Spending quality time together, while getting in a workout at the same time, has been an ongoing tradition for Nancy and myself since very early on in our journey together. When we first started biking one of the first events that Nancy and I rode in was Portland Sunday Parkways. Portland Sunday Parkways is put on every month from May through September by the Portland Bureau of Transportation. Each family friendly bike ride features a traffic free bike loop (thank you Portland Police Bureau) through one of the many beautiful sections of Portland – the bike friendliest city of them all! Each course is designed so that there are stops along the way at city parks within that particular section of the city. At the parks are food, entertainment, activity and information booths as well as lots of fellow bikers with whom to enjoy the day.
Because the Sunday Parkways provides a family friendly atmosphere we introduced our kiddos to these great events so they can share can in our love for biking too. The Parkways have become a yearly tradition now and we really look forward to making memories out on the road every year. In addition to the Parkways we regularly go for family bike rides to a variety of destinations in the area such as the grocery store, a distant park exploration, or to another section of town for a treat. Our family rides provide great opportunities for learning the rules of the road and cycling etiquette. Dare I say we have we have two budding PDX cyclists in the family? You bet!
Be it just Nancy and I or the entire clan, getting out and enjoying the sights of our beautiful city by bike is a wonderful way to spend the day. I still remember one of the first times our son cruised down a big hill nearby and exclaimed “I’m alive!” while zipping down it. THAT was a very good day indeed!
So if you’re in the Portland area come on out for the first Sunday Parkways of the year on Sunday May 15 and enjoy a lovely time at the 2016 East Portland Sunday Parkways. More information can be found as their website at East Portland Sunday Parkways.
Oh, by the way, our training continues toward the Covered Bridge Bicycle Tour in April we logged 107 miles toward our goal of 700 miles for the season! Woot!!
–Mike
