This ragtag crew and I biked this machine from Beacon Hill to Bike Works HQ in Columbia City yesterday to get it ready for Saturday’s Rainier Valley Heritage Parade, which is followed by Summer Streets on Rainier Ave and a Bike Works Block Party. The Pedal-Powered Parade Float is always a crowd-pleaser. In the words of the police officer waiting by Beacon Hill station: That’s quite a rig! (or did she say wreck? Hard to tell)

Make sure you get to Columbia City Saturday. There’s all kinds of fun bike stuff happening down there. Plus, how often do you get to play in a car-free Rainier Ave? Not often enough! In addition, the street in front of Bike Works (Ferdinand) will also be closed to cars, and the good folks there will have all sorts of stuff going on. Check out this list of bike fun from Summer Streets:

Also, there is a canned food drive to benefit the Rainier Valley Food Bank. So if you want to do your own “Cranksgiving in August” on your way, you should! Event list:

• Kids Bike Parade (go to the Group Health parking lot at 10:30AM for decorations)
• Valet bike parking starting at 10:30AM on Ferdinand
• Art in the Alley
• Street quilt chalk art fun and pottery wheel demos
• Board games and aromatherapy clay
• Summersault City
• Music stage featuring Andrew Anderson and The Polyrythmics at Hudson
• 98118’s Got Talent Show at Edmunds
• Hula hoop contest
• Local dining
• Slow bike races and more bike games on Ferdinand
• Seattle’s Largest Canned Food Pyramid—bring a can to donate at Full Tilt
• Austin Foundation Fitness Course
• Urban chicken petting zoo and container garden give-aways
• Test your brain and body at Seattle City Light’s Energy Conservation Obstacle
• Family Bike ExpoJump Shot Countdown Basketball
• Tap dance lessons and somersault city production
• Sound Transit’s Zap Gridlock and fun games
• And SO MUCH MORE!

Here’s the parade and Summer Streets map:

Bike Polo Expo at Westlake Saturday

Don’t forget about the Downtown Throwdown at Westlake Park from 10-5 Saturday. People will be playing bike polo to introduce more people to the game and get everyone amped for the World Championships next month.

Okay, I’m sure I’m missing some stuff. Let us know what in the comments!