Urban Adventure League

Big Plans for 2011

As the year closes, it's time for me to think of what I'd like to do in the auspices of "The Urban Adventure League" for 2011. It's pretty obvious that I haven't done any rides or walks in a long time. This is due to various personal reasons (read: I'm busy and/or slacking) and the change in seasons. But we've passed "the hump" of Winter Solstice, the days getting longer, and the promise of spring not too far away. And this invigorates me! I've already mentioned my annual Palm Tree Ride for January here. So what else do I want to do?

1. Well, I'd like to bring back the popular Dead Freeways Ride. Not sure when, maybe February or March.
2. I haven't done a "walk" in awhile, so sometime soon would be ripe for a Council Crest Climb.
3. I'd also like to pull off a three-speed themed ride AND a Sans-Derailleur tour. "Mr. Dutch Biking of Vancouver, Washington" Todd Boulanger and I have been talking about a SD Tour for the last couple years (Todd even pulled one off during PedalPalooza 2009,) but the planets never aligned for a repeat. The concept is a short, overnight tour on non-derallieur geared bikes--fixie, single speed, or hub gear. The three-speed themed ride would be a variation concentrating on the hub gears, and a day "romp 'round town" that wouldn't involve camping. (Yes, these rides are in the same vein as the Tweed Ride, but more on bikes/riding, less on clothing.) Tentatively looking at three-speed in March, SD in May.
4. National Train Day is Saturday, May 7th, and I'd like to do a Portland railroad themed ride, possibly titled "The Portland the Railroad Made".
5. And spring means bike touring season will be upon us! Ian Stude and I will probably do another Bike Touring Workshop in early spring.

It's turning out to be quite the full plate! Check back here; I'll have more details when they become available.