ORbike

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

Jackson's Ride the Gorge rider profile: The Slow Spokes

What does it take to be a part of the Slow Spokes? "You should always be the last to start, the last to finish, and you simply must enjoy every minute of the ride!"

Meet Anne Hasson, leader of the Slow Spokes - a group of eight local women rallied together to ride the upcoming fourth annual Jackson's Ride the Gorge, presented by A4. Why the "Slow Spokes?" Because enjoying life is not a race, Anne explains. And why Jackson's Ride the Gorge? Because of Anne's close connection to Jackson Hill, a 12 year old boy who passed away after a courageous 19 month battle with sarcoma, a rare form of cancer.

]]> Anne is a fourth grade teacher at Forest Park Elementary School in Portland and she was Jackson's teacher. The ride benefits the Northwest Sarcoma Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to raising funds for sarcoma research while providing education and support to patients and families who are living with the cancer.

"Jackson was an incredible kid. He came from an incredible family and community," says Anne.

Anne is relatively new to cycling - she only got a bike a few years ago - but she eagerly signed up for the ride once she heard about it. This year she and the other Slow Spokes are gearing up for the 50 mile route, which traverses the Hood River area on the Oregon side of the majestic Columbia River Gorge.

Anne says she and the other Slow Spokes are really looking forward to the beautiful scenery and friendly community of people involved in this ride. And, of course - true to their name - being the last riders to cross the finish line. Join the Slow Spokes on July 18 - register today.

All About PJs: Rider comes from Idaho to ride The Night Ride

Julie Morrison is looking forward to the rare opportunity to sport her pajamas while atop a fancifully decorated bike at The Night Ride on July 11, during her upcoming visit to Portland.

Morrison is from Meridian, Idaho and will be riding with a small group of family and friends. What lured her into trekking from her hometown to join in the fun? "The craziness, the fact that it is so out of the ordinary for cycling... cycling in the dark!"
BThe Night Ride on July 11 is an uber-fun, slightly spooky, totally delicious (all you can eat donuts!) supported ride with surprises around every corner and the most unique rest stops around. It's also a benefit for the Bicycle Transportation Alliance.

]]> In a typical week, Morrison rides around the valley in Boise, Idaho three or four times. As a recreational road rider, Morrison is excited for the unusual perspective and unique experience that The Night Ride provides. "I love visiting Portland, this will create another terrific memory!"

Join Julie on July 11 and come to the dark ride!

This is an ORbike member event. If you're an ORbike member, you'll save $5 when you register online.

Big Weekend : Big Fun

This is the final weekend of Pedalpalooza, and as always the festival plans to go out with a bang: the Multnomah County Bike Fair. This festival is not for the faint at heart. There will be tall bike jousting and other competitions, a raucous beer garden and live music. The bike craft zone features the bike-themed handiwork of local artists and crafters. There are also food vendors and other activities. The fun starts at 2pm at Col. Summers Park and the event ends at 7pm.

If you haven't had a chance to fully soak in Pedalpalooza, now is your chance! Check out the calendar for the last few events of this two-week festival. There is still plenty of fun to be had!

Sunday Parkways: Superheros Still Needed

Sunday Parkways are eight mile "temporary parks" along city streets connecting neighborhoods and residents in North, Northeast and Southeast Portland. [watch the video] A relaxed, non-competitive, FREE event featuring a variety of activities in several parks and along the routes, Sunday Parkways gives Portlanders a chance to get out and be active right in their own neighborhoods. Intersections are staffed by volunteers, allowing residents to get to and from their driveways, with larger intersections supervised by Portland Police Bureau staff.

s15,000 Portland area residents and 300 volunteers participated in last year's successful Sunday Parkways and asked for more in 2009. So this summer, three separate events are planned, meaning more volunteers are needed. The first of these three exciting events kicks off this weekend. Superheros are needed to help monitor intersections and volunteer for a variety of positions throughout this fun event. Get your friends together and sign up today.

Taco Ride : Chilango's Wins!

Pedalpalooza, the two-week festival of bike fun, is now if full swing and summer is definitely here. Last night's Taco Ride was a big hit with nearly 100 riders hopping from taqueria to taqueria to savor deliciously different tacos. Not all tacos al pastor are the same.... The winner, in my opinion, was Chilango's - hands down. This unassuming joint on NE Prescott at 15th features house-made super fresh tortillas. The only bummer is that they no longer sell their fluffy, soft tortillas in bulk. But their juicy, mouthwatering pork tacos with the complimentary spicy guacamole sauce.... now that's what a summer ride is all about!

Riders swarmed the sidewalk and the pocket park across the street at this, the third of four taco destinations that included Ole Ole on Burnside, Cha! Cha! Cha! on Broadway and Don Pancho on Alberta. The ride organizer called it the umpteenth year for this scrumptious ride (I think it was actually the 6th) and absolutely no one went home hungry. And the ice cream bars and beers from the convenience store were a great way to top off the summery night.

Sunday Parkways Video

The City of Portland is opening streets to walking, bicycling, rolling, and roller blading - without having to watch out for cars! Sunday Parkways, sponsored by ORbike, are 7-8 mile "temporary parks" along city streets connecting neighborhoods and residents in Portland. After the overwhelming success of last year's event, this summer there will be three events: June 21 (North Portland), July 19 (Northeast Portland) and August 16 (Southeast Portland).

Sunday Parkways gives you a chance to get out and be active in the neighborhood. Parks along the route feature activities, workshops, entertainment and food as the event celebrates Portland as a walkable and bikeable city.

Watch the video >>

Wine Rides to Support Children's Heart Foundation

Join The Bike Gallery this summer on their popular wine rides, featuring quiet, rural roads, acclaimed Northern Willamette Valley wineries, and 100% benefiting the Children's Heart Foundation. This year you can choose between four rides, starting and ending at three different wineries: Penner-Ash, Vista Hills and Stoller Vineyards. Rides are 30-40 miles with rolling hills.

The route is approximately 32 miles long and includes several rolling hills. There will be a rest stop at the mid point of the ride and some roving support.

The extra good stuff comes at the end. The ride finishes with wine tasting and a catered lunch at Stoller Vineyards. Bring your favorite frisbee if you want to play on their disc golf course.

Register now

Kids' Ride!

Cirque du Cycling, June 13th, is a full day of bike fair action along Mississippi Avenue. The Family Ride is a 3.2 mile course starts at Self Enhancement, Inc. (SEI) and is perfect for all ages and abilities. The course will wind through the residential streets of Boise-Elliot up to Peninsula Park for a fun rest stop, then loops back to SEI.

The ride is free and it's a great warm-up for Sunday Parkways. It's free! From 12-3 there is a Fun Zone hosted at Grand Central Baking on Fremont, so kids can deck out their bikes in style. The Family Ride will make a stop at the Fun Zone on the way to the parade, for people who are interested in continuing the biking fun and riding in the Art Bike Parade. Register for all this fun today >>

All Ladies Tall Bike Troupe

Get ready to see the amazing feats of the Irondelles, the all-ladies tall bike troupe that's getting ready to strut their stuff as they roll along Mississippi Ave. as a part of the Cirque du Cycling Art Bike Parade on June 13th. The parade features all sorts of amazing art and freak bikes: bikes that swing side to side, bikes that look like sculpture, and bikes so tall they look like they'd be impossible to ride.

The Irondelles will be riding those tall bikes in their impressive costumery. (pictured here is Irondelle Tia welding her tall bike). This group of women has been honing their tall bike riding skills and will roll in style. Come out to participate or just to watch. You don't need to be an official club or group, you just need to have the gumption to organize a coordinated group of bikers, even if you're just riding those normal two-wheeled commuters that most of us have.

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Shutte Up, Bomb Down: Mt. Bike Oregon

Mt. Bike Oregon is a mt. biker's dream come true. But don't just take our word for it. Here's what Chester, a 2007 rider, once told the organizers, "It's like MBO took all the inconvenient parts of a mountain biking weekend and did them for us. They scope out the trails - we ride them, they shuttle up - we bomb down, they cook - we eat, they tap the kegs - we drink the beer. Everyone was super friendly and super helpful and the riding was just amazing. Thanks for a great weekend."

And speaking of beer, this year's event features a free nightly beer garden with a tantalizing selection of microbrews from Ninkasi, Oakshire and Block 15 (from Eugene) and Brewer's Union (from Oakrdige). Nestled under the towering tree canopy and situated next to the rushing river, the beer garden is the perfect way to relax after a long day of riding. It's just that waking up in the morning might be a little tougher this year....

Jackson's Ride the Gorge - NOT to be Missed!

Experience the Columbia River Gorge like you've never seen it before on Jackson's Ride the Gorge, an incredibly supported ride through Oregon and Washington's stunning landscape on July 18. The well-planned course crosses bridges over the mighty Columbia and explores Oregon and Washington. You'll encounter "gorge"ous (I couldn't resist!) views on all three of the mostly-flat routes: 100 miles, 50 miles and a 14 mile family ride.

]]> Rest stops feature delicious treats every 12 miles to keep you fueled and delighted every step of the way. Clear course markings will easily guide you so you and your friends can relax, cruise along the ride, stop for photos, enjoy breathtaking Gorge views and have a great ride. At the end of the ride you can relax in the setting of the Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum amid one of the nation's largest collections of unique flying aircraft, with free museum admission, a great finish line lunch and free beer.

The ride organizers invite you to join them in honoring the memory of their son, 12-year-old Jackson Hill who passed away from sarcoma, a cancer of the connective tissue. This ride bas been growing every year as hundreds of people come out to honor Jackson's legacy and ride through one of his favorite parts of the country.

Local Business to Save the Twilight Crit

Portland is a world-class cycling city, well known for smart planning, innovative projects and thousands of people happily commuting to work - rain or shine. So it seems fitting that we have, a world-class street race - the Portland Twilight Criterium - that draws professional racers from around the world. 20,000 spectators flock to downtown Portland for a night of fast-paced racing action around the park blocks.

But this year, as the title sponsor bowed out in light of severe budget cuts, the Portland Twilight Criterium is facing the dire fate of being canceled. Determined not to let that happen, local race fans have stepped up to bring in the support of their businesses, including attorneys who specialize in bicycle law and bike shops. In hopes of rescuing this popular event, these business owners have banded together to raise the funds necessary to put on the event. Their admirable work is not over, and additional sponsors are still needed to give the race a confident green light.

Amazing things can happen here in Portland - success, creativity, forward thinking. In keeping with this spirit, the organizers hope your business will come out as a race fan too and bring professional racing to Downtown Portland this summer. For more information on how you or your business can be involved, contact Tom@GoodSportPromotion.com.

Planning for a World-Class Cycle City

No lunch plans next Thursday? Take a spin over to PBOT's Bicycle Brown Bag lunch series, a chance to discuss cycling issues during your lunch break. PDOT brings in expert speakers and the audience has a chance to ask questions.

This month's topic is The Platinum Bicycle Master Plan - Planning for a World-Class Cycle City on Thursday, May 21th, 12:00 - 1:00. Since the first Bicycle Master Plan was adopted, Portland has more than doubled our bikeway network, to 300+ miles. We've added thousands of bicycle parking spaces. There are almost daily bike rides, events, and activities. We have a successful Safer Routes to School program and a burgeoning bicycle industry. Now it's time to look ahead. What are the next steps in growing a bikable, livable city?

Bring your own lunch and head to the Portland Building, 1120 SW 5th Avenue, 2d floor - Room C. For more info on the Bicycle Brown Bag series, see their website.

Pedal Potluck Picnic

The Pedal Potluck Picnic rides are returning for their fifth season of casual biking and delicious snacking. The rides traverse an average of 3-5 miles with a different route each time. The end destination is a mystery park or ark-like setting. Organizer Shawn Granton, a local historian with extensive cycling fun knowledge says, "The term 'park' will be used liberally here, so expect the unexpected!" At the endpoint the group enjoys a picnic dinner, potluck style. Participants are asked to bring food and drink to share (preferably vegetarian and vegan).

In the event of rain, the rides end at a covered destination. Pedal Potluck Picnics are a great way to meet other cyclists and see interesting parts of the city. The next picnic is May 19th starting at 6:30 from the Hawthorne Hostel, 3031 SE Hawthorne Blvd.

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