McMenamin’s Hotels, Portland and Oregon Wine Country

Portland is noted as one of the United States most bike friendly cities with many bike routes. It is the home of Powell’s Books (rated by some as the best used bookstore in the US), a great riverfront and beautiful parks.

To the west of Portland lie Forest Grove and McMinnville in the heart of the Oregon wine country. Think Pinot Noir! There are many tasting rooms in both cities and in the countryside in between. McMinnville is home to the world class Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum.

McMenamin’s is an Oregon hotel chain that specializes in old historic buildings. The Edgefield in Troutdale was built in 1911 as the county “poor farm”, The Grand Lodge in Forest Grove is in a 1922 Masonic & Eastern Star Retirement Home while the Hotel Oregon has been a McMinnville hotel since 1905. Downtown Portland has the Crystal Hotel in a triangular building from 1911. Each hotel has several unique restaurants and a McMenamin’s brewery, movie theaters and live entertainment. The Edgefield even has an onsite distillery.The hotel bathrooms and showers are often down the hall.

McMenamin’s Historic Hotels as described in the itinerary.

Cycling will be almost entirely on paved roads and bike paths. Short sections of gravel paths may occur. Most of the riding will be on flat roads and paths in the valleys but three days have ridges to climb (one being 1000 feet). We will have a truck to transport luggage and any wine that you may buy. Volunteer drivers may be needed for the four move days. The tour will begin in Troutdale, Oregon which is 14 miles east of Portland on I-84. Parking for the week will be at the Edgefield Hotel. Singles will share a room with another rider where possible.

Seven nights lodging. The rooms are European Style with bathrooms and showers down the hall. Each rider will receive a $125.00 McMenamin’s Gift Card. The credit can be used for food or beverages or even in the gift shop. Final night dinner is also included.

The fee of $1,050 CAD is based on the tour cost in $US and converted at the rate of 1.35. The final cost could vary with exchange rates at the time of registration and payment.

A single supplement is available for $540 CAD for singles not wishing to share a room.

Food and beverages not purchased with the McMenamin’s gift card. Lunches are on your own along the route. Bicycles are not supplied. Transportation to and from the ride is not provided.

June 19: Meet at the Edgefield Hotel in Troutdale for 2 nights. We will have Happy Hour at the hotel. After the meeting you can use your gift cards to begin the McMenamin’s experience.

June 20: We ride the Historic Columbia River Highway up to Crown Point then on to Multnomah Falls then return; a 40 mile (65 km) ride with some good hills. There is a old fashioned chicken and dumpling restaurant, “Tad’s Chicken n’ Dumplins”, not far from Troutdale that may be a good dinner choice.

June 21: Today we cycle 55 miles (88 km) along the Columbia River and up over a ridge (a healthy 1000 foot (310 m) climb) into the wine country to stay one night at the Grand Lodge Hotel in Forest Grove. The hotel has a restaurant and two bars.

June 22: Our ride today is a leisurely 35 miles (56 km) on country roads (it is easy to extend the ride for those who want a few more miles) past wine tasting rooms to McMinnville’s Hotel Oregon for 2 nights.

June 23: This day you are on your own. Visit the Aviation and Space Museum (easy to spend several hours here. I specially liked the history of rocketry and the parallel history of the Russian and US space programs), look for more wineries, or take a country bike ride (a couple of routes suggested).

June 24: It is 51 miles (82 km) back into Portland and two nights at the Crystal Hotel or Park Lane Hotel in the Pearl neighborhood near city center.

June 25: This is our day to explore the bike routes of Portland or Vancouver across the Columbia. You will be given a Portland bike map and suggestions for rides of various lengths. Don’t miss the Willamette riverfront and Powell’s Books. We will have a group dinner the last evening.

June 26: Get your breakfast at the hotel or in the neighborhood. We wrap up the tour with a 22mile (35 km) ride back to the Edgefield Hotel to pick up our cars and head for home.

A $2.00 non-refundable registration fee is required at tour signup, which must be done online. Participants will be selected within 72 hours, on the basis of registration time; secondly, on fitness and experience, and on thirdly on the availability of hotel rooms for the number of singles and doubles registering.

Registrants will be contacted by email regarding acceptance.   Full payment of the tour fee will be due upon notification of acceptance.