We had a great turn out for the kickoff ride considering the downpour earlier in the day. I would guess about three hundred people braved the grey skies to roll with us – but nary a drop fell upon our steeds. Exploring bike boulevards and newly sharrowed corridors, we looped Ladd’s before crossing water on the Hawthorne. After infiltrating the urban core we… made a left. My heart swol and laughter spilled from my face as I heard the cries of celebration caused by taking the lanes on Broadway. This was my favorite moment of the ride. Just an excuse really- to approach the new bike/ pedestrian pathway on the Morrison Bridge that would carry us back East to our trusted Salmon St. bike boulevard. What’s that? A freight train trying to cut our parade in half? We barely escaped! Bumpin tunes from the back rippled through the crowd and people whistled with glee. Passing by Col. Summers park up 20^th we did – careful not to make eye contact with the growling 84 beneath. Sweet Tillamook neighborhoods welcomed us to Irving Park where upcoming ride schedules were distributed and champagne bottles were passed. Yes there was cake, and crunch n munch, and I only saw one grumpy driver. The boys in blue followed for a bit, but were un-able to match our knack for pace hitting every light, and probably lost interest when we entered the quiet streets of the North East country.

Special thanks to CupCake for riding mechanic/ medic and to Carl for hauling all those ride schedules along. I got some great feedback about the route and made some new friends – success!