When: 6/12/05
Reported by Shawn:

Despite some confusion at the beginning of the ride, the 18 participants (14 riders and 4 organizers) of the R U Couv Curious ride had a swell-o-riffic time learning how to effectively cross the Columbia River to get to Vancouver, Washington.

A group met Kiran at the Rose Quarter stop on the Yellow Line at 11am, while I met another group at Kenton station at 11.30am. From the area around the Expo Center station, we traversed the maze of bike paths to get up across Oregon Slough into the Shoppers Paradise known as Jantzen Beach. We negotiated the “recommended” crossing across the island (which is very poorly designed and quite dangerous) to get to the foot of Interstate Bridge, where we zipped over the three-quarters of a mile crossing of the Mightiest River In The West. Narrow sidewalks, low “don’t walk” signals, and bird poop by the metric ton(ne) be damned!

Once we reached the State Of Washington side, Suzan and Todd, our ‘Couv liaisons, took us on an enjoyable loop of the central city, taking in the sights of the Columbia River Promenade, Pearson Airfield, Fort Vancouver, Uptown Village, and finally downtown. We stopped at Esther Short Park (the oldest park in the Northwest!) and headed over to the Farmer’s Market for nourishment before our return trip “over the river”.

After we were satisfied, we returned to the Beaver State, learned about the sneak way through Jantzen Beach (to avoid the dangerous “bike route”), and crossed through East Delta Park to get to the Paul Bunyan statue in Kenton (our protector!) We parted our separate ways and headed off to more bike fun.

6/14/05
Reported by Shawn:

Despite the weather turning to total crap immediately before and at times on this ride, the Pizza Ride managed to attract 24 hardy bicyclists, whose love of pizza overcamePortland’s notorious rain.

The ride started at Wallace Park (NW 25th and Raleigh) at about 6.30pm and hit up two pizzerias in NW, Tributes and Escape from New York. We ordered pies in advance, and had them cut into 16 slices instead of the usual 8, so the riders wouldn’t have to eat too much at one place. The first two stops whetted everyone’s appetite, and we cruised downhill to Hot Lips in the Pearl. Once we arrived, the sky opened up, leading one rider to comment, “At least it’s waiting to rain until AFTER we get to a stop!”

We chomped on some of Hot Lips organic, locally grown slices while waiting for the rain to slow down. On leaving, Timo got a flat and stayed to repair while the rest of Team Pizza headed east across the Broadway Bridge and then north up Williams to Pizza A Go-Go. After A Go-Go, we lost a few of the riders, as they had reached their pizza limit. But over 16 were still able to press on further north-eastward towards Bella Faccia on NE Alberta and 30th. We managed to pass the new mural going up in front of SCRAP, being painted by Bruce Orr (Mudeye Puppets) and Carla Forte!

By the time we got to Bella, the sun had set, so there was a special urgency to get things moving. Or maybe not. We took awhile at Bella, waiting for Team Timo (who eventually did arrive), and several of us obtained beers. Of note was the suggestive nature of Bella’s front sign. The next time you go by there, take a close look.

It was almost 10pm by the time we left Bella Faccia. 12 hardy souls stuck through to the Final Stop of the ride, heading due south towards southeast. We made a small “bomb” down the Alameda Ridge at Regents Dr, and used the super-secret “Schuyler’s Alley” to get over to NE 28th and Broadway. Ah, Schuyler’s Alley, the great democratizer, since even the tallest person will be made short at some point.

Despite a run-in with a pissed off SUV driver on 28th, we were in high spirits for the last stop, Stark Naked Pizza, on SE Stark at 28th. Even though we had quite a bit o pizza in us, we scarfed down that last one in no time. Eventually, it was time to end our pizza affair, and the remaining dozen all went their separate ways into the night, completely full. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to Stacatto Gelato for the after-ride desert of cannolis, due to all of us being too full and it being too late to catch Stacatto open.

Oh yeah! We had ballots to rate each pizzeria and find out which one is best. The outcome of the poll will be the subject of an upcoming email, but right now I can say that both Bella Faccia made strong showings and Escape managed to disappoint.

And a recap by the numbers:
Miles rode: 9 (estimate)
Time of total ride: 4 1/2 hours (6.30pm to 11pm)
Total number of riders: 24
Number of riders who stuck it out till the end: 12
Pizzerias hit: 6
Amount paid for all the pizza per rider (for the riders who hit all 6 spots): $7.40
Flat tires: 1
Utili-kilts: 1
Pizzed, I mean pissed off SUV drivers: 1
Alameda Ridge Bombs: 1

Reported by Allan:

The HOB Nob (high occupancy bike ride) was a splendid success. The stats:

People –
11 riders, 2 of which were children

Bikes –
1 triple with a piccolo trailer (I guess that makes it a Quad)
3 tandems, 1 of which was a Chunker, 1 with a kiddie seat and a Burley
double trailer
1 single bike with a piccolo trailer
1 single bike with a cargo trailer
1 single bike with a handlebar basket

Destination Goodies –
5 kinds of cookies
1 carrafe of pipin’ hot tea

Those that care to do the math can see we had plenty of spare capacity.
As for the route, its a secret. You’ll have to come next year. It was a
real test of HOB handling skills and had lots of fun and interesting
stops along the way.

Date of ride: 6/10/05

(Update: Just heard from Ayleen that this ride set a new MMR World Record!)

Number of riders: 88

I wasn’t on the ride but I’ve heard the following:

Ended up as a ZooBomb with bike fun ensuing at that kiddie playground up at Washington Park.

Click here for some photos.

If anyone has a more detailed report, drop me a line maus.jonathan[a]gmail.com, hit the Shift List…or leave it as a comment.

UPDATE: Found this good recap on the Sweet Chocolate Malted Blog

(reported by Ms. Elicia Cardenas)
Date: 6/13/05
Riders: 26
Click here for the slide show

We went on a short ride through Southeast. The good geeky students all recieved worksheets to help identify the various bike facilities and traffic calming devices, and got to put a star on each item viewed. They also got stickers proclaiming such geek jewels as “I own the MUTCD” and ” I have 823-SAFE on speed dial.”

Of course, the ride leaders were appropriately attired in safety vests and stickers reading “I got booted from Alice B.” And our interns were clearly marked.

All the students learned how to correctly identify a speedbump, a traffic circle, good vs. bad street crossing treatments, and what the MUTCD stands for. They also recieved Metro BikeThere maps for their troubles.

Participants wishing to win a final attendance prize should bring their completed worksheet to the Multnomah County Bike Fair and find Ms. Cardenas or Mr. Limaye.

Thanks to everyone who cares about geeky transportation issues. See you all at the BAC meeting tonight! Also thanks to Jonathan for the lovely slideshow.

-Ms. Cardenas

UPDATE: Check the video (from Ed S. at the Big Time TV blog)

Check out my slide show from the rockin’ Kick Off Parade!

This one was completely accidental, I didn’t see the graffitti till i got home! (it says, “Smash the State” I think.)

(reported by Ben Salzberg)

It rained cats and dogs right at the time to gather for the ride, eliminating all but the hardiest cyclists. We still had 9 taco enthusiasts along for the ride, and visited several excellent stops:

Cha Cha Cha (Hawthorne)
Uruapan II
Super Torta

We didn’t get down to San Felipe… maybe we can do a southlands reprise and hit the way out spots. Or a downtown/inner east side…

Astronomy ride looks like clouds, wah!