Check Out These August Pedalpalooza Rides
In Portland, summer means Pedalpalooza. The event dates back to the 2002 visit of an international festival called Bikesummer, which was so much fun that something like it simply had to happen every year. What was once just one month of themed rides and two-wheel celebrations now lasts three months, because more rides = better.
One classic Portland bucket-list item: adding your own ride to the Pedalpalooza calendar. You can build a ride around what you want to eat (say, ice cream), your favorite tunes (maybe Paramore's Hayley Williams, or perhaps Olivia Rodrigo, whose hit "Good 4 U" was belatedly given a songwriting credit for...Hayley Williams), or the desire to cool off (there are several bike-to-swim rides every week). As a result, Pedalpalooza’s calendar—also available in app form for Apple users—holds something for everyone. And we mean everyone. Here are just a few of the upcoming rides we’re looking forward to.
Dykes on Bikes on Dikes!
Tue, Aug 18 | Fernhill Park | Meet at 5:45pm, ride at 6:15pm
Billed as "semi-educational," this ride along Marine Drive will include information about (and critiques of) Portland's levee system. The endpoint is Broughton Beach (where there's a fee for cars to park but none for bikes), so riders are encouraged to bring a towel to swim, plus snacks and friends. If you're dike-curious but can't make it, or not a dyke and don't want to co-opt a ride for dykes, there's also a Bike the Levees ride on August 29.
Sheepapalooza
Sat, Aug 22 | POeTS BEACH, 1816 S RIVER DR | 3pm
Some Pedalpalooza rides exist primarily to bring joy to lucky onlookers. (If you spotted a head-bopping T. rex on the recent Inflatable Costume Ride, you know what we're talking about.) For the second annual Sheepapalooza, dress up like a farm animal, make noise, and follow Bo Peep along the waterfront—according to Ms. Peep, "the fluffier, sillier, and more barnyard-inspired, the better!"
A Very Nic Cage ’Mas
Sun, Aug 23 | CoLonel Summers Park | 7pm
Also a Christmas-themed ride, this holy event honors the power-acting star (né Nicolas Coppola) of Valley Girl, Vampire's Kiss, Raising Arizona, Moonstruck, The Rock, Con Air, Face/Off, National Treasure, Ghost Rider, and the Portland-shot Pig. Dress as your favorite Cage character (a white tank top will cover many films; if you go with pantyhose over your face, make sure you can still see) and bring your best Cage impressions (when in doubt, just shout the name "Alma!").
SW Unfinished Bikeways
Mon, Aug 24 | Multnomah Arts Center | Meet at 5:30pm, ride at 5:45pm
Are you frustrated that bikeway designs "from 20 years ago are being cast in concrete as the anticlimax of 30 years of advocacy, to the tune of $26M/mile...and about one mile per decade"? So are the organizers of this ride, which includes stops for discussing transportation infrastructure and the many missing links in Southwest Portland, with intel on "the secret trails and side streets we use to sneak through the gaps between the car sewers." Drown your sorrows with a post-ride beer, or pedal to the east side in time to process your emotions on Monday night's Cure ride.
Filipino Friendship Ride
Thu, Aug 27 | Laurelhurst Park | Meet at 6pm, ride at 6:30pm
Filipinos, friends of Filipinos, friends of friends of Filipinos.... All are welcome on this party-pace loop ride to celebrate Portland's Filipino and AAPI community. Bring snacks to share (organizers suggest cooking up that box of lumpia in the back of your freezer) and prepare for some silly games.
Dolly: We Will Always Love You
THu, AUG 27 | COLONEL SUMMERS PARK | MEET AT 6:30PM, RIDE AT 7pm
Soundtracked by the legend who "touched the lives of us all," this loop ride is one of many local opportunities to come together to honor Dolly Parton, who died August 25 after blessing us with her presence on Earth for 80 years, seven months, and six days. (See also: any local bar or karaoke spot.)
Cycle Quest: Bike Scavenger Hunt
Sat, Aug 29 | Alberta Park | First clue between 10:30 and 11:30am, afterparty at 3pm, $20–30 per person
A fundraiser for the Community Cycling Center, this ticketed event is open to solo cyclists and teams of up to five riders. Clues and riddles will lead to next stops, where there will be challenges to complete for points. The CCC notes that the day is designed so "riders of all levels a fair chance of winning." The afterparty starts at the 3pm at the Lucky Lab in Northwest.
