Summer Fun: Sunday Parkways, Cycle Rides and Express Walks

One of the things that makes this city such a great place to live is the enthusiasm people bring to their neighborhoods, and Portland Sunday Parkways has been instrumental in getting people out and exploring. By closing a few neighborhood streets and encouraging neighborhood organizations and businesses to join in, Portlanders flood the streets on their bikes and on foot for a few hours of non-automotive community togetherness.

This year the Parkways program is joined by Portland SmartTrips, a series of cycle rides, cycle classes and walks to encourage all of us to explore of alternative transportation choices—and, by the way, have fun in the process.

The best part? All rides are free. Here's the upcoming schedule:

Portland Sunday Parkways

• Sun., June 21: North Portland along Peninsula, Arbor Lodge, Kenton, Columbia Annex and McCoy Parks
• Sun., July 26: Northeast Portland along Woodlawn, Alberta and Fernhill Parks
• Sun., Aug. 23: Southeast Portland along Laurelhurst, Colonel Summers and Ivon Parks.
• Sun. Sept. 27: Tilikum Crossing/Sellwood along the new Tilikum Crossing Bridge, Westmoreland, Sellwood and Brooklyn School Parks.

Portland by Cycle Rides

• Wed., June 10: Waterways Real & Metaphoric, aka Pedalpalooza celebrates the city's rivers through the work of artists and engineers.
• Wed., June 17: The Wonderful World of Bike Non-Profits shows off our vibrant bike community.
• Tues., July 7 & Wed., July 8: Sweet Summer Cycle visits Southeast Portland sweet shops.
• Tues., July 14: Pretty Mellow Little Ride (PMLR) East and the 19th Neighborhood Greenway to Sellwood via new bikeways.
• Wed., July15: NoPo Greenway Tour will visit several neighborhood Greenways and share some history.
• Tues., July 21: PMLR West shows off new bikeways downtown.
• Wed., July 22: 50s Bikeway Northeast will tour two major north-south routes.
• Tues., July 28: Fly the 130s explores a new neighborhood greenway in East Portland.
• Wed., July 29: SW Multnomah and More tries out a new cycle track and some hills.
• Tues., Aug. 4: The Spirit of '77 blazes a trail to a new park via greenways in Roseway, Cully and Rose City Park.
• Wed., Aug. 5: 50s Bikeway Southeast will tour two major north-south routes.
• Tues., Aug. 11: The Dream of the 80s tours two north-south dow-traffic routes.
• Wed., Aug. 12: St. Johns Park to Park uses low-stress routes to tour the area's parks.
• Tues., Aug. 18: Butte of a Ride Up Council Crest takes a steep but slow climb to the spectacular view at the top of this landmark.
• Wed., Aug. 19: Let's Bike to IKEA will find a way to the big store, meatballs optional.
• Tues., Aug. 25: 150s or Bust explores a possible route for a new bikeway in East Portland.
• Wed., Aug. 26: Butte of a Ride up Rocky Butte takes a steep but slow climb to the spectacular view at the top of this landmark.
• Sat., Sept. 26: Autumn Adventure is a longer ride heading south via new bikepaths and greenways.
• Sat., Oct. 10: Coffee and Donuts Ride is self-explanatory…bring a cup and cash for snacks!
• Sat., Oct. 24: Art Along I-205 reveals the innovative art along the Green Line.
• Sat., Nov. 7: Tilikum to Terwilliger Tour is a challenging uphill ride along this gorgeous route.
• Sat., Nov. 21: Stormwater Cycling tours innovative street designs that protect our watershed.

Ten Toe Express Walks

• Thurs., June 4: Westmoreland Park to Crystal Springs and Reed Canyon tours the rhododendron gardens and salmon habitat restoration.
• Sat., June 13: Historic Piedmont and Woodlawn explores the history and sights of these neighborhoods.
• Thurs., June 18: Ped Palooza Cat Walk is a cat-themed walk with prizes for best interpretation.
• Sat., June 27: Overlook, Mississippi, Williams Loop tours new parks, developments and other projects.
• Thurs., July 9: Gateway Plaza to Gateway Green tours the historic little city of Maywood.
• Sat., July 18: Hillsdale to the River hikes a challenging route through George Himes and Willamette Parks.
• Thurs., July 23: Slabtown with author Laura Foster highlights local history and showcases its renaissance.
• Sat., Aug. 1: Westmoreland Park to Crystal Springs and Reed Canyon tours the rhododendron gardens and salmon habitat restoration.
• Thurs., Aug. 6: Overlook, Mississippi, Williams Loop tours new parks, developments and other projects.
• Sat., Aug. 15: Historic Brooklyn and Rail Yards explores pedestrian improvements and public art in this historic neighborhood.
• Thurs., Aug. 20: Hillsdale to the River hikes a challenging route through George Himes and Willamette Parks.
• Sat., Aug. 29: Gateway Plaza to Gateway Green tours the historic little city of Maywood.
• Thurs., Sept. 10: Historic Brooklyn and Rail Yards explores pedestrian improvements and public art in this historic neighborhood.
• Sat., Sept. 19: Tilikum Crossing Loop is a walk over the newly-opened bridge to the South Waterfront.

Check out the Portland By Cycle Classes and learn how to maintain and enjoy more time on your bike. Preregistration is required.

Livin' in the Blurbs: Bibles, Bombay and Bikes

With all the hoopla over locavores, 100-mile diets and plowing up lawns to make gardens, you'd think that eating local was a brand new idea. But since the mid-80s author Janie Hibler has made a career writing about the goodness that comes from the Northwest, starting with "Fair Game–A Hunter's Cookbook" and "Dungeness Crabs and Blackberry Cobblers." Her "The Berry Bible"has just been republished by Amazon, with its histories and recipes for every berry imaginable, from cloudberries and currants to cape gooseberries and salmonberries. You can meet Hibler, sample recipes from the book and pick up a signed copy this Saturday at the Beaverton Farmers' Market, so plan to stop by!

Details: Janie Hibler, author of The Berry Bible. Sat., July 31, 10-11:30 am. Beaverton Farmers' Market, On SW Hall Blvd. between 3rd and 5th Sts. in Beaverton.

* * *

The website Budget Travel recently named Portland as the world's best place to eat street food, but at just a few years old, food cart culture here can't hold a candle to the ancient art that is the street food of India. My friend Sophie Rahman, who sells classic Indian street cuisine at her Masala booth at the Hollywood Farmers' Market, is offering a class on Chowpatty, the street food of India that she describes as "India’s answer to the Pacific Northwest’s passion for healthy snack food eaten on the go." Made with Chat-patta spices to create such portable treats as aloo-chaat, bhel-poori and bhajia, they are commonly eaten during the day along with a cool glass of lassi or a cup of spicy chai. She adds that most of the dishes are vegetarian and are made using rice and lentils and rice and lentil flours. Having taken one of Sophie's classes, I can guarantee you'll learn a lot and eat very, very well.

Details: Chowpatty: Street Food of India with Sophie Rahman of Masala. Two dates available: Aug. 24 and Aug. 31, both from 6-9 pm. Classes limited to 6 students each. $50 per person. E-mail for registration information.

* * *

Bikes are starting to rival beer as icons of Portland culture, and one summer event, the Second Annual Hopworks Biketobeerfest, brings them together in a mash-up of beer bellies and spandex. In addition to 15 Hopworks beers on tap, and with proceeds going to the Bicycle Transportation Alliance and Portland Sunday Parkways, it'll feature live music, a hand-built bicycle show, Goldsprints roller races, a bike toss and other bike-related insanity. Pedal your own bone-shaker on down to this all-bike, no cars event and raise a pint to two wheels!

Details: 2nd Annual Hopworks Biketobeerfest. Sat., Aug. 28, Noon-10 pm. Hopworks Urban Brewery, 2944 SE Powell Blvd. Phone 503-232-4677.