Weekend Event Guide: Mechanics battle, memorial ride, space wars, and more

Best wrenches in the west will compete at Saturday’s Bike Mechanic Challenge.
(Photo Charles Edelson/Community Cycling Center)

This menu of delicious rides and events is brought to you by our friends at Hopworks Urban Brewery. Their support makes BikePortland possible.

Whew. We have survived the worst of the heat wave and temps should be much more bearable this weekend. And good thing too, because Pedalpalooza is in full swing!

Whether you want to get silly or spin fast with your spandex on (I will probably do a bit of both), it’s going to be a great biking weekend. Have fun!

[NOTE: From Friday to Sunday alone there are dozens of rides on the Pedalpalooza calendar. I’ve chosen just one ride from each day for this week’s guide, so please check out the full official schedule on the Shift website.]

Friday, June 12th

PUBLIC Bikes Showroom Grand Opening – 11:00 am at 828 NW 23rd
San Francisco-based PUBLIC Bikes has a new retail space in Portland! It’s their first-ever showroom outside the Bay Area. I’ve already seen these bikes around town and it seems locals love them for their practical features and fun mix of modern and Euro-styling. More info here.

PEDALPALOOZA: Run DMC vs. Beastie Boys – 8:00 pm at North Bar (5008 SE Division)
One of this month’s epic music/dance/party rides will be, “Bumping Run-DMC and Beastie Boys jams, along with some Funky Phresh Old School Hip-Hop (early 80s NYC) & maybe some G-Funk bangers as we roll around the “mean streets” of P-Town.” ‘Nuff said. More info here.

Saturday, June 13th

Alpenrose Heartbreaker – 9:00 am at Alpenrose Velodrome (6149 SW Shattuck)
Back for its 8th year, this track racing event is hosted by the Gentle Lovers. Along with a full slate of categories and events this year’s Heartbreaker will crown the Oregon State Championship winners. More info here.

Women’s Beginner Forest Park MTB Ride – 10:00 am at NW Thurman/Leif Erikson Gate
Join the Women’s Mountain Biking Meet-up group for an easy spin on Leif Erikson road in Forest Park. Sounds like an excellent way to test the off-road biking waters with a fun group of ladies. More info here.

Pivot Demo Day at Sandy Ridge – 12:00 pm at Sandy Ridge Trail System
Been thinking about a new mountain bike? Come out to Sandy Ridge where Cyclepath bike shop will have a full sampling of Pivot mountain bikes for you to test-ride. Trail conditions should be perfect and the MTB experts at Cyclepath won’t let you down. More info here.

Kidical Mass – 2:00 pm at Clever Cycles (908 SE Hawthorne Blvd)
Join Kath Youell and her kidically-inclined cargo-carrying cohorts for this fun ride from the eastside, across the river to Jamison Square, and back. Kid-friendly pace and fun are guaranteed. More info here.

PEDALPALOOZA: Back Alley Brap and Bramble – 3:00 pm at Creston Pool (4454 SE Powell Blvd)
Southeast Portland is home to a secret network of gravel back alleys and paths and this ride will explore all the good ones. Expect a mellow pace and stops to pick berries. Wide tires recommended (32c or larger). More info here.

Bike Mechanic Challenge – 6:30 pm at Velo Cult (1969 NE 42nd Ave)
Back after it’s very successful first year, this event will pit Portland’s best mechanics against each other to see who has the most skilled hands in town. Will a shop unseat last year’s winners from Bike Gallery? The challenge is a fundraiser for the Community Cycling Center. More info here.

Sunday, June 14th

Bike Ride for Mark Angeles – 9:00 am at Reed College Bike Co-Op (3203 SE Woodstock)
Reed graduate Mark Angeles was killed in a collision while riding his bike on May 27th. He was a well-known and engaged member of the Reed College campus and manager of the Bike Co-Op. This ride will be in his memory. More info here.

PEDALPALOOZA: Star Wars vs. Star Trek – 2:00 pm on the Eastbank Esplanade (under Burnside Bridge)
This ride never disappoints. Show up in your best space-inspired costumes and bikes and be marveled at the replica ship-bikes that are likely to turn up. Then, roll the streets as an armada of star destoyers ready to invade Portland… peacefully of course. More info here.

— Did we miss anything? Let us know via the comments and make sure to drop us a line if you have an upcoming event you’d like us to feature next week.