terminal, or sort out your return trip before you roll out.