Weekend Event Guide: Pumping, moving, racing, wrenching and more

The Ventura Park Pump Track will get a major redesign this weekend;
and you can help make it happen.
(Photo J. Maus/BikePortland)

Welcome to your menu of weekend rides and events, lovingly brought to you by our friends at Hopworks Urban Brewery.

The weather is pretty glorious right now. And, while I hate to the bearer of bad news, the forecast doesn’t look too nice this weekend. While we hope and pray that the forecast is wrong and that blue, warm skies continue, we’ve put together our weekly menu of great rides and events to aid your planning. And even if it does cool off and get a bit wet, that’s no excuse to stay inside. It’s May darn it! And it’s time to ride!

Friday, May 2nd

Bike Farm Fundraiser and Dance Party – 6:00 pm to midnight at 1801 NE 1st Ave

Join the fine folks at the non-profit Bike Farm for an all-ages party that will help them raise funds to expand their inventory of tools and equipment. Over 30 local businesses — including several bike shops — have donated prizes to the silent auction and raffle. If you’re short on cash you can bring quality used bike parts to exchange for raffle tickets. More info here.

Let’s Race Bikes Fundraiser Karaoke Party – 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm at Chris King HQ (2801 NW Nela St)
Lets Race Bikes is a group dedicated to growing women’s bike racing in Oregon. Friday night is their annual fundraiser and this year the theme is karaoke. Grab some friends and sign up as a team to compete for the OBRA Group Karaoke Championship. Group entries are $20 and solo songs are $5 a piece. Along with lots of silliness and singing, there will be beer and a great raffle. More info here.

Saturday, May 3rd

Ventura Pump Track Work Party – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at SE 115th and Stark
The Northwest Trail Alliance has the go-ahead from Portland Parks & Recreation to rebuild the popular Ventura Park Pump Track. It’s two years old now and needs a major facelift. Come help them sculpt the berms and move some dirt around. Then enjoy some riding when it’s all done! More info here.

Eric Kautzky Memorial Track Race – All day at Alpenrose Velodrome (6149 SW Shattuck Road)
Kick off the track season with this eighth annual event presented by Team Rose City. Proceeds from registration benefit the Eric Kautzky Memorial Scholarship Fund at Tigard High School. An OBRA license is required. More info here (PDF).

Ride Around Clark County – All day at Clark College at Hanna Hall (1820 Fort Vancouver Way)
The Vancouver Bicycle Club invites you to join them on one of four beautiful routes through the Washington countryside. Choose from 18, 34, 66 or 99 mile routes — each with fully stocked rest stops, mechanics, and SAG support. This is the 31st annual RACC, so you’ll become part of a local tradition just by showing up! More info here.

Gladys Bikes Bike Move – 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at 3803 N Williams (Suite 132)
As we reported earlier this month, Gladys Bikes, the women-focused (but not women-only) shop on Williams, is moving to a larger space on Alberta Street. On Saturday they’ll be moving the shop by bike to 2905 NE Alberta. More info here (FB).

Sunday, May 4th

Coast Hills Classic MTB Race – All day in Newport on the Oregon Coast

If you’ve been itching to race your mountain bike and/or spend a day on the Oregon Coast, this is a perfect excuse! Our friends at Bike Newport put on a great event and the venue is top-notch. I was able to ride this area last fall and it’s really fun. I can only imagine how awesome it would be to hammer through it during a race. More info here.

May the Fourth Be With You – 9:30 am (meet at NE Wiley Road and NE Prarie View Road in Wilsonville)
Portland Wheelmen Touring Club ride leader Benn Schonman invites you to, “Celebrate ’Star Wars Day’ in a galaxy/valley far far away.” He’ll lead a 40-45 mile adventure in the north Willamette Valley. Rolling hills and low-traffic roads are in store for those who join him. More info here.

Open Shop Night at Citybikes – 6:00 to 9:00 pm (SE 8th and Ankeny)
The fine folks at Citybikes Co-op want you to be more self-reliant. Show up and work on your own bike while they look over your shoulder and help out when you need it. For more experienced mechanics, you can just come and use their tools. This is a free event. More info here.

Did we miss anything? Please drop us a line and let us know. Or feel free to promote your event in the comments below. And as always, thanks for reading and riding.