ORbike

Beautiful Rural Routes

My life is pretty hectic these days, being a busy event coordinator gearing up for a summer season, and one of my favorite ways to relax is to ride my bike through the countryside, taking in the sights and smells of rural lands. That's why I love Reach the Beach.

This spectacular ride is an opportunity to explore some of the most gorgeous areas of Oregon - without really lifting a finger. I mean, you do have to pedal your bike, there is no one to do that for you, but you don't have to worry about choosing a route, packing or planning food, etc. The well-planned course has rest stops every 12 miles or so, and the food on course is delish. Online registration closes on the 13th and after that date you can register at the start line on May 17th. There are five courses of varying distances.

RELAX! Enjoy the ride!

One Milliion Bicycles

Joe Kurmaski, AKA the Metal Cowboy, is working on a new project called One Million Bicycles.
He describes it better than I do, so I thought I'd just include his video here:

Most Gigantic ORbike Newsletter

Did you see that latest newsletter we sent out? It was huge - had to be an ORbike record. I tried, really hard, to cut it down, but man there are tons of great events happening, and it's not even summer yet. We strive to keep our newsletter timely, fun, concise and informative. But on this one, I really couldn't resist mention that Portland went Platinum, or Reach the Beach (coming right up on May 17th) or some cool perks you'll get if you're an ORbike member. I also loved getting to know Heather Watson, the latest person I've interviewed as an ORbike member.

If you didn't get our newsletter, you can sign up for it on the front page of our website. To read the May Mega issue, click here.

Rider Profile: The Linssens

Urban Assault is a bicycle adventure scavenger hunt full of creative elements. The event has been a hit in other cities so the organizers are putting it on in Portland on May 25th. Barbara and Peter Linssen are just a few of the many people who are signing up to compete as a team. Barbara says they own tons of bikes, and they do all sorts of city fair weather riding, like going to the grocery. While they do have two young kids, Urban Adventure is all about these two adults taking a day off from the kids (Barbara considers it a date).

]]> The adventure course is full of obstacles, which may include adult big wheels, obstacles on foot, scooters, BMX bikes, slip N slides, bouncy balls, ropes, kayaks, balance, or other zaniness. Barbara says she's definitely ready for this challenge, "That sounds like sneaking across my sons room at night. No problem." And she's working hard to get ready for the ride too. She has dusted off the bikes and she's working out, "I've been lifting several pints at the local pub."

Each team chooses a name and the Lissens have dubbed themselves the UGB Lovers - as in Urban Growth Boundary. When asked to justify such a political name, Barbara says it was an obvious choice, "The UGB is what makes the city end and gives you that amazing wildness so close to town. Without the UGB Sauvie Island would not still exist as is does. It's a truly amazing thing." So amazing to Barbara, in fact, that her license plate reads LUV UGB.

Rider Profile: Unicycle to the Beach!

It's impressive to ride to the beach in the awesome Reach the Beach ride, but it's even more impressive to get there on a unicycle. Bah! Crazy, no one would do that, you say. Well, in fact several Portland unicyclists are taking the Uni Challenge for this year's event. I ran into Michael (aka MJ Freshy Fresh) at the Pre-ride Party at REI and he admitted he's one of the ambitious unicyclists, so I asked him to tell me more. Is it hard? Does it hurt? Are you insane?

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ME: So why are you riding a unicycle to the coast?
MJ: The unicycle is has the highest fun-factor of any mode of transportation that I've found yet, so why not ride it to the coast?

ME: How does riding a uni differ from a standard bike?
MJ: It's way harder to ride but provides you more freedom, no handlebars, gears, brakes, etc. For this ride I'll be on a unicycle called a Coker, it's got a 3' wheel which helps you go faster.

ME: Are there any other unis riding, that you know of?
MJ: Yes, I think there are 2 other riders from our gang and they are braver than I! I'm doing the 50 mile but Max and Zeke are going for the 100 miler!

ME: What route are you doing and why did you choose that route?
MJ: I'm doing the Amity route. I think that's all the miles my body can take, a unicycle seat is rather invasive ya know?

ME: What kind of riding do you usually do and are you training on a uni?
MJ: I play unicycle polo weekly, I do some urban trails riding and some trail riding. Not much training, just riding for fun.

So if you see Micheal, or his other unicycle buddies, out there on the course, give them a high five!

Fundraising 101 Clinic

If you're riding, or considering riding, Reach the Beach, there is an easy-to-reach $50 fundraising goal. It's a snap - all riders do it. But let's say you want to get the really cool In-Focus home projector entertainment system, one of the fundraising prizes. How do you get to that level of fundraising?

Well, first off, let me tell you that is achievable too! Fundraising, at it's most basic, is asking. And when the cause is something as important as clean Oregon air and healthy Oregon lungs, people will feel proud to support your efforts.

Jennifer Baldwin, Development Director at the American Lung Association of Oregon, is making the process even smoother for you when you attend her Fundraising 101 clinic at the Clackamas REI (12160 SE 82nd) this Monday, 7pm. Jennifer, a real expert in fundraising, will share time-tested fundraising tips that have helped hundreds of cyclists raise thousands of dollars for this great cause.

Portland Awarded Platinum !

This just in from BikePortland.org:

"Portland has gone Platinum. The League of American Bicyclists will officially announce later today that Portland has become the first major city in America to be designated as a Platinum-level Bicycle Friendly Community. (The only other city to have reached the Platinum level is Davis, California with a population of 63,000.)"

Some have argued that so long as cyclists are still involved in unsafe interactions with cars Portland cannot be designated a Platinum city. Others argue that there is still a lot of work to do a Platinum status will grant the planners a chance to slack off from their progressive work to make Portland more bike friendly.

Whatever your belief, there is no doubt that city planners, advocacy organizations (most notably the BTA), bike shop owners and the cyclists themselves have worked tirelessly over the years to make Portland a bike-friendly city to be admired. GO PORTLAND!

Calling all bike clubs

Oregon has a wealth of totally awesome bike clubs doing all sorts of neat tricks, and Cirque du Cycling on June 14th will bring them all together for the nation's largest bike pride parade. The parade takes place on Mississippi Avenue in Portland.

Cirque du Cycling, a Mississippi bike fair in support of Self Enhancement Inc., features a family ride, the parade and criterium with two-way racing.

For more info, to register to race or for the parade, see their website

Reach the Beach is Hot!

Ridership for the 2008 Reach the Beach is off the hook! What's with all the activity? Well, for one, Reach the Beach is simply an amazing way to experience the beauty of rural Oregon. And forget planning what you'll bring and where you'll eat and how you'll get there on safe roads; Reach the Beach organizers have that all planned out and, in fact, have been offering that service for 18 years. On top of that, Reach the Beach is a fundraiser for the American Lung Association of Oregon so you can feel good about riding and supporting a great organization.

There are six courses to choose from - a little of something for riders of all skill levels. If you're not signed up yet, do it today! You don't want to miss out on this great ride.

Portland Steel Bridge Construction

An important update from TriMet. The good news is that it looks like bike traffic will be largely unaffected.

]]> Steel Bridge Construction June 1 through August 30, 2008
Transit and auto traffic will be affected as crews install new MAX tracks

As part of the Portland Mall Light Rail Project, new MAX tracks on 5th and 6th avenues will connect with the existing MAX system on the Steel Bridge. Construction on the bridge's Glisan ramp is currently underway. This summer, more extensive bridge work will affect transit and auto traffic.

Traffic impacts:
June 1-August 30: TriMet buses will not use Steel Bridge; detours in place
June 10-August 24: Steel Bridge closed to all vehicles
August 2-24: MAX will not cross Steel Bridge; shuttle buses provided

Bicycle and pedestrian access will be maintained during construction.

Work hours are from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., Monday through Saturday, except August 2-24, when crews will work every day, 24 hours a day. (Between 6 p.m. and 7 a.m., construction noise will be limited.)

You can learn more about the Portland Mall Light Rail Project and get construction updates at portlandmall.org. Transit detours will be posted at trimet.org starting in May.

About the project:

TriMet's fifth MAX line, the Green Line, will add light rail to 5th and 6th avenues in downtown Portland between Union Station and Portland State University, and between Gateway Transit Center and Clackamas Town Center. It is the first light rail extension into Clackamas County, and it will serve the heart of downtown Portland and the busiest destination in the TriMet system: PSU. When it opens in September 2009, the Green Line will help revitalize the

Introducing ORrun!

ORbike would like to welcome the newest member of our family, ORrun.com! ORrun has been a great resource for several years now, but we've just started a running-specific newsletter and blog through ORrun.com. In this newsletter you'll find the same great news you've come to expect from ORbike - except we won't be talking about bikes.

We'll cover everything from all the big marathons and triathlons to the plentiful fun runs/walks. We'll even keep you up to date on various training clinics, gear, and workout tips. But if running isn't your thing, we understand - continue to enjoy everything ORbike has to offer.

Bike to Your Local Earth Day Celebration!

Earth Day is April 22nd so towns and cities around Oregon are hosting community celebrations all weekend long. It was a gigantic Earth Day celebration in Chicago probably around 1989 that got me first inspired to recycle and later to ride a bike. The best way to get to your local celebration is by bike.

Great activities are planned in Salem, Trail, Silverton, Portland and elsewhere. There are too many to mention here, but check with your local environmental organizations or search online.

I spoke with John Mitchell with the Eugene celebration as he was running in and out of last-minute planning meetings. Their festival on the water, he explained, is offering valet bike parking and encouraging all attendees to come by bike. Paul's Bicycle Way of Life, a prominent bike shop in Eugene, is offering free bike tune ups "while they last." So if that's your celebration and your bike could use a little adjusting, this is a great opportunity to get it in tip-top summer shape.

Across the state weather is predicted to be pretty nice, except for those of you at higher elevations who will likely get snow (!!) so head out and enjoy the day! What are you doing for Earth Day?

Reach the Beach

Many of us are draw to Oregon for it's beauty. We enjoy spending time outdoors and exploring what our state has to offer. And for those of us who also love riding our bikes, Reach the Beach is a fabulous way to get out into the countryside and experience Oregon's bounty. If you've ever dreamed of touring Oregon's countryside by bike, this is the best way to do it, with tons of support, yummy food and great routes.

]]> Reach the Beach is the major fundraiser for the American Lung Association of Oregon. Every pedal stroke helps promote clean Oregon air and healthy Oregon lungs. You'll meander along quiet, gorgeous rural roads in search of a spectacular beach party in Pacific City. Register before midnight on April 13th and you'll pay only $25 for the entry fee.

The packet pickup is Sunday, April 27th from 7-9pm at REI in NW Portland. This special night is an opportunity to review the routes, meet other riders, enjoy appetizers, sample treats and learn more about the ride. You can also sign up for the ride and turn in fundraising contributions at this pre-ride party.

Bikers Take Over the Theater

Thousands of bike enthusiasts won't be out on the streets riding this weekend - they'll be at the Clinton Street Theater watching bikes take over the silver screen for Filmed by Bike, the annual film festival featuring bike-themed shorts. And when they say short, they mean it: all movies are eight min. or fewer. Submissions are sent in from around the world, but the festival only happens in Portland.

Friday night is the Opening Night Throwdown (showings at 7 + 9) with beer, a raffle of over $2,000 in prizes (including some really nice roadwear from Rapha and a custom-made bike bag), a line snaking all the way down the block and tons of hootin' and hollerin'. But if boisterous bikers yelling at the screen isn't your thing...

]]> ...don't worry; the festival continues all weekend long with screenings at 5, 7, and 9pm on Saturday and Sunday. [ schedule ]

Sure you've probably seen a million BMX movies, trail riding and tricks, but Filmed by Bike is about so much more than all of that. What happens when you enter a relationship knowing the exact date you will end it? That's the Pull, a movie about two men who enjoy riding bikes together. Or how about a glimpse bicycle culture in Sweden, a bike-themed Zen proverb or a recumbent documentary? The festival also features animated shorts, mockumentaries and plenty of inspiring footage of people who love riding their bikes. There are no advance ticket sales so get there early to get in.

7 Tips for Effective Cycling

Sandee, the newest addition to the ORbike team, is a cycling instructor. We thought we'd take this springtime opportunity to share with you some tips on effective cycling. Sandee has some great ideas for ways you can get started on the road to a more comfortable ride today!

7 Tips for Effective Cycling
Have you mastered the basic skills to riding effectively on the road? Perhaps you have just purchased your first road bike, plan to enter a few fun rides this summer, or you have been riding with friends and decided to take your cycling a little more serious but are unsure of technique. Consider the following tips to riding better.

]]> Shifting gears.The key to smooth shifting is anticipation. Shift a few seconds ahead of time. It makes taking on a hill more effective. At the bottom of a hill, shift to easier gears while you still have momentum. The shift should occur during one crank revolution.

Ease up pedal pressure as you move the lever, time it right, and you shouldn't lose significant speed. Until you have mastered the timing, simply push a bit harder for several strokes before lightening the pressure on the shift stroke.

Going uphill. The goal here is to maintain your current work level and to conserve energy. Shift gears to maintain your cadence. By staying in your seat you will save energy for the long ride.

On a downhill. Don't "ride" your brakes. Your tires and rim could overheat which will cause a blowout. The safest technique is to tap the brakes, applying small amounts of pressure. When riding in wet weather, this technique works best.

Proper brakes. For quick stops, slide your fanny to the very back of the saddle and apply firm pressure the brakes. This keeps the rear of the bike down so that you don't flip over the handlebars.

Don't pedal in high gear for long periods. The best cadence for most cyclists is 60 to 80 revolutions per minute (rpm). Racers rpm will range 80 to 100 rpm. Pedaling for long periods of time in a high gear can develop injuries such as biker's knee. It can increase the pressure on your knees and lead to overuse. Protect you knees by shifting to a lower gear and faster revolutions (rpm).

Change your body and hands position frequently. Different muscles will take on the pressure as you shift your body. You will change the angles of your neck, back, and arms.

No coasting downhill. Lactic acid has been building in your muscles as you climbed up hill. By pedaling constantly with some resistance (even just a little) while going downhill will help remove the lactic acid and reduce cramping potential.

Learn from other riders. Seek out someone experienced to go riding with. Experienced riders or group of riders can teach you so much about how to ride different terrain and how to be a defensive cyclist. See our calendar for listings of free rides that are open to the public.
Now you're ready to ride.