Worst Day of the Year Ride 2011 Recap
This past Sunday, Feb. 13th, thousands of bicyclists came out for a chilly winter ride, making the 10th annual Worst Day of the Year Ride a rousing success. The day began as the invigorating beats of the Last Regiment drummers sent over 4,000 riders off into the cool, cloudy morning.
Keeping with tradition, the weather did not live up to the event name, and the rain held off until the ride had ended in the afternoon. Riders traversed a route that took them all over Portland, from the grey winter waters of the Willamette along the Eastbank Esplanade to the serene bike boulevards of our northeast neighborhood. Many riders wore fantastic costumes- everything from a pirate to a huge posse of bumble-bees.
The Worst Day of the Year Ride is one of our favorite fundraisers each year and this year was no different. We raised over $10,000 to help support our programs that build strong, healthy communities through bicycling.
We were so lucky to have an amazing crew of volunteers helping make sure the ride ran smoothly. They performed duties like course marshals, helping to direct bike traffic in difficult areas. At our neighborhood bike shop, 5 long-time volunteers who have wrenched bikes for the Holiday Bike Drive and other projects performed 47 quick repairs for riders.
At the finish line, our superstar volunteer Chad Berkeley chatted with riders and showed his just-completed film about the Holiday Bike Drive Remember Your First Bike. Joe “Metal Cowboy” Kurmaskie and Mia Birk were also there, signing and selling books from Cadence Press. They generously donated their proceeds that afternoon to the Community Cycling Center.
Thanks to everyone that made our 10th ride the best ever. We’ll see you next year! Click here for more great photos.