(Photo J. Maus/BikePortland)
Welcome to your menu of weekend rides and events, lovingly brought to you by our friends at Hopworks Urban Brewery.
The ride calendar is heating up with the temps so we hope your legs are ready!
If I had to pick a theme for this weekend’s rides I would say it’s education. With several rides being led by city agencies, and another installment of a monthly architecture survey ride, your bike is your ticket to learning more about our beautiful city.
Friday, May 30th
Breakfast on the Bridges — 7:15 am on the Broadway and Steel Bridges
As usual for the past 10 years (!), on the last Friday of every month, you can enjoy free pastries/donuts and coffee thanks to the fine folks at Shift. Leave home a bit early to give yourself time to snack, imbibe, and chat with friends old and new.
Portland Parks Trees and Rookery Ride at Heron Lakes – 7:00 pm at Kenton MAX stop (8400 N Denver)
(Photo J. Maus/BikePortland)
The City of Portland Parks & Rec/Urban Forestry department will lead this sunset bike ride to Heron Lakes Golf Course. Along the six-mile loop you’ll discover the flora and fauna of the Columbia Slough and get a closer look at one of the largest heron rookeries in the Portland. More info here.
Saturday, May 31st
Women’s Weekend MTB Clinic and Tour – Saturday and Sunday in/around Sandy
Otto’s Ski and MTB Shop in Sandy is stepping up its support and promotion of the great riding opportunities in the area with this two-day skill-building workshop for female mountain bikers. Saturday will be spent learning the basics at Wildwood Park in Welches, followed by a bike mechanic course. Then on Sunday, their expert guides will take participants to Sandy Ridge MTB area for more riding and practice. Clinic is free if you stay in participating hotels in Sandy, otherwise it’s $289 for the weekend. More info here.
Cycle the Well Field – 8:45 am at Aloft Portland Airport/Cascade Station (9920 NE Cascades Pkwy)
This is a very cool and educational annual ride that is led by the Portland Water Bureau and the Columbia Slough Watershed Council. The route is an easy 16 miles and participants will get a guided tour of the city’s Columbia South Shore Well Field. Along the way you’ll learn about “the safety, functionality and history of Portland’s underground drinking water system, which supplements the main supply from Bull Run.” It’s free but pre-reg is required. More info here.
Sharrows to Sparrows – 9:00 am at Pier Park (corner of N Bruce and James)
I did this ride last year and had a marvelous time. Urban naturalist Mike Houck and PBOT traffic safety expert Greg Raisman will lead the ride and point out cool things along the way. The goal is to show how easy it is to explore nature and our city via PBOT’s network of “neighborhood greenways” and other regional paths. Bonus: There will be community speakers and bird calling along the way! More info here.
Meet the Portland Wheelmen Touring Club – 9:00 am at Lents Park (SE 92nd and Pardee)
If you’re just getting into group road riding, and you’re looking for some friends to do it with, this is the ride for you. The route will be 18 miles (mostly flat and easy) with a destination of Cartlandia on the Springwater Corridor. Along the way you can learn road riding basics and further your infection with the cycling bug. More info here.
Bikes for Humanity PDX Retail Store Grand Opening – 10-4 at 3354 SE Powell Blvd
Bikes for Humanity is a local non-profit that has worked for several years to train people on mechanic skills and refurbish old bikes for people in need. Now they’re marking a major step forward with the opening of a new retail store and location for their bike school. Stop by the SE Powell location for lots of fun for the whole family including face painting, cake and treats, crafts, free helmets and bike safety checks, discounts on new bikes, and more. More info here (PDF).
Biking About Architecture – 11:00 am at Delphina’s Bakery (4636 NE 42nd Ave)
The theme of this month’s architecture ride (led by Jenny Fosmire) is modern design. Jenny will take you on a ride by about 25 “totally 21st-century homes” in northeast Portland including some atomic ranches and a shipping container house. Ride is easy and slow. More info here.
Pier Park/Chimney Park Bridge opening celebration ride – 11:00 am at St. Johns Farmers Market (N Lombard and Philadeplphia)
(Photo Portland Parks & Rec)
Portland Parks, Metro, and ODOT are celebrating an exciting new connection in north Portland. They came together to fund and construct a new, 124-foot bridge that stretches over the railroad tracks that have long separated Pier and Chimney parks. More than just a connection between these two parks, the bridge closes a gap in the 40-Mile Loop and it’s a key piece of the North Portland Willamette Greenway Trail. The ride will go from the farmer’s market to the new bridge where there will be a party with drinks and snacks in the park with City staff and related electeds and dignitaries. More info here.
Sunday, June 1st
Mountain Bike Orienteering – Stub Stewart State Park
Come out and learn more about mountain bike orienteering, which (according to a reader heavily involved in the sport), “a navigational sport where you race against the clock using only a map and compass to reach checkpoints in numerical order, sort of like a sanctioned scavenger hunt.” There will be two different courses — one for beginners and another for more advanced riders. (For more on MTB orienteering, check out our post from August 2012.) More info here.
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Tour – 10:00 am
If you are curious about ADUs (and from the popularity of stories about them here on BikePortland, you clearly are), than grab your bike and take this self-guided tour of 10 ADUs throughout Portland. This is a great chance to network, learn best practices, and get inspired. Biking the tour is encouraged and event organizers (the Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability will have bike racks outside all the tour stops. More info here.
Alpenrose Heartbreaker Track Race – 10:00 am at Alpenrose Velodrome (6149 SW Shattuck Rd)
(Photo J Maus/BikePortland)
This 7th annual event put on by the Gentle Lovers team promises a full day of exciting racing at the track. This is a great opportunity to see track racing up close and personal at a very spectator-friendly venue. More info here.
— If we missed anything, let us know. And feel free to promote your plans and rides in the comments. Have a great weekend!
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Don’t forget about the Burnside Bridge breakfast on the bridges! No respect for burnside.
It’s the Rodney Dangerfield of bridges.
The lead photo on this story appears to be Smith & Bybee Wetlands Natural Area on the interlakes trail where bicycles are specifically prohibited. I believe bikes are prohibited throughout the entire natural area. What gives?
It is certainly evident to me after 11 years working at Audubon Society of Portland that birders too need information, education and sometime enforcement to conserve and protect birds, their habitat, and other public values.
One more item to enjoy – Ride the Springwater Trail to SE 136th, get rewarded with treats and coffee! 9 – 11 am on Sat, May 31. Your bike will get some love too!