It’s time to start getting excited about Pedalpalooza 2016

Hammercise Ride-7

Random acts of Hammercise: one more treasure of the Portland summer.
(Photos: J.Maus/BikePortland)

This is a guest post by Chris “Fool” McCraw, a longtime contributor to Pedalpalooza, the self-organizing festival of bike fun that happens in Portland every June.

Pedalpalooza is back for 2016 and better than ever. This year we’re running from the 9th of June until the 4th of July, to embrace even more of that delicious sunny summer weather.

Rocky Butte Sunset Ride-7

Some great rides are big and some great rides are small.

Everything gets started at the kickoff ride, which will be led by the Thursday Night Ride crew. We’re aiming to have Pedalpalooza pennants for the first couple of hundred folks who show up, so come early and make some new friends and catch up with old ones.

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Bowie vs Prince Ride-24

Some of the popular rides from years past have already committed: Dropout Prom, the Midnight Mystery Ride, and of course the dueling “biggest events of Pedalpalooza” – the Naked Bike Ride and Sunday Parkways, back to back on June 25 and 26.

What’s going to be most exciting event at Pedalpalooza this year? Your ride! If you already have an idea, throw it on the calendar. If you need help brainstorming, visit the Pedalpalooza page on Facebook and toss your half-baked idea out there. You’ll almost certainly get suggestions and you might find a co-leader!

Having trouble believing that you’re ready to lead a ride? Fear not, there will be two Ride Leadership Rides this year: one on May 8 and one the first weekend of Pedalpalooza in June.

chrisfool

Chris McCraw

Stay tuned to BikePortland for more coverage. Here’s to hoping 2016 is the best Pedalpalooza ever!

– Chris “Fool” McCraw, member of Team Slow and that guy who always has huge bunny ears attached to his helmet.

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Michael Andersen (Contributor)

Michael Andersen (Contributor)

Michael Andersen was news editor of BikePortland.org from 2013 to 2016 and still pops up occasionally.

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Ted Timmons (Contributor)

Looking forward to it. I’m always overwhelmed by big social rides but I’m gonna do more than one or two this year (finally!).

Adam
8 years ago

I’ve found that riding with a buddy makes the larger groups less intimidating. I’m sure there are plenty of people who would want to ride with you!

Spiffy
8 years ago
Reply to  Adam

a buddy is essential… there are a lot of rides I never go on unless I have somebody to go with…

KYouell
8 years ago

There’s always the Kidical Mass and PDX Cargo Bike Gang rides. Not as big as some of them, but we’ve had surprisingly big groups for 2-3 years now. And we aren’t scary… not very.

emeeeeeeeeeeee
8 years ago

it’s that time already? I don’t think my liver has recovered from last pedalpalooza…

RushHourAlleycat
8 years ago

If I don’t get a pendant I will be dissapoint.

fool
8 years ago

Show up early! they run out well before the departure time and are first come, first served.

Lori
Lori
8 years ago

If you come to one of the volunteer parties that makes them, you’ll be guaranteed a pennant. Just saying. 🙂

bikeninja
bikeninja
8 years ago

When does Pedalpalooza become Portland’s official main summer event instead of the Rose Festival?

Anne Hawley
8 years ago
Reply to  bikeninja

I thought it was.

Tom Hardy
Tom Hardy
8 years ago
Reply to  bikeninja

WNBR had it’s big explosion in size when they had it on the same weekend as the Rose Parade. Lots of crowds at the daytime ride. Need to go back.

PomPilot
PomPilot
8 years ago

I always try to fit Pedalpalooza into my plans when I return to town for the University of Portland’s Reunion Weekend in June. Imagine going for a ride on Friday followed by an evening catching up with friends. Then on Saturday, breakfast with friends before catching another ride. Return to campus for more reunion activities, then an afternoon ride before the final dinner/dance and visiting until the wee hours. On Sunday, a parting breakfast, ride the Sunday Parkway event before that drive home to another part of the state.

Joe Adamski
Joe Adamski
8 years ago
Reply to  PomPilot

uuhh… North Portland has great ride connections. Consider a Pilot ride? A nice loop ending at the T-room.. just like 1990?

Carl
Carl
8 years ago
Reply to  Joe Adamski

Yes! Lead a Pilot Ride! Great idea, Joe.

Angel
Angel
7 years ago
Reply to  Carl

You might be interested in my Portsmouth Parkways ride in North Portland on Wednesday evening (6/29)!

Angel
Angel
7 years ago
Reply to  Angel

it doesn’t end at a bar, but there will be sidewalk chalk.

Doug
Doug
8 years ago

I long for June.

The weather today was like my first wife. Pretty nice at times, but just a nasty at others.

Thank you Bike Portland for anything (IN JUNE) to look forward too!

Scott Batchelar
Scott Batchelar
8 years ago

Saw a great idea over on the Pedalpalooza Facebook page – anybody want to brainstorm some Trivia Ride ideas?

Some ideas:

Weird Places

Interesting Portland Characters

Weird Facts

History

Of course count on a few restages of the Light Brigade Ride – I’ve got some great ideas i’m brewing up for this.

Also I’m planning on some bike fun rides like the Get Lost Ride, Splishy splashy wet rides and possibly a bike camping ride.

Plus some Family Friendly Rides with some Kilt and Costume oriented rides

Todd Boulanger
Todd Boulanger
8 years ago

Does anyone have any airline (or rail) connections anymore to drum up a PedalPalooza travel and tourism special for out of town visitors?

[Kinda like what Kiran put together with Alaska 7(?) years ago?]

BIKELEPTIC
8 years ago

What about a “Dependen(cy) Ride” on the 4th? Maybe we could co-opt it with Tour de Franzia??

Beth
8 years ago

Just added the UNRACER (formerly known as the gRnt Peterson) RIDE. Weds eve June 29, 6:30 pm, Peninsula Park.

Pedal PT
8 years ago

You can always count on us for the King Kamehameha (Hawaiian) Day ride June 11th! Always a great time– Mahalo!