Bikes and Beers on the Worst Day of the Year

07 Feb Bikes and Beers on the Worst Day of the Year

The funny thing about the Worst Day of the Year Ride is that it’s normally sunny—one year the clouds were out, maybe one year it was actually cold and possibly even some snow on the ground—but out of the 11 years we’ve done the ride, the weather has been unseasonably nice.

The nice weather doesn’t stop people from coming decked out in their most intense winter gear, though. That, or they come in the most glorious costumes you’ve ever seen. What do you know, the weather for this February 10 looks to be sunny and mid-50s.

Good Sport Productions approached us the first year, figuring they would put on the show, we’d bring the beer. The ride starts and ends at the Hawthorne Lucky Lab, where we close down the streets, put up tents to shelter the riders from the harsh rays of the mild winter sun, and give them our best cornbread and chili. And, yes, we will have beer for sale.

Pile on the Miles and the Beers

For the usual Portland bike crowd, there is a 16 mile route that snakes across the river not too far from the Quimby location (how convenient …) then across the Broadway bridge and up Northeast. From the Alberta area, the route takes you down east of Hollywood, then down between Hawthorne and Belmont and back on over to the Lucky Lab. Sixteen miles of biking more than prepares you for a few beers at the Lab.

For the more adventurous, the ride offers a 45 mile challenge that takes you up and over the West Hills, through Forest Park, through Northeast and then down to the Hawthorne Lab. We’d recommend holding off on the beer until after you’ve finished the ride, just for safety’s sake.

Forecast: Sunny

We’re proud to be part of this Portland institution. The ride has grown a lot from the thousand riders in its first year to the 3500 bikers we’re betting on this year. The Lab is excited to take part in yet another Worst Day of the Year Ride, even if we think it’s normally a pretty nice day of the year. As always, be safe, wear a helmet, have fun, and drink some beer!