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Ride the Parkways Before Summer is Spent

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Sunday Parkways this Sunday!

Heya Portland, I know you’re over the heat, but one of the last Sunday Parkways is this weekend, so grab your bike and get rolling. The SE Parkways ride is one of the larger rides of this series, circulating around Laurelhurst, Colonel Summers, Sewallcrest and Ivon Parks. In all the parks along the way there are opportunities to stop and grab some yummy eats, listen to tunes, and you can even jump into a dance or activity or two.

Last summer I rode the SE Parkways ride and it was a lovely cruise through the neighborhoods with cute kids selling lemonade along the way, lots of free stuff from promo booths, and some of my favorite food carts cooking up eats. We’re lucky to live in a town committed to free community events like this one.

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Find us for free stuff and #DriveHope

The ride takes place this Sunday the 23rd, from 11am to 4pm, and the total route is 7 miles. Have a look at the handy Southeast Portland Sunday Parkways route map. Then take a moment to check out what activities, musical acts, and fun events await you at the event by checking out the brochure.

Portland Pedal Power will be out with our big bikes this day promoting the #DriveHope campaign. Our partner Point West Credit Union is donating $5 dollars per hashtag (#DriveHope) to raise awareness for Metropolitan Family Service’s “Ways to Work” program, helping families get to work (with purchasing a car, refinancing, repairs). We will be encouraging folks to share what drives them while handing out free goodies along the way. Find us to help the cause and grab some swag!

Also, you can end the Sunday Parkways season big by exploring the new Tilikum Crossing Bridge of the People and the Sellwood area on Sept 27th (11am-4pm – 7 miles). This new route will include the Tilikum Crossing and circle the Sellwood area introducing participants to the Westmoreland, Sellwood Parks plus Brooklyn School Park where music, food, and fun are waiting.

See you on the Parkways!


Top 10 Picks for the Dog Days of Summer

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Sunday Parkways. Don’t miss the last two rides.

It’s the end of days, folks; the dog days of summer. Before you know it the trees will be changing and the weather will be cooling back down. I love fall in Portland but I’m definitely not ready to let summer go. You can’t beat the warm evenings and hot weekend days–and it’s been HOT! Before it’s too late, we recommend you get your barely clad booty out to some of these uniquely Portland outdoor happenings.

 

For your handy end of summer planning, we’ve listed our top 10 picks:

  1. Concerts in the Park: There’s still a few of these left in late August. Grab a picnic, a blanket, and a buddy and enjoy some outdoor music.
  2. Movies in the Park: Some good ones still left in August and early September, lots of family friendly titles including: Back to the Future, Toy Story, and Maleficent.
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    The 2nd Annual Jade Night Market, August 22nd

    Sundown Concerts / First Thursdays: These concerts happen every summer and coincide with First Thursdays in the Pearl. The next concert is Sept. 3, presented by EcoTrust and will feature two bands: Horse Feathers and School of Rock.

  4. Rooftop Cinema: NW Film Center presents movies under the stars downtown all summer (atop Hotel deLuxe), the last one will be Monty Python’s the Meaning of Life!
  5. Urban Air Market: August 30th in the Pearl District, the Urban Air Market is a curated outdoor marketplace for sustainable design. Head out to shop local!
  6. Jade Night Market: August 22nd, the Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon and the Jade District will be hosting the second annual Jade International Night Market. The Jade International Night Market will feature 80 vendors representing the diverse culture of the Jade District, including food, retail and
    Sundown

    The last Sundown Concert is Sept. 3rd. Featuring kids who rock: School of Rock!

    non-profit booths.

  7. Concerts at the Zoo: What what? Upcoming performers include Chris Isaak, Huey Lewis and the News, Weird Al, and Garrison Keillor.
  8. Sunday Parkways: SE Sunday Parkways is coming up on August 23rd. Tilikum Crossing/Sellwood ride is on Sept. 27th. This is an awesome event and we will be out there too on the big bikes. Great for the whole family and lots of giveaways throughout the ride. And it’s FREE!
  9. The 2nd Annual Grilled Cheese Invitational: The month long East Burn fundraiser for the Portland Women’s Crisis Line culminates with the Invitational, August 29th at 5pm. 9 local restaurants will compete to win “Best Grilled Cheese.” Games and live music too. Half of all ticket sales go to the Portland Women’s Crisis Line.
  10. Get thee to the river: If you haven’t yet swum in a river, you gotta do it ASAP. Get thee to a swimming hole, Portlander! Here’s a good list of Oregon’s 25 best.

Grab your fanny pack and make it happen, friends. See you on the streets!


Our Favorite Time of Year is Here: Bridge Pedal!

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Ride with us, Bridgetown!

It’s Portland Pedal Power’s fourth year participating in the awesome event that is Bridge Pedal, a unique opportunity to ride across the city’s majestic bridges, car-free. Six of our fabulous staffers will be riding the bridges on the big bikes and participating in multiple events this action-packed weekend.

During the past 19 years one quarter million people have participated in Providence Bridge Pedal, biking a combined 6 million miles over Portland’s streets and Willamette River bridges. It’s great fun; we think all Portlanders should do it at least once.

Here’s how to get in on the fun this weekend:

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Jenn, Courtney, and Ken

This Saturday we will be out at the Providence Bridge Pedal Health and Wellness Expo. This year’s event will be held at the east end of the new Tilikum Crossing bridge adjacent to OMSI. The expo will be the only place to pick up your ride (or walk) packet before Sunday’s ride. Be sure to stop by on Saturday if you want to avoid the check-in crowd on Sunday morning.

In addition to picking up your packet at the expo, you can participate in mini trike races with us, grab some swag, or win some prizes or gift certificates to Pacific Pie Company, Súpa Soup, Addy’s Sandwich Bar, and Brunch Box.

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Find us for free samples, prizes, and more

The Health and Wellness Expo will be host to booths featuring dozens of health and wellness providers. This event is open to everyone (not just Bridge Pedalers) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 8, and from noon to 5 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 9.

Also this Sunday (from 1:30 – 4:30 p.m.) will be the People’s Preview of Tilikum Crossing, hosted by Providence, TriMet and the City of Portland. It’s a sneak peak for the new bridge and a chance for all community members to walk or bike across Tilikum Crossing before it officially opens in September. This event is separate from Providence Bridge Pedal, with no registration or fees.

On the day of Bridge Pedal, we will start the morning by passing out scrumptous Bowery Bagel samples to the hungry morning riders, then we will be off.

After crossing the Bridge Pedal finish line, the fun continues. All participants receive free admission to the Bite of Oregon food and music festival held in Waterfront Park.

See you on the bridges!