August 7, 2008

Women's Intro to Bicycle Racing Clinic

The last clinic of the season is Monday August 11th If you haven't made it out this season than you have one more chance. The organizer, Jim Anderson, says they have had huge success with this series of clinics. Never tried bicycle racing and always wanted to see what it was all about?
Want to meet other women racers to ride and race with? Then this clinic is perfect for you. You don't need to have attended the other clinics.

The clinic includes the basics of what bike racing is about led by Kendra Wenzel of Wenzel Coaching and other top racers, along with Q and A. The event will be held prior to the Women's Novice race starting at 5:45 pm - then race at 6:20 pm, and then a re-group when finished for a debriefing. There are giveaways and raffles for participants, too.

Race Details - Races run May 5th to August 25th at Portland International Raceway (PIR). The course is a flat and wide 1.9-mile loop with excellent quality pavement. Race is $13.00, $5.00 jr. women, Clinic is free! Helmets required!

[ MORE INFO ]

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September 18, 2007

Women: Get Ready to Race!

Janis McDonald runs the Women on Bike program and she has joined forces with Barb Grover (from the Bike Gallery) and Alison Hill Graves (from the Community Cycling Center) to get women talking more about issues related to women in cycling.

Janis send me this announcement today:
"Ever have that urge to try your legs at racing? Then your knees start to tremble at the sheer thought of getting on the course? We've all been there. The uncertainty of registering, training, the ability of finishing the race. Join our fabulous panel of racers from the I-just-want-to-have-fun to the I-am-the-champion. These ladies will talk about how to get started and their personal experiences in a variety of races - cyclocross, road, time trials, mountain, and track. Plus, OBRA will be there to demystify the rules and regulations of racing. Feel free to invite your friends - everyone welcome! Details: September 27th, Thursday, 6:30-8pm (doors lock at 6:40pm) Portland Building Room C - 1120 SW 5th Ave (Between Main and Madison) Perhaps heading out afterward to continue conversations - perhaps Lucky Lab."

Looks like fun!

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May 30, 2006

Cycling Across Country for a Cause

In late June, Cheryl Edwards, a patient of OHSU Hematology, will be cycling across the country to promote awareness of fatal clotting conditions, including pulmonary emboli, from which Cheryl has suffered.

Cheryl says "I have been an athlete all my life, but developed a serious pulmonary emboli twice! It is a miracle I survived with only lung damage."

Cheryl's husband Tom will be joining her on the journey to promote education about this highly lethal condition. They will travel from Seattle, WA to D.C., stopping in over 40 cities. NWclotbusters, their newly formed foundation, is collaborating with thrombosis (clot disorders) groups across the country to educate, inform, and empower the public regarding the 400,000 people with pulmonary emboli who are misdiagnosed yearly because of how this condition presents itself.

"PE alone kills more than four times that of Breast Cancer, yet we are so uninformed and over 200,000 of our friends and family die needlessly because of it," said Cheryl.

We'll be staying in touch with Cheryl along her journey, reading her blog and checking in with her.

The Edwards are striving to raise funds for OHSU Cancer Research Center in regard to thrombosis and the complications it brings to virtually every disease.

"The positive treatment of nearly every illness is adversely affected for those with clot disorders," stated Edwards. "New research is desperately needed to develop drugs that give hope to people on lifelong dangerous anticoagulation medicines. These people, like myself, live with the fact that at any time, a fatal clot may form, even while under treatment. This is unacceptable, as no new drugs for this condition have been developed in over half a century. For a disease that kills so many, how can it be that we have done so little?"

During the hours they are not pedaling, Cheryl and Tom will spend time with other cycling and community groups talking about PE.

"I believe our greatest and most urgent gift is our ability to foster inspiration in one another to embrace the best possible quality of life."

Even with this condition, Edwards plans to do just that. Together, they anxiously anticipate the day Clotbusters organizations emerge in every region of our nation to largely impact the minimal progress that has stifled this lethal condition for decades.

For more information and to join their journey, see their website.

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May 3, 2006

Reserve Some Time: Portland Bike Summit

Bicycling Magazine calls Portland the number one bicycling city in all of North America. The League of American Bicyclists rates Portland "Gold" along with four other U.S. cities. The next level is platinum and no large city has gotten there yet. Commissioner Sam Adams and the bicycling community want to Go Platinum! and they want your help.

On Saturday, June 17 from 8:30 to 1:30 pm, you are invited to join neighborhood and bicycling advocates at the Portland Bike Summit at PSU's Smith Hall. It's an opportunity to learn how we got to be the best in the U.S. and find out about all the exciting and fun ways you can get involved to make Portland a world-class bicycling city.

Workshop topics include:
- Portland's I Share the Road campaign
- Innovations in Bikeways Here and Abroad
- Who Put the Fun in Bike Fun? From Breakfast on the Bridges to Pedalpalooza
- New Laws for Bikes - What Strategies are on the Horizon
- Why Do People Not Ride - Really (or How to Get My Next Door Neighbor/Co-worker/Friend on a Bike)

FREE and lunch is included.

Should you attend? PDOT is encouraging attendance from anyone who bikes, likes bikes, wants to bike, owns a bike, etc.

[ More info ]

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February 26, 2006

The Stress of Running a Bike Shop

Molly Cameron, local racer and owner of VeloShop, isn't shy about telling all on her blog. The very personal writings offer an insight into a racer and the world of running a bike shop.

Yesterday was one of the days I loathe. The phone rings every 2 minutes ALL day long and everyone wants my money. Not like telemarketers or anything but y'know, debt, bills, distributors, sales reps, bills, payroll, bills and, ok, a few telemarketers.

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January 24, 2006

Karie Mawer's Weight Loss Journey

Karie Mawer says she had "a victory" the first time she rode the Community Cycling Center's Worst Day of the Year Ride. It was the first organized ride she participated in and she signed up as part of what she calls her "weight loss journey."

Though she rode a heavy mountain bike along the course, Karie had a great time and was instantly hooked, "The ride started an obsession with cycling, I soon purchased my first road bike."

Other rides followed, including rides with the Portland Wheelmen Touring Club, a local riding group known for motivating cyclists to ride further and faster, while having fun.

In summer, the finishing of a Triathalon in June marked a high point in Karie's journey - she placed third in her division.

And the weight loss? There have been victories there for Karie as well. "I have lost an accumulative 50 pounds to date with the help of these activities and have about 50 more pounds to lose." she says.

[ ...Read More ]

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November 11, 2005

Bike Gallery Women's Rides

The Bike Gallery Women's Rides are still going strong every Sunday.

These intermediate/advanced rides are generally 20-30 miles and they ride at a moderate pace. Rides start and end at the Hollywood store. In case of inclement weather, call the store first. Rides are sometimes cancelled when the weather is terrible. START: 9:00 am. PHONE: 503-416-BIKE.

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