Divide and Conquer
Tonight, Pedal Nation and Northwest Trail Alliance get the weekend rolling at the Clinton Street Theater with a screening of Ride the Divide. The documentary follows three racers attempting to complete arguably the most insane bike race on the planet, a 2,700 mile-long battle with the Continental Divide—from Canada to the border of Mexico—otherwise known as the Ride the Divide. If that doesn’t get you stoked about riding, then knowing that proceeds from the evening go towards NWTA’s efforts to purchase a Singletrack ST240 surely will. NWTA plans to share the mini bulldozer-like device, which specializes in carving singletrack trails, with a variety of state agencies and volunteer groups through their new Trail Partnership Development Program.

The Fall Guy
Wondering if the sun is finally here to stay? It won’t matter along this lovely stroll through the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Because no matter what our fickle Northwest skies are doing, Falls Creek Falls just keeps right on dazzling. A relatively easy 2-mile (one way) stroll alongside countless bends of the photogenic Falls Creek delivers hikers to a boulder strewn perch near the base of a spectacular gusher, which plummets in a wild tassel of whitewater some 200-plus-feet down a triple-tiered shelf of dark, mossy rocks. Get there: From Cascade Locks (exit 44) travel over the Bridge of the Gods and turn right onto State Highway 14. Drive approximately 7 miles to the junction with Wind River Road and head north (towards Carson). Continue for approximately 13 miles. Just past the fish hatchery, turn right to stay on Wind River Road. After 0.8 miles turn right onto FR 3062. Go two miles and veer to the right on Road 057, which dead-ends at the trailhead. NW Forest Pass required.

Track Attack
If you have a budding biologist amongst your brood, consider heading out to Oxbow Park on Sunday. The group Cascadia Wild will be setting up shop at the 1200-acre Metro run park for an animal-tracking workshop. In addition to learning how read trails and sleuth out all manner of local critters, you’ll get a crash course on native plant life. ($15, and $5 entry fee to the park.)

Slow Ride, Take it Easy
On Sunday the second edition of the wildly popular Sunday Parkways heads to North Portland. The 7-mile route loops through Kenton, Peninsula, and Arbor Lodge Parks. For good measure riders will be able to drink in the views from Willamette Bluff too. And if all the chow on hand from the likes of Dixon’s Rib Pit and Village Crepery leave you parched, just plan a detour towards nearby Overlook Park where the suds will be flowing during the last day of the North American Organic Beer Festival.

Now Get Outta Here!