July 30, 2006
Bike Repair Blog
Need advice on how to work on your bike but none of your friends have the answer, or they're not around? In an oh-so-2006 way, you can now go online to Canadian Gerry Lauzon's blog Free Advice on How to Fix your Bicycle. The blog hasn't been aound long enough and I don't know many people who have used it, so I can't say with any authority how solid the advice is, but it's worth a shot.
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July 28, 2006
MS 150 Bike Tour
It's kind of like the Tour de France comes to Oregon when you join George Hincapie at the MS 150 Bike Tour. Hincapie leads Team Discovery Channel at the Tour de France this month and then comes to Oregon. He says "I'm excited to be riding for a great cause." Hincape is America's most decorated active cyclist, and at MS 150 you'll have a chance to get autographs and photos and hear Hincapie speak in the Health Net Rider Village on Saturday evening.
The MS 150 Bike Tour invites you to 'Ride with George' on an unforgettable, two-day journey through Oregon's wine country and woodlands. Cruise along scenic figure-eight courses based in Forest Grove ranging from 41 to 178 miles that include generous amenities, stunning landscapes, stops at spectacular vineyards, and festivities along the way.
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July 27, 2006
Who's Riding on Hot Days?
Do you have to be crazy to sign up for a ride called the Hottest Day of the Year Ride? Well, 1,500 people signed up for the Worst Day of the Year Ride this year, so the hottest has got to be pretty great also right? That's what 29 year old Carrie Bader thinks and she's pumped to ride.
Carrie says, "I always like to take advantage of any good organized outdoor events during the summer - I also don't bike much outside of my usual commute, so it's a chance to get out and try a new route." She says that for sure she's really looking forward to the post-ride water fight and ice cream sundaes.
Carrie's regular riding mostly includes her 10-miles-a-day commute to work or school. This summer she also rode the Tour d'Organics in June on the 30-mile route.
Carrie is one of hundreds of people who are signing up for the Hottest Day of the Year Ride - a benefit for the Community Cycling Center. Tons of volunteers will ensure there aren't long lines - to check in or to make your ice cream sundae at the finish line. If the weather is anything line today, it won't be the hottest, but it will be one of the best days to ride.
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July 26, 2006
Get the Mt. Bike Oregon Special Price!
For just a few more days, you can register for Mt. Bike Oregon for only $180 (3 day) / $300 (5 day). That's a pretty sweet deal for a full weekend of riding, free shuttles to the trails, meals included, FREE BEER AT NIGHT, camping and a great crowd of mtb enthusiasts. The event happens in Oakridge, an area with some of the very best trails in the US. It's just east of Eugene. The prices will go up on August 1st so get in on the deal while you can and sign up today.
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July 25, 2006
The Portland Century - An Incredible Century!
I just finished the route maps for the Portland Century, and it's a pretty awesome route. I mean, how cool is it to ride a century and get to finish by riding along Broadway downtown, past all the city action to a finish line feast of scrumptious local seasonal foods?
It's a Century (and a 40 and 60) filled with some of the best sights in Portland - but it is not for the faint of heart. The 40- and 60-mile routes are totally flat, but the century includes a special tour of Bull Run and Oxbow Park. There is some pretty serious climbing in there, but it's well worth it. If you are one of the many fans of the Torture 10,000 (a ride made famous by the Portland Wheelmen), then you're going to dig this course.
Each route has a series of very Portland highlights, but only the Century includes them all.
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July 24, 2006
Bike Crash Videos
Someone sent me a link to these videos. I almost don't want to pass them on to you because they're on YouTube. Do you know about YouTube? If you don't, you may not want to go there. When my housemate first got his own laptop he discovered YouTube. Two hours later he was still at the site, looking at the short video clips people have uploaded (on every topic imaginable) to others to see. YouTube is addictive, and it's also full of great bike videos.
I included some I like in this list, along with the ones that were passed on to me:
Crash #1 | Crash #2 | Crash #3 | Crash #4
But if you want to see really good bike footage, you should check out the Mt. Bike Oregon video. Full of tight singletrack helmet cam shots and amazing scenery. You can get a free copy if you go to the Mt. Bike Oregon website and click the free DVD e-mail link.
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July 21, 2006
Hottest Day of the Year Ride
I think tomorrow may be the hottest day yet, but you've still got time to gear up for the Hottest Day of the Year Ride on August 6. Hhundreds of cyclists will brave the heat on a soaking, cycling, sundae, Sunday ride in support of the Community Cycling Center. The mostly flat, 15-mile loop route starts and ends at the Lucky Lab Brew Hall, NW 19th and Quimby and features a finish line sundae making party, BBQ and the West's largest water fight (squirt guns provided).
The meandering 15-mile course is flat and perfect for new or experienced riders. A water and snack-stocked rest stop will provide shade and respite along the way. There is also a 40-mile option for hardcore riders who want more of a challenge.
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Mt. Bike Oregon Reaches 200!
Mt. Bike Oregon, a weekend of riding, camping, beer and shuttles, just passed the 200 registrant mark! The ride caps off at 300 participants and registrations are flooding in daily. The price goes up on August 1st, so register now while you can still get the early registration prices and before it sells out.
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July 20, 2006
Castelli Gets Going in Portland
The City of Portland and other agencies statewide want to see Oregon become an epicenter for cycling manufacturing and we're well on our way there.
Castelli dates back to 1876, stemming from an Italian tailoring family. Armando Castelli is famous for introducing skilk into cycling jerseys to lighten up the wool that was common at the time. Castelli is known for their innovation, though they admit they've been lacking in that department over the last few years. They hope their new start in Portland - they moved here last November - will give them just the spark they need.
The Castelli marketing campaign will stem from a week's worth of research in Italy by a cycling-enthusiast ad agency rep who spent time interviewing Castelli family members, reading old letters and looking at old photographs. Oh, he also rode over 350 miles of Italian roads. The new products developed by Castelli will feature a specialty line of technologically-advanced apparel at an increased cost. They hope to cater to those of you who love your bikes so much you're willing shell out the greebacks to prove it.
[ Read the Oregonian article ]
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July 19, 2006
Latest ORbike Newsletter
Have you seen our latest newsletter? It's absolutely packed with great info, like the Portland Century, Torture 10,000, Hottest Day of the Year Ride and more. Events in Portland, Eugene, Willamette Pass, Oakidge and beyond. Our newsletters come out two times a month in the heavy season (now!) and they're you're go-to source for info on biking events.
Read it here and subscribe on our website.
[ archives ]
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July 18, 2006
Mid-Summer Crit
The Mid-Summer Criterium Series starts this week on Wednesday and runs through August 2nd. Laps are 1.4 miles. The road surface varies along a median divided course and tree-lined roadway with two fast 180 degree turns. The course is technical and configured like european criteriums with false ascents, descents and fast corners. Road width varies from wide (two lanes) to narrow (one lane+). The crit is at Wagon Way and Century Blvd., which is off of highway 26 west at the Cornelius Pass rd exit.
EVENTS:
Women Cat 4 and Masters 40+ 25 minutes + 2 Laps 6:15PM
Senior Women 25 minutes + 2 Laps 6:15PM
Masters 1, 2, 3 30 minutes + 2 Laps 6:50PM
Category 4 & 5 30 minutes + 2 Laps 7:30PM
Category 1, 2, 3 45 minutes + 2 Laps 8:10PM
Registration Opens at 5:45pm near Start/Finish Line
$15.00 Entry Fee for each race. If doing two events, second race fee is $5.00
Cash Prizes to 5th place in each race
Primes every race
. OBRA membership is required
. OBRA one-day License ($5)
. Standard OBRA bicycle racing rules apply
. Helmets required
. Designated Pit Area. No wheel support. Free lap for mechanical until 2 laps to go
Directions to Course: From Portland take 26 west to the Cornelius Pass Rd. exit (North). At stoplight, left onto Wagon Way. 2 blocks to course. Race Parking on Wagon Way (see course marshal) and Liberty High School parking lot.
For more info, contact CMG Events: 503.807.2471, om.cmg1@verizon.net
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July 13, 2006
Cyclists Needed to Count Cyclists
From Jessica Roberts of the BTA
Portland bicycling friends,
Roger Geller, Portland's "bike czar," wants to increase the number of bike count locations this year so we can get an even better sense of how many Portlanders are biking and where they ride. He needs some volunteer help to make it happen.
Hopefully some of you will be willing to spend a couple hours helping him out. This data is essential when we're making the case that bicyclists are a real, growing and legitimate part of Portland's transportation system.
WHAT:
The City of Portland is seeking volunteers to spend two hours counting bicyclists at key bikeway intersections. It's easy, it's fun to watch the
cyclists stream by, and it helps provide us with great information about changes in bicycling activity. The City will provide a quick training and
pizza for volunteers!
WHEN:
Pizza and Training:
6 pm Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Portland Building (1120 S.W. 5th Ave.)
Broadway Room, 9th Floor
RSVP: To attend the training, please respond by Monday July 24, 2006 to Crista Gardner at: Crista.Gardner@pdxtrans.org (503.823.1088).
For more info, see the BTA blog.
Bike on,
Jessica
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Oregon Bike Events are Growing
There seems to be no shortage of great Bike events happening in Oregon this summer and most have seen their numbers grow. The Barlow Trail Century, in it's third year, experienced huge growth on one of the hottest days to hit summer. The Night Ride last Saturday was off the hook. Tons of riders are already signing up for the brand new Portland Century and Mt. Bike Oregon is poised to sell out.
For our loyal readers in Eugene, don't miss out on , a weekend of bike-themed films at the DIVA center.
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July 10, 2006
The Night Ride - a Huge Success!
By all accounts, The Night Ride on Saturday night was a huge success! Many other large (and larger) cities have great night rides, and we really wanted to see one in Portland. The old night ride was laid to rest and this new, improved ride was wildly popular. Costumed riders were everywhere. I was really impressed with some of the get-ups (riders dressed as dice!) It was clear people were having fun and had put a lot of time into their outfits. I was especially loving all the coordinated group costumes (the nurses!)
Photo Gallery | Nighttime Club ride recap | Report from BikePortland.org
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July 7, 2006
The Nighttime Club
For more information, read their newsletters and check out the website.
JOIN THE CLUB - REGISTER NOW!
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July 6, 2006
Portland Low Car Diet
[ from OPB ]
Today 25 Portlanders surrendered their car keys at a ceremony at Pioneer Square to begin what organizers are calling a "Low Car Diet." For the next month the volunteers will depend on bicycles, TriMet, the shared car service Flexcar, and their own two feet to get around town.
Mayor Tom Potter says with light rail, buses and bicycle lanes, Portland is the perfect place for a "no car" experiment.
"Today we are introducing 25 people whose job is to help us all see the future a little bit more clearly," Potter says, "They're going to go cold turkey for a full month on a low car diet."
The Hanson-Gilbert family includes 2 young children, a 4 -year-old and a 14-month-old gnawing on a donut in his mother's arms. Although it may seem like an extra burden to have no car and two kids, she says she's doing it for her kids.
"Because as our family expands we'd like to continue to be a little bit lighter on the world and save a little money," Gilbert explains, "It's getting a little tougher to afford gas and insurance."
[ Read the whole story ] - [ Listen ]
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Bike-Themed First Thursday
I was talking with local bike builder Joseph Ahearne on Saturday night (pictured here hauling a pumpkin on a custom rack he built) and he was telling me all about the First Thursday soiree Commissioner Adams is hosting this week. Joseph is stoked for the event which will give a nod to the growing community of local builders, none of whom can keep up with the demand for their businesses. Sweet Pea Bicycles (they specialize in bikes for women) is the latest to pop onto the scene.
The First Thursday event is at City Hall, 1221 SW 4th - downtown - from 5-8 pm. It features bicycle art and Portland’s finest hand-built bicycles as well as a Tour de France viewing presented by Shift
As Jessica Roberts of the BTA puts it: "Sam's First Thursdays are always a good time, and this one will be bike-riffic. ...you’ll be able to rub shoulders with elected officials and bike artists. Come for the good company or come for the bikes. "
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July 5, 2006
Tour de France Online Tracker
A friend just tipped me off to this cool online Tour de France insider's tool. The Tour de France is on it's third stage and Location Based Media created a live, interactive tracker application. The recent track is plotted on a Google map and live data (such as eart beat, speed, stress points, distance, power and current position) will be displayed next to each driver.
Take a look here.
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