For most people it doesn’t make sense to ride a bike once fall fades away and the seasons shift to winter. But for thousands of Portland pedaling enthusiasts, it’s a tradition now in its 11th year. Called the Worst Day of the Year Ride, and billed as one of the Oregon city’s favorite wacky wintertime events, the ride takes place on February 12th. Last year, since it was a special anniversary, the folks at Good Sport Promotion contacted us about doing a custom mug.
The footed mug, one of our most popular, seen here in black with cinnamon white.
“We wanted a well-made, handcrafted mug to honor the 10th anniversary of our fundraising bike ride,” says Ayleen Crotty. “I spent two full days researching mug options before I settled on Deneen Pottery.” And we’re certainly glad she chose us. We are now a second-generation family business with 40 years of experience, and we love working with groups like this! Ayleen tells us that she couldn’t be happier with her choice, and she’s just placed an even larger order for next February’s race.
The official mascot.
Last year was the first year that they created a mug, she says, for the simple reason that they wanted to offer something that people could cozy up with to enjoy a nice warm cup of coffee or hot cocoa and enjoy great memories of the ride all year long.
Our stoneware mugs keep your coffee or cocoa nice and toasty.
When Niles began helping her decide on glazes, Ayleen was hesitant at first about one of his ideas.
“Niles was extremely helpful in color choices,” she says. “He suggested we try a color we would have never picked on our own, and it was the first to sell out.” That color was wisteria w/plum white top, which is quickly becoming a favorite among our customers.
The Worst Day of the Year Ride is a paradox in itself. Ayleen says that in the past 10 years, the weather has never really been that bad. February in Portland should be cold and wet, she says. But riders have never awakened to significant rain, and she says the temperature is usually pretty nice. That’s a huge contrast to the frosty, snow-covered, and frigid land of 10,000 lakes we call home.
Check out the amazing headgear!
The Worst Day of the Year Ride raises funds for the Community Cycling Center whose slogan – Every child deserves a bike! – pretty much sums it up. Some 4,000 riders participate in the annual 18-mile trek through downtown Portland, and there’s even a huge costume contest. Not only do the participants dress themselves in whimsical outfits, but they decorate their bikes as well. You can see from the photos that everyone has lots of fun. Isn’t it awesome when people can help others, especially kids, and have a great time doing it? We’re excited that our custom handmade mugs will again have a part in such an important event.
Proceeds benefit the Community Cycling Center.
Every child deserves a bike!
Happy Feet?
And Ayleen had such high praise for us that we thought we’d include it here as well. “The company is excellent to work with, completely organized, very knowledgeable, and of course, the mugs are of amazingly gorgeous quality,” she says. To receive such praise from promoters of an event like this means the world to us. Thanks so much Ayleen!
This rider gets extra points for the peacock feathers!
The costume contest is a huge part of the event each year.
Over 4,000 riders are expected to take part in 2012.
Another creative costume from last year.
We hope the 2012 Worst Day of the Year Ride will again be the perfect day to buy a custom handmade stoneware mug from Deneen Pottery.
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Heath Croft
Director of Communications
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