This is a guest post by Chris “Fool” McCraw, a longtime contributor to Pedalpalooza, the self-organizing festival of bike fun that happens in Portland every June.
Pedalpalooza is back for 2016 and better than ever. This year we’re running from the 9th of June until the 4th of July, to embrace even more of that delicious sunny summer weather.
Everything gets started at the kickoff ride, which will be led by the Thursday Night Ride crew. We’re aiming to have Pedalpalooza pennants for the first couple of hundred folks who show up, so come early and make some new friends and catch up with old ones.
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Some of the popular rides from years past have already committed: Dropout Prom, the Midnight Mystery Ride, and of course the dueling “biggest events of Pedalpalooza” – the Naked Bike Ride and Sunday Parkways, back to back on June 25 and 26.
What’s going to be most exciting event at Pedalpalooza this year? Your ride! If you already have an idea, throw it on the calendar. If you need help brainstorming, visit the Pedalpalooza page on Facebook and toss your half-baked idea out there. You’ll almost certainly get suggestions and you might find a co-leader!
Having trouble believing that you’re ready to lead a ride? Fear not, there will be two Ride Leadership Rides this year: one on May 8 and one the first weekend of Pedalpalooza in June.
Stay tuned to BikePortland for more coverage. Here’s to hoping 2016 is the best Pedalpalooza ever!
– Chris “Fool” McCraw, member of Team Slow and that guy who always has huge bunny ears attached to his helmet.
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Looking forward to it. I’m always overwhelmed by big social rides but I’m gonna do more than one or two this year (finally!).
I’ve found that riding with a buddy makes the larger groups less intimidating. I’m sure there are plenty of people who would want to ride with you!
a buddy is essential… there are a lot of rides I never go on unless I have somebody to go with…
There’s always the Kidical Mass and PDX Cargo Bike Gang rides. Not as big as some of them, but we’ve had surprisingly big groups for 2-3 years now. And we aren’t scary… not very.
it’s that time already? I don’t think my liver has recovered from last pedalpalooza…
If I don’t get a pendant I will be dissapoint.
Show up early! they run out well before the departure time and are first come, first served.
If you come to one of the volunteer parties that makes them, you’ll be guaranteed a pennant. Just saying. 🙂
When does Pedalpalooza become Portland’s official main summer event instead of the Rose Festival?
I thought it was.
WNBR had it’s big explosion in size when they had it on the same weekend as the Rose Parade. Lots of crowds at the daytime ride. Need to go back.
I always try to fit Pedalpalooza into my plans when I return to town for the University of Portland’s Reunion Weekend in June. Imagine going for a ride on Friday followed by an evening catching up with friends. Then on Saturday, breakfast with friends before catching another ride. Return to campus for more reunion activities, then an afternoon ride before the final dinner/dance and visiting until the wee hours. On Sunday, a parting breakfast, ride the Sunday Parkway event before that drive home to another part of the state.
uuhh… North Portland has great ride connections. Consider a Pilot ride? A nice loop ending at the T-room.. just like 1990?
Yes! Lead a Pilot Ride! Great idea, Joe.
You might be interested in my Portsmouth Parkways ride in North Portland on Wednesday evening (6/29)!
it doesn’t end at a bar, but there will be sidewalk chalk.
I long for June.
The weather today was like my first wife. Pretty nice at times, but just a nasty at others.
Thank you Bike Portland for anything (IN JUNE) to look forward too!
Saw a great idea over on the Pedalpalooza Facebook page – anybody want to brainstorm some Trivia Ride ideas?
Some ideas:
Weird Places
Interesting Portland Characters
Weird Facts
History
Of course count on a few restages of the Light Brigade Ride – I’ve got some great ideas i’m brewing up for this.
Also I’m planning on some bike fun rides like the Get Lost Ride, Splishy splashy wet rides and possibly a bike camping ride.
Plus some Family Friendly Rides with some Kilt and Costume oriented rides
Does anyone have any airline (or rail) connections anymore to drum up a PedalPalooza travel and tourism special for out of town visitors?
[Kinda like what Kiran put together with Alaska 7(?) years ago?]
What about a “Dependen(cy) Ride” on the 4th? Maybe we could co-opt it with Tour de Franzia??
Just added the UNRACER (formerly known as the gRnt Peterson) RIDE. Weds eve June 29, 6:30 pm, Peninsula Park.
You can always count on us for the King Kamehameha (Hawaiian) Day ride June 11th! Always a great time– Mahalo!