Laugh at the Elements at 2015 Worst Day of the Year Ride

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Üma Kleppinger, GoLocalPDX Contributor

GLPDX-worstdayride

Grab some friends and dress for success; the Worst Day of the Year Ride is as much a costume contest as a social bike ride. Photo courtesy Last Day of the Year Ride.

Get ready, get set, get dressed for this year's Worst Day of the Year Ride, coming up Sunday February 8th.

In years past, the annual shenanigans known as the Worst Day of the Year Ride ironically has fallen on days with incredibly pleasant weather. Last year's event broke that streak and the ride was cancelled due to extreme weather conditions—snow, ice and freezing rain. Whatever mother nature delivers this year, the event is one of Portland's most iconic party-on-wheels rides. Part costume contest, part social ride, the event offers a chance to ride relatively car-free streets with 4,000 other fun-loving fans of the bicycle.

Riders can choose from a relatively flat and easy 15-mile urban course or a 46-mile route with a hill climb challenge. Whichever route you choose, come dressed for success; the Worst Day of the Year Ride is renowned for the great number of participants who pedal their way through town dressed in cute, funny and sometimes outrageous costumes.

Judges roam the crowds at the starting line to vote for Best Group Costumes, Best Weather-Themed Costume, Most Elaborate, and Punniest Costume. The People's Choice Award allows participants to vote for their favorites. Prizes are awarded to the Top 10 in each category.

The ride is fully supported with support vehicles/sag wagons, ride-along mechanics and medics, mechanic stations at rest stops and starting line. You'll receive a map with directions, and there will be a huge number of volunteers along the well marked course to make sure you stay on track.

At the end of the day, enjoy a hot lunch with old and new friends at the finish line party at Lucky Labrador brew pub. And if the event registers 3,000 riders, everyone gets a free beer from the Lucky Lab.

So, slap some fenders on your bike, and laugh at the elements while getting a healthy dose of fresh air and doing you good deed for the day; a portion of the registration fees benefit the Community Cycling Center.

Online registration is available through Friday, February 6th for $35. Pre-ride Party registration is available Saturday, February 7th for $40. Day of event registration is available Sunday, February 8th, for $45.

For more information or to pre-register online, visit http://worstdayride.com/

Üma Kleppinger is a Portland-based copy writer, author and bike addict. A recovering sesquipedalian who blogs about life in the saddle and outdoor adventure, she is also the author of Bike Yoga, a flexibility and recovery program for cyclists. When not writing, she can be found riding and racing her mountain bike throughout the Pacific Northwest. If you have cycling-related news to share, events to promote, or deep thoughts about this or any other cycling related matters, shoot her a nice email.