1. WHAT TO EXPECT
Get ready for a great day of riding on this very Portland ride! Come dressed for the weather but don't forget your costume. All costume entrants will receive a free set of Tireflys wheel lights and will vie for great prizes including rain gear from Showers Pass, an Oregon-based bicycle apparel company. The Last Regiment of Syncopated Drummers is ready to pump out some heart-throbbing beats as they kick off the ride.

Tell your friends to sign up today as this ride will sell out. If we sell out in advance, we will put a notice on our website.

IN THIS ISSUE:

1. What to Expect

2. Rider deals

3. Tips

4. Schedule

5. The weather report

2. RIDER DEALS
As a thank you, some of our sponsors are offering special deals to riders.

River City Bicycles Redeem the Ride Guide coupon for 10% off any regular priced item of clothing, part or accessory. You'll get a Ride Guide at the start line.

Roots Realty David Todd of Roots Realty is proud to sponsor the Worst Day of the Year Ride and pleased to offer all participants one free hour of real estate or eco-design consulting over a hot cup of coffee or tea.

And a big thanks to our other sponsors, Bike Gallery and REI, who had in-store registration specials. Look for them next year.




3. TIPS
We want to make sure you have a great ride, so here are some suggestions and reminders:

* HELMETS ARE REQUIRED.

* Parking is limited to the side streets, so we recommend you carpool, bike, get a ride or take transit. The Lucky Lab is served by the #4 and #14 buses. Bike parking is free and available at the finish line.

* You can switch your route option at the start line. The Challenge Loop comes out to around 45 miles and traverses some big hills. Make sure you're up for the challenge and can complete the ride before 3:00 if you're on that route.

* If this is the first newsletter you've received, read the previous ones and catch up on all the good stuff.
[ newsletter archives ]

* Bring your camera, take pictures, have fun!




4. SCHEDULE
Packet pickup and both routes start at the Lucky Lab, 915 SE Hawthorne.

Saturday
4-7 pm - Packet Pickup
Optional, but goodie bags are only given out at packet pickup

Sunday
8:00am - Event and Registration Opens
9:00am - Challenge Loop Course Opens
10:00am - Urban Course Opens
3:00pm - Course Closes
4:00pm - Finish Line + Lunch Closes




6. THE WEATHER REPORT
So far, the skies are looking fairly clear for Sunday. Our resident meteorologist,. the Icy Monkey, is predicting mild weather, a high of 53 degrees, and a 60% change of precipitation, but mostly in the late afternoon. The Monkey says it is quite likely that for the sixth year in a row we will have a dry ride. In fact he's willing to take the risk and come to the ride bare, but we say you should pull on your rain gear anyway. Are you really going to trust a monkey?