March 31, 2006
Sauvie Island Group Ride
The Community Exchange Cycle Touring Club has grand plans for this upcoming season. They stated as a club with a lot of experience that wants to help more people try distance riding and touring. They offer support, bike fitting, bike repair, free smoothies and spin classes at their weekly Saturday open shop days. The founder, Steven Kung, is vibrant and enthusiastic. Check out this great ride he has planned for this weekend:
Sauvie Island Group Rides - April 2nd, 33-mile & 12-mile loops.
Ride Levels: Easy (Lower Sauvie Island 12-mile Loop), Intermediate (Eastbank to Sauvie Island + Lower Sauvie Island Loop: 33 miles). The ride is accompanied by bike mechanics.
The schedule:
( all times are estimates )
1:00 PM
Pre-ride free safety-check & mini-tune at Eastbank Esplanade Madison
Street Parking Lot. UBI certified mechanic(s) will be available with
tools & bike stand.
2:00 PM
Intermediate Ride Group assembles at Madison Plaza: Eastbank Esplanade & Madison Street
Parking Lot.
2:10 PM
Intermediate Ride Group departs. Ride from Madison Plaza to Sauvie Island, mostly along Highway 30.
(Expect to negotiate rain & road traffic: great for touring training.) Pace will be touring speed (10-14mph).
3:00 PM
The Easy Group assemble in parking lot of Cracker Barrel Grocery on Sauvie Island, 15005 NW Sauvie Island Rd. (phone: 503-621-3960). It is on the left hand side of road immediately after getting off Sauvie Island Bridge. Trimet Bus #17 goes to Sauvie Island.
Intermediate Group arrives at this location.
3:10 PM
Both groups depart. Take Sauvie Island Road - Reeder Road - Gillihan Road to loop around lower Sauvie Island.
4:10 PM
Both Groups return to Cracker Barrel Grocery parking lot. Easy Group Ride complete.
Intermediate Group returns to Madison Plaza following same arrival path.
5:00 PM
Intermediate Group arrives at Madison Plaza.
ALL TIMES ARE ESTIMATES.
This is a good chance to test out your bicycle, safety equipment, ride
clothing, and tool kits.
We recommend bringing the following gear:
Helmet
Wireless Phone
Gloves
Hooded jacket or head covering
Rain gear if necessary
Riding glasses
Tool pouch/multi-tool
Frame Pump or CO2 Inflator/Cartridges
Spare tubes/Patches
Water bottles or Hydration pack
Light Snack
Bike: (Preferrably with fenders in case of rain)
All new riders will need to sign Liability Release Agreement before
departure. Under 18 riders please be accompanied by an adult.
This ride is sponsored by the Community Exchange Cycle Touring Club, a
global non-profit organization with the goal of connecting diverse
world communities through reciprocated exchange bicycle tours.
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Westside Invite
Portland United Messenger Association (PUMA) just announced the schedule for the infamous Westside Invite May 26-28. The annual messenger blowout features skid competitions, alley cats, raging parties and demonstrations of raw skill.
(Photo courtesy of PUMA)
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March 30, 2006
Tell me About the Trails
Mt. Bike Oregon is a great three-day riding and camping event we do in Oakridge, Oregon (there is also an extended five-day option). A lot of people are wondering what the trails are like and if newbie riders will have a lot to choose from. Well, that's what makes Oakridge so great. There's lot of everything for everyone. Some trails have varying degrees of difficulty depending where on the trail you start.
I thought it would be good to put together a list of the trails, so I asked Randy from Oregon Adventures for a little advice. Randy is an Oakridge resident, a mt. bike expert in the region and he helps us organize Mt. Bike Oregon. Here's what we put together:
There are many trails in Oakridge, but these are he ones we'll feature on Mt. Bike Oregon:
Alpine Trail (20-50 miles) – The Crown Jewel
Smooth and fast, with breathtaking panoramic views. To earn the thrill, you climb 8-12 miles on forest service roads. Once you hit the trail, there is a little work, some minor technical, and then it’s all downhill for over three hours! Lots of loops and offshoot options including; Tire Mt, Cloverpath, North Fork and more. Moderate. Throw in Tire and Cloverpath and it goes up to Difficult.
Larison Creek – Highly technical single-track, particularly at the top.
The ride starts from camp, up three miles of paved road, then ten of gradually climbing fire road to the trailhead. The Creek ride is the perfect test of skill and courage. Extreme switchbacks, exposed roots, and stream crossings are a few of the challenges. About halfway down, it opens up and lets you ride, almost continually. Around two hours on the trail then a couple miles of downhill pavement back to camp. Expert most of the way, though it mellows out in the middle and at the end.
Larison Rock – Fun, short, and quick, with patches of technical.
A five-mile paved climb from camp puts you at the trailhead. The trail winds down the hills over camp. Although mostly smooth and fast, it slows down for some steep narrows and tight spots. Plan for 2-3
hours, round-trip from camp. Beginner, unless you take the shuttle to the top then it is moderate becasue you get going really fast.
Heckle Tooth (20-50 miles) – The other epic ride.
An easy ride from camp puts you on the Salmon Creek Trail. Then it is up the fire lane, how far is your
choice – the higher, the harder. The 20-mile loop climbs for six-miles before you enter the trail, a
speed zone through the rolling hills and generous switchbacks. The 35-mile loop adds elevation plus
climbing. It is only a steep climb in a couple of spots early and the reward is that you ride down the
edge of the mountains. The 50-miler is a rider’s ride – tight, technical switchbacks and obstacles reward the extra climb. Not for the weak!
Moderate if you take the shuttle. Special ride hosted by expert rider Bert is Expert level with a major work out including technical and hike a bike.
Salmon Creek – A beautiful flad ride ride up the river to the Salmon Creek Falls.
This flat, groomed trail runs right through camp and includes a variety of local points of interest along the ride. There are no hills or obstacles. A straight round trip is about 12 miles. For a harder Option: Cross the Salmon Creek Bridge for rolling hills with some technical patches. Gain some vertical with a trip up Dead Mountain then back on the Flat Creek Trail. Total beginner ride on the north side. South side is slightly more advanced as are the optional ad-ons mentioned above.
Willamette Pass – Steep technical slopes.
You can attack the technical steeps of the winter slopes and the downhill mt. bike race course or choose a cross-country route through the miles of trails in the national forest.
Additional Trails
There are many additional trails as part of the event or for exploring on your own. Oakridge is just loaded with great options for riding - no matter your skill level.
1-4 Routes: There are over 30 trails covering nearly 500 miles of single track within an hour and a half of Oakridge.
Comments (0) | Posted by orbike at 8:01 AM | Permalink | TrackBack
March 29, 2006
The Season is Picking up
It's that time of year. The calendars start to fill up. Great rides and races are popping up left and right.
This weekend
SATURDAY
Ice Breaker Crit, Eugene
SUNDAY
Piece of Cake, Woodland, WA
And we'll keep you posted as the season grows.
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March 28, 2006
Family Touring Report: The Indochine Cougars in Thailand
The wonderful tales of a Portland family traveling by bike continue....
We road 40 km from Pakse to get to the border. After getting through the border we road 15 km more to the first food and drink stand there was. While the outside of the stand was typical to what we had grown to expect in Laos, the inside was shiny and clean and stuffed with packaged goodies like a 7-11 shop. 55 km into the day we were feeling too tired to make it to our planned destination, Ubon Rath, still some 70 km away. One of the workers there spoke enough English to answer our question about bus service. She explained the police stand (it wasn't quite a station) that happened to be across the street (this was a major, albeit rural, intersection on a major thoroughfare) would stop a bus going to our destination for us. She then went to the police stand with us to explain our needs and destination to him in Thai. After a bit, a bus happened along so he put his helmet on walked into the road blew his whistle and motioned for the bus to stop. His partner grabbed a couple of our panniers while I rolled the bike to the bus.
While he explained our destination to the driver, his partner threw our two panniers aboard and went back for the other two. The whole operation took less than 2 minutes. With one very speedy transfer in which everyone seemed to know where we were going and made sure we got on the proper bus (I should clarify these are not govt run busses, but private drivers operating converted trucks in a manner more like mass-taxis) we made it to the train station.
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March 27, 2006
The Don't call him Dumpster for Nothin'
Swap meets are hot nationwide, but for some reason there aren't many around Portland. The Velo News-produced VeloSwaps have really taken off, but in Portland we've been pretty much left with the annual PUMP Swap Meet. And while PUMP is doing a great job with their swap, there's a market for more, much more.
So last spring, a fella who goes by Dumpster Dave put on a swap meet at the Eagles' Lodge with his then-girlfriend Bethany. Apparently it went very well - 600 people showed up. They don't call him Dumpster for nothin. Dave knows how to find deals, and how to get deal makers all in one room together for a great swap meet.
Yesterday I spoke with Dave about his plans for this year. He said he's got a swap planned for May at Free Geek.
The event will feature a swap meet all day and live music in the evening on Sunday, May 14th. Stay tuned right here for updated information as the date gets closer.
The Recyclery bike shop is also jumping on the swap wagon. They've planned a swap as an opener to Shift's Pedalpalooza two-week festival and they will continue the swaps monthly. Read all about it.
Comments (3) | Posted by orbike at 7:35 AM | Permalink | TrackBack
March 26, 2006
Hot Spot for Theft - 24 Hr. Fitness
BIke theft is nothing new in Portland. Several years ago when social services were severely cut, the number of stolen bike rose substantially. I was working at the Community Cycling Center at the time and our shop manager said that every day someone told him about a bike theft. I spoke with someone in social services to see what she thought was going on. She didn't ride a bike but she had heard about the rise in bike thefts. She said that a lot of the people who had relied on the now-defunct social services were off their medications and freaking out. In addition, people who had previously had food assistance were hungry and hunger is a desperate state that can cause people to do things they would have never considered doing before.
When the government decides to cut social services to save money, what money are they saving? They don't realize what an impact this has on the rest of society. Bike theft is just one example.
Bike theft in Portland these days doesn't seem to be quite as bad (or maybe I've just gotten used to it - could it be?), but it is still a major issue for cyclists. I saw this recent post on the Shift e-mail list:
"My bike (2005 Red Line Conquest) was stolen from the 24 hr Fitness in the Pearl back in February. I recently checked out the stolen bike list at BikePortland.org and noticed that, in addition to my bike, 2 others had bikes stolen from the exact same location within the last month. Now, just yesterday, another was listed on the OBRA listserve, making at least four in just one month. And these are just the ones that are listed on these sites! How many more have been (or are about to become) victims at 24-hour Fitness in the Pearl?"
BikePortland.org features a bike theft list and is expanding to make a version that shops can post to help their employees be on the lookout.
Comments (1) | Posted by orbike at 12:44 PM | Permalink | TrackBack
March 25, 2006
I Wish I had a Picture
The bridge that takes NE 33rd across Lombard, Columbia and, most notably, the railroad tracks, is down. The old bridge had weight limitations that weren't adequate for the traffic that needs to regularly cross it. I was there the day they really started to have a go at it, then again just yesterday when it was completely gone. I've spent a lot of time crossing and going under that bridge, and its absence is a pretty amazing sight.
So, bikers, alternate routes are in order if you're planning a ride out to Marine Drive. Depending on where you are coming from, your best bet is probably 47th, which has a stoplight (and you could stop at the Columbia Broil which has good down-home breakfast). Also, I just noticed a map of the alternate route over on BikePortland.org that PDOT put together for cyclists.
Comments (0) | Posted by orbike at 6:32 PM | Permalink | TrackBack
March 24, 2006
Can you Reach the Beach?
In May, all roads lead to the Pacific City beach. Hop on your bike from one of four different start locations on Reach the Beach, a fundraiser for the American Lung Association of Oregon, and join us for a sink-your-toes-in-the-sand party on the beach. This is my third year helping organize Reach the Beach and I can tell you it's an amazing ride.
Registration is only $25. You are also required to raise a minimum of $50 in donations for the American Lung Association of Oregon, and the website offers easy to use fundraising tools that make it fun and simple to send out messages and exceed your goal. Motivated fundraisers may qualify for great prizes such as a free pass to Cycle Oregon, a Trek bike, a ride on STP and more. Every dollar you raise helps the ALAO promote lung health and keep our Oregon air clean. They're working hard and they're saving lives and they need your help.
How does this sound: a beautiful route, breakfast, two lunch stops, 10 rest stops, dinner at the finish line, a brew pub on site, music, prizes and the backdrop of the ocean. Yes, I think it just doesn't get much better than this.
Reach the Beach also features a mt. bike course for those who want a little off road challenge.
Each of the five routes is a different distance, the most challenging being a century ride out of Portland. If you want to challenge yourself and you've never done a century, training rides led by the Portland Wheelmen will help you build up to that century.
Comments (1) | Posted by orbike at 9:57 AM | Permalink | TrackBack
March 23, 2006
Veloshop Burglarized
This unfortunate news just in from Molly Cameron, owner of Veloshop:
The Veloshop was burglarized last night and a bunch of fancy track specific gear was stolen. I'll list a few notable items in the hope that some of it will turn up.
Sugino 75 track crankset.
Dura Ace track crankset.
Phil Wood track hubsets.
Suzue track hubsets.
Pink Phil Wood hubsets.
Pink Chris King headsets.
Phil wood sealed bottom brackets.
A large number of track cogs, Euro Asia, Phil wood, Soma. A range of sizes in black and silver.
White Industries sealed bearing freewheels, a few sizes.
MKS track pedals. Different styles. Black and silver.
That is most of it. They also got our entire run of Campagnolo 8, 9 and 10 speed cassettes. Record and Chorus levels.
If you see anything, don't hesitate to give me a call.
Veloshop
211 sw 9th ave
Portland, Oregon
503.335.8356
---
Coincidentally, local blogger Jonathan Maus stopped by Veloshop today so he had a chance to speak with Molly and write a little more about the incident. Read it on BikePortland.org.
Comments (0) | Posted by orbike at 12:52 PM | Permalink | TrackBack
The Indochine Cougars: Coffee + Ice Cream
Friends of mine are traveling by bike with their two-year-old son in Laos, Cambodia and the region. (read more) Today they reported to me that they don't have an itinerary - they're playing it by ear. Here's another report from them:
So before recounting anything of the Bolaven of the past 5 days, we must share yet again what makes Laos such an excellent country. Today we had about 18 km of moderate climbing right in the afternoon heat. (Note, with 60 lbs of gear and 30 lbs of Cody Lao, there's really no such thing as "moderate" climbing). So after a very long strecth of up, the soul-sapping kind where the road seemingly goes up straight as an arrow for 2-3 km where you can always see the top but never get there, we finally did make it. Totally spent we stop and get off the bike for a breather and a little warm water. After a few minutes a fellow on an old trike-motobike pulls up sellling ice-cream cones! I kid you not. We're in the relative middle of nowhere and yet here's a guy with ice cream. Little cones of purple and white sherbert for 20 cents each. We've never had ice cream so refreshing. It cooled us down and let us conintue still tired, but immensely recharged. That's the thing about Laos, whenever we feel at our most spent-out there is some local that comes along to help or inspire us one way or another and keep us going on.
The Bolaven Plateau is a high plateau in southern Laos 3000-6000 feet above the surrounding area which is 300 feet above sea-level. It is home to Laos' coffee growing region, as well as many banana plantations and numerous waterfalls. Didn't know Laos grew coffee? Methinks the secret is no accident. The coffee is excellent, among the best in the world (to which we now can heartily attest) but it is a small region with limited production capability. The French buy around 90% of output. The remainder is consummed internally and increasingly by the Vietnamese. Apparently, event the Vietnamese won't drink their own coffee.
As for the Cougars, in addition to starting our day with two each (except for Cody, some lines simply are not crossed even on extended travel) we went to the local's market and procurred a supply for import. From most of the plantations we passed, it is not shade grown. And we don't know if buying hand-stuffed plastic bags from a local at their market constitutes fair-trade or not, but at 50 cents a pound for the best coffee we've ever had, we were jettisoning garments and equipement to make extra room in are already stuffed panniers.
Comments (0) | Posted by orbike at 9:21 AM | Permalink | TrackBack
March 21, 2006
New E-Newsletter
If you're not getting our e-newsletter, you're missing out. Sign up on the top of the left column of this page. The season is just getting started so we're increasing to twice a month. Just enough to keep you in the loop but not enough to overwhelm your mailbox. Yeah, we know how it is.
See our most recent newsletter on the front page of out site.
Comments (0) | Posted by orbike at 9:55 AM | Permalink | TrackBack
March 20, 2006
Tour de Murals
What a great idea. Last Saturday, local artist/cyclist Sara Stout put on a bike tour of local murals. The tour was organized as a way to talk about the new Share the Road Mural that will be painted in June on the outside wall of Hawthorne Auto Clinic. Carye Bye put together a great ride report.
PHOTOS:
The Tour
RACC Murals
On Saturday, Sara Stout and local Muralists groups organized an excellent tour of local Murals by bike. We started at the Vita cafe at 30th and NE Alberta where we learned about the new Share the Road Mural that will be painted in June on the outside wall of Hawthorne Auto Clinic. Sara showed her idea so far for the mural. Joanne of Portland Mural Defense talked about the history of murals in Portland
and the on-going Clear Channel lawsuit that has made it difficult to get permission for murals to go up.
We then headed out down Alberta Street, stopping at the Women Mural, Tom Kramer mural, and the site of the upcoming Community Cycling Center mural. Here Robin, who got a RACC (Regional Art & Culture Council) grant to design this mural unveiled the plans - that show an amazing bike parade that includes a pirate ship and other whimsical characters (see photos!). Robin is going to need a lot of volunteers this summer so if you see folks working on the mural this late spring or summer - feel free to jump in and paint. Then we headed to the Albina Press mural, Bruce Orr's SCRAP Mural (Joanna Dyer came out to give a dynamic talk on this colorful mural made last summer, and it was the first approved mural under the new RACC rulings), and then another Tom Kramer mural near N. Williams.
Then our group of around 30 bicyclists headed South, we stopped at the Irvington Church Murals
that are on both sides of the building on the way. At City Bikes, Sara Stout talked about the Mural evolving on the building, and at SE Stark & 28th we looked closely at Ping Khaw's "Learning Beyond" mural that went up last year. In the Belmont area we stopped at few building murals, sunnyside piazza - a giant sunflower mural on the street - and the bike memorial lifehouse. Our last stop before the Hawthorne Auto Clinic was the Coffee Head mural hiding on a wall near Hawthorne & SE 39th. At the Auto Clinic we were warmly welcomed by the owner (I think) and had a huge spread of food. A planning session began for the proposed "Share the Road" mural to go up in June on the side of the building. Everyone was drawing bikes on the paper plan on the wall. So Sang Park stepped in and drew a car! But he quickly added a bike rack to the top. Check out the photos below and also the other mural links.
-Carye
Comments (0) | Posted by orbike at 2:36 PM | Permalink | TrackBack
Safe Landing at Banana Belt
I didn't make it out to any of the Banana Belt races, but it sounds like a great time. Here's one report from the OBRA list:
"Bravo to whoever it was that tacod their rear wheel on lap 2 of yesterday's cat 3 race. (Pothole?) When I heard the sound of cracking wheels I thought for sure a pile up was about to occur. I looked left and saw you skidding to a halt, one foot unclipped, but with your bike upright. That was most impressive! Great job bringing your steed to a safe landing. - CLARK RITCHIE"
PHOTOS
Banana Belt 3
Banana Belt 2+3
Banana Belt 2+3
Comments (0) | Posted by orbike at 9:25 AM | Permalink | TrackBack
March 19, 2006
Article on Cyclocross Racer Katie Compton
[ from Cycling News ]
Cycling News just published an article about Katie Compton, a 2004 and 2004 US National Cyclocross champion who seemingly came out of nowhere. She rocked our local soil at the 2004 nationals though most people had never heard of her.
Comments (0) | Posted by orbike at 8:45 PM | Permalink | TrackBack
March 17, 2006
The Travels of the Indochine Cougars
My friends Carie Weisenbach-Folz and Allan Folz and their two-year-old son Cody have their own bike team they call the Cougars. Somehow they got it in their heads that it would be a good idea to load up the tandem and take a trip as a family to China, Laos and other areas.
To prepare, the had Joseph Aherarne of Ahearne Cycles make them a custom rack (pictured here) to hold their panniers AND their kid seat. And if their tandem isn't enough of a site, they insisted on bringing their tall rear flag. Uh, for safety's sake. Right.
Their trip has been amazing and I've been really fortunte to be on their weekly detailed dispatch list. As soon as they arrived, they hit the ground running. "Yeah, we were quite the attention getters. The taxi and delivery truck drivers were the best. They were grinning ear to ear and waving a big thumbs-up. A number of the folks in private cars were madly honking like at a parade."
So with the Cougars' blessing, I'll be sharing with you some deatils of their journey. So far it has been great. Cody has been a trooper. Here's one of my favorite passages:
"As you might expect, maps of the road less travelled leave much to be desired. So we follow what should be the right road except it quickly deteriorates into something I can't imagine any falang (that's gringo in Indochina) should be traveling on. About 800 yards back there was a Y which we took the left branch. I decide we should have taken the right. Its a rough 800 yards and there is a well warn path cutting through some dry rice patties towards the right. Surely it meets up with the right. Well, in no time at all the well worn path cuts through people's backyards. The next hut it goes right under. For this we respectfully get off and walk the bike. The locals for their part seem impressed a bunch of westerners are coming over for a visit. Well, those that both to wake up from their nap. Some don't. Those that do wave, smile and shout Sabbaidee [hello]. Cody loves it. He starts laughing and squealling. Eventually the path cuts through a Wat with 3 monks doing masonry work. Then we are onto a road. Well kind of. Compared to the path its definitely a road. Soon another cross-roads and a stand selling red drink. I say Champasak and point. They smile and say Champasak. I say Champasak and point to the other direction. They shake their heads no. Whew. From then on everytime I see someone I say Champasak and point everyone smiles and nods. There was more rice paddy hopping and more cutting through folks backyards, but thankfully we never had to ride right under a hut again. Though there was two dry river bed crossings. Cody for his couldn't stop laughing. There was about 4 km of this. I was starting to think we has delirious from heat stroke, but Carie and I were doing all the pedalling. He was sitting in the back in the shade. I tell ya his laughing and the locals laughing an clapping did help us keep going in an otherwise very trying time. This was about 6 hours and 70 km into the ride (we did have some stops) and at the hottest part of the day."
Comments (2) | Posted by orbike at 7:40 AM | Permalink | TrackBack
March 16, 2006
Volunteers Needed for Banana Belt
I couldn't resist posting this Banana Belt call for volunteers because it comes from Mike Olson. Mike runs Olson's Bicycles in Forest Grove and he's a great supporter of cycling. For years he offered to be a drop-off location for people who lived in the Forest Grove area and wanted to donate bikes to the Community Cycling Center. No shop has tons of room to spare, but Mike was willing to make his available as an easy way for neighbors to donate bikes. He worked with Forest Grove residents Julie and Charley Pruitt to host a big bicycle collection and he has made his own contributions to the Community Cycling Center's Holiday Bike Drives. I've never actually met Mike in person (though hopefully I will one day soon), but I think he's got a really good thing going on in Forest Grove.
Okay, on to the call for volunteers...
LAST CHANCE TO VOLUNTEER FOR THIS YEARS BANANA BELT.
Still need a p.m. corner marshal for the dam and a support rider for the cat 5
Don't miss this chance. Last time until next year.
Thanks everyone for your help this year
Mike Olson
Olson's Bicycles
fgbiker@groveweb.net
Comments (1) | Posted by orbike at 11:10 AM | Permalink | TrackBack
March 15, 2006
Transportation Ambassadors Sought
Yesterday my friend Janis sent me this volunteer announcement. Janis works for the City of Portland's Transportaion Options department, renown for their great bike programs, and mentioned that they have openings for summer Transportation Ambassadors.
Read the full announcement.
Transportation Options Ambassadors Program is a limited opportunity for volunteers to get hands-on experience with Transportation Options' staff to reach out to Portland residents through walks, bike rides, tabling community events, helmet fittings and more. Ambassadors get an inside look at how the
best bicycling and one of the best walking cities in North America gets that way.
Ambassadors represent the Office of Transportation and present information to encourage pedestrians, cyclists, drivers and transit riders to travel safely together - share the road. Other activities include bicycle helmet giveaways, bike counts and transportation fairs. Ambassadors would be expected to commit to at least two events throughout the spring, summer and
fall of 2006.
Selected Ambassador applicants receive a 3-hour training at the Transportation Options Ambassador Academy on the information and skills necessary to talk with the public at outreach events about all
transportation options. Additionally, Ambassadors get an official City of Portland Office of Transportation T-shirt, an Ambassador Academy Certificate, a variety of walking, biking and transit incentives throughout the summer, and an opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills.
To apply for the Transportation Options Ambassador Academy, or for more information, visit our website at www.GettingAroundPortland.org and click Options Ambassadors, or contact Janis McDonald at 503-823-5358 or janis.mcdonald@pdxtrans.org.
Comments (0) | Posted by orbike at 7:00 AM | Permalink | TrackBack
March 14, 2006
Q: Will a Tacoed Wheel Fit on the Bus Rack?
A: Yes.
I wrecked my bike today, but it could have been worse. As usual, the fall was my fault. I never have the luxury of blaming someone else for my accidents. Fortunately I've never been too injured and this was actually the first time a car was involved. All in all, it wasn't so bad. I still don't know what happened, but all of a sudden there was a mini van in front of me and I was inches from the rear - no time to stop. Someone on the right was pulling out of a parking spot, so I'm guessing that the mini van stopped for that. Admittedly, I wasn't watching the road. It had just started raining and I was looking up at the rain clouds and riding really fast down Vancouver.
I was thrown between two sationary cars with just barely enough room for me and my bike to land sideways. It could have been a lot worse. My head hit the pavement hard but I didn't feel a thing (go helmet!) and I landed on my side enough to bend my glasses and mess up my arm a little.
My front wheel was tacoed, but it was worn away and needed to be replaced anyway. Tomorrow I was planning on going to check out Revolver, the newer shop on Interstate. Instead I went today.
I just really can't get over how fortunte I feel about the whole situation. The guy I hit was very nice. We spoke to each other in Spanish and he wasn't concerned about his car. There were bystanders who made sure I was okay. I ran into fellow bike enthusiast/blogger Jonathan Maus while waiting for the bus and he made sure I was okay. The bus got me right near the shop and it was free because the fare box was broken. My fork was fine. I walked home from the shop - 1.5 miles - and it was sunny the whole way.
Comments (3) | Posted by orbike at 3:17 PM | Permalink | TrackBack
Photos from Banana Belt 2 - Get ready for 3
Shane Young just posted his pics of the Banana Belt 2 race. There are some great pictures there. Get ready for Banana Belt 3!
Comments (0) | Posted by orbike at 10:09 AM | Permalink | TrackBack
March 13, 2006
The Lightest Cyclocross Bike Ever Made?
Jeremy Burlingame is obsessed with lightweight cyclocross bikes. How obsessed? Well, he happens to have an entire blog devoted to light and lighter and lighter and the lightest cyclocross bikes. His March 11th entry declared perhaps he had come across the lightest ever made: the 13.16 pound Colnago C50 of a Spanish racer named Marco. That's pretty light.
Comments (0) | Posted by orbike at 9:01 PM | Permalink | TrackBack
March 12, 2006
Last Minute Call for Entries
The deadline for entries of bike-themed film shorts for Filmed by Bike is March 15th. Just a couple days left to get your submission in! So far great films are rolling in from New York, Ontario, Arizona, California and of couse Portland. Filmed by Bike is April 14th at the Clinton Street Theater. For submission info, see the Filmed by Bike website.
Comments (0) | Posted by orbike at 9:43 PM | Permalink | TrackBack
March 10, 2006
Bird's Eye View of Cyclists
[ from C.I.C.L.E. ]
Artist Laura Domela has an great compositional eye when it comes to painting, or her favorite medium photography. FIETSEN, her latest book of photos, features words that compliment bird's eye views of cyclists pedaling by.
Originally from Anchorage Alaska, Domela spent the majority of her youth living by the beaches of Southern California, where bikes plays a prominent role in beach culture. Laura's many Dutch relatives inspired her recent work shot in Amsterdam - a cycling utopia. Domela now resides in Portland where she continues to build her body of work.
Comments (1) | Posted by orbike at 1:39 PM | Permalink | TrackBack
March 9, 2006
A New Take on Rails to Trails
[ from Make Blog ]
Make Blog recently featured a rail bike. You might find more information on the Rail Bike website, but sometimes their site is down. I grew up along some freight train tracks. I could have really torn it up out there with a bike like this!
Apparently this photo is from the tracks along the Willamette River between Lake Oswego and Portland.
Comments (0) | Posted by orbike at 9:01 AM | Permalink | TrackBack
March 8, 2006
Reach the Beach
I was talking to someone recently and when I mentioned that I help organize Reach the Beach he said, "Oh, good ole Reach the Beach. I love it. I ride it every year." He's not the only one. In fact, we're expecting 2,000 riders to join us this year.
There are five different routes with different lengths, including a mountain bike course and all routes lead to a gigantic beach party in Pacific City. The party features music, an opportunity to sink your toes in the sand, beer for sale at the award-winning Pelican Pub and free prizes. With breakfast, two lunches, many rest stops and dinner at the finish line, you'll be well taken care of on this ride.
Reach the Beach is a fundraiser for the American Lung Association of Oregon. In addition to having a great time on the ride, you can feel good knowing you are promoting cleaner air and lung health in Oregon.
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March 6, 2006
Quandary: I am Riding a Stolen Bike
Carl Larson recently discovered that the 60's English-made Huffy 3-speed he bough fair and square at a used bike shop was actually a stolen bike. How did he know? A woman came yelling after him that it was her bike. After talking with her for a while, Carl totally believes her and plans to give the bike back, but he isn't happy about the situation.
Carl wants to know: So...what do you think? What would you, riders of used bikes, do? Ever had this happen before?
Read Carl's full story | Read the entire thread on the Shift List
So I'm riding through Old Town and this lady comes hauling down the block on foot after me, yelling for me to stop.
"That's my bike!" She explains, "It was stolen a few months ago."
When I made the decision to move out here a little over a month ago, my first purchase was an early 60's English-made Huffy 3-speed. I bought it at a place that sells used bikes and have since put its purchase price back into it for new tires and such. It's a great bike and, as any of you who've met me will attest, it goes everywhere with me.
But I believe her. Even though she couldn't remember where she bought it 9 years ago, she picked off the changes I'd made to it, pointed out the quirks that she remembered, and seemed genuine. Who runs after a beater Huffy, anyway?
We exchanged contact info. I told her that I wanted her to have her bike back and was glad she spotted me but that I was going to take it home until I could figure out how to minimize either of us getting screwed on this bizarre transaction.
At the moment, I'm considering approaching the shop where I bought it and asking them to give me a bike of equal (pre-improved) value, and then see if she's willing to pay me for the improvements I made. That way, the only one who gets screwed is the shop that, whether they knew it or not, sold me a stolen bike. Optimistic, I know.
So...what do you think? What would you, riders of used bikes, do? Ever had this happen before?
I'd appreciate the advice.
Comments (3) | Posted by orbike at 10:20 PM | Permalink | TrackBack
March 5, 2006
Bike TV Features Tour de California
Clarence Eckerson is the man behind Bike TV based in NYC. Clarence likes to travel and feature biking in different cities. He's been to Portland several times and he recently went to San Francisco during the Tour de California. He got some good footage of the race, tucked inside an interview with the San Francisco Bike Coalition. Check out the episode, as well as an index of tons of other episodes.
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March 4, 2006
Bingo at North Portland Bikeworks
Who doesn't like playing bingo? But this ain't your grandma's bingo, no! You'll be playing for cool prizes from many great Portland businesses and it is a fundraiser for North Portland Bikeworks. These folks have gotten to be known for their raucously fun bingo nights.
Saturday March 11, 8pm
Mississippi Rising Ballroom
4000 N Mississippi Av (at Shaver)
Cards are $1 each. Beer is $2!
North Portland BikeWorks is a collectively run non-profit neighborhood learning center that provides information, resources and skill-sharing programs to low-income and marginalized populations to advocate the use of environmentally sustainable, self-reliant transportation. They are located at 3951 N. Mississippi Ave in Portland's Boise neighborhood.
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March 3, 2006
Exciting Bikey Portland Times
A handful of people from Portland are in D.C. right now at the National Bike Summit. They're lobbying to help cyclist have more rights to the road and increased funding for infrastructure and programs.
This weekend is the BTA's Alice B. Toeclips awards where Oregon bike enthusiasts will be honored for their good work.
On top of all that, were on our third day of glorious sunshine and great riding weather. We're having some exciting bikey Portland times!
[ photo courtesy of BTA Blog/Jessica Roberts ]
Comments (1) | Posted by orbike at 10:00 AM | Permalink | TrackBack
March 2, 2006
Willamette Valley Classic Stage Race
The Willamette Valley Classic Stage on April 21st-23rd is a combination of classic and new race courses for the Willamette Valley. With multiple categories the event offers something for everyone. From a flat sprinters stage, a demanding time trial, a super fun circuit race and the Queen stage around the famous Wolf Creek this race has it all.
The Willamette Valley Classic consists of 4 races throughout the 3 days including 2 circuit races (1 long & 1 short course), an 17 miles time trial, and the Queen stage covering no less than 5 epic climbs. Designed to keep the action close until the end of the last stage, sprinters, time trial specialists and climbers alike will have to be at their sharpest to not loose time.
Space is limited and fields are filling fast, pre-registration deadline is March 15th.
Director Richard Sweet also reports that they're looking for volunteers.
"As a volunteer you can watch the race unfold in while driving lead or follow car, enjoy the beauty of the Willamette Valley while marshalling a corner or be there for the start and finish and help us set-up or tear down. Like the Tour De France we will need an army of volunteers to make this an epic event for years to come."
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