Weekend Event Guide: Cyclocross, Chris King Open House, and more

Racing bikes in pure Gorge mud with friends. It doesn’t get any better than this.
(Photo: J. Maus/BikePortland)

The Guide is back! After two weeks off due to me galavanting around Europe, it brings me much pleasure to offer our selection of events for the coming weekend. Remember our calendar includes rides not listed here, so don’t forget to check it out.

With the rain and fall weather here with vengeance, we’re set up for some classic cyclocross battles this weekend. Last year the Cyclocross Crusade’s stop in Cascade Locks was an epic mud-bath. At several places on the course I was literally riding up a river of water and I still have dirt in my bibshorts one year later!

And don’t miss the Chris King event Saturday. It’s a rare chance to see one-of-a-king custom builds and tour the factory.

Here ya go…

Friday, October 13th

Midnight Mystery Ride – Start location TBA
Doesn’t this fall weather just make you want to get cozy on bikes with friends and ride around all night? If so, do MMR. Hit the official page on Friday for details on starting location. More info here.

Saturday, October 14th

Washougal CX – All day at Washougal Motocross Park (40205 NE Borin Rd in Washougal)
The penultimate race in the Grand Prix Candi Murray series, Washougal is a fun course just across the Columbia River from Portland. “Be prepared for lots of fast gravel, mud, tunnels, bogs, and a bit of grass,” organizers say. More info here.

*FEATURED EVENT* Chris King Open House and Builder Showcase – 12:00 to 4:00 pm at Chris King HQ (2801 NW Nela St)
Think of this event as a mini custom bike show and chance to hang out in the world headquarters of Chris King Precision Components. Along with amazing bikes on display from builders like, Argonaut, Breadwinner, Moots, and DeSalvo, they’ll have great food and drinks and will be offering tours of their production facility (a rare treat!). More info here.

Advocate Party – 8:00 pm to late at 1908 NE 55th Ave. (private residence)
Bike Loud PDX is hosting this get together for anyone curious in local bicycling and transportation advocacy. Come to network and plug-into the local activism scene and meet all those people you’ve been emailing, commenting, and tweeting with. More info here.

Sunday, October 15th

Breadwinner Group Ride – 8:30 am at Breadwinner HQ (2323 N Williams Ave)
Follow-up the Chris King event with a group ride led by local builders Breadwinner Cycles. Meet at their newly renovated shop and cafe space on Williams Ave. for a spirited, three-hour ride following obligatory coffee and pastries. More info here.

Cyclcross Crusade #3 – All day in Cascade Locks
After an amazing, two-race weekend at Alpenrose, the Cyclocross Crusade moves to the Cascade Locks venue in the Columbia River Gorge. Beyond a great event for racers and fans, this year there’s added motivation to show up: Businesses in the Gorge are still recovering from the big wildfires and they need our support. Head to this race and make a day out of it with visits to great breweries and shops in Cascade Locks. More info here.

Bikepacking Stories from Around the Globe – 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Bike Gallery Milwaukie (6717 SE Milwaukie Ave)
Portland’s own endurance-racing legend Nathan Jones will share stories and photos from his recent race around the world. This guy has been everywhere on a bike and has done it on a shoestring. And he’s a real nice guy. You won’t regret meeting him and hearing his inspirational tales from the road. More info here.

Did we miss anything? If so, give it a shout out in the comments. And have a great weekend!

Stay plugged into all the bike and transportation-related events around the region via our comprehensive event calendar and sign up here to get this Weekend Guide delivered to your inbox.

— Jonathan Maus: (503) 706-8804, @jonathan_maus on Twitter and jonathan@bikeportland.org

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