26 September 2005 Archives

First “Platinum” bike city to be announced Wednesday

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Despite much energy and excitement recently here in Portland, it seems as though we won’t be the first city in the country to be designated with the League of American Bicyclists‘ “Platinum-level” Bicycle Friendly City award.

Here’s an excerpt from the League’s latest newsletter:

“The latest list of Bicycle Friendly Communities, including the first platinum-level award, will be announced on Wednesday, Sept. 28 at 8:40 a.m. at the League’s booth (at the Interbike Show in Las Vegas)”

This is a somewhat unexpected announcement that definitely throws a wrench in the City’s plans. It’s not that we won’t still move forward with the “Go Platinum” campaign, but there was a real sense of pride about getting it before anyone else.

I leave tomorrow morning for Vegas to attend Interbike, and you can bet I’ll be on hand for that announcement. Expect a full report Wednesday morning.

3 bikes stolen: Jamis, Kona, Yeti

My house was recently broken into and my wife and I lost just about everything including our mt. bikes. The thieves had to get past my two dogs, and used a copper pipe and potatoes to beat them into submission. I’d like to get my bikes back, but would really like to get the guys (known to be at least 2) who did this to my dogs. Here is a brief description of the missing bikes:

Yeti ASX – Black, size large. Full suspension w/ 5th element rear shock. Marzocchi Super T Pro fork (silver bottom, black top). E-thirteen chain guide (clear plastic disk around cranks). Raceface DH cranks, Redline Flight Pedals, Sun Double Track front rim w/ Abbah hub, Sun XT rear rim w/ XT hub. No front derailleur, XTR rear w/ XT shifter. Oury lock on grips. Inner tube wrapped around rear triangle on drive side.

Jamis XLT 1.0 – Grey, size extra small. Full suspension w/ Fox rear shock. Fox front fork (black bottom). Stock except for a WTB Speed She seat. s/n: B201180301

Kona Kula – Red, 18” frame. Hardtail converted to single speed w/ non-working Kore chain reactor on rear triangle. 2002 Marzocchi ZR1 FreeRide fork up front.

Thanks,
Josh

971-227-2030 (cell)

Electra “Townies” don’t fit on busses or MAX

Just found a new Portland bike blog called “Ask the Wise Old Bicycle Guy“. It’s run by a former pro bike mechanic and it’s full of great advice.

He noticed my recent post about Electra Townies and makes a good observation. Apparently, despite growing in popularity in this city and their recent adoption as the official bike of the “BikeTown” promotion, Townies don’t fit on TriMet busses or the MAX! Here’s an excerpt from his post:

“According to a TriMet insider, at the recent kickoff for BTA’s Bike Commute Challenge, a Townie was ceremoniously placed in a TriMet bus rack for a photo op, only it didn’t fit.”

Apparently, the Townies’ extra-long wheelbase is the problem. Besides not fitting on bus racks, they’re also too long to fit in the hooks on MAX trains. The interesting thing is that TriMet is using nationwide standard for the bus rack. I guess the folks at Electra aren’t into the “multi-modal” thing like many carfree Portlanders.

Swede Army bike spotted at Nike

As some of you may know, I have a sincere infatuation with European city bikes. While lurking around the Nike Campus Sunday I came across this fine specimen. (the photo is dark because the sun hadn’t even come up yet!).

It was being ridden by a gardener who had no idea why I was so fascinated with his bike. It’s from a Swedish company called Kronan. Kronan got their start by building bikes for the Swedish Army 70 years ago and their bikes are made to last. Here’s another shot of it from a different angle.

It had a rod-driven drivetrain (which means it uses solid rods instead of wire cables to shift the gears and brake) and the tires had a serious injection of reflective rubber in the sidewalls.

Now, if only it had BikePortland.org on the downtube…

First “Platinum” bike city to be announced Wednesday

3 bikes stolen: Jamis, Kona, Yeti

Electra “Townies” don’t fit on busses or MAX

Swede Army bike spotted at Nike

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