Record-setting cyclist Jeff Hawkins will talk tonight about his experience riding The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, a 2,800-mile journey from Canada to Mexico on mostly gravel roads. Hawkins is a cyclist, rock climber and Nordic ski instructor who made the longest off-road bike journey in the world.
He’ll tell that tale and show photos tonight at a gathering of the Vancouver Bicycle Club. Hawkins will also discuss the history of the route and how he trained for the ride, selected a bike and dealt with surprises along the way. You don’t need to be a member of the club to attend this free event, set for 7 p.m. at Bortolami’s Pizza, 9901 N.E. Seventh Ave.
Also, the club has again reset the date for its annual Ride Around Clark County, a supported event with five different routes ranging from flat and short (20 miles) to challenging and long (100 miles). This year, the ride is July 27. The event, which moved from early May to mid-August last year, has been moved again in order to avoid conflicting with the big Portland Century bike event on Aug. 18, according to club spokeswoman Donna Richardson.
Online registration for the Ride Around Clark County opens March 15 at https://www.vbc-usa.com, Richardson said. This year, the launch-and-return base of the ride won’t be Pearson Air Museum but just yards away on East Fifth Street near Fort Vancouver. A barbecue lunch, beer garden and celebration will return this year.
