about local exotic greenery on the Palm Tree Ride.
(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.
This is the time of year when the weather can make it tough to get out and ride. That’s where your fellow bike lovers come in. A group ride, or a ride that takes you to new places, might be just what you need to cure your case of the winters.
A special shout-out this week is due to Shawn Granton’s Palm Tree Ride. He’s been leading it every year since 2005 and it’s true gem. With his trusty guidebook of local trees in hand, he’ll share his vast knowledge of Portland’s sidestreets, urban history, and local flora with everyone lucky enough to join this ride. He says it’s the last one, so that’s all the more reason to not miss it.
Have fun out there! And special thanks to Hopworks Urban Brewery for renewing their sponsorship of this weekly feature!
Friday, January 16th
Dropout Bicycle Club Ride – 9:00 pm at Colonel Summers Park (SE 20th and Belmont)
Ever wondered what a Portland freak bike club is like? The Dropouts are a fun and friendly crew that are skilled bike makers and fun havers. This is a social ride that has become a great place to show off your latest creative bike project. “Pace is set by freakbikes,” say the organizers. More info here.
Saturday, January 17th
Plant Trees By Bike – 8:45 am, meet-up spot is TBA, email volunteer@friendsoftrees.org for info
Join non-profit Friends of Trees and put your cargo bike/trailer to good use while beautifying our city! Friends of Trees will get you set up with everything you need. This planting will focus on the Foster-Powell/Creston-Kenilworth/South Tabor/Reed neighborhoods. Just show up and be ready to help out. Register and learn more here.
River City Bicycles/Sorrella Forte Women’s Group Ride – 9:00 am at River City Bicycles (706 SE MLK)
If you’re an intermediate rider looking for camaraderie and a solid riding group, this is where you belong. Speed will average about 15-17 mph and route will be about 30-40 miles. More info here.
Ride Around the General Store – 10:00 am at Gateway Transit Center
A veteran ride leader with the Oregon Human Powered Vehicle Association will lead a leisurely cruise along the I-205 and Springwater paths. More info here.
11th Annual Palm Tree Ride – 11:00 am at Five Points Coffee (3551 SE Division St)
This ride is a true gem and its leader, Shawn Granton of the Urban Adventure League, says it will be the last. Join Shawn on a tour of interesting and exotic evergreen trees — from monkey puzzles to palms. He’ll share a bit about the tree’s history at each stop. Expect a loop of about 10 miles and a very social pace. More info here.
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Monster Media Racing NW Team Camp Party – 7:00 pm at Velo Cult Bike Shop & Tavern (1969 NE 42nd)
Meet the racers and supporters of the Monster Media road racing team and ogle their gorgeous Masi bicycles. They’re in town for a team training camp and this event is a great chance to learn more about them. Enter a raffle for a pair of custom Cyclesoles footbeds with proceeds going toward the cash purse for an upcoming women’s race event. More info here.
Sunday, January 18th
NW Trail Alliance Group Ride (MTB) – 8:00 am at Universal Cycles (2202 E Burnside)
This week’s ride will explore the trails (new and old!) of Growler’s Gulch in Castle Rock, Washington. There will be ride/loop options for different skill levels. More info here.
River City Bicycles Adventure Ride – 9:00 am at River City Bicycles (706 SE MLK)
If you want to expand your riding horizons, consider joining this group ride. Road bikes are the order of the day, but be ready to tackle some hills and backroads (and maybe even a bit of gravel). It’s a “no-drop” ride and route lengths are about 35-50 miles with a moderate pace and some climbing. More info here.
Double Volcano Ride – 10:00 am at Woodstock Park (SE 47th and Steele)
Join the Portland Wheelmen Touring Club for a jaunt up and around Mt. Tabor and Rocky Butte with an optional stop at legendary Jim & Patty’s coffee shop. Expect pace of about 13-15 mph and a route of 22 or 27 miles. More info here.
— If we missed anything, feel free to let us know and/or give it a shout-out in the comments.
Thanks for reading.
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That’s not a palm tree – it’s a monkey puzzle tree! (And here some people think comments aren’t worth reading…)
You are so right, Jessica! But the palm tree ride is not about just palm trees. It’s also about exotic and just strange evergreen trees, hence the “exotic greenery” tag for the photo.