(Photo © J. Maus)
It’s the weekend! And it’s a big one. Bridge Pedal, Portland’s iconic, 20,000 rider strong annual event is coming — this year with an Expo the day before. The Twilight Criterium is also happening this weekend, as are several rides inspired by successful Pedalpalooza events…and two separate events that celebrate Muppets. Read on for details.
Friday, August 7
4:00pm – 9:00pm: Portland Twilight Criterium
Come out to the North Park Blocks in the Pearl tonight to enjoy the area’s fastest racers, food, beer, wine, and the company of fellow revelers.
6:30pm: Monthly Vegan Dinner Ride
Meet just north of the duck pond in Laurelhurst Park (SE 39th and Stark) for the first edition of what’s intended to be a monthly vegan dinner ride, inspired by Pedalpalooza’s well-attended vegan baked goods ride (see our report here). The secret dinner destination this month is reported to have “a good menu, cheap biscuits and vegan cake” as well as gluten-free options. After dinner, the group will head to a watering hole for more socializing. Non-vegans and veg-curious welcomed warmly.
7:30pm: Bike to the Movies: Vancouver
Watch the movie Muppets Take Manhattan under the stars in a park north of the Columbia. A ride is forming from Esther Short Park in the ‘Couv at 7:00pm; the organizer is willing to coordinate folks who want to ride together from Portland, so get in touch with him if you’re interested.
Saturday, August 8
9:00am – 5:00pm: Providence Bridge Pedal Health and Wellness Expo
Bridge Pedal’s health- and bike- oriented fair is in Oregon Square this year, featuring booths with information on healthy and active living, products, free drawings, and registration pickup for Sunday’s big event. NE Holladay Street and Seventh Avenue, adjacent to the N.E. Seventh Avenue MAX stop (it’s within fareless square — a free train ride from downtown).
9:00am – 4:00pm: Depave Vestal Elementary School
The good folks at Depave are hosting three more pavement removal work parties this summer. This Saturday, bring your work gloves to Vestal Elementary to help transform part of a parking lot into a community garden. See website for details (scroll down a bit), and for rsvp form/waiver.
10:00am: Bike Vikes
The Norse Hall was so inspired by the Short Shorts Scandinavian Pride Ride back in June (the ride ended up there with festive ride participants in miniscule attire joyfully toasting each other with aquavit) that they’re hosting a monthly (2nd Saturdays) ride that begins and ends at their building (111 NE 11th).
10:30am: The Muppet Bike Move
I don’t know what BikeSnobNYC is complaining about. The theme ride tradition remains strong in Portland, and there are plenty of folks who wouldn’t miss a chance to host one — even when they’re moving house at the same time. See listing for details.
Sunday, August 9
All morning: Providence Bridge Pedal
20,000 people on bikes! Your best chance every year to see what real bike traffic looks like — on the freeway, no less. Also your only chance to take in what are arguably the best views in Portland — from the top of the normally forbidden Marquam and Fremont bridges.
If you’re already thinking ahead to next weekend, it’s the final Sunday Parkways of the summer, this time on a loop of residential streets and parks in Southeast Portland. The city still needs volunteers to help keep the course safe for the many thousands of families who are expected to show up to enjoy the carfree streets.
Alright, what are your plans for the weekend? Let us know how your bike fun goes in the comments below.