‘Knobbies and Tots’ ride will fill ‘Worst Day Ride’ void – UPDATED

Be there!

Are you disappointed that the Worst Day of the Year Ride was cancelled on, well, the worst day of the year?

A lot of people are miffed that the ride won’t go on. And the story has even gone national with a blog post by The Atlantic Cities and the Editor-at-Large of Bicycling Magazine tweeting about it. “I’m trying to understand—& not be an ass about,” Bill Strickland wondered to his 8,800 or so followers, “how “The Worst Day of the Year Ride” gets cancelled because of the worst weather of the year.”

Now, in an effort to show everyone that there’s no weather too tough for Portland bike riders*, a ride has been put together by Alex Criss (River City Bicycles employee) and a few other folks. Dubbed “Knobbies and Tots”, the ride will leave from the parking lot of River City Bicycles (706 SE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd) at 10:00 am tomorrow (Sunday, February 9th) morning. There will be free coffee at the start.

Bring your knobbiest knobbies — or even studded tires if you have them — and join some other hardy folks for an urban adventure. The route will be 10-12 miles, and rumor has it that hot and fresh tater tots and some adult beverages will also be provided. And, since the Worst Day of the Year Ride would have been a major fundraiser for the Community Cycling Center, Criss and crew urge everyone to bring a $5 donation for the non-profit.

With freezing rain falling all evening, please be advised that conditions are likely to be very tricky tomorrow. Ride at your own risk!

*I just want to reiterate that PBOT has issued a severe weather alert and they are telling everyone to stay inside and not attempt to travel at all. Based on reports from readers and a quick walk around my own house, I agree that the conditions are very challenging. A layer of ice has formed above much of the snow and even with knobby tires, it will likely be difficult to stay upright on a bike. Our only hope is that it gets above freezing after sunrise tomorrow.

UPDATE: Sunday morning at 8:49 AM: With ice all over the place and an official, emergency alert from City of Portland this morning, it should go without saying that riding a bike today might not be the best idea. Please use your own best judgment as to whether or not to give this a try. For updates on riding conditions, several readers have shared their experiences via comments to our storm update post yesterday.

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car owner and driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, feel free to contact me at @jonathan_maus on Twitter, via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a supporter.

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Seth
Seth
10 years ago

Woot woot. Off to the garage for some bike preparation. Cannot forget to fill the flask for some liquid warmth.

BURR
BURR
10 years ago

Zoobomb Mini Bike Winter XI events and rides all weekend next weekend!

Joseph E
10 years ago

Better have studs. There could be 1/4 to 1/2 inch of ice.
“CITY OF PORTLAND EMERGENCY ALERT:
CITY URGES RESIDENTS TO STAY HOME
DO NOT TRAVEL BECAUSE OF HAZARDOUS ROAD CONDITIONS CAUSED BY FREEZING RAIN
MAX SYSTEM & PORTLAND STREETCAR SHUT DOWN
CITY WARNS OF HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS ON SIDEWALKS”

Mossby Pomegranate
Mossby Pomegranate
10 years ago

Doesn’t sound very smart to be out in a vehicle of any kind this morning. Have fun breaking your neck on your bike. Aloha!

spare_wheel
spare_wheel
10 years ago

Did not break my neck last night at 9 or this am. But thanks for the kind words.

q`Tzal
q`Tzal
10 years ago

The adult age children driving lifted 4×4s with by knobby mud tires are out goofing off like everywhere is the their playground.
They can’t stop on ice any easier without studs or chains any easier than bikes.
The only advantage you have in surviving these idjits right now is they are reving loud while spinning out. This gives you plenty of time to find something sturdy like a concrete wall or building as they blunder through and crash in to things at high speed.
I’ve seen too many of the aftermath of this goofing off these last few days.

Stay alert and don’t expect that anyone is able to stop safely.

GlowBoy
GlowBoy
10 years ago
Reply to  q`Tzal

While I was out riding last night a jacked-up Toyota pickup came careening way too fast around a corner on a quiet side street, sliding all over the place. Although I felt confident enough riding around on the semi-fatbike in general, I didn’t have enough traction to perform the evasive maneuver I would have liked to do. Fortunately they slowed down just enough not to hit me, but I bet the fact that I was out there “in their way” probably pissed them off.

q`Tzal
q`Tzal
10 years ago
Reply to  GlowBoy

A vehicle more deserving of the slur “toy truck” I don’t know.

Jan Verrinder
Jan Verrinder
10 years ago

It’s easy to donate to CCC. Try this link:
http://www.communitycyclingcenter.org/index.php/support-us/

Andrew Holtz
Andrew Holtz
10 years ago

Of course everyone is disappointed the Worst Day Ride isn’t happening (though I wasn’t sure how I was going to get to my 7 a.m. volunteer post when I can hardly step out my door), but remember it’s not just about us. The purpose of the ride is to help kids & adults who need bikes. I’m going to make an additional contribution now to the Community Cycling Center to help cover the shortfall. https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/532746

Seth
Seth
10 years ago

That was fun, Thanks. There were a total of 6 of us riding around. I had to cut out a little early from the ride as it was heading for some tots. Would love to see the pics some others took later.

TOM
TOM
10 years ago

q`Tzal
The adult age children driving lifted 4×4s with by knobby mud tires are out goofing off like everywhere is the their playground.
The only advantage you have in surviving these idjits right now is they are reving loud while spinning out.
Recommended 6

I was out on my MTB 2 days ago. Heading west on Stark at 139th, there were 4 traffic lanes open, but the bike lane & sidewalk were not to be seen.
My only option was to take the rightmost rut. Most drivers were fine with that as things were pretty slow and sparse car flow. One of those ” adult age children driving lifted 4×4s with big knobby mud tires ” felt the need to slow besides me, roll down a window and yell obscenities.
I had ear muffs on , so didn’t get the actual words , but kinda felt sorry a bit for the AAC who was that angry , I think just about anything would set off a person like that.
He then floored it, which did NO good. The knobbies just spun. Funny part of it is that I was ahead of him at the next stop light 🙂

q`Tzal
q`Tzal
10 years ago
Reply to  TOM

That type of vehicle is the automotive equivalent to a “toy bike”; it exists ONLY for recreational activities. It would be reasonable to argue that they don’t belong on public roads just as much as “toy bikes”.

Seth
Seth
10 years ago

So where are the pics from anyone else that was on the ride? 🙂

giai phap can ho
10 years ago

“The route will be 10-12 miles, and rumor has it that hot and fresh tater tots and some adult beverages will also be provided”
It sounded tempting !