Pedalpalooza is a medley of bike riding events spanning more than two weeks, very loosely organized by the folks at Shift. Anyone can organize an event and post it on the web site. Currently there are 240 events scheduled, each one more bizarre than the last. Here are the five craziest rides at this year's festival.
Tour de Franzia
Overlook Park, North Interstate Avenue and Fremont Street. 7 pm Monday, June 13. 21+.
The goal of this ride is to âdevelop and refine the set of skills for on-road riding with external or internal box-wine loadsâ. Sounds slightly illegal, but alluring nonetheless. It could be a comedic combination, watching impoverished hipsters struggle to balance 5 liters of Chardonnay mid-track stand.
Hammercise Ride
Naito Fountain, Southwest Naito Parkway and Ankeny Street. 6:30 pm Tuesday, June 14.
Perhaps the first time MC Hammer and Jazzersize have been combined, Hammercise is a whirlwind event where riders will dress-up in 80s workout gear and stop to perform exercise flashmobs around Portland. Itâs a good excuse for you to pull our those harem pants you never figured out how to wear.
Col. Summers Park, Southeast 20th Avenue and Belmont Street. 11 pm Tuesday, June 14.
Perhaps the strangest of all is Silent City, a no-sound allowed 10-mile loop where riders will âenjoy what the city night offers our senses.â This sounds awkward. Nothing makes a person want to talk more than being told not to talk. Example A: the library. I canât help but wonderâif you wanted silence, couldnât you just go on a solo ride?
Werewolf Hustle
Cartopia, Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard and 12th Avenue. 7:30 pm Thursday, June 16.
The Twilight book series and following movie franchise have caused a resurgence of interest in werewolves. Thereâs even a new Teen Wolf series, but the less said about that the better. So if youâre into this sort of thing, ride out for Werewolf Hustle, where fellow Team Jacob Portlanders will ride under the full moon. The description doesnât say anything about a dress code, but we can only assume that facial hair is a plus.
Pickles Nâ Ice Cream
Laddâs Circle, 1600 SE Harrison St. 3 pm Wednesday, June 22.
Pedalpalooza has rides for every kind of person. Gingers, tall girls, big girls and even pregnant ones. The aptly named Pickles Nâ Ice Cream ride âcelebrates pregnancy, riding slowly and having a good timeâ. Attendees are encouraged to âcome pregnant, or looking that wayââwhatever that means.
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