Your one-week warning to create Pedalpalooza rides is … right now

It’s coming!

Portland’s annual bike fun festival Pedalpalooza begins three weeks from today, and that means this: The deadline for getting a Pedalpalooza ride into the Portland Mercury’s printed ride calendar is one week from today.

Anyone can create a ride, and 87 have been created so far for the 24-day festival. To get into the Merc (as well as the definitive online calendar on shift2bikes.org) you can use the simple event form linked from the top of the calendar.

Here are a few highlights from the schedule so far:

GOAT-A-PALOOZA – Saturday, June 6, 1-5 p.m.
Bike tour of goats in the city! Are you goat-curious? We’ll visit a few different goat “ranches/farms” and see what it’s like to own goats in Portland. Meet at Unthank Park in N Portland, ride will end in SE, near Foster and 205.

MONSTERIDE – Friday, June 12, 8-9:30 p.m.
Horn, fangs, fur and claws are welcome. Ceramic handlebar monsters are awarded to the top 5 monstery bikers. The ride will be a fairly short route in lower SE and will begin while it’s still daylight, but end when it is getting dark. (make lighting a part of your monsterism)

PREGOPALOOZA – Saturday, June 13, 2-3:30 p.m.
Pregnant ladies still ride bikes. Let’s take our bellies out for some fun and then drink milkshakes. We’ll do an easy hour or two ride around town before hitting the ice cream shop. Ride is free but bring money for treats.

FIRST ANNUAL BIKE SCUM PARTY DECATHALON! – Saturday, June 13, 2 p.m.
More info TBA, but pretty much this will be a 10 stage event, starting with a swim to your bike, then a few more challenges, all taking place within SE. No more than 7 miles of riding, prizes for winners will be awesome. Costumes are pretty much mandatory. Prizes for that too. Bring Beer.

HEAVY BIKE HILL CLIMB CHALLENGE – Thursday, June 18, 7 p.m.
Ride your HEAVY ASS bike up a STEEP ASS hill. The Heavy Bike Hill Climb Challenge, Pedalpalooza’s most challenging ride, is back for its 4th year. Join us on your 40+ pound bike for a ride up to the Pittock Mansion. Your bike isn’t that heavy? Adding weight is fine, it’s just got to be on the bike (beverage weight encouraged). No prizes but pain and pride, this is not a race. Ride gathers at 7pm, departs at 7:30pm. When we reach the top we’ll enjoy snacks/drinks while watching the sun set over Portland. Helmet, lights, lock, good brakes, and common sense strongly recommended.

PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM RIDE – Tuesday, June 23, 6 p.m.
RSVP REQUIRED. Philly fans unite! We’ll listen to Boyz II Men, Hall & Oates and whatever other Philly delights and bike to various Philly-inspired establishments for food and drinks. There will be three stops: Italian Market food cart at Belmont Station (great pork sandwiches), J. Gelati Italian Ice & Frozen Custard (“wooder ice”) and Steakadelphia (cheesesteaks). Things to know: 1) Bring cash – easiest way to pay and keep the ride going 2) It’s a 20 mile casual ride 3) Please RSVP no later than Fri, June 19th – these businesses need a heads up to plan accordingly.

Don’t just stand there — get your own ride listed and start hustling! You won’t be sorry.