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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!


Movoto Takes a Ride Down Memory Lane in Portland

Life is full of changes, isn’t it? Things come and go, leaving us with memories of our time at landmarks long gone. From enjoying Macheesmo Mouse’s Boss Sauce to the holiday tradition of the Cinnamon Bear, Portland has quite a bit that sets it apart. But as they say, all good things must come to an end. Many of the features we grow accustomed to seem to disappear.

Movoto Real Estate recently put together a list of twenty six things gone from Portland. Here is a quick snapshot of some of the landmarks you might find if you take a ride down memory lane:

Hamburger Mary’s was simply Fabulous

Hamburger Mary’s was an LGBT-friendly restaurant known for its flamboyant décor and cross-dressing clientele, as well as its slogan “Eat, drink and be Mary.” The first Hamburger Mary’s was wildly popular in the Portland gay community back in the ‘80s, occupying a spot where the Fox Tower now stands, but it closed down in the ‘90s.

Hamburger Mary’s made a comeback in 2011, but the new incarnation eventually succumbed to “evil landlords” (we’ve all had a few). No more B.J. burgers? That really blows.

Portland Wrestling’s Gone, Again (Probably)

Portland Wrestling’s yet another local sports franchise that comes, and goes, and comes back, and goes again…huh, seems to be kind of a Portland thing. Anyway, the first Portland Wrestling company got its start in the ’20s and lasted up until 1992, along the way involving such big names as Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka, Jesse “Future Governor of Minnesota” Ventura and Portland’s own Rowdy Roddy Piper.

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Cartathlon IV: Return of the Food Cart Extravaganza!

Portland is pretty lucky for a number of reasons: We have some great parks, friendly people, innovative thinking, and some of the best foot carts in the world. Portland Pedal Power has the good fortune to deliver for a number of local carts, and you’ve likely ordered from a number of them. So would you turn down a chance to win a years worth of free food? Something tells me the answer is no.

Thus, the Cartathlon returns! Willamette Week is once more sponsoring the local event, giving you the chance to win some of the best food Portland has to offer by eating some the best food Portland has to offer. A win-win scenario if I’ve ever heard of one.

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The Great Snopocalypse of 2014 has Finally Ended!

Unless you were living under a rock, you may have noticed we got a little bit of snow over the weekend. And by a little snow, I mean the most snow Portland has witnessed in February since 1993. That’s more than 20 years ago, in case you still think its the 90’s (like I do sometimes). On Saturday night, I went out with a yard stick and measured 9 inches of snow on my back porch. I think I echo most of Portland when I say, “Holy Frozen Moisture, Batman!”

With that much snow, most of Portland shut down for the weekend. TriMet crawled to a standstill, the interstate became a nightmare for motorists, and we even saw a 20-inch diameter pipe dating back to 1931 give way. Alas, even the Dream Team of cyclists at Portland Pedal Power were grounded until today, but that doesn’t mean everyone was staying warm inside.

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