(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland)
Today was the first big and full weekend day of Pedalpalooza. And it was good. From what I’ve seen and heard, the turnouts and the spirit are as strong as ever.
My personal theme for this year is discovery. As in, there’s a lot to discover during Pedalpalooza: whether it’s exploring new parts of town (or learning more about already familiar places), meeting new people, or doing things you never thought you’d do, Pedalpalooza is about discovery.
There was an amazing array of things to discover today. Below I’ll share a few photos and notes from the rides I made it to: (It’d be great to hear about what you discovered today. Feel free in the comment section below.)
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This morning I dropped my girls off at Sprockettes Girl’s Camp. The ladies in pink do a stellar job with the little ones. They worked on acro-balancing, learned new bike tricks, and then started to learn a full dance number that they’ll perform at the end of the Sprockettes Ride tomorrow (leaves at 1 pm from Irving Park). Here are a few photos from today…
Then I rolled over to the Neighborhoods to Nature ride. This ride was a partnership between several City of Portland agencies and local non-profits. The idea was to share how the City’s awesome neighborhood greenway network has been integrated with natural spaces and experiences. Ride leader and PBOT traffic safety advocrat Greg Raisman summed it all up when he said, “We’re trying to create trail-like conditions on our neighborhood greenways.” During the ride we learned about the Portland Water Bureau’s hydro-park program, Portland Audubon’s Backyard Habitat Certification Program, how Friends of Trees has planted 300 free trees on neighborhood greenways, and more.
Exploring the Pittman Addition Hydro Park located on the N. Concord neighborhood greenway just north of Going.
Nikkie West manages the Backyard Habitat Certification Program for the Audubon Society of Portland.
A Ron Richings sighting! Ron is a bike advocate and contributor to Momentum Magazine from Vancouver B.C. who has come to Portland for many Pedalpaloozas…
Katie Proctor knows that neighborhood greenways that connect to natural areas are a perfect combination for kids…
We stopped outside a certified habitat house (which means it’s great for natural plants and the animals that appreciate them)…
We learned that Friends of Trees gives free trees to houses on neighborhood greenways. This one was planted two years ago…
It was a beautiful day to discover the N. Concord neighborhood greenway…
I didn’t do this entire ride, but I heard via Twitter from BTA chief Rob Sadowsky that they peeked into an Osprey nest thanks to a telescope taken on the ride by Mike Houck of the Urban Greenspaces Institute. The ride ended at Columbia Park for a family picnic and a live bluegrass band.
Then it was off to the Hott Sock ride. What a great turnout of fun-loving folks! And everyone was decked out in cool socks of all types — from silly to sultry. While we hung out waiting for the ride to start, we were all surprised when the Nekkid Sunnyday Ride rolled up. The Hott Sock ride leaders made sure to announce before we left that, “If anyone is naked, please wear a three socks!” The group was well over 50 strong and after a group shot with the Vera Katz statue on the Eastbank Esplanade, they rolled down the Springwater for sock-inspired antics in Sellwood. Check out all these funky socks…
Laurel from Sock Dreams was in heaven…
Hey wait! This guy doesn’t have any socks!
Lauren had a big day. She led the Short Shorts ride, then took off her shorts and top for the Naked Ride, then put her clothes and socks back on for the Hott Socks ride. You get the gold star today Lauren!
As I type this, there is still major fun being had. The Morrissey Dance Party Ride is erupting with sounds and movement all over town and seed ball shooters (yes you read that right) are on a pub crawl in North Portland.
Tomorrow has another full slate of great rides to discover. Check out the calendar, encourage your friends to join you, and hit the streets! I’ll see you out there.
— See the Pedalpalooza 2012 tag in the photo gallery for more images and make sure to follow me on Twitter for live updates.