ORbike
http://blog.orbike.com/
2008-05-12T18:44:49+00:00ORbike Member Profile: Heather Andrews
http://blog.orbike.com/archives/2008/05/orbike-member-profile-heather.php
ORbike member Heather Watson starts her e-mail messages to people with an enthusiastic, "Aloha!" That's because Heather, who is new to Portland, moved here from Hawaii, where she loved participating in organized bike events and triathlons. "The very first time a crossed the finish line in my first triathlon, what an amazing feeling. All that hard work and determination paid off and even though I was in pain it felt sooo good, I wanted to do it all over again."]]>Rider Profilesorbike2008-05-12T18:44:49+00:00Beautiful Rural Routes
http://blog.orbike.com/archives/2008/05/beautiful-rural-routes.php
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!
]]>Organized Ridesorbike2008-05-09T22:03:54+00:00One Milliion Bicycles
http://blog.orbike.com/archives/2008/05/one-milliion-bicycles.php
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:
]]>Advocacyorbike2008-05-08T18:20:27+00:00Most Gigantic ORbike Newsletter
http://blog.orbike.com/archives/2008/05/most-gigantic-orbike-newslette.php
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.]]>ORBike.com Newsorbike2008-05-06T12:19:59+00:00Rider Profile: The Linssens
http://blog.orbike.com/archives/2008/05/rider-profile-the-lissens.php
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).]]>Rider Profilesorbike2008-05-05T01:00:54+00:00Rider Profile: Unicycle to the Beach!
http://blog.orbike.com/archives/2008/05/unicycle-to-the-beach.php
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?]]>Reach the Beachorbike2008-05-01T20:03:16+00:00Fundraising 101 Clinic
http://blog.orbike.com/archives/2008/04/fundraising-101-clinic.php
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.]]>Reach the Beachorbike2008-04-30T03:41:40+00:00Portland Awarded Platinum !
http://blog.orbike.com/archives/2008/04/portland-awarded-platinum-stat.php
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!]]>Advocacyorbike2008-04-29T17:20:33+00:00Calling all bike clubs
http://blog.orbike.com/archives/2008/04/calling-all-bike-clubs.php
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]]>Cirque du Cyclingorbike2008-04-24T10:52:18+00:00Reach the Beach is Hot!
http://blog.orbike.com/archives/2008/04/reach-the-beach-is-hot.php
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.]]>Reach the Beachorbike2008-04-23T03:26:52+00:00Portland Steel Bridge Construction
http://blog.orbike.com/archives/2008/04/portland-steel-bridge-construc.php
An important update from TriMet. The good news is that it looks like bike traffic will be largely unaffected.
]]>Road Riding/Commutingorbike2008-04-22T20:32:36+00:00Introducing ORrun!
http://blog.orbike.com/archives/2008/04/introducing-orrun.php
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.]]>Cultureorbike2008-04-21T19:09:11+00:00Bike to Your Local Earth Day Celebration!
http://blog.orbike.com/archives/2008/04/bike-to-your-local-earth-day-c.php
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?]]>Fun Ridesorbike2008-04-17T10:36:08+00:00Reach the Beach
http://blog.orbike.com/archives/2008/04/reach-the-beach.php
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 Beachorbike2008-04-15T19:48:09+00:00Bikers Take Over the Theater
http://blog.orbike.com/archives/2008/04/bikers-take-over-the-theater.php
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...]]>Videos/Artorbike2008-04-10T16:53:50+00:00
ORbike member Heather Watson starts her e-mail messages to people with an enthusiastic, "Aloha!" That's because Heather, who is new to Portland, moved here from Hawaii, where she loved participating in organized bike events and triathlons. "The very first time a crossed the finish line in my first triathlon, what an amazing feeling. All that hard work and determination paid off and even though I was in pain it felt sooo good, I wanted to do it all over again."]]>
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. 
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).]]>
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?]]>
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.]]>
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.