125 Bunnies on Bikes rode this year! 100 more than last year - We gathered at Union Station for a Meet-n-Greet before heading out on a loop ride taking us over 3 Bridges with special entertainment along the way. It only drizzled for the first 3 minutes of the ride, and thereafter was glorious sunshine.

SECRET COSTUME
This year, organizer Carye Bye surprised everyone by coming to the ride as a giant prize-winning carrot! The costume was dreamed up after seeing Wallace & Gromit's: Curse of the Were-Rabbit - where Ms. Tottie wears fashionable veggie dresses. Much thanks to Carye's mom in Eden Prairie, Minnesota who sewed the costume. The visual idea of having a huge parade of Bunnies on Bikes chasing a giant carrot was the motivation.

SPECIAL ENTERTAINMENT & MUSIC
*The Bunny Cheer Squad (Dan Miller, Amy Stork, Eli & Bethany) performed the Bunny on a Bike Cheer.
* Wes Kempfer & Timo Landia-Forsberg (Half of Trash Mountain Boys) debuted the live version of "Bunny on a Bike Ballad" at the Rose Garden-Quarter. Wes composed this amazing song - mp3 coming soon!
*The Bunny on a Bike Soundtrack by Greg Pitters was played during the ride from a boombox strapped to the back of Ms. Carrot's bike. We enjoyed clips from Pee Wee's Big Adventure, Napoleon Dynamite plus great bunny/Easter/bike songs - including old classics (Easter Parade, Peter Cottontail) to a punk version of Bunny Foo Foo!

THE RIDE {MAP}. The ride started at Union Station, headed over Broadway Bridge (Bridge 1) up to the Rose Garden Plaza. Here the Trash Mountain Boys (Lite) made their Rose Garden Debut. The Wiggles audience was just getting out of the Rose Garden Arena - so kids and parents were delighted to see Bunnies on Bikes - though the security was a little nervous. Wes & Timo performed the "Bunny on a Bike Ballad" to a crowd of 125+ fans & new fans. We then got back on our bikes to head back over Broadway Bridge following Lovejoy towards NW. We took a detour through Jamison Park and the new Tanner Springs Park nestled between new condo buildings in the Pearl District. We rode past the Old Centennial Mill with Freemont Bridge in the background onto Front Avenue. We then took the semi-unknown path/walking pier that edges the Willamette River just North of the Steel Bridge - the boombox music was perfect, the Pee Wee Herman circus music accompanied us through the twists on the promenade. Out we popped on the Waterfront trail, circling round and round to Queen's "I want to ride my bicycle" until everyone caught up before heading over lower Steel (Bridge 2) - We were so many we stretched over the entire bridge. Along the Waterfront we cruised the Eastbank Esplanade with excellent views of downtown Portland. At the firehouse before Hawthorne Bridge we braked to feast on vegan mini carrot-apple muffins, juicy orange slices, and carrot sticks served to the crowd in baskets. More bunny cheers and dancing music were enjoyed while we snacked. Warnings came that bad weather was moving in, so it was good we were on the last leg of the ride. Over the Hawthorne Bridge (3rd Bridge) the Bunnies (and Carrot) pedaled on following the Waterfront Park. We turned off down SW Ash and then right on 4th Avenue. Over busy Burnside we crossed on our gloriously homecoming stretch through the Chinatown Gates into historic old-town. Minutes later we arrived back at our start, satisfied from our Bunny on a Bike Easter ride.

POST RIDE Most Bunnies scattered. Then a huge black cloud moved overhead and a nasty rain/hail ensued. A small group (mostly Shift to Bike folks) waited out the rain planning an after-party. With the piano bar closed we headed to the 30th floor of the Big Pink Bancorp tower to nibble appetizers at the Portland City Grill. I must say the wait staff was very nice to us hungry bunch of bunnies (and a carrot).

THANKS The ride was organized by Carye Bye, but a slew of volunteers entertained, corked, served food, and helped out during and pre-ride. Special thanks to Matt Phillips for all around support. Thanks to Ride Corkers Ian, Shawna, Steph, Elly, Carl, Bethany, Kirsty, and Dan. End of Ride marshals Kiran, Melissa, Greg M., & Bethany. Unofficial Official Photographer Dat, Pre Ride Help from Marge (Carye's Mom), Kate, Ayleen, Shawn G., Alex at N.PDX Bike Works, eLiz. Entertainment team: Greg P., Timo, Wes, Dan, Amy, Eli, & Bethany, Vocalists Timo & Shawn G, Bunny Model Hilary and Journalists John Foyston & Jonathan Maus for pre & post write-ups. And of course to all the Bunnies on Bikes! (and Blue Peep & Ms. Lamby too!)

For more information, contact Red Bat Press

RIDE PHOTOS (5 Albums to look at)

*Dat (The Unofficial Official photographer)
*Jonathan of Bikeportland.org
*Ethan of Stickeen Photography
*The Blue Peep Ms. Debbie.
*A fabulous online collage by A J Zelada

Check out all the PRESS from the 2006 Ride. Channel 8 News showed up as well - but who knows if we were on the evening news.

Hand letterpressed poster for the ride featuring model: Artist Hilary Pfeifer

The 3rd Annual Bunny on a Bike Ride

Easter Sunday, April 16, 2006
Union Station (800 NW 6th Avenue)
Portland, Ore.
2:30 pm (Ride leaves at 3 pm)

Free, All Ages, Bunny Attire Expected!

Please join us (dressed as a bunny) for the 3rd Annual Easter ride sponsored by Red Bat Press.

This year's theme: Bunnies on the Bridges! We'll travel over three Portland bridges in honor of the third year.

2:30 - 3 pm Bunny meet-n-greet & Photo ops.

3 pm Bunnies on your bikes for a two-hour loop with surprise stops & performances along the way.

ROUTE DETAILS: Ride is easy & mostly flat with a few short hills. Children are very welcome. Solo riding kids must be street-ready and ride with an adult. A shorter car-free/bike path section/loop of the ride may be ridden by young or new bikers who want to participate. Please contact Red Bat Press for details and start location. This ride will go Rain or Shine!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - download 2006 press photos and view 2006 press release here