(Photos © J. Maus)
The 14th annual Bridge Pedal will take over Portland this Sunday. What are your plans?
taking in the view from the
Marquam Bridge?
I’ve done the ride every year I’ve lived in Portland (since 2005), but this year, I’ll get a whole new perspective. That’s because I took ride director Rick Baumann up on an offer to photograph the event from a helicopter. For about an hour on Sunday morning I’ll be hanging out of a chopper trying to snap some interesting images. If you notice us, don’t forget to wave!
Bridge Pedal is one of the largest rides in the country, with close to 20,000 people participating. A big draw from many of them is the exhilarating feeling of riding on Portland’s major highway bridges like the Marquam, the Fremont. It’s also quite a thrill to pedal on a quiet, carfree I-405.
entire city is a bike lane.
For some, it’s an annual tradition and it’s the only time their bike sees the pavement all year (I’m sure all the bike mechanics out there have seen an uptick in business this week). For others, it’s a chance to show off their latest two-wheeled creations. Young, old, racer, commuter — Bridge Pedal brings out all types of bikes and riders.
In 2007, bottlenecks plagued the ride, but thankfully, organizers ironed out several issues for the 2008 edition. Some said last year’s was one of the best ever.
Love it or hate it, Bridge Pedal is one of Portland’s premier bike events (and that’s saying something in this town).
This year, riders can choose from 6, 8, or 11-bridge routes (there’s also the Bridge Stride walk). The only bridges that aren’t on the route this year are the Morrison (construction) and the Steel. New this year is a “Kids Ride Free” policy. Little ones 15 an under can ride the 6-bridge course free.
So what’ll it be for you? Will you ride it this year? Is it your first time or are you a Bridge Pedal veteran? See you out there (and don’t forget to wave at the helicopter)!
Learn more about this year’s ride at Providence.org/BridgePedal.
Thanks for reading.
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No plans for Bridge Pedal this year, I’ll be in Seattle doing rare non-bikey things.
Were I in town, I still probably would not go. Last year went well, which means there’s a high probability that this year will have lots more people, and more problems (happens every 2-3 years). Hopefully the organizers have some great contingency plans this year.
Best of luck, folks!
I’m disappointed that you can no longer ride all 10 bridges – I was told the Steel is permanently no go due to all the new tracks. I’m excited about the 405 segment though and hope they keep it – I can’t do this year’s ride but would love to do that sometime!
I’m going with some friends, and one friend’s parents, who will be riding and celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary on this day! I can only hope I’m still able to ride all 11 bridges on my 40th wedding anniversary…
Even if there are bottlenecks, it’s not the end of the world, folks. Take your time and enjoy the views.
This will be my 4th year doing it. 2007 was pretty terrible, but my other experiences have been good, so hopefully this year will be, too.
Mostly what I am excited about this year is getting to use my handlebar coffee cup holder. Last year I had to pound a double espresso, but this year I can take my coffee with me!
Jonathan, are you going to start a new transportation blog now? copterportland.org. It’s about time copters got a voice and I think you are the man to do it!
I haven’t done it in several years because of the crowds, but boy howdy I’d jump at the chance to catch it from a helicopter. Nice job! And hang on tight!
Unfortunately, I’ll be in Leavenworth this weekend at a wedding. 🙁 This would have been my fourth year.
I’m going to give it a shot this year but I hope the horror stories of the crowds and bike jams aren’t as bad as I’ve been told. My plan is to arrive 45 minutes early and get as close to the front of the group as possible.
This year, I have decided not to ride it, but to be one of the volunteers standing in one of the intersections telling everyone which way to go.
See you out there!
Mark
Sorry, gave up on it in ’07. Perhaps I’d do it again if they got more lanes closed off to cars, commensurate with the volume of bike traffic. I got caught in the 45 minute jam leading onto the Ross Island Bridge two years ago, and didn’t appreciate getting squeezed in while cars whizzed by on three of the four lanes. Hope all the car-toppers enjoy their annual bike day, though, and maybe they’ll try to ride some other day, too.
I’ll be there again because I enjoy seeing all of the kids that are making some bike bike hikes that day. It’s all about families and taking it easy, enjoying the freedom of riding on streets without traffic. Don’t forget the following Sunday is our last Sunday Parkways. Don’t miss it, ’cause free is a very good price.
This will be the first time in many years that I’m won’t be riding the Bridge Pedal. However I’m volunteering instead as a radio operator to help keep people safe.
I’ll also have my floor pump and patch kit with me just in case someone needs help where I’ll be stationed.
The bridge pedal is a fiasco I would never consider attending, even if you paid me…
The best thing to do this Sunday is stay away from Portland.
Of course, the North American Bike Polo Championships are in Seattle this weekend…
So I am going north, fast….
A welcome relief to the thought of being anywhere near Bridge Pedal…
The bridge pedal is a fiasco I would never consider attending, even if you paid me…
The best thing to do this Sunday is stay away from Portland.
Of course, the North American Bike Polo Championships are in Seattle this weekend…
So I am going north, fast….
A welcome relief to the thought of being anywhere near Bridge Pedal…
The bridge pedal is a fiasco I would never consider attending, even if you paid me…
The best thing to do this Sunday is stay away from Portland.
Of course, the North American Bike Polo Championships are in Seattle this weekend…
So I am going north, fast….
A welcome relief to the thought of being anywhere near Bridge Pedal…
I’ll cross a bridge or two on the bucolic and uncrowded farm roads of Washington County. That’s a true celebration of cycling.
Me? I’m volunteering at a station near the Sellwood Bridge, taking pics on the ride after my shift.
To see last year’s pics… check out:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ufobike/sets/72157606665939769/
2007 did it for me, not my idea of fun. I did enjoy riding across the Hawthorne bridge last year though, on the night before, when they’ve put the plywood down. I’ll probably do that on my way home from the Twilight Crit.
Everyone get ready to say “On your left” at least one thousand times.
2007 did it for me, not my idea of fun. I did enjoy riding across the Hawthorne bridge last year though, on the night before, when they’ve put the plywood down. I’ll probably do that on my way home from the Twilight Crit.
Everyone get ready to say “On your left” at least one thousand times.
Will be bike salmoning my way home and praying I get out early enough to avoid the masses. Some year would like to ride, but as my wife doesn’t ride (yet…) doing it alone isn’t so attractive.
jon, i suggest going to pro photo supply and renting some lenses!
Wow, Dabby #13, #14, #15, I guess you really must hate Bridge Pedal 🙂
While I value my skin and bike too much to ever RIDE in it, I am happily volunteering my time to help it go as smoothly as possible, by staffing an intersection and telling both cyclists and motorists in no uncertain terms where to go . . .
I meant #16 . . .
I’ll be volunteering at the finish line – off bike for a while letting fractured collarbone heal (hit by a car coming home from the last Sunday Parkways – Bummer!)
I’ve enjoyed Bridge Pedal many years; yes, the 2007 version was crazy, but last year went very well. My daughter and I arrived at the tail end of the start for the all bridge ride and just cruised right along. Having different start points really helps spread the riders out over the course. The whole point is just to enjoy the moment that you are sharing with 20,000 bike riding friends. See you at the finish!
Yeah,
The server was being weird when I posted.
And now we see the result.
I really have never had a comfortable ride when in large groups. I will tend to ride out front, and move right along. And that is contradictory to the whole “Pomp and Circumstance” of the whole thing.
Plus I really can’t afford to get hurt anymore.
I have to save it for Bike Polo, Col. S Park, during the next Sunday Parkway.
Put up a good show.
You know, for kids.
I think the bridge pedal is fabulous. What better way to encourage people to get on a bike than to take over all the freeway bridges?
The most amazing thing for me is all the little kids on their bikes, on a 10 mile ride, enjoying themselves. Thousands of them. It’s just the sort of thing to make them excited about biking during the rest of the year, and their parents get to take them on shorter rides to lead up to the Bridge Pedal.
Sure it’s crowded, but you can ride with a friend and catch up on things in the traffic jams.
I’ve been keeping my calender clear for this event for months.
Ted
Have never ridden it and not riding it this year, but I am volunteering … will be out bright & early (actually, dark & early) on SW Macadam somewhere.
J.M. … toss me some coffee from your perch, please. 🙂