this morning outside Powell’s on
NW Couch at 11th.
(Photo © J. Maus)
– Slideshow below –
Can you feel it? That energy/buzz/mojo you sensed in the air when you woke up this morning was because Pedalpalooza starts tonight (as if you didn’t know already).
This our fifth year covering this distinctly awesome 17 days of bike fun and it’s gotten bigger and better each time around. (Browse our coverage from 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008).
For 2009, there seems to be more events, more excitement, and more attention on the event than ever (and we haven’t even gotten started yet). On that note, run out and pick up a fresh copy of the Portland Mercury. Their rad “Bike Issue” hit the stands this morning and inside you’ll find the official Pedalpalooza Calendar pull-out. Stuff it in your bag. You’ll need it starting tonight.
The Kickoff Parade starts things off. Meet at 6:00 (St. Francis Park, SE 12th and Stark) to decorate your bike and we’ll ride at 6:30. It’s free. It’s fun. And it’s required riding to welcome another Summer of Bike Fun.
Since I’m feeling all nostalgic and such, I threw together a quick little slideshow with a few photos from the last four years of Pedalpalooza. (Warning: There’s both frontal and rear-al nudity, but it’s nothing to be afraid of. Really.)
Check the slideshow below, get all revved up, and then stay tuned to our super-special Pedalpalooza 2009 Page and to the BikePortland Twitter feed for full coverage. See you out there!
— Special thanks to Laughing Planet Cafe for sponsoring our Pedalpalooza coverage this year!
Thanks for reading.
BikePortland has served this community with independent community journalism since 2005. We rely on subscriptions from readers like you to survive. Your financial support is vital in keeping this valuable resource alive and well.
Please subscribe today to strengthen and expand our work.
jonathan,
Yesterday I was remembering meeting you for the first time at pedalpalooza 2006. As soon as the parade started rolling I had that moment where I thought “this is awesome…I’m staying in Portland!” After my first long, rainy winter I was ready to move back to slc. Pedalpalooza immediately sucked me in. I did my first MMR and zoobomb a few days later. So stoked for the next few weeks. This is the best time of year to be in portland!
I remember that first daytime bomb with you, Tony. Glad you stuck around! My story is the same. Bike lanes and trains are great but it wasn’t the infrastructure that got me hooked on Portland, it’s all the people who find fun ways to enjoy those things. Pedalpalooza ’06 sucked me in too.
Thanks Shift. You’re my favorite amorphous memberless budgetless leaderless ad-hocracy.