Bike Milwaukie has launched a new website today at BikeMilwaukie.com. The website features a link to the rides and events, a blog about the bicycling events, activities, and issues through out Milwaukie (Ore.) and nearby communities.  Visitors interested staying posted can also subscribe to their mailing list at the website.

Bike Milwaukie is an organized bicycle ride started by Greg Barts-Bowman and Matt Menely in the summer of 2011. The rides are usually free and open to all ages.

There could have not been a better day to tackle the 40-mile Gorge Ride today with sunshine, blue skies, and a light breeze. The route begins at the Discovery Center west of The Dalles, Ore., then travels on the Historic U.S. 30 through Chenoweth and Rowena, before switching to the Historic Columbia River Highway Trail in Mosier. The HCRH Trail then passes through the Mosier Twin Tunnels and high along the hillside until ending at the west Mark O. Hatfield trailhead in Hood River. The route is quite hilly both directions. I also took a break at one of the rest stops at the Mayerdale Estates, where I enjoyed some snacks, including freshly picked cherries from the adjacent orchards.

You can also enjoy this ride at any time by parking at the Discovery Center in The Dalles or the west Hatfield (HCRH) Trailhead in Hood River (requires parking fee). The segment between Mosier and Hood River (including Mosier Twin Tunnels) is for pedestrian and bicycles only.

Yes, there is a little red dot marked in the state of Oregon on NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center’s Storm Report map for Thursday, June 13, 2013.  The reported EF-1 tornado caused some damage to a building in McMinnville, Ore., sending debris into other buildings and powerlines. There was also a funnel cloud reported earlier out over Hillsboro, Ore. No tornado watches or warnings were issued.

The report can be viewed here.

Image: NOAA Storm Prediction Center.

Yes, I finally got around riding in the World Naked Bike Ride in Portland on Saturday night. I joined a few thousand other bicyclists, some wearing nothing more than only a pair of shoes, some with body paint, and some didn’t bare it all. Me, it was just shoes, a helmet, and a small backpack to carry my stuff in (I have no bags on my road bike).

The route was about five miles, starting at South Park Blocks in downtown Portland, leading east across Burnside Bridge to NW 33rd Ave. and NW Glisan, south to Sandy Blvd. and along SE 7th. Ave. and ending near the Hawthorne Bridge at SE Water Ave. Thousands of spectators all lined along the route with mobile phones and cameras photographing the riders.

The weather was quite nice and comfortable, clear, light breeze, and temperature around 60-68°F (15.5-20°C).  We didn’t roll out of South Park Blocks until about 10:30 p.m. (PT).

For a five-mile ride in the buff, this wasn’t all bad. I wouldn’t do the 200-mile Seattle to Portland bike ride in my birthday suit.  Everyone may have a different opinion on the comfort. Would I ride in the World Naked Bike Ride again? I might. It’s free, but a donation is suggested.

(Sorry, I can’t post the photos here because of our Web hosting terms of use prohibits photos of nudity.)

If you didn’t know it, it’s National Hamburger Day! Of course, what better way to to celebrate National Burger Day other than by enjoying a good burger. On BJDorr.com, I have an entire page dedicated to burgers to drool over!