Bundle up and get ready to ‘Bike the Lights’ at PIR

Bike night at Winter Wonderland is this Monday!
(Photos © J. Maus)

This coming Monday (12/5) is the third annual “Bike the Lights” event out at Portland International Raceway (just north of Kenton, west of I-5). The event is made possible by Bike Gallery and it’s part of the Jubitz Winter Wonderland, which is “recognized throughout the Pacific Northwest as the ‘Largest Holiday Light Show West of the Mississippi'”.

Bike night at Winter Wonderland is completely carfree, which means you can see the fun light displays in peace and quiet. It’s a great family event and a perfect excuse to get out on the bikes for a night ride in this crisp and clear weather we’ve been having (hopefully it holds up!).

Last year over 800 people showed up on bike night and helped raise over $1,000 for the BTA. In 2009, my family and I rolled out with some families in sub-freezing temps and we still had a great time (thankfully there was hot cocoa and tea and we had the support of a fun crowd).

Bike Gallery owner Jay Graves (R) at the 2009 event.

Bike the Lights is this Monday, December 5th from 5 – 9:00 pm. Entry is $6 per person and kids under 13 are free. If you can’t make it out all the way on your bike, you can drive to the track, park, and then pedal around to see the “wonder of Winter Wonderland” by bike. If you ride out, be aware that they south gate of PIR (near Columbia Slough Trail) will be open for easy bike access.

For more info, see the official event website.

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car owner and driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, feel free to contact me at @jonathan_maus on Twitter, via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a supporter.

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adventure!
12 years ago

” If you can’t make it out all the way on your bike, you can drive to the track, park…”

…and you can also take the MAX. Yellow Line stops at Delta Park TC, conveniently across the street from PIR.

steve
steve
12 years ago

That south gate being open tipped it for me, I’ll be there.

q`Tzal
q`Tzal
12 years ago

How long until bikes show up in lights like:

InvisiLite 14 ft BATTERY OPERATED – Flexible Ultra Thin Green Wire, 36 Multi-Color LED Lights
$14.90 ea
Requires (3) ‘C’ cell batteries
Bulb Spacing: 4 in.
UL Listed: Indoor/Outdoor
?

A winter holiday bicycle lights competition. Divisions for overall intensity, aesthetics, practicality; others maybe.
Bike fun that might just seem normal enough to the non-bike crowd and encourages well lit winter cycling.

Todd Boulanger
Todd Boulanger
12 years ago

For 2012 – how about modifying this event – make it a Winter Parkways event…PIR is a Portland Park afterall!

Talk about a great event…if for the price of a single ticket …those without bikes could take the MAX to PIR…ride a pedicab to the starting point….get a rental bike with admission and a cup of hot coco or soup, etc.!

Todd Boulanger
Todd Boulanger
12 years ago

…this could be a way for a lot of ‘willing and able riders’ to have the chance to ride in a secure location with their family and try a specialized bike they might not have ever tried…Clever Cycles bakfiets, or Bike Gallery Extracycle, Revolver Breezer, North Portland Burley trailer, etc.

The logistics of holding a Winter Parkway event would be a lot easier than the Summer Parkways with its permits and street closures, etc.

halley
halley
12 years ago

Your official website link doesn’t seem to be working.

In previous years have there been a lot of flashing lights? I’ve been to a lot of xmas light events in other cities and for the most part except for tiny details theyve used solid lights but portland seems to always likes to “step it up a notch.”

Jeff Bernards
Jeff Bernards
12 years ago

Make some Christmas cookies and get 2 free admissions. I’ll be gathering signatures for Preserving Oregon Roads, in the parking lot (you won’t miss me), stop by and pick up your free tickets.
Bike Gallery will have hot chocolate and the cookies make it the perfect combo. Dress warm!

Andrew Holtz
12 years ago

Is there going to be a group ride from downtown or other starting spots this year?

Anton
Anton
12 years ago

@Andrew, from Jonathan’s tweet: Tonight is “Bike the Lights” at PIR… several families meeting up at N Ainsworth/Denver at 6:30 to ride over. Join us!