Inside Bike Summer, the Seasonal Cycling Festival Keeping Portland Weird

The Birth of Bike Summer

Founded in 2004, Bike Summer has been a Portland tradition for over 20 years, and is a beloved and highly anticipated part of the city’s cycling calendar. “It represents summer,” event organizer Meghan Sinnott tells me.

The birth of Bike Summer goes back to 2002, when a similarly-named event first came to Portland. A nomadic cycling gathering from the early aughts, the OG Bike Summer was held in different cities across the U.S. and the world to spread the message about the joys and benefits of riding bikes. Portland loved it. And it stuck.

“It was a massive success, and Portlanders kept it going,” says Sinnott. The following summer, the Rose City held its own Mini Bike Summer. In 2004, Pedalpalooza was born, and it’s been going strong and growing ever since. Originally lasting just a few weeks at a time, it now spans the entire summer. Bike Summer is the official name once again, but Pedalpalooza still gets bandied about.

While a fantastic community tradition, it’s also just peak Portland. Because Bike Summer rides can get weird. Many rides are centered around different themes, which people wholeheartedly embrace with costumes (or a total lack of clothing altogether) and decked-out bikes. Take the annual Cat Ride, for example. Cyclists show up dressed as felines and ride around waving at cats as the ride leaders blast cat-themed tunes. Or the Monty Python and the Holy Gear ride, where stops consisted of scene reenactments from the cult-favorite comedy. Or the late-night Loud and Lit rides for cyclists 21+, with lit-up bikes, DJ sets, and on-the-go partying.

There are rides themed around specific music genres or artists. Rides that end in potlucks. Bookstore bike rides, advocacy and activism rides, queer community rides; really, there is no limit to what a Bike Summer ride can be about. I’ve been on rides where we sang sea shanties, swapped friendship bracelets, or donned black lipstick and band tees to relive our high school emo phases. Some ride leaders make themed spoke cards. Each ride brings people together through different interests, building connections and friendships, with cycling at the center.

The ongoing event extends outside the cycling community, with the whole city embracing the funky festival; riding through the streets, pedestrians and drivers wave to passing riders. “What ride is this?” is a commonly heard refrain from curious passersby. Essentially, it’s also safe. While cyclists do have to follow the rules of the road, most drivers here are mindful and respectful, pausing to let big rides pass by or giving wide berths on shared roads. All in all, it’s zany, wild, and unapologetically absurd.

“Your heart grows a little click every time you go on a ride,” said Sinnott. “It’s irreverent, super-silly….you don’t have to take yourself too seriously.”

For the Love of Cycling

I’ve biked all my life, but I don’t think I really fell in love with it until I moved to Portland. A big part of that is due to Bike Summer and the local cycling community. Many cities have strong cycling scenes, but Portland seems to eat, sleep, and breathe bikes. People bike here in the dead of winter when the light starts fading at 4 p.m. and the drizzle is near-constant; that’s how serious they are. Something special has been created here, a collective where people feel safe and empowered. The community is warm and welcoming; even if I’m rolling solo on some rides, I never feel alone. It’s a coming-together of all ages, interests, and passions, bonded by a love for bikes.

But when I say Bike Summer helps keep Portland weird, I don’t just mean the wacky themed rides. It’s because Bike Summer taps into the core of what Portland is: embracing alternative ways of being, celebrating art and creativity, and pushing back against convention. It’s inclusive and accessible, evident in both the type of rides available and the fact that anyone in the community can organize one. You can come as you are, leave a ride when you please, and always feel included. It’s for everyone, quite literally. The online Shift calendar is open-source; anyone can replicate it to create their own version of Bike Summer in their own communities.

And the best part about Bike Summer? It never ends…well, kind of. While the official Bike Summer festivities draw to a close at the end of August, rides and meet-ups still take place throughout the year. Anyone can roll up and join.

“Check the calendar, charge your bike lights, bring water and a bike lock, and come play along,” said Sinnott.

Bike Summer’s Best Repeat Rides

While each summer brings new rides and themes, some events return year-to-year. Here are some essential Bike Summer rides you can try out to join in on the two-wheeled fun. Always check the Shift calendar for times, locations, and other info. Be sure to follow the Code of Conduct to keep rides safe and fun, and thank your corkers and organizers.

Thursday Night Ride

The Thursday Night Ride is a Bike Summer classic; a calendar staple since 2015, it’s Portland’s longest-running weekly social bike ride. Meet-ups take place Thursday evenings at different start points and follow varying routes, with a celebratory “it’s almost TGIF” vibe. The route usually includes store and park stops for libations, refreshments, and rest. It’s great for regulars and newcomers alike thanks to its laidback pace and festive atmosphere.

World Naked Bike Ride

Join this mass protest against oil dependency and car-centric society, one of the biggest community bike rides in the world. If the “naked” part worries you, it’s “as bare as you dare,” so you can bike fully in the buff or undress to your comfort level. This is a slow-moving ride and follows an easy route (I’ve seen people do it in blinged-out electric wheelchairs).

Mellow Mondays

Start the week on a chill note with these easy, relaxing Monday evening rides, which go in a loop and feature different themes. Beginner-friendly and great for Bike Summer newbies.

Bike Happy Hour

Technically not a ride, but a great chance to connect with the Portland cycling community over a brew or two at Gorges Beer Co. every Wednesday.

Midnight Mystery Ride

Meet up at a secret location for a late-night ride around Portland at this annual event, which goes all the way back to 2002. Takes place on the second Friday of each month and kicks off around midnight (so don’t forget your bike lights).

LEARN MORE AT BIKE-SUMMER.ORG