Report: Vegan Baked Goods Ride (photo)

Berry-filled from Acme Donut.
(Photo: flogthebog/Flickr)

Reporter – Jill N
Date – Sunday, June 13, 2010

Report
About 50 excited riders gathered at Dovetail Bakery on NE Alberta for the Vegan Baked Goods Ride. Dovetail had been gracious enough to put “Welcome Pedalpalooza” and “Vegan Baked Goods Ride starts here” signs in their window and on their sidewalk sign. As the riders arrived, they got coffee, mini scones, yummy glazed muffins and cinnamon rolls and talked on the sidewalk. The bakers even made us mini versions of some treats.

From there, we went a few blocks down the street to Back to Eden Bakery, picking up a couple new riders on the way. There we enjoyed the tallest berry pie I’ve ever seen, soft serve ice cream, strawberry shortcake whoopie pies (indescribably good), cupcakes, danishes and more. The line went out the door and down the sidewalk nearly to the corner!

After a leisurely ride to NE 15th, where Blossoming Lotus had set up a special table for us with raw fudge and chocolate chip cookies. The raw fudge was a huge hit, as always, and has to be tasted to be believed. Some riders had started feeling the sugar rush and ordered other food items to balance the day.

From there we headed to Sweetpea Baking Company on SE Stark. Many riders opted for sandwiches, such as a pesto/vegan cream cheese combo, while other savored biscuits, cookies and cake.

Next stop was Acme Donuts on SE Powell. The owners had made a special flavor for the ride – craisin mint. We sampled other varieties as well, such as “Old Goat” (a private joke between the owners, not actually a goat-flavored donut), a berry-filled donut (this was the favorite) and mint covered donuts.

For a final baked treat, we rode past Reed College and the golf course to Sellwood, using our sugar energy to propel us up over hills and over to Piece of Cake on SE 13th, where vegan carrot cake bars, Black Forest cupcakes raspberry jam bars were enjoyed on the patio.

As a bonus treat, we rode a few blocks over to Oregon Ice Works, where we sampled incredible Italian ices made with real fruit. The special flavor of the day was vanilla coconut, but I think it would be hard to beat the lemon, raspberry and mango flavors.