(Photo: Rice Cookers Tsukuba on FB)
I love this time of year. There’s a feeling that the worst of winter is behind us and everyone — and everything — is coming out of its shell.
It’s a great time of year to re-connect with riding buddies and make sure your bike is running well. On that note, this weekend our calendar is full of great social rides and opportunities to sort out your kit for the coming season.
Have fun out there! And remember to share photos and recaps by tagging @BikePortland on social media.
Friday, March 16th
Dropout Bike Club Monthly Ride – 9:30 pm to 11:30 pm at Colonel Summers Park
If you like riding freak bikes, want to build one, or just love hanging out with people who do — come and meet your friendly local Dropouts. More info here.
Saturday, March 17th
Women’s Beginner Maintenance Class – 8:30 am to 1:00 pm at Gracie’s Wrench
Learn to work on your own bike in a welcoming environment. $150 class taught by Tori Bortman is open only to women/trans/femme. More info here.
G-Road Ride – 9:00 am to 12:30 pm at Breadwinner Cycles
Meet at the Breadwinner Cafe, ogle some really nice gravel bikes, then roll up through Forest Park. It’s the stuff dreams are made of. More info here.
North Portland – Free 20 is Plenty Yard Sign Pick-up -12:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Rosa Parks Elementary School
Join the hottest trend in neighborhood livability — grab some of those free orange “20 is Plenty” signs and then watch how people magically drive nicer on your block. More info here.
Islabikes Spring Swap – 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at Islabikes USA HQ
The Big Day has arrived: This is the place to buy or sell an Islabike — the Portland-based company that specializes in kids’ bikes. Professional mechanics will be there to do safety checks and get your little one fitted perfectly onto a new/used rig. They’ll also be accepting used bike donations for Community Cycling Center. More info here.
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TriSports Spring Kickoff – 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm at TriSports
It’s triathlon season and our local tri-store is opening their doors for an afternoon of socializing and fun. Door prizes include a TT bike and wetsuit! More info here.
Sunday, March 18th
Dirty Circles Road Race – 8:00 am in Woodland, WA
If you’re as excited about the start of road racing season as we are — head 30 miles north of Portland to compete in what the organizers call, “A relaxed early season race designed to give everyone a way to spark the fires for a successful road season.” More info here.
Bad Decisions Bike Swap – 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at Cat Six Cycles
Make a bad decision and need to sell something? Want to make another bad decision and make an impulse buy you’ll regret later? Do you love cats, beer, and hot dogs? It’s a good, old-fashioned bike swap meet! More info here.
Rice Cooker Ride – 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at Overlook Park
You’ve heard of PDX Coffee Outside — so how about rice outside? Join a group of fun-loving students visiting Portland from Tsukuba, Japan. Similar to the ride they hosted here in 2016, they’ll meet at Overlook Park then ride up to the St. Johns Bridge where they’ll break out the cooker and make rice balls while enjoying fine sake. More info here.
Stay plugged into all the bike and transportation-related events around the region via our comprehensive event calendar.
— Jonathan Maus: (503) 706-8804, @jonathan_maus on Twitter and jonathan@bikeportland.org
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Aloha to the Tsukuba bicycle riders…your wood fired rice ball cooker is great and it is making us hungry for some Biwa style treats!! We will try to visit your ride.