It turns out the New Year’s Day Ride really has been going for 50 years. In fact, 2009 was the 52nd. Sam Knudsen says he started the tradition in 1957.

There were only 40 of us this year probably because it rained so hard. On the other hand, it wasn’t very cold and we had hot cider, hot chocolate and cookies at the end.

For me the highlight was seeing Laurelhurst Pond frozen over.

In addition, everybody had a good time, no one got lost, and riders contributed $180 to the Brett Jarolimek Memorial Fund.

Thanks to the Parks Bureau for letting us use McCall’s Restaurant. Thanks to all the great volunteers who made the ride happen and to the Bike Gallery for loaning us equipment for refreshments after the ride.

And thanks most of all to the waterproof riders who came out and continued a Portland tradition reaching back more than 50 years.

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