Road Support

Personal Support

Eight thousand bicyclists ride STP every year; almost all finish. Group Health STP provides mechanical support, food, first aid, water and toilets every 20 miles. Personal support vehicles (PSV) are strongly discouraged because they create additional hazards for the cyclists, as well as local traffic. If you cannot ride Group Health STP without personal support, please ask your PSV driver to stay off the route, and to meet you only at the designated route stops.

Rules of the Road

All participants are asked to stop for every red light and stop sign, yield to traffic at intersections, to speak up when passing and to ride in single file. Headphones that impair hearing are illegal and not permitted on the ride. Riders are asked to limit pacelines to seven and to take responsibility for their group. Likewise, riders should always ask before joining a paceline. Group Health STP is not a race. Local and State police will be on the course and will be writing tickets to those cyclists who break the law. Remember that cyclists who disobey the rules of the road give all cyclists a bad name.

Lewis and Clark (Longview) Bridge Escort – Sunday Only

With help from the Glodwing Motorcyle Club and the Washington State Patrol, riders will be escorted in-groups across the Longview Bridge between 8:30 AM & 2:00 PM on Sunday. You will be asked to exit for queuing prior to reaching the bridge. Escorts are planned for every 5 to 10 minutes. Expect a short delay and use caution when crossing the bridge. Watch your downhill speed and be alert for the steel expansion joints.

Driving Directions for Personal Support Vehicles (PSV’s)

STP riders are well-supported with plenty of food and mechanical support and DO NOT NEED a PSV. Despite this fact, we continue to see an excessive number of PSVs on the cycling route, leading to unsafe and unpleasant riding conditions.

In an effort to ensure the wellbeing and enjoyment of everyone we ask all car drivers meeting riders to please use the following alternate routes to the six major food stops. STP is great for cyclists, not cars. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

1. Mile mark 24.0 – REI Food Stop in Kent. From I-5 take the SR-405 exit heading east. Then take the SR-181 (West Valley Hwy) heading south. You are now on the STP course so be careful. The REI Mini-stop will be 4 miles ahead on your right at 228th and W. Valley Hwy.

2. Mile mark 53.6 – Food Stop at Spanaway Junior High. From I-5 just past Tacoma take the SR-512 exit following this east to Hwy 7. Take the Hwy 7 exit and head south on Hwy 7 for 3 miles, then take a left on 159th St. S. The Spanaway Junior High will be two blocks ahead on your left.

3. Mile mark 100.2 – Centralia College Mid Point Stop in Centralia. From I-5 take exit 82 and then take a left going back under I-5. Follow Harrison Avenue when it jogs to the left and becomes W. Main Street. Go four blocks and turn right on S. Washington Ave. Go one block and the College will be on your left. Note: This is a food stop for the One Day Riders Only.

4. Mile mark 145.3 – Riverside Park Food Stop in Lexington. From I-5 take exit 39 and head west to SR-411 and take a right heading north on SR-411. The entrance to the park will be on your right; it is easy to miss. When leaving this location head back to I-5. DO NOT follow the riders over the Lewis and Clark Bridge.

5. Mile mark 176 – St. Helens High School Food Stop. From I-5 after you enter Oregon and before downtown Portland take the Hwy 30 exit and head west on Hwy 30 for 29 miles to St. Helens. Take a Left on Gale St. to get to the High School. When returning you will backtrack on Hwy 30 to I-5. Do not follow the riders route.

6. Mile mark 204.5 – Finish Line Festival at Holladay Park in northeast Portland, next to Lloyd Center. From I-5 southbound or northbound, take Exit #302A (City Center/Rose Quarter). Follow the exit to NE Weidler St. and head east. Continue to NE 9th Ave., and take a right. Then take a left on Multnomah St. The finish line in Holladay Park will be on your right between NE 11th and 13th Ave., just south of Lloyd Center. There are many public parking lots in the area for the local businesses and some require a parking fee.

Road Hazards

Railroad tracks are dangerous to cyclists, especially when wet, use caution when crossing railroad tracks. It is best to slow and approach the tracks at a right angle. Be courteous and let other cyclists know of hazards you see on the road ahead.