Pedalpalooza Is Back! The Beloved Bike Festival Runs June, July, and August
Image: Courtesy Eric Thornburg
In Portland, summer means Pedalpalooza. The cycling fest dates back to the 2002 visit of international festival Bikesummer, an event that was so much fun that something like it simply had to happen every year. Early Pedalpalooza began as a month of themed rides and two-wheel celebrations. But, this is Portland. In 2021, organizers switched to June-through-August rides, ostensibly to create smaller, pandemic-sized rides while repenting for the cancellation of the 2020 one. Now three-month Pedalpalooza is here to stay, because more rides = better.
One classic Portland bucket-list item: adding your own ride to the Pedalpalooza calendar. You can add what you're into (say, tacos) and what you want to celebrate (your birthday) and your favorite tunes ("I Want to Ride My Bicycle"). So many have done just that that Pedalpalooza's calendar holds something for everyone. And we mean everyone. Here are a few of the June rides we’re looking forward to.
Pedal with the Fam
June 2, 4 p.m., Pride Ride
Hosted by none other than Portland drag queen extraordinaire Poison Waters, this short, family-friendly 1.5 mile bike parade celebrates the start of Pride Month, World Bicycle Day, and the life of the legendary Darcelle XV. The ride kicks off at Director’s Park in downtown Portland, capping off at the end with a dance party.
Eat, Drink, and Bike Simultaneously
June 4, 10:30 a.m., Asian Snacks and Friendship Ride
No energy gels here. Refuel your ride with snacks from local Asian and Asian American–owned spots. There’ll be several stops along the way, starting at Buckman Field Park and ending at Mt. Tabor.
Get Your Bike Party On
June 2, 6:30 p.m., Perreo Ride
Now in its third year, head to Overlook Park for a 5-mile loop and get ready to dance to some reggaeton and dembow throughout the ride and at the post-ride party.
June 12, 7 p.m., Tour de FranziaAges 21 and up, BYO box o’ wine for this yearly tradition, starting from Oregon Park.
June 23, 8:30 p.m., Loud N Lit
Bring all your light-up accessories and brightest clothes to this giant rave on two wheels.
Do Date Night on a Bike
June 30, 6:30 p.m., Roses and Rosé
Don your best floral-print clothing, bring a bottle of rosé, and meet up at the rose-filled Peninsula Park to celebrate summer in full bloom.
June 30, 9 p.m., Bike Prom
Need an excuse to break out your fancy garb? Head to Colonel Summers Park and dress up (whatever that means to you), but don’t dress too nice—we hear the lube wrestling can get messy.
Calling All Ailurophiles (that means cat people)
June 28, 6:30 p.m., 5th Annual Cat Ride
Meet up at Colonel Summers Park and rep your love for cats, whether that means wearing your catsuit, meowing like your cat, or bringing your cat. Bonus points for all three.
