Weekend Event Guide and Open Thread

BTA New Year's Day Ride-15

Rain and bike fun go together just fine. (Photo © J. Maus)

A solid lineup of weekend events should ensure bike fun for all. Don’t mind the rain. And let us know what you’re up to by bike in the comments.

Friday, January 15

9:30pm: Dropout Freakbike Ride
Everyone’s welcome; freak bikes set the pace. Don’t plan on sleeping. Colonel Summers Park, SE 20th and Belmont.

Saturday, January 16

10:00am: Urban Nature Hike
Give the bike a break today and take the MAX out to Washington Park for a hike guided by event leader extraordinaire Shawn Granton. Meets at Hawthorne Hostel, 3031 SE Hawthorne.

10:30am: Wanderlust Men’s Ride
Weekly ride for guys, slow and chatty. Meet at the middle of Holladay Park by the Lloyd Center.

3:45: Roller Derby Ride
Meet and eat at Good Neighbor Pizza (800 NE Dekum); ride leaves at 4:45 for the Expo Center to bathe in the glorious bloodbath of the first roller derby bout of the year. Buy your tickets in advance.

4:00pm – late: COUNT IT! A benefit for Portland Bike Polo
Guided ride between events at polo courts, including an obstacle course, long shot competition, polo bike sprints and other debauchery. Prizes! Fun! Depart from Colonel Summer Park, SE 20th and Belmont. Ride followed by benefit party that starts at 9pm at Union Hall (4th and NW Everett). Beer, gold sprints, dance floor and a sweet raffle. Ride and party each have $3 admission. Funds go to spring tournament.

Sunday, January 17

11:00am – 3:00pm: Palm Tree Ride
By now an annual institution, Shawn Granton’s Palm Tree Ride takes you on an informational and heartening tour of the astonishing amount and variety of tropical flora of Portland. Meet at Tiny’s Coffee, 2031 NE MLK.

Photo of author

Elly Blue (Columnist)

Elly Blue has been writing about bicycling and carfree issues for BikePortland.org since 2006. Find her at http://takingthelane.com

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K'Tesh
K'Tesh
14 years ago

Cool to ZPL in the picture… Guy in yellow, having just passed over the bike lane symbol.

April
April
14 years ago

I dunno that roller derby is a bloodbath. A parade of interesting bruises, maybe…

rev
14 years ago

MAN OH MAN! fun times in the city.

Lots of great events! But did you know that after more than seven years of holding it down every single Sunday (most Wednesdays and a lot of Thursdays) at Alberta Park this is the 1st time Portland Bike Polo has organized an event to support them and the free fun they provide to our city.

Despite the rough exterior and blood sport reputation these are some pretty classy people whom Im stoked to have as friends. Come on out and learn the best, safest way to gain great bicycle handling skills for negotiating the chaos of traffic. Or just enjoy a fun night with delicious beverages and talented athletes! Gold Sprints!

Jim Lee
Jim Lee
14 years ago

Any more information on the Tweed Ride scheduled in a couple of weeks?

Got my Harris and cap all ready!

buglas
buglas
14 years ago

I find it an interesting juxtaposition – the non-competitive but (apparently) female exclusive Men’s Wanderlust Ride listed in this piece (compiled evenhandedly by Elly) and Elly’s editorial earlier this week about the “gender imbalance in bicycling”.

I know there are some rides specifically for women, but do they happen every week?

Thanks, Elly, for giving us something to think about.

Tony Fuentes
14 years ago

Many of local businesses (including Clever Cycles) are committing a share of their sales this weekend to support disaster relief in Haiti.

The list of participating businesses continues to grow:

http://milagrosboutique.com/2010/01/14/wave-of-support-for-haiti-from-local-businesses/

We would love to add more bike businesses to that list!

Of course, you don’t need to shop to lend your support. We encourage you to provide direct support to Mercy Corps for their emergency response to the earthquake in Haiti:

http://www.mercycorps.org/?source=WEBSPEV104