The weekend begins

I had enough hours in at work this week that I got off in the early afternoon today. I was on the road pedaling by 4PM. I led a ride for my social bike group on a route that I ride often in the winter when I need a few miles, and it's dark and wet. It was neither today as I took off on the 25 mile loop. It didn't make a whole lot of difference that no other club members joined me. I rode two laps and grabbed a quick bite to eat before heading out for ride #2 today. The second ride wasn't going to be as long, but was going to be a lot more fun!

Tonight 6 of us got together to ride a route that would take us over bridges, on bike boulevards, and through Portland's night life. Along the way we'd stop at a few bike themed or at least bike friendly food and drink establishments and finish up at a food cart noted for hot waffles made to order!

I arrived just a bit early. I had a few minutes to enjoy the evening. Oregon late summer evenings are just great.






Before too long the others began arriving. Chris had cut short Salsa dancing to attend our little bike adventure. Salsa dresses make pretty snazzy looking riding attire!


Chris came up with the idea for tonight's ride and picked out the stops. I connected the stops with a route on bike boulevards and bike paths. Christine was really into the spirit of things and had brought glow sticks to share with us. Maria found an interesting location to keep her glow stick!



Now all attired in glow sticks and good cheer we pedaled off toward our first stop of the evening, Hopworks Bike Bar.



After a bit of time there to boost calories we pedaled off on a series of bike boulevards. Maria took her leave at this point, having big plans for tomorrow.



We eventually arrived at Doug Fir and pulled in for our second stop.


From there we crossed the Willamette River and rode around the craziness of downtown a bit. We had a guy wearing only a cardboard box ask if he could ride one of our bikes. It was a crazy night and there isn't time or space to describe all that we saw and heard. Keep Portland weird!

Our only issue of the night was one of our riders went down while crossing the light rail tracks. There was a banged up elbow and knee to show for it.


Our last stop for the evening was for some yummy waffles from a food cart. Luckily they were open late because it was nearing 2 AM!


We all had to get up in the morning, some to work, some to ride bikes, so we decided to call it a night. Louis and Wendy pedaled a direct route back from the waffle stop saving perhaps 3/4 mile. Chris, Dave, and I rode a bit longer crossing the river on the Hawthorne Bridge. We got on the Eastbank Esplanade and worked our way back northward. Chris and Dave had parked near OMSI so they split off there.

I continued on to the Steel Bridge than by a series of wrong turns on surface streets added an extra mile or so.

I did eventually get back to my pickup. Good thing, I've got two rides tomorrow, the first requiring me to leave quite early.

Though some of the day's miles were technically in Saturday (well after midnight) I'm going to include them all here.

The waffle ride was a hoot. It was a warm evening, just perfect riding weather. Great company to ride with too!








..........road bike.......rollers.........mtb.....lifecycle.....total
Today........68..............0.............0..........0..........68
Jan.........474..............0............21..........7.........502
Feb.........530..............0.............0..........0.........530
March.......502..............0.............0..........0.........502
April.......524..............0.............0..........0.........524
May........1003..............0.............0..........0........1003
June.......1016..............0............10..........0........1026
July.......1148..............0.............0..........0........1148
August.....1049..............0.............0..........0........1049
Sept........767..............0............50..........0.........817
YTD........6919..............0............87..........7........7103