Weekend Event Guide: Cornering, the ‘Couv, gravel, and more

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Welcome to (what’s soon to be) the weekend.

Now that more normal weather has prevailed, I’d like to think we can get back to our regularly scheduled riding. While I’m dreaming about the days when I don’t get either frozen and/or wet on a long bike ride, I much prefer the warmer temperatures and light rain we’ve had recently over the chillier weather of the past several weeks.

Take note, this weekend’s guide includes two events that were rescheduled due to our freak ice/snow storm a few weeks ago.

Get your calendars out and start planning…

Friday, February 21st

Bike Safety Benefit Show – 6:30 pm at Velo Cult (1969 NE 42nd Ave)

(Join friends and hit-and-run victim Henry Schmidt for an evening of live music, raffles, and merriment all aimed at raising money for the Bicycle Transportation Alliance. Schmidt himself will be blowing his horn with bandmates while Velo Cult’s legendary atmosphere will provide plenty of warmth on a cold winter’s night. More info via Facebook.

Dropout Bicycle Club Ride – 9:00 pm at Colonel Summers Park (SE 20th and Belmont)

A member of the Dropouts showing serious style.
(Photo by J. Maus/BikePortland)

The Dropouts are known for their mastery of the freak bike genre (and their cool bike club vests). If you like to weld, tinker, and make crazy bikes, you should get to know these folks. “Show off your bicycle oddities” reads the ride description. Learn more here.

Saturday, February 22nd

Cornering Clinic hosted by Let’s Race Bikes – 9:00 am at Tula Bakery Cafe (4943 NE MLK Jr. Blvd)

This clinic will help you hone your pack-riding skills by focusing on how to handle sharp corners. They’ll ride from northeast Portland to Swan Island where attendees will benefit from expert instruction, group racing simulations, and of course, lots of cornering practice. More info here.

Tour de ‘Couv – 10:00 am at the Old Vancouver Library Parking Lot (1007 E Mill Plain)
The Portland Wheelmen Touring Club will lead this 30-mile jaunt around lovely Vancouver, Washington. More info here.

Biking About Architecture: Inner NoPo – 12:30 pm at Tula Bakery Cafe (4943 NE MLK Jr. Blvd)
Join local architecture lover and group bike ride veteran Jenny Fosmire for a tour of interesting houses in north Portland. “We’ll gawk at loads of fabulous houses — modern and historical and everything in between,” says Jenny. The route will be eight easy miles at a social pace with a final stop at Ecliptic Brewery. More info here (FB).

Sunday, February 23rd

Salem Gravel Grinder: The “Perry Roubaix” – 10:00 am at Oak Knoll Public Golf Course (6335 Highway 22, Independence, OR)

Rescheduled due to the extreme weather last weekend, this is an unsanctioned gravel ride on country roads just west of downtown Salem. The route is spectacular from what I’ve heard. It’s 50 miles of relatively carfree rural roads. If you’re looking to stretch those cabin-fever-plagued legs, this could be just what the doctor ordered. My current plan is to leave early and ride from Portland to the start. Wish me luck! More info here.

Did we miss anything? Please drop us a line and let us know… And thanks for reading and riding!