Weekend Event Guide: Camping, trees, track and more

Portland is full of amazing trees. You’ll get the chance to explore them by bike at Sunday’s Green Trees Green Streets ride being led by the City of Portland’s Active Transportation Division.
(Photo by J. Maus/BikePortland)

Welcome to your menu of weekend rides and events, lovingly brought to you by our friends at Hopworks Urban Brewery.

You might have just enough openings of sun this weekend to sneak out for a ride or two. If you haven’t already planned your rides, we’ve got some great ideas for you below…

Saturday, April 26th

Beginner and Family-Friendly Bike Camping Trip – All weekend

Load up and head out!
(Photo J. Maus/BikePortland)

Cycle Wild, a non-profit that seeks to share the fun of bike camping with everyone, wants you and your family to join them on their first trip of the 2014 bike camping season. Milo McIver is one of the region’s most beginning-friendly locations for an overnighter. The campground is just 20 miles from Gresham (and you can take MAX to Gresham from Portland). They’ve already reserved room at a campsite, so just make sure you sign up on their website and bring $6 for site fees. More info here.

Mavic Wheel Demo and Ride – 11:00 am and 1:00 pm at River City Bicycles (706 SE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd)
Join River City Bicycles staff and Mavic reps to learn about and ride the latest and greatest wheel and tire combinations. If you’re in the market for a new set of wheels or just curious about the technology, this is a great opportunity to sample some of the industry’s finest products alongside knowledgeable insiders. More info here (FB).

Biking About Architecture (Woodstock Edition) – 12:00 pm at Stumptown Coffee (4525 SE Division)
Residential architecture buff Jenny is at it again. This time she’s got an eight mile loop planned in Woodstock. She’ll take you on a tour of gems like an “Arts & Crafts castle, scary 70s shambles, an El Fenix enclave, and a bike windmill and treehouse superslide.” Bring some money for a food and drink stop at the end of the ride. More info here.

Free DIY Bike Touring Festival – 12:00 to 5:00 pm at 1810 NE 1st Ave
The non-profit Bike Farm will host three workshops as part of this educational event: From 12:00 to 1:30 there will be an intro class that covers everything you need to know to do your first overnighter: From basic bike repairs to carrying your gear, cooking and trip planning. Then at 1:30 they’ll share some yoga and stretching tips focused on long days in the saddle. Then from 2:00 to 3:30 they’ll teach you how to build a pannier out of a plastic bucket. The last workshop of the day will teach folks how to convert an aluminum soda can into a lightweight campaign stove! More info here (FB).

Ride the Heart of the Valley

This charity fundraiser ride is organized by Oregon State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. There are 12, 30, and 62 mile routes on the low-traffic roads south of Corvallis. Proceeds raised through the ride benefit a fund for a veterinary hospital and the Boys & Girls Club of Corvallis. More info here

Sandy Ridge Trail Maintenance and Build Day – 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

Join the Northwest Trail Alliance for a trail maintenance and building day that will kick off the mountain bike season! The trails at Sandy Ridge have become so popular that it’s crucial to keep them in tip-top shape. Make sure to bring your bike so you can ride the fruits of your labor. More info here.

Sunday, April 27th

Green Trees Green Streets Ride – 9:30 am at Universal Cycles (SE Ankeny and 22nd)
Here’s how PBOT bike promoter and ride leader Timo Forsberg describes this ride: “Portland doesn’t rest on its laurels – or its oaks. Learn how we’re improving the urban canopy and making our streets friendlier. We’ll see Heritage Trees, new plantings, green street features and more. We’ll visit neighborhoods from Sunnyside to Sellwood, with color commentary by a professional arborist.” I’m sold! More info here.

East County Bagel Ride – 10:00 am at Gateway Transit Center (NE 99th and Pacific)
Join the Portland Wheelmen Touring Club on this 32 mile ride that will explore the rolling, country, roads east of Gresham. They’ll make a stop at Jazzy Bagels in downtown Gresham on the way back. More info here.

Women’s Track Clinic – 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm at Alpenrose Velodrome (6149 SW Shattuck)

BRIHOP Racing is putting together this great opportunity to learn more about track racing. And it’s geared specifically toward women who are new to the sport. The clinic costs $10 and includes track bike rental. All you’ve got to do is bring your shoes and helmet (and pedals if you a pair) and they’ll teach you the basics. You’ll be flying up and around the banked turns in no time! More info here (PDF).

Did we miss anything? Please drop us a line and let us know. Or feel free to promote your event in the comments below. And as always, thanks for reading and riding.