Ladds 500
Annual event in Portland, Oregon, U.S.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Ladds 500 (sometimes Ladd's 500)[1] is an annual cycling event in Portland, Oregon, United States.[2] Founded by David Barstow Robinson in 2016, the event involves cyclists traveling around a traffic circle in the Ladd's Addition district of southeast Portland's Hosford-Abernethy neighborhood 500 times. It is typically held on the Saturday after the second Friday in April; its latest event was on April 11, 2026.
| Ladds 500 | |
|---|---|
Logo | |
.jpg) The event in 2025 | |
| Status | Active |
| Frequency | Annually |
| Venue | Ladd's Addition |
| Location | Portland, Oregon |
| Coordinates | 45.508541°N 122.649415°W |
| Country | United States |
| Inaugurated | 2016 |
| Founder | David Barstow Robinson |
| Participants | Hundreds (2025, 2026) |
| Website | ladds500 |
Description
The purpose of the non-competitive annual cycling event is to travel around a traffic circle in the Ladd's Addition district of southeast Portland's Hosford-Abernethy neighborhood 500 times, either individually or as part of a team.[3][4] The free event has been described as a "relay" and not a race.[5] According to the organizer, 500 laps is a century, or 100 miles. Portland Monthly has included the Ladds 500 in a list of fifteen "essential" annual bike events in the city and said, "Riders form relay teams and 'turn left for a while,' while non-riders party in the middle."[6] The event operates as a project of fiscal sponsor Umbrella 501(c)(3), is funded by donations, and run by volunteers.[7] The phrase "It's spring, let's do something stupid"[8] (or simply "Let's do something stupid") is part of the event's marketing.[9][10] The event is held annually on the Saturday after the second Friday in April.
History
The event was founded by David Barstow Robinson.[7] Approximately 40 people participated in the first event in 2016. By 2025, the event attracted hundreds of participants.[7] It has become popular enough that a permit from the Portland Bureau of Transportation is obtained to temporarily shut down vehicular traffic around the park where the event takes place.[7][11] Hundreds attended the 2026 event on April 11.[12][13]
