is this weekend!
(Photo © J. Maus)
A bit of rain and the official start of fall don’t seem to be slowing anybody down. Head out and enjoy the last Sunday Parkways of the year, join the folks hoping to rekindle the critical mass flame, or get your fill of trees and parks at one of this weekend’s many great events.
Friday, September 24th
7:00am-9:00am: Breakfast on the Bridges
It’s time once again for your favorite morning commute tradition. BonB serves up delicious free breakfast treats and coffee to commuters bicycling and walking to downtown. This month’s volunteers will be on the westbound Hawthorne bridge, the Morrison bridge, and Steel bridge lower deck. Add a couple minutes to your morning ride to enjoy this great event and hang out with your fellow commuters.
5:30pm: Critical Mass
Critical Mass has been absent from the Portland scene for several years now, and there has been much debate about its purpose and reason for disappearance ever since. Perhaps to test the waters or just because they can, a group calling themselves the Bicycle Liberation Front has decided to attempt to revive this lost practice with a traditional CM gathering. Ride meets at NW Park and Couch.
10:30pm: North Freak Ride
A monthly ride and hangout featuring local bike funnists, North Freak, this nighttime mystery ride is always a good time. Bring your tall bike, mini bike, or even your normal bike and meet the boys and girls that know how to party on wheels. Meet at Irving park, NE 7th and Fargo.
Saturday, September 25th
7:00pm-9:00pm: Firefly Lantern Walk/Ride
Grab a lantern and join this riverfront walk and ride hosted by City Repair celebrating the transition from summer into fall. Participants will meet up at SE Main street on the Eastbank Esplanade and walk or ride a 2.5 mile loop of the waterfront and bridges.
11:00am: Build it Green! Home Tour and info Fair
Tour 21 green built and remodeled homes around town during Build it Green! hosted by the city of Portland’s Bureau of Planning and Sustainability. This self-guided tour also features an information fair and discount tickets if you ride. Ticket, schedule, and location information available on the event website.
Sunday, September 26th
8:30am: Echelon Gran Fondo
Looking for an excuse to get out of town? Join team Radio Shack’s Chris Horner on this 30, 60, or 100 mile scenic rode ride in Bend, OR benefiting the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute and the Livestrong Foundation. Multiple ride packages and fundraising options are available, see the event website for registration and location details.
9am: Hillsboro Tour de Parks
Tour up to 10 parks in the Hillsboro area in this relaxed and family-friendly event hosted by New Belgium Brewing benefiting the Washington County Bicycle Transportation Coalition. Multiple route lengths are available, start time and location depends on ride chosen. See registration and route information on the Tour de Parks website.
9am: Battle at Barlow
This all-out cyclocross war at Sam Barlow High School in Gresham features a challenging course and races for all categories and skill levels (even unicycles!) Register day of race beginning at 7:30 or at Veloce Bicycles in Portland.
10am-3pm: Sunday Parkways Northwest
The fifth and final Sunday Parkways of 2010, this Sunday’s event closes off 4.5 miles of streets to cars in the Northwest downtown and Pearl district area. Events, food, vendors, and information will be at Couch Park and Wallace Park all day, and there will be many interesting and fun things to see and do all along the route. This is your last opportunity of the year to experience this absolutely incredible, inspiring, and free event.
6:00pm-9:00pm: Citybikes Drop-in Repair night
Take advantage of great mechanical advise, tools, and facilities at local bicyle co-op Citybikes‘ bi-monthly drop-in repair night. This is a great time to prepare your bike for the winter and take care of your regular maintenance. Citybikes Annex, SE 8th and Ankeny, $5 suggested donation.