February 29, 2008
Reach the Beach Training Rides
The training rides schedule for Reach the Beach has just been published. For years, the American Lung Association of Oregon has partnered with the Portland Wheelmen Touring Club to help riders get in shape for the May ride to Pacific City. So it you're not quite feeling up for the 100 mile ride from Portland or the more challenging 110 mile ride from Corvallis, you've got some options. You could hope on the shorter routes, such as 26 miles from Grand Ronde, 55 miles from Amity or 80 miles from Salem. Or you could start training now! the ride is not until May 17th, so, really, you've got plenty of time to get get your legs (and rear) ready.
The training rides are free and they're a great way to get ready for riding miles on end. They range in difficulty so you can choose a ride that's right for you. Plus, many of the people on the training rides are veteran Reach the Beach participants so they can help answer questions you may have about the route. [ schedule ]
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February 27, 2008
What are you Riding?
The weather has been sunny and it looks like we'll be graced with sun for a few more days. Team ORbike member Tom is getting out of dodge: riding his bike to the coast. Friends will accompany him part of the way, but for the bulk of the journey he's flying solo toward Manzanita.
So how are you spending these lovely days? Are you still adjusting your brakes and oiling the chain or have you been logging miles and hammering the hills?
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February 20, 2008
City of Salem Says No More Potholes!
Potholes can be a very scary experience for cyclists, especially if you hit one while going at a good clip. The jolt can send you flying just enough to knock the breadth out of you. I hit a pothole recently while in a narrow bike lane with cars whizzing by. It got me to thinking about how this certainly must be a deterrent for new riders.
The City of Salem has a very proactive pothole repair program. According to their website, "We here at the Public Works Department are very proud of our Pothole Patching Program. Our goal is to fix every pothole we find within one working day! We do take weekends off, but if the Police report a hazardous pothole, we fix it ASAP!"
If you encounter a pothole in Salem, you can report it by calling 503-588-6063 or fill out this form on the website.
They recommend you include the street name and approximate address or nearest cross street. Happy pothole searching, Salem riders!
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February 19, 2008
Start your Summer Planning
Summer events are already rolling in to our calendar! I'm excited to see a lot of the favorites returning - and lots of new events too. No, we're not in the clear from the rain just yet, but that doesn't mean you can't start planning your summer fun now! There is no shortage of rides in Oregon and there will be days when you have to decide which event to do. In fact, if you are ambitious you can head out to something every weekend this summer.
Check out this cool event, the Urban Assault Ride on May 25, from New Belgium Brewing:
The Urban Assault Ride is funky bike scavenger hunt that involves street smart riding, obstacle courses, and a huge after party. Mental muscle is just as important as bike skills as teams of two choose their own course to checkpoints around the city.
The event is well known for its checkpoint obstacle courses where physical and mental obstacle courses must be completed before moving on. Kinda like American Gladiators with a demented cycling twist. Some checkpoints are listed prior to the event, others must be found during the event.
Participants can be 7 - 100 years - anybody can do it. Teams will ride a total distance of 20-25 miles (depending on the city). The first team to hit all of the checkpoint and cross the finish line wins! Then the party begins with free New Belgium beer and lots more two-wheeled shenanigans!
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Brown Bag Lunch in Portland - Bike Lanes
Portland Department of Transportation's Bicycle Brown Bag series is a nice way to spend lunch in you're in the downtown area on you rlunch area. These free lunches happen once a month.
This month, the topic is Portland's First Bicycle Paths, 1896-1899. Historian Eric Lundgren will discuss early efforts to fund and build safe routes for cyclists. From do-it-yourself to public funding, a lot of effort went into making the area's first bike paths happen.
Bring your lunch, hang with other cyclists and enjoy this afternoon lecture followed by discussion.
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February 14, 2008
Two Wheels to Tango: Valentango
Apparently there are a growing number of tango dancers in Portland who are also bike enthusiasts. And what better way to bring them together than a Valentine's Day event called Valentango. The ride starts at midnight on February 16th. I just think this sounds like a lovely ride and their poster (click for a larger view) is delightful.
From the organizers:
"Enjoy spectacular night time views of the city as we ride through downtown, across the steel bridge, and along the water down the east side esplanade to the Chelsea Ballroom. This is a leisurely ride supportive of formal attire."
[ More info ]
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February 11, 2008
The Best Worst Day!
It's the end of a long, rewarding day - but I'm just stopping in quickly to report that today's Worst Day of the Year Ride was the best it has ever been. Sure, it rained a little in the morning, but that was at about 6:00am, well before riders started queuing up. So as for that record of sunny skies every year except a little rain at the end for the course last year? It held true! The sun came out during the finish line just as everyone was enjoying 100% scrumptious chili and potato corn chowder provided by Laughing Planet. Seriously, I've never tasted bike ride food like that before (except maybe the gourmet finish line at the Portland Century, but that ride is in a league of it's own).
Over 2,000 riders showed up, cruised the city streets, drank hot drinks along the way and, perhaps most importantly, strutted their stuff in outrageous costumes. Maybe the exclusively-designed limited edition Worst Day of the Year Ride reflector from Fun Reflectors, a prize for costumed riders, was an incentive. But I doubt it. These gussied up folks were in it to win it - prizes or not.
What's that? You didn't make it out there for the ride today? You're crazy. You must go next year. You must.
Photos and more info to come.
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February 9, 2008
A Peek at NAHBS
Hover over to pause - refresh page for a new mix
Today was the opening of the North American Handmade Bike Show in Portland. This traveling festival happens once a year and brings under one roof some of the world's most hardworking and talented framebuilders. I wasn't able to stay for very long, and that's a crying shame. There were so many beautiful bikes, displayed even more beautifully and the Convention Center was completely abuzz with enthusiasm. On the other side of the Convention Center was the Golf Show, and let me tell you, our side was much hotter.
Though builders have been making a living creating custom bikes for years (many doing it solidly since the '70's), the number of framebuilders in Oregon/SW Washington has grown significantly in the last few years. There were at least 10 of them at the show exhibiting their finest.
This is just a synopsis as I have to run to get ready for all the fun Worst Day of the Year Ride action, but consider heading out to the show - it's pretty sweet. There's no shortage of simply gorgeous bikes to geek out and freak out on, and there are workshops too.
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February 8, 2008
The Hottest Worst Day
The Worst Day of the Year Ride is sold out! Last year there were 1,500 riders and this year they capped the ride at 2,000 riders. The event it not until this Sunday, but last night at midnight they hit that 2,000 mark.
Congratulations to those of you who are going on this incredible wintertime adventure! Be sure to write back to us and let us know how it goes. We want to hear all about that yummy food, especially the finish line by Laughing Planet Cafe. I heard they've been hard at work in their kitchen all week preparing the made-from-scratch soup and chili for the masses.
So if the ride is full up how do you still get in? There are a limited number of volunteer positions available. See the website for details.
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February 7, 2008
Sunday's Weather Report
This Sunday is the Worst Day of the Year Ride in Portland. Will we actually see the worst weather? Uhhh, I doubt it. Though the ride was formed around the actual worst day of the year in Oregon weather, the past six rides have been graced with sunny skies and mild weather. It is sort of looking like this year might be no different (predictions of only a 30% chance of rain and 50 degrees).
The ride is almost sold out and online registration closes tonight. If online registration does not sell out, registration will also be available at Packet Pickup Saturday (4-7 at Lucky Lab on Hawthorne) or at the start line.
>> REGISTER NOW
So what happened when the organizers decided to start the Worst Day's sister ride, the Hottest Day of the Year Ride? Yup, you guessed it, cold weather and pouring down rain - in early August. Go figure.
Are you riding this Sunday? What are you most looking forward to?
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February 6, 2008
NAHBS Brings on the Fun
This weekend is the North American Handmade Bicycle Show, a touring show that visits a different city every year. Portland is hell-bent on ensuring the out-of-towners see the very best that Portland has to offer so on top of the convention's after-parties, Portlanders have organized additional activities. The most comprehensive list of what's happening when during this jam-packed weekend is on the BikePortland.org website. See details here.
There will be workshops for builders, casual riders and competitive riders. Maybe you want to catch the alley cat on Saturday. Maybe you're riding the not-to-be-missed Worst Day of the Year Ride on Sunday. Or you can just spend all day geeking out and freaking out on some of the world's most beautifully-constructed bikes. See? Plenty to do.
You can read more about NAHBS in the most recent ORbike newsletter. By the way, if you're not receiving our newsletter, you should be. Sign up through the front page of our website.
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February 5, 2008
Rider Profile: Gus Fant
Gus Fant is riding in the Worst Day of the Year Ride, but says that a little rain won't scare him off. "I ride in the rain," he says, " because if you don't you won't get much riding in." And Gus knows all about getting riding in - he usually clocks about 3,000 miles per year, and aims for 4,000.
Still, it's no small feat for Gus to be riding in the Worst Day of the Year Ride. This 65 year old is a member of the Tacoma Wheelmen Bicycle Club and he'll be coming down from Tacoma for the ride. Several of the other club members will also be riding.
Gus is a veteran Worst Day of the Year Rider: he has been on five rides. So why does he love it? "It is probably the most social ride I experience during the year," he says. "With the frequent stops on the Worst Day of the Year Ride find it rather relaxing to just take my time and enjoy the ride and visit with riders. Also I take pleasure in supporting the Community Cycling Center as I strongly believe in what they are all about."
One of his favorite aspects of the ride is seeing parents and kids riding together. "I also enjoy seeing other beginning cyclists who express their doubts about completing the ride at the start and then when you see them at the finish line the joy they show from completing the ride."
Speaking of the finish line, what's it gonna be for Gus with he hits those yummy Laughing Planet Cafe soup options? "I'm just not sure although I'm kind of partial towards chili."
Registration closes at midnight on February 7th but the ride will sell out at 2,000 riders. Don't miss out, sign up now!
[ Register ]
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February 4, 2008
ORbike Member Profile: Chris McCraw
During the summer of 2007, ORbike member Chris McCraw hopped on his bicycle in Austin, Texas, and didn't stop until he reached Anchorage, Alaska. So it's no surprise this 31-year-old Portlander is a huge fan of local bike events.
So why did he join ORbike? "ORbike seemed like a good gateway into meeting bikey people and doing bikey things," he says. "Plus, I figured I'd get my money's worth via event discounts and supporting the furtherance of the culture I love."
MEMBERSHIP INFO / JOIN NOW
Chris is a 50-mile-a-week kind of a guy who rides his bike for errands and for pleasure. This year he's really looking forward to riding Seattle to Portland and biking to Mt. St. Helens with friends to camp and climb.
Chris is an experienced rider. He once had to tear free his helmet from the underside of a freight truck - thankful that he escaped the accident unharmed. He enjoys riding a bike because it allows him to be present in the environment through which he is traveling - soaking in the sights and sounds. "I feel like I'm participating actively in my travels rather than just having them happen to me."
Join Chris and become an ORbike member today. You'll get discounts on events all season long and membership pays for itself in no time.
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