(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)
NOTE: Due to severe weather, many events have been cancelled. Please call ahead/check with organizers before you make any plans.
If you think Portland’s peak riding season has passed than you must be new around these parts. Just because the weather has shifted and the leaves are starting to turn, doesn’t mean people around here stop riding bikes. As you can see below, our Weekend Event Guide is packed with fun events and rides! So get reading and planning and riding…
All Weekend Long
Oregon Handmade Bicycle Show – 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Saturday, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm Sunday at Sandbox Studio (420 NE 9th Ave)
The 30+ exhibitors at this unparalleled annual showcase of beautiful bicycles and the people who build them is something you won’t want to miss. More info here
The Sprockettes Girls Camp – 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at Irving Park (NE 7th and Fremont, meet near the tennis courts) (UPDATE: The camp has been cancelled this year.)
This fun and educational camp will teach girls and young ladies (ages 5-13 recommended) how to dance and live life with that special Sprockettes spirit. Skills taught include acro-balancing, various bike tricks, bike decorating, and how to make great friends. Fee required. More info here.
Saturday, September 28th
Ninkrossi Cyclocross Race – All day long at Washougal MX Park (40205 NE Borin Rd, Washougal WA)
This is the fifth race in the 10-race Gran Prix Erik Tonkin series. The course promises to be fast with lots of grassy sections, a long paved start, and some gravel and dirt trails thrown in for good measure. And organizers say that 90% of the course is viewable from the beer tent. More info here.
Ride with Oregon House Representative Tobias Read and Senator Mark Hass – 9:30 am at Garden Home Rec. Center (7475 SW Oleson Rd)
This is a great opportunity to meet two state legislators. Rep. Read and Sen. Hass will lead a 40-minute rolling town hall meeting on the Fanno Creek Path. More info here.
Portland Fruit Tree Project/Richmond Area Harvest Party – 9:30 am
Grab your bikes/cargo bikes and trailers and get ready to pick some ripe local fruit. This event is only for people who live in the Richmond area of southeast Portland. More info here.
Western Bikeworks Monthly Shop Ride – 10:00 am at the shop (NW 17th and Lovejoy)
Ride leader Maria Schur will take the group on a hilly, 30-mile loop. This ride is open to all skill levels and cue sheets will be provided.
Kidical Mass – 1:00 pm at Ventura Park (SE 113th and Stark)
Join friendly family bikers for a very short and fun ride. There will be lots of playtime at the Ventura Park Pump Track and then a 2 mile ride to the Midland Regional Library (don’t forget your library card!). These rides are perfect for new family riders or the family-biking curious. If you don’t bring kids, you can bring your burning questions about how to carry little ones and how to enjoy family biking. More info here.
Biking About Architecture: Hollywood/Irvington – 1:00 pm at Fleur de Lis Cafe (3930 NE Hancock)
Join local architecture buffs for a guided tour of the historic mansions, stately Craftsmen dwellings and various “funky quirky domiciles” such as the Hobbit House. After an 8-mile loop, the ride stops at a pub for drinks and grub. More info here.
Cross Crusade Kickoff Party – 5:00 pm at River City Bicycles (706 SE MLK Blvd)
The first race of the annual Cross Crusade Series is just a few weeks away. So, to raise spirits and excitement for their 20th anniversary season, they’re throwing a big party at at River City Bicycles on Saturday at 5:00 pm. Come and join your ‘cross loving friends for drinks, a prize raffle, and a sale on Cross Crusade gear. More info here.
Sunday, September 29th
Sunday Parkways Southwest
It’s the final Sunday Parkways of 2013! New this year, PBOT has both a standard route (six miles) and walking-only route (4.5 miles) through the rolling hills and quaint commercial districts of Hillsdale and Multnomah Village. Other highlights include the Troy Street Marketplace and tons of activities, food vendors, live music and more at Gabriel Park. Check out the map and full list of activities here.
UPDATE: Sunday Parkways has been cancelled due to weather – more info here.
Battle at Barlow Cyclocross Race – All day at Sam Barlow High School (5105 SE 302nd Ave in Gresham)
The Battle at Barlow has added importance this year because racers who do well will get called up at the opening race of the Cross Crusade series (which is a big deal when field sizes are over 100 people). This race is also part of the Oregon Junior Cyclocross Series and is the first race of the High School season. More info here.
Harvest Century – Begins at Hillsboro Civic Center (E Main St. and 1st Ave)
Billed as the “last organized ride of the year,” this century offers something for everyone with routes from 3 to 100 miles. This is the 11th annual Harvest Century and proceeds from the ride go to Community Vision, a non-profit that helps people with developmental disabilities. More info here.
Celebrate the coming of a glorious fall with the last organized ride on the Oregon cycling calendar. Traverse over rolling hills, through falling autumn leaves, and enjoy the gorgeous countryside at the 11th Annual Harvest Century. Each of the 100, 75, 45, or 3-mile routes start and end at the downtown Civic Center Hillsboro, Oregon.
OK. That’s all we’ve got. Did we miss something? If so, give it it a shout out in the comments.