This summer in Portland, two exciting new rides will look to find their place in bike-lover’s hearts amid an already jam-packed bikey calendar: The Cirque du Cycling (presented by Laughing Planet Cafe) and the Urban Assault Ride (brought to you by New Belgium Brewery).
The Cirque de Cycling will be a one-day bike festival that will take place on N. Mississippi Avenue on June 14th. According to event organizer Ayleen Crotty with Good Sport Promotions, the event was the idea of Laughing Planet Cafe owner Richard Satnick. Crotty also says that the event is a benefit for Self Enhancement, Inc., a local non-profit that helps young people realize their potential.
Cirque du Cycling will offer a wide variety of bike events including a family ride, a bike parade and a criterium race on Mississippi Avenue (which will be closed for the event). In addition to all the pedaling, there will also be food, a beer garden, and live music.
Another event that is sure to be a hit is New Belgium’s Urban Assault Ride. That event, which is dubbed a “Pedal powered urban adventure,” makes eight stops in cities across the country and will be in Portland on May 25th.
Teams compete in “a funky bike scavenger hunt that involves street smart riding, obstacle courses, and a huge after party. Mental muscle is just as important as bike skills as teams of 2 choose their own course to checkpoints around the city.”
More details on the ride here, and check out this video below for a taste of what to expect:
Urban assault eh? I fully expect the bike militia to be there.
I love urban assault. Does anyone know where I can find some handlebar mounts for my AK47\’s? One on each side. I heard Chuck Norris is going to lead this ride.
\”Me and my buddies put slicks on our dual-suspension mtn. bikes and go downtown. It\’s a little thing I like to call \’Urban Assault\’.\”
*snicker*
So, Cirque de Cycling will be during Pedalpalooza, then?
urban assault is actually pretty fun. i\’ve been doing it in austin for a few years. adventure racing for people who just want to put a few hours into it, in an urban setting. it\’s more of a game than a race, but there are pretty swank prizes (500 bucks, in the past) for the winners. oh, and it\’s teams-of-two, rated by category (m/m, w/w, m/w).
disclaimer: i went to high school with the guy who organizes it.
disclaimer to my disclaimer: i didn\’t know he organized it until after i was already having fun doing it =)
That race course reminds me of something-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32q1oJtNDrQ
Thanks for getting the word out about Cirque du Cycling, Jonathan! I hope a ton of people come out to the event – which is a benefit for Self Enhancement, Inc. There will be more info on the website shortly.
As for the layout of the two-way race course along Mississippi (in response to that video – OUCH!), we have barriers in the middle (not just race tape).