April 30, 2007
Tour of North Portland
City of Portland bike coordinator Roger Geller says, "Ladies and Gentlemen, start your pedals." He wants you to hop on your bike and head out on a tour of North Portland on May 1. The two ride options are 11 or 15 miles. Here's the full message:
The 4th Bicycle Master Plan ride will focus on North Portland with a swing through the Park Blocks to get a bit of the Amsterdam feel. Be at Terry Schrunk Plaza at 5:15 sharp as we'll get underway as close to 5:30 as possible. BRING FOOD!! This ride will likely finish outdoors at one of two North Portland Parks so bring dinner!!
For more info, contact Roger. (503) 823-7671, roger.geller@pdxtrans.org
Comments (1) | Posted by orbike at 8:25 AM | Permalink | TrackBack
April 27, 2007
Reach the Beach Pre-Ride Party
The Reach the Beach pre-party is this Sunday, April 29th at REI. Come on over to pick up your rider number so that on the morning of the ride, you're all set to hit the road. They'll be serving up yummy hors d'oeuvres and providing plenty of samples from Clif Bar, Pioneer Organics and more. You'll also get 10% all REI merchandise, a chance to ask fundraising questions and they'll have the new Reach the Beach t-shirt for sale.
Here's a tip: come later in the evening. The event is 7-9 pm. People start lining up at 6 pm, which means there is a huge line at the beginning. Come at 8 pm and avoid the madness.
Comments (6) | Posted by orbike at 10:29 AM | Permalink | TrackBack
April 25, 2007
Win a Free Pass to Mt. Bike Oregon
Show off your skills! We know you can tear it up on the trail, but what can you do with a jersey? Mt. Bike Oregon is looking for a special design for this year's jersey. Send in your design by May 1, which is coming right up The winning designer will receive a free pass to the 2007 MBO. For more info on the contest, see the MBO website.
Comments (0) | Posted by orbike at 10:21 AM | Permalink | TrackBack
Important Message From the BTA
The Bicycle Transportation Alliance just sent out this call for action to Portlanders:
"Mayor Tom Potter's office has released his draft budget, which includes many of the good things BTA members care about.
But the Mayor cut an essential item - the Platinum Bike Master Plan Update.
Please contact the Mayor's office TODAY and ask him to restore $150,000 in funding to make sure the Platinum Bike Master Plan Update can be completed. With cities like Chicago, Seattle, and New York setting aggressive goals to improve bicycling, Portland can't be using a 12-year-old master plan to compete. We've learned a lot since the plan was written in 1995, and we need to collect those lessons into a plan to make Portland a Platinum-level bike city, and to address key city goals around child and adult health, global warming, and affordable transportation choices. (503) 823-4120.
Comments (0) | Posted by orbike at 9:37 AM | Permalink | TrackBack
April 24, 2007
Volunteer at a Biker Party
Help get things started off right for Reach the Beach, a 17 year tradition and a benefit for the American Lung Association of Oregon. Snack on yummy cheese and crackers, help riders get signed up for the ride, sample tasty energy snacks and organic fruit, sell t-shirts and generally help out.
It's the Reach the Beach Pre-Ride Packet Pickup Party on April 29th at REI Portland, NW 14th and Johnson.
All volunteers get free access to the party, a 10% off coupon to REI and a commemorative cap. To sign up, see the Reach the Beach website. 13 volunteers are still needed, so spread the word.
This picture is of a volunteer in action at the finish line last year, handing out leis - how fun! If you can't make it on Sunday, there are PLENTY of other volunteer opportunities on the ride, so join in on May 19th instead!
Comments (2) | Posted by orbike at 2:04 AM | Permalink | TrackBack
April 23, 2007
Larry and his Babe
No really, that's her name - Babe - and she's the reason Larry is here today, riding Reach the Beach. Several years ago, Larry Tanner, from Tillamook, was injured on the job and unable to work for a long period of time. The normally-active guy didn't take well to all this sitting around, and he quickly developed severe depression and an addiction to his pain medication. Larry gained a lot of weight and his life began to spiral our of control.
But Babe, his wife for 40 years, wasn't about to let that happen. Through her love and support, Larry was able to kick his addiction to the pain medication and he started riding his bike for exercise. Before he knew it, he lost over 100 pounds and signed up to ride Reach the Beach.
That was three years ago and Larry has been riding Reach the Beach ever since. Larry's preferred route is the 100 miles from Portland, but this year he is considering the Corvallis Challenge, a new 110 mile route. And his favorite part about the ride? "First of all," Larry says "its a great ride and for a great cause." He also really loves the anticipation and excitement leading up to the start of the big ride day.
And Babe has been there every step of the way. The first year, she rode with Larry. Now she's an equally-helpful contributor to the event as she volunteers at rest stops along the course. Babe says she loves directing traffic and cheering on riders - and seeing Larry cross the finish line.
These days, Larry puts in 100-200 miles of riding a week, and in 2006 he clocked 6,000 miles. He has come a long way from his days of depression, and Reach the Beach has been a big part of his recovery. So look for Larry out there on the ride, and give him high five. Way to go Larry! We'll see you at the beach.
Comments (4) | Posted by orbike at 8:00 AM | Permalink | TrackBack
April 19, 2007
What are you Doing for Earth Day?
Earth Day is coming up this weekend, April 22nd. Across the state, communities are celebrating with big festivals, mostly on Saturday. Ashland has the Rogue Valley celebration at ScienceWorks Hands-on Museum. The Ashland Bike Coallition will be there with bike info. In Eugene, they're offering free bike tune-ups at the Earth Day Celebration. In Salem, there will be bike shops sharing tips and info.
And in Portland, there are bike rides from 16 different locations in the city. I went to Earth Day a few years ago on a beautiful, sunny day and I was blown away by the number of cars cluttered around the park in a residential area of SE Portland. These bike-to-Earth-Day rides are a great solution to that problem!
So what are you doing for Earth Day?
[ Earth Day Portland rides ]
Comments (3) | Posted by orbike at 8:34 PM | Permalink | TrackBack
April 18, 2007
No Shortage of Events
Well, there is certainly no shortage of rides in our state these days. Recently, the Tour of Flanders had over 100 people turn out for a super hardcore race on some of the steepest roads in Portland. This event was anonymously organized and described as "brutal", but the route was made very public in advance. It got people all excited. They came out in droves, even though it was rainy. Read more on BikePortland.org. You can also watch a video here.
Every week there's an alley cat race, a training ride, a quirky fun ride or a solidly organized ride. There's so much to do that you have absolutely no excuse to be stuck inside! Check out our calendar. We're adding new events to it every week.
Comments (0) | Posted by orbike at 9:52 AM | Permalink | TrackBack
April 16, 2007
You Could Win This Rack!
Check out this cool Yakima bike rack. It's solid, easy to use and can carry two bikes. It's perfect for taking your bikes anywhere you want to adventure - and could be yours if you attend tonight's Reach the Beach Fundraising 101 workshop at REI Portland, 7pm. Every attendee will be entered into a drawing for the rack, a $500 value.
You don't need to have ever sold Girl Scout Cookies, gathered pledges or raised money for a cause before in order to be a great fundraiser for Reach the Beach and the programs of the American Lung Association of Oregon. Expert fundraiser, and ALAO Development Director, Jennifer Baldwin will be on hand to share with you her favorite tips and techniques for raising funds. She'll help you get ready as she shows you how fun, and rewarding it can be.
Comments (1) | Posted by orbike at 12:54 AM | Permalink | TrackBack
April 14, 2007
Bike Repair - Let's Break it Down
There are a lot of ways to go on bike repair. My recommendation is to get to know the basics of roadside repair so you can confidently set out on an extended, unsupported journey without worry, but to leave the more advanced stuff to the experts. If you've already got those expert skills, more power to you. But if you don't and you're struggling with it and hating it, don't beat yourself up - leave it to the experts.
This state is filled with knowledgeable, friendly sales and repair staff at the bike shops. But if you've got a complex issue, consider going on a weekday when they're not going to be so busy. It's hard to spend an extended period of time on a detailed issue with a customer when there's a line out the door. And at this time of year, there are lines out the door on the weekends.
Here are some options:
* Bicycle repair is a highly technical skill. You've all sorts of systems, eras and styles. Bike mechanics have to possess a huge knowledge base to do good repair work. Their skills deserve to be well compensated and the market should allow for people to make a fair living in the industry.
* Bike repair classes are taught at various locations. In Portland, you'll find extensive paid classes through the CCC and CityBikes. CCC even has a women-only class. Tori Bortman is a Portland mechanic who teaches one-on-one and classes with just a few students at a time. The Bike Gallery offers free clinics, as does River City with the BTA. Ask around, you're sure to find more.
* Volunteer at a non-profit that does bike maintenance, like the CCC, North Portland BikeWorks, CAT in Eugene or others.
* Read this entertaining article about bike repair from Bicycling Magazine.
* The CCC has a roadside repair guide that's waterproof, tear proof and pocket-sized. Perfect for little emergencies and is especially geared toward novices.
Comments (0) | Posted by orbike at 8:01 AM | Permalink | TrackBack
April 11, 2007
Very Cool Filmmaker Profile
Filmed by Bike is coming up at the Clinton Street Theater in Portland this Friday. Check out this cool profile of one of the filmmakers and his movie. It's all about super fast skating paired with a biker on the streets of London. The skater was chosen to be in the movie because he was well known for overheating his bearings doing 60mph on alpine switchbacks.
Bill Prouty is a Minneapolis-based filmmaker. His thrilling chase film TAG pits a cyclist against a super-skilled rollerblader on the streets of London. You wouldn't know it, but Bill says the piece was a totally guerilla production, filmed by hanging off the backs of busses, clinging to a motorcycle and skating along side the action. " All very dangerous," he says, "but no serious injuries to speak of."
Bill, a cyclist and skater himself, says he shot the piece to see the interplay of speed and agility, skating and biking. I made TAG because I skate and cycle, and wanted to pit the two forms against each other.
Comments (4) | Posted by orbike at 9:00 AM | Permalink | TrackBack
April 9, 2007
Don't be Afraid to Ask
For most of us, asking for is nervewracking. Even when it's a great cause, like the programs of the American Lung Association of Oregon (ALAO) - programs that save lives, help children run and play and educate people with lung diseases. I mean, when you think about that great work, it shouldn't be so hard to ask for people to give a little to support it.
And yet, for many of us, the mere thought of asking for money makes us clam up and want to crawl in a hole. But there's no reason it should be that way! That's why Jennifer Baldwin of the ALAO is hosting Fundraising 101 for riders of the ALAO's Reach the Beach. Jennifer is the ALAO's Development Director and at the workshop, which is April 16th at REI Downtown, 7pm, she'll share her knowledge from years of fundraising experience. She'll show you how easy it is to raise support for the ride. Jennifer will break it down and give you comfortable, simple-to-use tips and techniques for asking for support from friends, coworkers and family. You'll walk out of there ready to conquer the world... or at least reach that top fundraising prize of a free pass to the sold-out Cycle Oregon ride.
And everyone who attends will be entered into a drawing for a Yakima rooftop bike rack, a $500 value. This is an opportunity you don't want to miss. If you're riding Reach the Beach, we'll see you at REI on the 16th.
Comments (0) | Posted by orbike at 8:53 AM | Permalink | TrackBack
April 6, 2007
Incredible Weather Across Oregon!
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Wow, what gorgeous weather! Team ORbike member Porter is on his way to Hawaii and we're wondering why. As I type this, the weather across the state is out-of-control-amazing:
* Salem: 63
* Ashland: 73
* Oakridge (home of Mt. Bike Oregon): 72
* Klamath Falls: 68
* Bend: 66
* Portland: 72
* Pendleton: 59
* Corvalls (home of the new Reach the Beach start): 62
Good weather means great riding. What ride are you going to take today or this weekend?
By the way, this is an image from Mt. Bike Oregon, one of the more open, lovely trails that's in the mix along with hardcore singletrack and forested climbing.
Comments (7) | Posted by orbike at 12:34 PM | Permalink | TrackBack
April 4, 2007
Reach the Beach Says, "Hello Corvallis!"
Reach the Beach, well known for its beautiful routes through rural Oregon, continues add new, exciting features every year. This year they've added a Corvallis Challenge, 110 mile route starting from Cheldelin Middle School in Corvallis. This distance route will take you along winding roads through a gorgeous region or Oregon. The quiet rural route will meander through Oregon wine country along the way to Cape Kiwanda in Pacific City where a Finish Line Beach Party, and your pint of Pelican Pub beer, awaits. That's right, a party directly on the beach, as in sink-your-toes-in-the-sand. You're going to love it.
To sign up or for more information on any of the six routes of various lengths, see the Reach the Beach website.
Comments (5) | Posted by orbike at 7:49 AM | Permalink | TrackBack
April 3, 2007
Tons of Good Bikey News
When I went to put the April ORbike newsletter together, I was amazed at how much there was to write about. There is so much going on right now, and we're not even in "the season". You can check out our April newsletter here. And if you're not on our newsletter list, you should be. The newsletter comes out once a month in the off season and twice a month starting in April. It's the best way to be the first to find out about statewide bike events. Sign up on the front page of our website.
Comments (0) | Posted by orbike at 9:58 AM | Permalink | TrackBack