ORbike http://blog.orbike.com/ Copyright 2010 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 08:48:22 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=4.0 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Hot Deals on Gear Gear reps and outdoor enthusiasts have scoured their basements and garages in hopes of making some space - and making a buck by putting on the NE Portland MEGA Outdoor Gear Sale. Gear reps with boxes full of brand new gear will be pricing their products at deeply discounted prices.

For sale items include bikes (used), parts, accessories, wheels, panniers and bags, snowshoes, climbing shoes, snowboards, clothing and jackets and much more.

The sale is one day only and it's free. For more information, see the website.

]]> http://blog.orbike.com/archives/2010/03/hot-deals-on-gear.php http://blog.orbike.com/archives/2010/03/hot-deals-on-gear.php Gear Tue, 16 Mar 2010 08:48:22 -0800 20th Anniversay Reach the Beach The 20th Anniversary Reach the Beach is almost here! Get ready to ride the best route to the coast, enjoying hearty lunches and yummy snacks at rest stops along the way, and finishing in Pacific City with a sink-your-toes-in-the-sand party right on the beach. Relax after a rewarding day of riding and listen to the waves crash on the shore as you enjoy the feast served up at the award-winning Pelican Pub.

This event is a great introductory distance ride, whether it is your first ride of the season or your first distance ride ever. Courses range from 26 to 100 miles over relatively flat terrain and feature top-notch support every step of the way. This year the ride features a new route from Newberg, which clocks in around 80 miles.

The 20th Anniversary Reach the Beach is limited to 3,000 participants so register early to secure your spot and take advantage of the $25 early registration which ends on April 11.

]]> http://blog.orbike.com/archives/2010/03/20th-anniversay-reach-the-beac.php http://blog.orbike.com/archives/2010/03/20th-anniversay-reach-the-beac.php Reach the Beach Mon, 08 Mar 2010 20:28:30 -0800 What is the Future of Williams? Someone recently submitted an anecdote to the Tall Bike Tales museum talking about how he remembers when there were only one or two other commuters back in the day on his commute along North Williams, a popular route for cyclists in N and NE Portland. I, too, remember those days.

So as I rode my commute home yesterday, this was going through my mind, coupled with a recent BikePortland article. Bikers were everywhere, and many were on each other's rear wheels, jostling for position, trying to get ahead and ride our preferred paces. I was thinking about how crowded that route is these days, and then all of a sudden I was at a complete stop, wheels behind me were screeching to a halt. It all happened so fast I was sure someone was going to go down (no one did), and I'm sure I heard some grumblings from the pile-up behind me.

I shook myself out of my "Future of Williams" daze to realize we had only stopped to let a pedestrian cross the crosswalk. Certainly an admirable move on the part of the biker who first stopped. But with the way we were all hanging on each other's back wheels, it was kind of a mess. And I don't blame that guy who stopped for the ped, in fact, I applaud him.

]]> http://blog.orbike.com/archives/2010/02/what-is-the-future-of-williams.php http://blog.orbike.com/archives/2010/02/what-is-the-future-of-williams.php Culture Thu, 18 Feb 2010 09:31:09 -0800 Get Ready to Share Your Tall Bike Tales Tall Bike Tales is a new online museum of bike culture, a digital scrap book, celebrating the unique bike culture of Portland. You can submit photos, videos, illustrations, jokes, stories, anecdotes and more. The website just launched on February 14th, fittingly in conjunction with the Worst Day of the Year Ride.

We're helping get Tall Bike Tales up and running, so we'll be sharing with you some of our favorite submissions as they roll in.

Check out Tall Bike Tales >>

]]> http://blog.orbike.com/archives/2010/02/get-ready-to-share-your-tall-b.php http://blog.orbike.com/archives/2010/02/get-ready-to-share-your-tall-b.php Culture Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:04:58 -0800 WORST DAY OF THE YEAR RIDER PROFILE: Yolanda Kauffman and family ride to honor Erv Kauffman Yolanda Kauffman has been riding on a bike ever since her father, Erv Kauffman, put her on the back of his bike at the age of three. Erv was an avid biker, a bike commuter before bike commuting existed, and he shared his biking enthusiasm with his daughter. Yolanda's first bike was a 10-speed that her dad cobbled together for her from bits and pieces of bikes he had worn out.

Together, Yolanda and Erv took many rides though Oregon. Yolanda recalls one particular ride where she was riding up to Mt. Hood with her Dad. "I was probably 9 years old, and we were on back roads where all I could see was up. I remember my Dad telling me we are almost there, but the top did not come fast enough. It was a very challenging day for me on my bike, but I am grateful to have the memory."

In honor of this memory, the memory of her father, who passed away unexpectedly 5 years ago on February 14th, Yolanada is flying back from Kansas to join in the Worst Day of the Year ride. "My Participating in this ride is about my love for biking (something I inherited from my Dad), but even more, it's about my love for my Dad." Yolanda will be joined on the ride with other members of her family as one of several ways they will be marking the anniversary of Erv's passing. "

]]> http://blog.orbike.com/archives/2010/02/worst-day-of-the-year-rider-pr-2.php http://blog.orbike.com/archives/2010/02/worst-day-of-the-year-rider-pr-2.php Worst Day Ride Sat, 13 Feb 2010 13:01:38 -0800 RIDER PROFILE: Team Silverton 25 cyclists from Silverton, with ages spanning from 13-63 years, will be traveling to Portland for the Worst Day of the Year Ride.

When asked why this the hodge-podge group of friends and family comes all the way to Portland for the ride, group cheerleader Patty Parsons said, "We just love everything about the ride: the costumes, food breaks, the scenery and the yummy food at the end!" The group, which is larger this year than ever before, comes back every year as their own personal tradition.


Costumes are a key component of this quirky fun ride and last year the group celebrated their Silverton heritage with silver tinsel decorations on their helmets. When asked about this year's theme, Parsons said, "Oooo, that's very secret. You'll have to come see us, but you won't be able to miss us!"

The Worst Day of the Year Ride has been happening since 2002 and every year the ride grows in popularity. 3,500 cyclists are expected this year. The 18 mile fun ride has a 40 mile challenge option for more experienced riders. The event benefits the Community Cycling Center, a non-profit organization that broadens access to bicycling.

Space allowing, registration is open until 11:59pm on Thursday, at the Pre-Ride Check In event on Saturday, February 13th at the Lucky Lab (915 SE Hawthorne, Portland) or at the event on February 14th, also at the Lucky Lab. Costs vary and children 10 and under may ride for only $10. The ride kicks off at 10:00am. Further information about registration and the timing of the event can be found on the event website.

]]> http://blog.orbike.com/archives/2010/02/rider-profile-team-silverton.php http://blog.orbike.com/archives/2010/02/rider-profile-team-silverton.php Clubs/Groups Wed, 10 Feb 2010 21:03:06 -0800 WORST DAY OF THE YEAR RIDER PROFILE: Arthur visits from Missoula, MT When Arthur Mouratidis caught wind of the Worst Day of the Year Ride from a friend, he decided to make the trek from Missoula, Montana to come check out Portland's crazed bike-love ride for himself.

Considering that Arthur boasts that he's never had a bad day on his bike, and the added bonus of doughnuts and coffee, the Worst Day of the Year ride might just be the best ride Arthur and his bike have ridden together.

Arthur plans on showing his bike how much he loves it for all the wonderful miles by lubing its chain, giving it a good kiss and then heading out for a ride.

In keeping with Portland tradition, Arthur plans to stop by Voodoo Doughnuts and is trying to pick out a fantastic outfit for the ride. When asked what he would be wearing he simply said ,"stay tuned...."

]]> http://blog.orbike.com/archives/2010/02/worst-day-of-the-year-rider-pr-1.php http://blog.orbike.com/archives/2010/02/worst-day-of-the-year-rider-pr-1.php Worst Day Ride Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:07:38 -0800 WORST DAY OF THE YEAR RIDER PROFILE: Ed and Amy Evangelista, father-daughter duo After riding RAGBRAI (Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa) and being "shocked at how many people were doing the ride and how few of them were doing it in costume," Amy Evangelista saw the Worst Day of the Year Ride as an opportunity for her dad, Ed Evangelista, to ride in Oregon during his visit and get a real taste of Portland bicycle culture.

Coming all the way from Iowa, to visit his daughter Amy, Ed, a bicycle event veteran, describes his worst bike ride as a "ride in 90 degree heat at 100% humidity, against the wind, up hill on an 89 mile leg of the RAGBRAI".

It certainly wont be 90 degrees on February 14th, which is probably why Amy and Ed say they are most looking forward to the belly warming drinks and delicious soups along the ride.

Amy promises to "take it easy" on her dad and ride the 18-mile course together as a chance to bond and because as Ed says, "you can't train in the snow, Amy".

Not only is the Worst Day of the Year ride a chance to create memories with your family, it is also a fun way to support the Community Cycling Center, the benefactor of the ride. Amy enthusiastically supports CCC's mission saying,"Every kid deserves a bike! Definitely! Every big kid deserves a bike too, and the Cycling Center makes that much less scary (in my opinion). They've helped this kid stay on her bike on more than one occasion as well"

Amy will be showing her bike some love by giving it a full tune up before the ride on Valentine's Day.

And what of the flair that Portland is so known for? Amy says she doesn't have a costume picked out yet, "but I'm sure I'll think of something. I mean, I live here... I have a whole closet of costumes."

]]> http://blog.orbike.com/archives/2010/02/worst-day-of-the-year-rider-pr.php http://blog.orbike.com/archives/2010/02/worst-day-of-the-year-rider-pr.php Worst Day Ride Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:45:39 -0800 20TH ANNIVERSARY REACH THE BEACH RIDER PROFILE: Surfer John Thompson John and his surf board!John Thompson says his life motto is "An ounce of 'I must do something' is worth a pound of 'something must be done'" which is why he loves riding Reach the Beach and hopes that someday both his sons can ride the full course with him. "My son Geoff rode the second half of RTB with me when he was about 25. He was MY inspiration." His son, now 33, lives with asthma and John rides to honor his life struggle and in support of the American Lung Association in Oregon.


John says his favorite part of the course is from Grand Ronde to Pacific City: "Rolling, twisty and only one short hill to climb... then arriving at Pacific City!" He also fondly remembers the year Geoff rode with him. The young man was a go-getter, way ahead of everyone else. "He had thighs of steel," John says. But Geoff's energy didn't last longer than necessary: "Partaking of the food at Pacific City, Geoff fell asleep at the table" after enjoying the finish line dinner.


John loves the challenges of Reach the Beach. "I like pushing my own envelope a bit to see how much better I can do on the ride itself," he says. "I also enjoy being able to raise donations, give back to the community and knowing I am making a difference."


John says raising contributions really isn't that hard, and he suggest seeking contributions early. "I tend to keep friends and potential contributors informed about my progress when it comes to training and meeting my fundraising goal. I try to write about humorous episodes while training. Although I have a two or three friends who really helped raise my fundraising goals, it is just as important to have many who can donate a small amount."


John first rode Reach the Beach in 1994 with a team he formed comprised of his coworkers from the City of Portland, Bureau of Environmental Services. Now at age 61, he's still riding, and loves the thrill of actually reaching the beach. "My car always goes on RTB with a surfboard on top and bike on the back." COWABUNGA! We'll see you at the beach, John!

]]> http://blog.orbike.com/archives/2010/02/20th-anniversary-reach-the-bea.php http://blog.orbike.com/archives/2010/02/20th-anniversary-reach-the-bea.php Reach the Beach Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:10:39 -0800 BUILD IT! Rally + Public Hearing The Bicycle Transportation Alliance hopes that City Hall will adopt their Bike Plan for 2030. That adoption is the first step in the long road to actually getting that plan built, so they've started the BUILD IT! campaign to help see the project through to fruition.

They've organized a rally for 1:30pm at City Hall today, February 4th, and they hope people will come out in droves with BUILD IT! signs. You can print out a sign here.

The hearing begins at 2:00pm and the organizers are hoping for a strong presence leading into that. There is no need to testify, as in standing in front of a mic, but you are encouraged to t e s t i f y ! as in holding your sign proudly and being one of the people in support of BUILD IT! If you can't make it to the rally, other ways to be involved are listed here.

]]> http://blog.orbike.com/archives/2010/02/build-it-rally-public-hearing.php http://blog.orbike.com/archives/2010/02/build-it-rally-public-hearing.php Advocacy Thu, 04 Feb 2010 07:24:35 -0800 How to Tell Your Bike "I Love You" Cyclists are invited to the Worst Day of the Year Ride Pre-Ride Check In event on Saturday, February 13th from 2-5pm at the Lucky Lab, 915 SE Hawthorne for a Valentine Studio. People can make their own custom creative Valentine's, for a sweetie or for their bikes.

A cyclist's bike is a well-trusted steed, relied upon in a very personal way. Tell your bike I love you "For the endless miles" "For keeping me healthy" "For not getting flat tires" or for whatever reason you want. These special love notes will be posted all over the walls of the event the next day at the ride.

The very best of the bunch will be archived on TallBikeTales.com, a new (and not yet available) online museum of bicycle culture that will launch on February 14th, 2010.

This event is geared toward people participating in the Worst Day of the Year Ride, but it is open to all. You may register for the event, pick up your rider materials, purchase a super cool commemorative pink shirt (limited quantities), ask questions, review routes, pick up materials for other riders and more.

To register for the Worst Day of the Year Ride, CLICK HERE. The ride is limited to 3,500 people and is expected to sell out. Register early and save $$$. The Worst Day of the Year Ride is a benefit for the Community Cycling Center.

]]> http://blog.orbike.com/archives/2010/02/how-to-tell-your-bike-i-love-y.php http://blog.orbike.com/archives/2010/02/how-to-tell-your-bike-i-love-y.php Worst Day Ride Tue, 02 Feb 2010 12:25:25 -0800 Worst Day of the Year Ride The Worst Day of the Year Ride is an annual tradition and riders flock from all over for this opportunity to parade the streets of Portland, rain or shine. This year's ride falls on Valentine's Day, so get ready for some sweetheart fun.

The Last Regiment Drum Corps kicks off the start line with their soul-riveting beats that are sure to wake you up and get you moving and grooving. Hot coffee and yummy doughnuts will keep you cozy as you prepare for the ride.

This year's ride features belly-warming treats and hot drinks at every rest stop and a great tour of Portland as you ride alongside streams of costumed riders circling the city You'll cross the river, ride along the waterfront, journey through four quadrants, stop at the Community Cycling Center and cruise along the Alameda ridge o this perfectly Portland ride.

The ride is limited to 3,500 riders and is expected to sell out. Register early and ensure your spot on this not-to-be missed ride!

]]> http://blog.orbike.com/archives/2010/02/worst-day-of-the-year-ride-3.php http://blog.orbike.com/archives/2010/02/worst-day-of-the-year-ride-3.php Worst Day Ride Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:15:58 -0800 Holiday Gift Ideas A quick internet search will pull up a wide variety of gift ideas for the bikers in your life, but we couldn't resist adding to the mix with some of our local faves.

WORST DAY OF THE YEAR RIDE PASS - This quirky annual tradition will sell out at 3,500 riders. Make sure you and your buddies have a spot on the ride by buying gift certificates. Better than a wool scarf or another tie, this gift is a unique one that will give you a full day of fun with your buddies.

REACH THE BEACH RIDE PASS - Reach the Beach is a fully-supported ride to the beach with four course distance options. This all-day event is a wonderful way to tour the Oregon countryside. When you buy a gift pass, the fundraising minimum is covered. Must purchase before the 23rd, so don't delay.

FILMED BY BIKE DVDs + SHIRTS - Filmed by Bike is a film festival of bike-themed movies. Every year they put out a new compilation of crowd favorites from the festival. The movies are no longer than 8 minutes, making for DVDs that are jam-packed with a variety of two wheeled wonders. The t-shirt they sell online features a sleek cog and makes a nice gift for even the fussiest designer on your list.

FIX IT YOURSELF! - Give teh gift of education with classes from Gracie's Wrench, expert bike repair instruction and advanced clinics such as wheel building.

STOCKING STUFFERS - Check out our holiday newsletter for stocking stuffer ideas like mini bike lights.


Happy Holidays! - Team ORbike

]]> http://blog.orbike.com/archives/2009/12/holiday-gift-ideas.php http://blog.orbike.com/archives/2009/12/holiday-gift-ideas.php Mon, 21 Dec 2009 14:17:00 -0800 Kruger's Crossing Introduces Doggie Cross Cross season just won't allow people to hibernate as winter approaches, and Kruger's Crossing was no exception. The race was last Sunday at Kruger's Farm on Sauvie Island, just outside of Portland. The torrential winds and hard rain the night before blew down tents, tables and a made for a lot of clean up on Sunday morning as organizers scrambled to get things back in order for that early 8:50am Beginner Men's race. But the reward came in the afternoon when the skies opened and a warm sun shone down on the hundreds of people present.

The mud was so ultra thick that some racers opted to run their bike the entire course. An optional corn maze cut-through proved beneficial early on in the day, but had become arduous later in the afternoon as husks and ears of corn mixed into the mud. (race results here)

With bright orange pumpkins filling the outer fields, golden fields of drying corn husks and the bright colors of jerseys and jackets positioned against the bold blue sky, it was a gorgeous day on the farm as Kruger's Crossing unveiled the new doggie cross, which I hope becomes an annual tradition. Owners ran with their dogs on leash over a shortened course of barricades and lots of mud. The most pee-wee of pups were carried by their often not-so-pee-wee owners (see photos) while others bounded effortlessly to a grand win. Dog treats and hilarity ensured. Plus tons of photos, I'm sure.

I went home with bags brimming with fresh produce from the Kruger's Farm Market and already can't wait for next year.

Check out photos here:

]]> http://blog.orbike.com/archives/2009/11/krugers-crossing-introduces-do.php http://blog.orbike.com/archives/2009/11/krugers-crossing-introduces-do.php Cyclocross Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:42:08 -0800 Keepin' Busy We're keeping busy around here at the ORbike headquarters: busy trying to keep up with all of you! There are still tons of bike events, rides, races and clinics happening. Gotta love the Oregon can-do spirit! We'll be updating our calendar shortly with even more events.

Kruger's Crossing registration ends Thursday at 11:59pm, BikeCraft is coming up soon and we have plenty more to tell you about. Stay tuned!

]]> http://blog.orbike.com/archives/2009/11/keepin-busy.php http://blog.orbike.com/archives/2009/11/keepin-busy.php Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:12:34 -0800