July 30, 2009

Hot nights: watch bike movies!

The Bicycle Film Festival (not to be confused with Portland's own Filmed by Bike) is a celebration of bicycle culture, movies and fashion that travels the globe. The festival is in Portland this weekend, which gives you the perfect opportunity to beat the heat and head to a cool movie theater.

Movies show all evening on Friday and from 4-9 on Saturday with five separate programs and parties both nights. It looks like a great line up of movies. Check out the full Portland schedule and plan your cool-out sessions accordingly.

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July 11, 2009

Rider Profile: Ben Sherwood for Mt. Bike Oregon

Ben Sherwood has to Mt. Bike Oregon every year and he knows exactly what keeps him going back to Mt. Bike Oregon every year. Here's his list: "Everything, really, keeps me coming back. The camping next to the *clean* Willamette, the great food - the sandwiches certainly taste "Killer" when half way through the Middle Fork. The micro-brew beer is such a staple every evening which really tops off the day with friends. And let's not forget the people - 2009 is the first year that I'm coming without friends as everyone here is so outgoing that meeting people and sharing in the common interest of mountain biking is a cinch."

He signs the bus (look for his name above the door), he rides back from Middle Fork through the golf course (instead of waiting for the shuttle) and he loves the guides. "Honestly my favorite part of MBO is the guides. Sounds cheesy, but really, they make the rides outstanding. Kiwi, ALL the guys from The Bike Gallery, Desciples of Dirt, etc. are great people who are enthusiastic and positive. And of course there's (co-organizer) Randy (Dreiling), the man with the plan. His organization and character really help to make MBO great."

When he's not riding the trails of Oakridge, Ben likes riding John Joy's trails near Scappoose, Tillamook Forrest, Bend. He also does the Hornings Hustle mud race in April. This picture is of Ben riding in the Sierra Madre mountain range in Mexico.

There are still a few more slots open for the July MBO and about 50 for August. Sign up today and head to Oakridge to meet Ben, the incredible guides, riders from around the world and the rest of the MBO crew.

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July 10, 2009

Everyone Rides The Night Ride

You never know who's going to stay up late to sneak through the streets of Portland on The Night Ride. In fact, this year there is a crew visiting from Germany who are excited to ride and whoop it up (pictured).

Also riding will be Mattia Pelegrini, a cabinet member from the European Union Transportation Policy cabinet. Mr. Pellegrini will be visiting with Portland Bicycle Coordinator Roger Geller on Monday, but on Saturday night it's all about the fun stuff for him. We have not yet heard if he'll be in costume, but perhaps he'll sport the flag of his native Italy on his rental bike. Mr. Pellegrini is in town to learn more about Portland's progressive approach to transportation. Austin Ramsland, a board member from the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (the event's beneficiary) will be joining him on the ride.

Top that! Who are you bringing to The Night ride?

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Meet the Mt. Bike Oregon Guides: Davey

"Most of us feel we've got the best backyard on the planet. We love to share it and show it off." - Davey Sprocket

Mt. Bike Oregon is a mt. biker's dream weekend getaway, but, really, it guides are the ones who make this event so epic. Their knowledge of the trails is paramount. So we thought we'd introduce you to some of them, and we're starting with Davey - affectionately known as Davey Sprocket. Davey is 100% hooked on mt. biking. "I love the woods. I love wheels. I love picking lines. I love to challenge myself. I love the camaraderie of riding with my buds," he shares.

Davey started mt. biking in 1985 and just two years later he founded the Disciples of Dirt, a mt. bike club in the Oakridge area. "DOD's members have been riding and caring for these trails ever since." he says. So, obviously, he knows his trails well, and he says his favorite of the MBO rides is probably Tire Mountain.

The photo is of Davey (pointing) and fellow rider Brock atop Patterson Mtn., which is the Lone Wolf viewpoint on the Lawler Trail. Davey says, "This is one of my favorite places on the planet. One of the many places I love to take MBO participants because the trail is unique and the view is awesome. From that viewpoint you can see Alpine, Tire Mtn., Winberry Divide, Cloverpatch and Hardesty (explains why I'm pointing!)"

Davey loves guiding for the opportunity to show off the great trails of Oakridge, and he loves MBO for the fun, festival atmosphere that the people bring. This year he's looking forward to the "new & improved" beer garden, which features a fine, fine selection of area microbrews.

I asked Dave he had any funny stories to tell, and he said, "Not really, but one time Shawna, the MBO shuttle bus driver, tried to kick me off her bus because of my smart mouth. I won't go into it...." And that's just one example of the great personalities of MBO.

Davey and the other guides want to help riders feel safe and have fun. So he offers this advice to new MBO participants: "Ride within your abilities and please don't skid." Every year the guides do hundreds of hours of trailwork to open trails up following Oregon's typical winter storms and spring growing season. Davey says these riders "truly love the trails and the sport of mountain biking."

The Disciples of Dirt has all sorts of members. The youngest club member is 16 and the oldest is over 60. Most live in the vicinity of Eugene but they have members in California, Washington, even the UK. As a club DOD is rather unique. They don't charge dues, don't have monthly meetings and don't have a president. "We just ride, ride, ride because we love to," Davey explains. "The Disciples of Dirt is grateful we get to be involved with MBO. The folks to come to MBO to ride and hang out are the best!"

MORE INFO + REGISTRATION >>

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July 9, 2009

Rider Profile: Steve Ipp for Mt. Bike Oregon

What would entice Steve Ipp to travel over 3,000 miles to be a part of the Mt. Bike Oregon experience? Is it the scenic trails, the overwhelming sense of mountain bike pride, the great food and beer? Sure. But mainly it's the thrilling down hill rides. "In Florida, we don't have 'down hills!'" he explains.

Steve lives in Lake Worth, Florida and can be found riding on one of his many beloved mountain bikes every weekend. One of his favorite places to ride is Jonathan Dickenson State Park in Jupiter, Florida. "It's a series of ancient sand dunes covered with Florida scrub, single-track, and lots of sand. It's a beautiful natural area and offers considerable challenges."

No stranger to a great ride, Steve is looking forward to immersing himself later this month in what is sure to be a mountain bike enthusiast's dream weekend. On July 17-19, a whopping 3,192 miles from home, Steve will be in the company of hundreds of fellow riders during the first Mt. Bike Oregon excursion of the 2009 season.

Mt. Bike Oregon features three full days of unequaled single-track riding in gorgeous Oakridge, Oregon. Each day will offer fully supported intermediate and advanced ride options along hundreds of miles of single-track trail, camping along the Willamette River, three square meals and a free beer garden featuring Oregon microbrews, plus tons of demo bikes, clinics, mechanics, gear, vendors and more.

Steve became a dedicated mountain bike enthusiast a year and a half ago after buying his first mountain bike. "I used to be a road biker but now my road bike is collecting dust. My mountain biking experience [has taken me] across the country over the years to places such as Georgia, Utah, New Mexico and Oregon." In past visits to Oregon Steve has enjoyed riding down hill trails near Bend. In addition to trying out some great routes at Mt. Bike Oregon, he's looking forward to "the camaraderie of 300 people that are into this sport as much as I am, converging on the mountain."

Be one of those lucky 300 riders and register for Mt. Bike Oregon today.

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July 1, 2009

The Night Ride Rider Profile: Ashman Family

Staying up past his bedtime to eat his heart's desire of donuts is just one reason that six year old Levi Ashman is looking forward to The Night Ride on July 11. Levi will be riding with his parents and extended family on his first solo ride, a significant moment for this budding little cyclist.

Levi's parents, Jennifer and Brian, are looking forward to sharing the experience with their son. "Riding is very important to our family. Our children - ages 6, 4 and 2 - have all grown up around bikes from a very young age, and they look forward to going on rides."

This year, the Ashman family will be decked out in glow necklaces during the ride, which features a nice flat 15-mile course.

In true Portland style, The Night Ride kicks off at the Portland Train Station with the Amtrak Cascades Costume Contest and glow-in-the-dark face painting followed by tricks and treats around every corner, including a bike-in movie, a dance-tastic disco party rest stop, and a celebratory all-you-can-eat doughnut feast! Keep an eye out for the Ashman clan at this year's The Night Ride! REGISTER TODAY

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