Max and Brad at the Palm Tree Oasis House. Granton's Annual Palm Tree ride in Portland happened on a clear but really cold windy Sunday. While an official count didn't happen, there were estimated to be around 25-30 bicyclists in different degrees of tropical wear and a high percentage of florescent yellow for a group easy ride. There were at least 3 or more shorts, but no flip flops. I wore my carrot top helmet originally from Bunny on a Bike Ride 3, and pretended it was a palm tree top. But I was called a Mario Brothers Character and a Jellyfish instead. The ride lasted about 4 hours but could have been condensed to 90 min since the really good stops were at the end. Most of the first trees weren't even palms -- Monkey puzzle, eucalyptus, and cedar of lebanon (which is also the name of U2's new album track #13 which will be released in March). But I must admit I was more socializing that paying attention. Basically any tree that doesn't lose it's foliage in the winter. One house had all non-deciduous trees, and had a lovely green cover while the neighbors across the street were all exposed. At one point the wind got so gnarly, the birds were flying backwards. Ester brought portable Hawaiian music and Caroline and I practiced riding our bikes without hands while doing a hula dance not as easy to do with strong cross wind. We also recruited Kiran onto our team. The ride started at 59th and NE Glisan, and ended up in Irvington at a house that can only be known as the Palm Oasis. We had permission to go in the backyard. On the way we saw a huge tree that felled into the street taking the electrical lines down with it. The ride split up after the palm oasis, some left the ride, others planned to warm up in the Kennedy Soaking Pool, and the rest of us went for food at Cork County Pub, where the Lady in the glass was discovered.

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