The rain may have started, but I know that doesn’t stop most of you from getting on your bikes.
I heard over 150 people joined the Midnight Mystery Ride Friday night. Did you go? I’ve only been to one of those, but I always like hearing about them. I noticed Dat has already uploaded some photos.
On Saturday I checked out the big grand opening of the new Pier Park Skateboard and BMX park. It was a great scene. Lots of people, dignitaries, and of course some amazing riding (my report coming soon).
Did anyone do the River City fixed-gear ride or how about the Africa Women’s Bicycle Initiative fundraiser at the Mississippi Pizza Pub?
Yesterday I made it out to my first ‘cross race of the year. It was the Cross Crusade #2 at Hillsboro Stadium. I didn’t race, but I still managed to get pretty dirty and tired running around in the mud. I shot over 600 photos and I’ll have a report coming soon.
So what about you? Did you get on your bike this weekend? Care to share your exploits?
Thanks for reading.
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On Saturday I rode with Portland Velo on a lovely, relatively flat ramble of a ride (one group tackled Laurelwood, but having done that hill once I never need to do it again). Sunday I went looking for the regular Velo ride out of the Concordia New Seasons, but only three of us showed up, none of whom were rider “leaders,” so we three just went off on our own for a lazy 30-mile loop to Kelly Point Park and back. It was great fun except for the driving rain and howling wind. Counting my ride to the start point and back it was 42 miles and by the time I got home I couldn’t feel my toes and my skin was a very interesting shade of blue. But like they say, if you’re going to let a little rain stop you from doing something in Oregon, you’re not going to get much done . . .
I headed out to Yamhill for X-Dog’s Rumble at the Ranch, an off-road duathlon held at the Flying M Ranch. The 11-mile mountain bike portion was pure hell at some points due to some outrageous mud that gunked up your tires so you couldn’t even roll your bike forward. However there’s nothing like this guy’s events to make you feel like a kid again, running, biking, slipping and sliding through the woods, creeks, and mud. I’m just happy to have finished in one piece. X-Dog puts on lots of great events, mainly nasty trail runs with a laid-back feel and a fun group of fellow competitors.
MMR ride – delicious. thanks, Carl!
Africa Women’s Bicycle Initiative at Mississippi Pizza saturday evening – i actually got there a little early because i was supposed to meet a friend whose sickness prevailed in the end and couldn’t attend. all the better for eavesdropping, my dear! the folks who were organizing the event sat next to me in the parlor and talked about last minute details. as with many events, there is an equal fear of just too many and too few people turning up. but it was definitely a baby bear event with the attendance “just right”. some bike helmets in the audience, small packs of “the youth”, some world travelers – a healthy mix. great music. i didn’t stick around for the auction and wonder how they did.
Voting Bike Brunch Brigade – sunday morning a few folks met at Bus Project HQ and whirled out to southeast p-town to attack the unsuspecting, unregistered brunch-munching hopefuls on belmont. Alex and i registered at least 10 in a couple of hours with time to stop for coffee in between. today (tuesday, 17 october) is the last day to register voters. deadline 5pm. just thought i’d mention.