Despite downright frigid temps, there was still a lot of good biking to be had over the weekend. Hey, at least the sun was shining.
My weekend got started on Friday night, when I joined about 60 other people for this month’s Midnight Mystery Ride, which was done in remembrance of veteran MMR lover Ali Al-Salman. You can check out my photo gallery and don’t miss this report from budding bike blogger Tom Rolf.
Then on Saturday, there was a bike move planned. I didn’t make it to that, but it sounded like fun. I saw a few bits of snow falling right about the time it should have been happening…would that make it the first-ever bike move in the snow? If you were there, let us know how it went.
Ali’s songs during the
Midnight Mystery Ride.
Then of course there was a Zoobomb. Did anyone join them? I hope there wasn’t any black ice up there.
Checking my daily list of local bike blogs, I notice that local cyclist Mark Johnson took a nice spin around Tualitin Hills Nature Park in Beaverton and also explored the Fanno Creek Trail (which I’ve still never ridden on, but I’ve heard is fantastic).
How was your weekend? Did you ride? Or did you stay inside, tucked under a thick, warm blanket? Feel free to share your adventures…
Thanks for reading.
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of course there was zoobomb! A smallish crew of around 15. The chariot made a couple bombs, one hauling revphil, tori, revpil’s bike, tori’s bike, and all three of our backpacks! We made it all the way to the fountain…. and crashed there. I guess that much weight WILL jacknife the chariot.
Here’s a fun oldie but goodie… it definitely wasn’t the “first-ever bike move in the snow”
Check out these wacky Canadians from 2002… http://vic.gedris.org/pics/2002-11-30/index.html
brrr.
Greg
The MMR was the best ever, in spite of the cold – in fact, once the ride started, I could not feel any cold. I barely knew Ali – he gave me a brownie and some tea – but if half of what people were saying about him is true, then he was a wonderful person. We need more Alis in this world, and we need more of that MMR feeling. If more people rode bikes for fun, there’d be no effing war.
What an amazing weekend. We had a new record for MMR (both for super cold and super cold attendance). I think that this is an amazing statement for our community. While the rest of America shows anger and hatred toward Arabians, we in our community brave sub-sub freezing temps to honor an Iraqi who truly displayed the values of peace, love, and respect that most of the country gives lip-service to.
Then on Saturday there was Steph R’s bike move. Like Kirsty’s move, people were clambering to help this pillar of our community. There were more participants than Steph stuff. The route was longer than most moves, but it was excellently researched and not difficult. We even had a camera crew riding along and documenting the move (more on that later). As if that weren’t enough, Steph hosted a super afterparty with plenty of munchies, and bike-move silk screens.
Then it was off to Carl’s place for a super party and housewarming. All the usual suspects were there and it was great to hear more tunes form The Trash Mountain Boys and a semi-involved woman named Angela. The party went on until about 4am.
By Sunday it was time to sleep.
I rented a bike and went around london on satruday – which was actually a little sunny – and had a blast.
biking in london is not too bad. the bike lanes are (gasp) smaller than the ones in portland but, so are the cars. and, there is not much speeding here so, car traffic seems more predictable.
also, there are many non motorized pathways that you can find. I biked almost 20 miles along protected bike/ped paths trying to find my way back to my uncle’s place before giving up and finding a Tube stop.
also, I have been meeting a few of the bike folks here – nice people and a good community.
so far, so good.
The Midnight Mystery Ride was a special night, and a wonderful honor for Ali.
Read more on our website.
~ Team Midnight