Weekend Event Guide: Gorge gravel, tandems, photo show, and more

The Dalles hosts three events this weekend.
(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 looks to be great this and we just so happen to have a stellar line-up to choose from this weekend. Whether you want to roll en masse through the city or dust off your racing legs on some sweet Gorge gravel, there’s an event for you.

Check out the full listing below and have a good weekend!

Friday, March 27th

Western Bikeworks Tigard Grand Opening – 5:00 to 9:00 pm at 7295 SW Dartmouth Ave in Tigard
Help Western Bikeworks celebrate their gorgeous new location with free beer, food and live music. Custom bike builder Bob Parlee of Parlee Cycles will also be speaking. More info here (FB).

Endless Summer Sunset Ride – 7:30 pm at Salmon St Fountain
Revel in the perfect cycling weather with a good, old-fashioned group bike ride with fellow fun-loving bikers. More info here.

Saturday, March 28th

Gorge Roubaix – Saturday and Sunday in The Dalles
Ready to race? The folks behind the Gorge Roubaix have two days of racing for you. Day one is a spectacular course (I did it last year!) that will give you unparalleled views of the Columbia River Gorge, a jaunt up the famous Rowena Curves, and much more. Day two gets dirtier when you’ll go east of The Dalles and into the tough farm roads that are sure to test your mettle. More info here.

Free Bike Maintenance Class – 10:00 am at Pedal PT (2622 SE 25th Ave)
This week’s class will focus on brakes. Aaron Michalson from Left Coast Bicycles will offer a free, instructive and interactive class. Expect lots of learning, free coffee and treats (if you get there early!). RSVP to reserve a spot. More info here (FB).

Women’s MTB Skills Clinic – 10:00 am to 12:30 pm at Stub Stewart State Park (Hilltop Day Use Area)
Join professional coaches from Wenzel Coaching and learn a range of mountain bike skills. Class is geared toward beginner through advanced riders and will focus on relaxation techniques, proper body position and visual skills, braking, cornering, and more. Cost is $35 and you’ll need an OBRA license. On-site registration accepted. More info here.

Try a tandem at Tabor.
(Photo: Santana)

**Featured Listing***
Santana Tandems Demo Day – 10:30 am to 3:30 pm at Mt. Tabor Park Picnic Area A (SE 60th and Salmon)
West End Bikes is hosting Santana, one of the best tandem brands in the world, for a special test-ride event in Portland. Expect fun rides, expert tandem advice, coffee a picnic lunch, and a sneak peek at three prototype tandem models. More info here (FB).

Biking About Architecture – 12:00 to 3:00 pm at NE Alberta and 23rd (food carts)
Jenny Fosmire and her merry band of architecture buffs will pedal up the ridge to explore the dwelling delights of the Alameda and Irvington neighborhoods. More info here.

John Watson Photo Exhibition – 7:00 pm at Velo Cult (1969 NE 42nd Ave)
Mr. Watson, the excellent bike photographer behind “The Radavist,” will share images from his recent trip to New Zealand. Also check out Velo Cult’s cool new display tables and enjoy food from Chris King head chef Chris Diminno. More info here.

Sunday, March 29th

Gorge Gravel Grinder – 10:00 am at Clock Tower Ales in The Dalles (311 Union St)
You’ve heard about the great riding in The Dalles, this is the weekend to explore it for yourself. Chose from a 48 or 75-mile course that will take you on a combination of gravel and paved roads into the gorgeous country outside The Dalles. More info here.

Neighborhood Greenways Tour – 1:00 to 3:00 pm at Ladd Circle (SE 16th and Harrison)
Want to learn more how bike-priority streets have been impacted by new development? Join experts from the PBOT Bicycle Advisory Committee for a tour of SE Clinton, the 50s Bikeway, SE Ankeny and more. This ride is a free “Mobile Workshop” and part of the Oregon Active Transportation Summit that starts on Monday. More info here.

Bike The Billboards – 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm at KEEN Garage (515 SW 13th Ave)
Join Boaz Frankel and Phillip Ross, the zany personalities behind the Pedal Powered Talk Show for a short, family friendly bike ride. They’ll be stopping at their awesome new billboards and “includes a few surprises along the way.” First 50 people get a free t-shirt. More info here (FB).

— Did we miss anything? Let us know via the comments and make sure to drop us a line if you have an upcoming event you’d like us to feature next week.