March 31, 2008

Latest News

Our latest newsletter just went out on Friday filled with all the Spring riding news. If you're not on our newsletter list, you should be. Sign up through the front page of our website so you don't miss out on all the freshest Oregon cycling news.

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March 28, 2008

Oregon Bike Summit

Join Oregon's entire cycling community working to make Oregon the nation's premier cycling state at the Oregon Bike Summit. You'll have the chance to connect with industry peers, learn from inspiring case studies, and engage with public policy issues over a broad spectrum of cycling-related topics including: transportation, recreation, tourism, industry and events.

Keynote speakers include Congressman Earl Blumenauer; Tim Blumenthal, executive director of Bikes Belong; and Hill Abell, board president of the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA). There will be a number of breakout sessions geared toward specific topics ranging from event planning and creating successful partnerships to sustainable tourism, bike-friendly communities and how to affect policy at the local, state and national level.

The summit is April 4-5 at the Red Lion Hotel on Jantzen Beach in Portland. For more info, see their website.

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March 27, 2008

Rower Turned Cyclist

Rebecca Romero is in line to make history at the Beijing Olympics. If this year goes well for her, she could be only the second woman to ever win medals in consecutive games but different sports.

Romero won the Olympic silver and World Championships gold as a rower but became frustrated by what she describes as a lack of personal athletic development in the sport. She came close to quitting sports entirely, but a stint in injury rehab lead her to a cycling coach who had faith in her potential as a cyclist. And she's making pretty impressive strides.

Read the interview on PezCycling News.

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March 21, 2008

ORbike Member Profile: Temple Lentz

We love to get to know more about our members, and we recently got to know a little about 32 year old Temple Lentz from Vancouver. Temple has her priorities straight: she she is excited to be an ORbike member for the discounts she receives when registering for events. We agree, saving big is pretty great. Temple is fond of riding because it gives her the ability to go more places, more quickly, but, she adds, "not going so fast that you can't take in the scene around you." Temple really enjoyed riding the Portland Century last August, nominating it her favorite ride of 2008 "It was a good ride and amazing food at the end!" And, not surprisingly, it is the ride she is most looking forward to this year.

On an organized training ride about a year ago, Temple had one of her most empowering moments with her bike: "I blew out a tire within the first fifteen minutes on the road. The rest of the group went on ahead and I was stuck on the side of the road, a genius without a cell phone having never changed a tire or repaired a flat. But realizing that it was make it happen or start a long walk, I did it--and had a great ride once I was back on the road."

ORbike membership is a great way to save on events, get the royal VIP treatment at select events, and stay clued in to all of Oregon's exciting bike events. Sign up today and take advantage of your discounts this season. [ more info ]

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March 20, 2008

We Need a Better Helmet Design

It's true, sometimes I know I don't have my helmet straps adjusted right. I know the chin strap is too loose. The tabs by the ears have slackened. I used to assist with kid safety programs so I know all the rules: wear it straight, two fingers under the chin, shouldn't wiggle side to side, etc. But still, I set off for countless rides with my helmet not quite right because I'm in a hurry.

While I appreciate the variety of styles that now exist, from hipster multi-sport rounded helmets to ultra light weight sleek helmets, and I appreciate that good looking helmets can be found for under $40, I'm not satisfied with the straps. Under my helmet I alternate between a winter head band, a hat, hair tied up, a hood or nothing at all. And each of those times I have to make a re-adjustment in four places.

There has to be a better way. I want a better helmet. What do you think?

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March 15, 2008

Filmed by Bike: Get in Free

Filmed by Bike, the annual festival of bike-themed movie shorts, is April 11-13 at the Clinton Street Theater. The Opening Night Throwdown party is on the 11th and it has sold out all five years. Worried about getting in? There are a few options. And one option gets you in for free.

The screenings are all weekend long so if you are concerned about getting in on Friday, you can choose from six additional screenings on Saturday and Sunday. And if you want to get in free, you can volunteer. There are a variety of positions still open. See the website for more info.

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March 13, 2008

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PUMP!

ORbike wishes the Portland United Mountain Pedalers a very happy birthday and a huge congratulations! This Portland-based mountain bike club is celebrating their 20th anniversary this month. Not only does PUMP do a great job of getting more people on bikes to explore Portland's trails, they're dedicated to maintaining the trails of Forest Park.

Here's the message from newsletter editor Amy Singmaster:
The Portland United Mountain Pedalers will celebrate its 20th anniversary on Sunday, March 30th, 2008, with a fun ride in Forest Park followed by a party at Lucky Labrador Brewpub, 1945 NW Quimby. All riders are invited, from relaxed to speedy - either way you will be sure to have fun!

Bob Crispin of the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame will ride the Northwest's first mountain bike, Tankagnolo, and riders are encouraged to ride vintage bikes and dress in vintage clothing to celebrate the start of recreational mountain biking in the city and the founding of PUMP. Admission to both events is free. The ride will be ending with good times at the Northwest Lucky Lab.

Riders will meet at the Lucky Lab at 1:00 p.m., break up into groups according to desire (fast, intermediate, slow, family) and go for a spin up Thurman into Forest Park. PUMP will regroup at Lucky Lab around 5 p.m. for our birthday party! Fun, games, a fix a flat contest and or course a birthday cake will be part of the festivities. Tankagnolo, the Northwest's first mountain bike, will be on display at the Lucky Lab along with other history of the mountain bike and PUMP.

PUMP was founded twenty years ago by Theo Patterson to prevent a mountain bike ban in Forest Park. Although very few singletrack trails in Forest Park are available to mountain bikes twenty years later, the twenty-nine miles of pathways and trails provide a rare mountain biking experience in the city limits of Portland.

PUMP advocates for recreational access on public lands, performs hundreds of hours of trailwork on trails in and around Portland, Tillamook, Mount Hood and Southwest Washington for the use of hikers, bikers and horseback riders and organizes rides and classes to train and educate mountain bikers.

PUMP hosts a Forest Park ride for all rider levels every Wednesday evening at 5:30 p.m. during daylight savings time, women's rides and Mountain Bike 101 classes. For more information on PUMP or the 20th birthday party, see the website or email susan [at] workforce-dynamics.com.

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March 12, 2008

Team Oregon Wants to Expand

Jim Anderson, of the PIR racing nights fame, sent me this message:

Looking to learn about bicycle racing and want a group to ride with? Team Oregon is looking to expand its roster 2008.

Team Oregon, a local cycling team, is looking to continue its growth and is always accepting new members. The team was established in 1988, and has had a long track record in Oregon racing. The roster of the team has included all levels of cycling talent from national champions to entry level and recreational riders looking to just have a good group to ride with.

Each Saturday morning, rain or shine we have held the Saturday Team Oregon Ride west of Portland. This is a great opportunity to see the team in action. The ride runs year round and accepts cyclists of all levels of
development that want to improve their cycling skills and fitness. Each weekend new people show up and continue to become part of the team. We pride ourselves on being approachable to anyone (not just racers) that wants to learn about cycling or improve. The Saturday ride meets at Liberty High School in Hillsboro at 9:30am every Saturday morning.

Team members are active in the Oregon bicycle racing community, and have assisted in organizing events, and volunteering at races/events. We are a passionate group that gives back to the community that we are very much tied to.

For 2008, we have partnered with Sunset Cycles as our title sponsor. Sunset Cycles has all the top gear to support our team.

To learn more or to join in on a ride with Team Oregon/Sunset Cycles please visit our website.

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March 10, 2008

Seattle Bike Show Report

This past weekend was the Seattle Bike Expo. I don't have the official count, but the place was packed. At the VIP party on Saturday night they announced that over 5,000 people had come through the doors - way more than the previous years. Sunday was an equally packed house, but shorter hours, so I'd say at least 8,000 attended the festival this year. It was an impressive turnout. Check out these photos:

There were four huge rooms of exhibitors and no shortage of cool things to see. CompetitiveEdge.com was there to show off the Ironman Scale that measures body fat, total body water, muscle mass, physique rating, bone mass and other body features simply by stepping on a scale. This is not your traditional bathroom scale, that's for sure. They were offering free readings. I won't tell you what mine were, but let's just say I could stand to ride more often but I do drink enough water.

Alchemy Goods showed off their well-made bike bags that use recycled materials, including seat belts. Bike shops showed off their favorite bikes, like the hand made Signal bikes presented by the Bike Gallery. Riding clubs showcased their annual rides and plenty of companies showcased the latest bars electrolytes and other nutritional products.

Ciivia, a newly-launched builder, creates high end, slick commuter bikes. That simple description doesn't do them justice. Cables are tacked into the frame; racks, while not integrated, are designed to streamline with the bike; dynamo lights come standard; fenders wrap for more tire coverage (and they match the frame) and the bike, overall, is really easy on the eyes. Jonathan Maus of BikePortland.org took a Civia for an extended test ride and had nothing but praise for this solid bike.

The Seattle Bike Expo is organized by Cascade Bike Club, an organization that is sort of a part Bicycle Transportation Alliance and part riding club. They host a daily ride nearly every day of the year, lobby for safer streets, teach adults to commute and offer programs for youth. And, apparently, they know how to pack waterfront cruise terminal with thousands of people.

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March 6, 2008

Seattle Here I Come

This weekend is the Group Health Seattle International Bicycle Expo, organized by the Cascade Bicycle Club. The expo is a complete celebration of cycling, with exhibits and presentations. It's a great opportunity to see what big rides are planned for 2008. Oregon's own Joe Kurmaski, aka the Metal Cowboy, will be there for special activities and info in the new Expo Youth Zone.

It's going to be a busy weekend for Team ORbike. Three of us are headed up to staff a booth and check out the scene. If I get a chance to break away from the action for a moment, I'll check in with you all to let you know some of the coolest stuff I'm seeing out there.

If you happen to be free this weekend, head up to Seattle. It's $8 to get in for a day, $10 for two days, and kids get in free.

Comments (2) | Posted by orbike at 6:10 PM | Permalink | TrackBack

Seattle Here I Come

This weekend is the Group Health Seattle International Bicycle Expo, organized by the Cascade Bicycle Club. The expo is a complete celebration of cycling, with exhibits and presentations. It's a great opportunity to see what big rides are planned for 2008. Oregon's own Joe Kurmaski, aka the Metal Cowboy, will be there for special activities and info in the new Expo Youth Zone.

It's going to be a busy weekend for Team ORbike. Three of us are headed up to staff a booth and check out the scene. If I get a chance to break away from the action for a moment, I'll check in with you all to let you know some of the coolest stuff I'm seeing out there.

If you happen to be free this weekend, head up to Seattle. It's $8 to get in for a day, $10 for two days, and kids get in free.

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