(Photo by J Maus/BikePortland)
Our event guide is brought to you by Abus, makers of fine bike locks. Thank you Abus!
Ready to shed that workday stress and escape into bike adventures? Good. Because we’ve got some fun rides on the menu this week — especially if you’ve been training those legs.
The weather looks like typical spring — some clouds and rain are likely but it looks like there will also be plenty of dry spots.
Saturday, April 29th
Sandy Ridge Trail Work Party – 8:45 am to 2:00 pm at Sandy Ridge Trailhead
Join the NW Trail Alliance to help buff out existing trail — and maybe even add some new improvements — at one of the region’s best mountain bike riding areas. More info here.
Ronde PDX – 10:00 am at Pyramid Brewing (2730 NW 31st)
It’s baaack. Portland’s infamously unsanctioned hill-climbing sufferfest will once again shove off from northwest Portland and ascend the steeping inclines in town. Show up if you dare. 51 miles, 7,300 feet of climbing. More info here.
Biking About Architecture – 11:00 am Beaumont/Roseway Edition
Do you fancy yourself as an residential architecture buff? Spend more time looking at interesting homes than the road ahead of you while you ride? Than you should join ride leader Jenny Fosmire for this tour of hidden gems along the Alameda Ridge. More info here.
Bike Loud PDX Pedalpalooza Planning
The bike activists from Bike Loud want to make a big impression on the month-long Pedalpalooza festivities in June. Come help them plan fun and interesting rides. More info here.
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Sunday, April 30th
Kelley Point Park Social Ride (Friends on Bikes) – 9:30 am at Ristretto Roasters (3808 N Williams)
This will be a “beginner-friendly, conversation paced,” 23-mile loop from inner north Portland out to Kelley Point. Much of the route is on carfree paths and Kelley Point is a must-know destination for escaping the city. First eight riders get free socks from The Athletic and a 50-cent coffee discount! More info here.
La Doyenne – 10:00 am at Cartlandia (Springwater and SE 82nd)
If you didn’t get enough climbing at De Ronde, “do the double” by adding its sister ride to your weekend. La Doyenne ventures up and down the steepness of Happy Valley (southeast of Lents) for 50 miles and 7,300 feet of climbing. It’s not easy, but it sure feels good when you finish! More info here.
Bear Springs Trap (MTB Race) – 11:00 am at McCubbins Gulch/Bear Springs Campground (Mt. Hood National Forest)
Have fun on big tires as you test your fitness and bike handling skills on fine Mt. Hood trails. More info here.
Women’s Track Clinic – 1:00 to 3:00 pm at Alpenrose Velodrome (6149 SW Shattuck)
Come learn how to ride on the track! No experience necessary. Cost is $10 which includes a rental bike if needed. Bring a helmet and pedals if you have some you’re rather use than those on the rental bikes. More info here.
Joe “Metal Cowboy” Kurmaskie presentation – 2:00 pm at Central Library (801 SW 10th Ave)
Be entertained by the always enthused and funny local author Joe Kurmaskie as he regales you with tales from his latest books. More info here.
The All In Poker Ride – 2:00 pm at Village Ballroom (700 NE Dekum)
A benefit for Unite Oregon (a nonprofit that supports people of color, immigrants, refugees, rural communities, and people experiencing poverty), this ride will test your knowledge of Portland while you draw clue cards and hustle to checkpoints around town. There’s also a big raffle and silent auction. $12 proof-of-donation to Unite Oregon is required to enter. More info here.
Did we miss anything? If so, give it a shout out in the comments.
For more fun events, including great stuff next week and beyond, visit our full events calendar.
— Jonathan Maus: (503) 706-8804, @bikeportland on Twitter and jonathan@bikeportland.org
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Has anyone looked into the condition of lower Salztman Road given the Water Bureau construction and weekday closure announced here:
In regards to the Ronde and 500+ riders squeezing through Saturday morning.
oops wrong link https://bikeportland.org/2017/03/22/say-it-aint-so-water-bureau-project-will-close-saltzman-road-may-june-222507#comments
It will be a bit narrow but will be open and should be fine.
And the Sandy Ridge work party on Saturday…http://nw-trail.org/events/sandy-ridge-trail-project/
thanks Snowden! Added it to the post.
The Monster Cookie ride will be hosted by Salem Bicycle Club on Sunday. A much flatter option!
There hasn’t been anything on this events list I’ve been interested in since the Worst Day of the Year ride in February. This Ronde PDX and La Doyenne is the epitome of least appealing elitist bike racer bullshit. Who wants to torment themselves all day? For what so I can brag about it. I would not have enjoyed this ride when I was in great shape and after this winter I’m not at all. But they want to rub my nose in it I guess. I feel like Goldie Locks because it’s all just too damn much. As far as I’m concerned all these “events” are just to do one of two thing. Separate me from my money or my dignity or both and you call it fun.
Hi Doug,
isn’t it great that we have so many fun rides and events to choose from?
hope you find something you love.
cheers.
The Ronde is free…
It is about as far from elitist as you can get.
A bunch of people on bikes having fun riding the steepest streets in town.
Neighborhoods turn out to give us snacks.
What is wrong with that?
But it’s soooooo hard…..hard things aren’t fun.
I did a little course preview of Saltzman on Wednesday. You can see my report here: https://ridewithgps.com/ride_reports/2073-saltz
It’s sloppy but it goes fine on 25C slicks (ignoring a little barrier hopping due to downed trees)
Did some bike-camping at Stub Stewart for this first time this weekend. Hiker-biker camp is really nice, and it only drizzled a little bit last night. In retrospect I suppose it was kind of the anti-Ronde: loaded with camping gear, a bit over the Ronde’s 51 miles, but probably less than 1/10 of the climbing (not counting a bunch of miles on the MTB trails while I was in the park).