Weekend Event Guide

Go ahead, ride in the street without
a care… It’s Sunday Parkways!
(Photo © J. Maus)

Hold on to your cycling caps folks, it’s a big bike weekend. Check out the slate of events coming your way…

Friday, September 23rd

Ventura Park Pump Track Meet-and-Greet
Get an early glimpse at Portland’s very first pump track and meet the people who made it happen. This meet-n-greet event is hosted by the Northwest Trail Alliance. Bring a shovel and a smile and be ready to put in some sweat equity into this exciting new off-road facility. 4:00 to 8:00 pm at Ventura Park (SE Stark and 115th).

Oregon Manifest
Friday night at 7:00 pm is your first chance to see the entries and meet the builders who are competing in the Constructor’s Design Challenge to build the “Ultimate modern utility bike.” OregonManifest.com.

North Freak American Gladiators Ride
Our friendly local freak bike crew North Freak is putting a fun spin on their monthly ride. They’ll have multiple stops with activities inspired by “the most badass of all shows, American Gladiators.” “Bring your spandex or warrior gear and get ready! We will provide the events, and the gladiators. You supply the fresh meat.” Ride leaves from Irving Park at 10:30 pm. Check out the event on Facebook.

Saturday, September 24th

Oregon Manifest – Field Test/Awards Gala/Block Party
Join bike builders from around the country as they return from a 50-mile field test of their Constructor’s Design Challenge bikes. This event will be a block party and the main feature is the much-anticipated Awards Gala. It’s also a great chance to see the Chris King Precision Components factory and enjoy live bands, excellent food (made by Chris King’s in-house chef of course), beer and bikes! Starts at 2:30. OregonManifest.com.

Hood River Harvest Ride
This event offers up five fantastic loops that will introduce you to some of the most scenic and enjoyable riding in the region. Find the perfect one no matter what your riding level and there are even family-friendly routes. Check out HRHarvestRide.com for more info.

Echelon Gran Fondo – Hood River
This mass start “gran fondo” offers 30, 80, or 100 options. There’s also a “CrossMountain” course that will take folks off-road. Greg LeMond is in town and will be riding in this event. Join your friends for a big party in Hood River afterwards. More info at EchelonGranFondo.org.

Eichler Park BMX Track Grand Opening (Beaverton)
Join the Northwest Trail Alliance from 2:00 to 6:00 pm for the grand opening of the newly redesigned and completely renovated Eichler Park BMX Track in Beaverton. More info on their website.

Rocky Butte Sunset Ride
Join friends old and new for a leisurely pedal up to Rocky Butte for glorious views of the Columbia River Gorge and what could be one of the last great sunsets of the season. Bring food for a picnic at the top. There will be lots of music and there will be dancing! Ride leaves from Irving Park (eastern side) at NE 11th and Klickitat at 6:00 pm.

Moving Planet Portland – 350 By Bike
Moving Planet is a global event to raise awareness of climate change and take action in your local community. Organizers have several events planned for Portland, including a bike ride to the main Climate Action Now event taking place at Memorial Coliseum. The bike ride leaves from 1824 SE Oak St at 11:30 and heads to the Coliseum.
Bike ride info here and main event info here.

Sunday, September 25th

Sunday Parkways Northeast
It’s the last one of the year! Join thousands of your neighbors and friends for a carfree pedal and/or walk on a loop through Northeast neighborhoods. Note the different start/end time of 12:00 to 5:00. Get the route and more details from PortlandSundayParkways.org.

Bike Swap at WTF Bikes
Roll over to WTF Bikes at 1114 SE Clay for one last swap meet of the year. Enjoy good deals, Cambodian street food, music, and beer. Vendor spots are $25. Event runs from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm.

Filmed by Bike 10th Anniversary Trailer Filming and Big Group Shot
Be a part of local bike fun history. Ayleen Crotty, founder of the esteemed and beloved Filmed by Bike fest is making a special trailer for the event’s upcoming 10th anniversary edition. Ayleen and her crew need you to star in the trailer and to appear in a big group shot. This event takes place in the Cully neighborhood. More info via Facebook.

— — —

Get out there and ride… and of course if you know of a bike event not listed here, feel free to drop me a line and use the comments to give it a shout. Also use this post to share your weekend plans and adventures with those of us not lucky enough to go on our own ;-).