Weekend Event Guide: Holiday lights, Columbia Bridge celebration, swap meet, and more

I know the weather and biking conditions are rough right now. But take a look at our calendar and you’ll see that the rides haven’t stopped. That’s because this is the time of year where making social connections and biking with a group is even more important! Get out there and commiserate, trade war stories, get advice, and support one another. We also need you out there to remind other road users that, while bicycle riders might be harder to see in winter, we never go away.

Scroll down for our ride and event picks…

Friday, December 13th

Midnight Mystery Ride – 11:30pm at a mystery location (TBD)
Take part in a time-honored Portland tradition by showing up to a dive bar and then biking with a wonderful group of happy people to a mystery location for socializing and good times. Given the weather, I have a hunch there will be a bonfire. For meet-up location and updates, check the MMR website on Friday. More info here.

Saturday, December 14th

First Timer’s Ride – 10:00 am at River City Bicycles (SE)
New to biking? This is the ride for you. RCB will get you set up with a bike and take you on an easy ride through the neighborhood. More info here.

Columbia Blvd Bridge Community Celebration – 11:00 am to 4:00 pm at Chimney Park (N)
As you might recall, planning has begun on a new bridge across N Columbia Blvd that will connect Pier/Chimney Park to St. Johns Prairie (and eventually Kelley Point Park!). Come out and get a sneak peek of the plans and celebrate this exciting project. More info here.

26 Inch Forever Swap Meet & Bike Show – 11:00 am to 3:00 pm at Rose City Food Park (NE)
If you love vintage MTBs don’t miss this good, old-fashioned show-and-shine. $10 for a vendor table and $4.50 pints. More info here.

Sunday, December 15th

Ladies Let’s Ride – 9:30 am at Wilshire Park (NE)
This women-only ride is for intermediate-level riders who are looking to challenge themselves on a group ride. Expect about 40 miles and less than 1,000 feet elevation gain. More info here.

Gladys Bikes Holiday Sale and Hangout – 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at Gladys Bikes (NE)
Come spend quality time with employees and friends of a friendly local business that loves bikes and our community as much as you do. More info here.

Belmont Goats Ride – 10:30 am at Parkrose/Sumner TC Park & Ride (NE)
Let an experienced Portland Bicycling Club ride leader take you on a fun excursion through North Portland and Hayden Island (coffee stop!) for a peak at the famous Belmont Goats. 25 mile route with pace of 14-16 mph. More info here.

Frozen Bike Ride to Peacock Lane – 6:00 pm at corner of SE Caruthers and Grand (SE, just east of Tilikum Bridge)
Let it go! Illustrious fun ride leader Tom Howe combines the wonders of Frozen and carfree Peacock Lane into one ride Join him and a group of merry souls on a short ride bumping Frozen tunes that features a tour of holiday lights. 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
– Get the Weekend Event Guide via email.
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