puzzle tree during the 2007
Palm Tree Ride.
(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)
I know it’s still frigid out there, but at least the sun is out. This weekend is expected to stay clear and sunny and there’s nothing like a brisk bike ride with friends to take the edge of your winter doldrums. Check out our three two weekend ride picks below for some ideas and inspiration…
Local shop Western Bikeworks kicks off their 2013 monthly ride series with an easy and flat 25-miler. The ride will leave from the shop NW 17th and Lovejoy) at 9:00 am led by none other than Maria Schur (trust us, she’s great). Everyone that shows up will get a $5 gift card and Maria tells us each month’s ride will build in distance and difficulty toward an overall goal to be “century-ready” by early summer. “It’ll be good for newbies or anyone wanting to shake their winter cobwebs off!” — Sorry folks… This ride is next Saturday the 26th.
Also on Saturday is the annual Palm Tree Ride led by local artist and urban adventurer Shawn Granton. I’ve done this ride several times in the past and it’s really fun. Shawn will leave from Velo Cult (1969 NE 42nd) at 11:00 am and will lead you on a, “leisurely tour of the multitude of palm trees and other tropical, evergreen, and just plain exotic vegetation growing in the city.” Shawn says the route is about seven miles of mostly flat terrain in north and northeast neighborhoods and he’ll make plenty of stops along the way for hot refreshments. In case you’re worried about getting chilly, Shawn has just finished up an illustration of clothing tips for winter social rides…
Our final pick takes us south to Milwaukie and the Springwater Trail. On Monday the 21st (which is also the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday) the Johnson Creek Watershed Council will lead a group ride from their headquarters and down the Springwater Trail to a restoration event at Mill Park. Plan to leave the back parking lot of 1900 SE Milport Rd in Milwaukie at 8:30 am and ride to the park (at SE Linwood Ave and Johnson Crk Blvd). Watershed Council volunteer Brian Art says once at the park they’ll remove grass and weeds while planting sedges. “This is an easy ride that’s great for kids,” he says. If you’re interested, contact Amy Lodholz via email at amy@jcwc.org.
Stay warm and have fun. If you’ve got a ride to promote, share it in the comments and/or I’ll update this post with your info.
Nice comic panel…from Shawn “Sensible Shoes” Granton.
If you’re looking for a nice walk instead of a ride, Sisters Of The Road is holding our annual MLK Day march on Saturday. Meet at VOZ Worker Center (240 NE MLK) at 10, march at 11 over the Burnside Bridge, end at Sisters’ Cafe (NW 6th and Davis) for music, food and coffee. 🙂
FYI The ride with Maria is actually scheduled for next Saturday according to Western Bike Works website, and confirmed by their employees.
Ack! Thanks Ben. Updated the post. My mistake. Sorry for any confusion.
Photos from the Palm Tree ride. We even saw a jungle cat.
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.467051420025623.108105.100001623066825&type=1
Comic misses the most crucial aspect of riding in the winter: gloves. They are vital, and difficult to find that work well. Too think and you screw up range of finger motion, too thin and they don’t do the job of staying warm/dry.
True. Ran out of room for gloves.
The cold, cold ground reference is much appreciated. …one thing though, in real life, a nu-fred would rather Die than appear to be cold in his squid clothing. 😛