Ode to a recovered bike

Zoobomb 8/28/05
[Reverend Phil]

Renowned bike funnist Reverend Phil recently found his beloved “Duff#5” (full story here) and was moved to write this touching ode:

She has returned to me.

Let it ring from the depths of the Shanghai Tunnels to the heights of Council Crest.

Let it ring from every bridge, from the Freemont “bikelane” to the Hawthorne gravel path.

Let it ring from cherubic babes in Burleys to pink ‘n black minxes on minis.

Let it ring for those stuck in traffic yearning to escape, and those flowing though traffic as escape.

Let it ring and ring true in the pounding chest of every being for whom the independence of self-mobilization is exhilaration incarnate.

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Specialized, Mountain Cycle disagree on “Stumptown”

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Portland stuff at Interbike show
[Not to be confused with Stumpjumper]

[UPDATES: A reader has posted the cease and desist letter from Specialized. See it here. (PDF)

*Specialized responds.]

North Portland based Mountain Cycle and global bike giant Specialized Bicycle Components of Morgan Hill, California are locked in a disagreement that neither side is backing down from. At issue is Mountain Cycle’s use of, “Stumptown” which has been the model name for their cyclocross bike since 2003.

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Local mechanic offers private lessons

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tori1
[Tori Bortman]

Here’s something I could really use…Tori Bortman has started a mechanic school in her basement. An experienced mechanic (most recently at North Portland Bikeworks) and teacher, Tori is offering both structured courses and one-on-one tutoring. According to Tori:

“…there seems to be a need for folks who are looking to learn how to care for their bike but may be intimidated or lacking the time to go to one of the local shops. This is an opportunity to offer people a personal setting to learn mechanics where they can get the most attention and learn at their own pace.”

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Links you’ll love

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[5 squirrels = 1 hat]
  • Shaun Deller (Portland’s hipster cycling hat maker) has just unveiled his latest, the squirrel hat. Shaun says, “Don’t tell me you were never out for a ride and passed by a freshly roadkilled animal and thought ‘maybe I could make a hat from that hide?”
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Bike Summit fund drive update

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Thanks to everyone who has donated so far to help pay my way to DC for the National Bike Summit. I’m looking forward to joining my friends at the BTA and spreading the word about how an independent advocate can use the web to build, nurture, and connect a bike community. Jessica at the BTA is already networking on my behalf, trying to set up meetings and introduce me to other advocates. It will be a great experience for me and one that will have a big impact on my ongoing work here on BikePortland.org.

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Sharing donuts, sharing the road

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breakfast on the bridges - January

It was an amazing morning of bike love here in Portland. We had a great turnout at both Breakfast on the Bridges: Driver Donut Edition (photos), and the “I Share the Road” rally (photos). The sun even came out to lend its endorsement to the proceedings. And I’m sure it didn’t hurt that the events were plugged last night on KATU-TV (thanks Anita!) and in an article on the front page of the Oregonian this morning.

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TriMet passenger talks to the Tribune

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Someone just emailed me a link to Phil Stanford’s column in the Portland Tribune. They got an interview with the guy that beat up Randy. Turns out his nickname is “Gater” and he’s an ex-boxer! Here’s an excerpt:

“Gater says he was on his way to work that morning when this guy – who’d been keeping the bus from passing him for several blocks – up and stopped in the middle of the Hawthorne Bridge. … At which point, Gater, who happens to be an ex-boxer, got off the bus and told him to move it. … When he didn’t, Gater says, he threw just one punch, and not a very good one at that. … As for the police, Gater says, he’s not particularly concerned, since by his calculations the statute of limitations expired Monday.”

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City calls for civility and unveils new campaign

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shareroadsticker

The City of Portland will hold a rally tomorrow morning to “recommit community support for all modes of transportation” and officially launch the “I Share the Road” campaign. According to the official statement (PDF here) from the Office of Transportation, the joint effort has brought together a diverse group including; the Mayor of Portland, and heads of the American Automobile Association, the Bicycle Transportation Alliance, TriMet, Portland Public Schools, Willamette Pedestrian Coalition, Portland Police Bureau, Elders in Action and others.

Along with the rally at Waterfront Park, the City will take the following immediate actions:

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Questions for Kryptonite?

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A visit to PSU Bike co-op

Just a quick note…one of Kryptonite‘s top tech guys is in town and I’m meeting him for dinner tonight. Do you have any questions you’d like me to ask him? I plan to touch base about the latest in bike security and hear what they’ve learned about lock design since the Bic Pen Fiasco. It should be interesting, but thought I’d see if you guys have anything in particular you’d like to know (especially the messengers out there who know a thing or two about locks).

According to Kryptonite, Portland is one of their biggest markets.

While I’m on the topic, the Oregonian covers the Sara Stout Stolen Bike Saga in the paper today. Astute readers will remember my coverage on this back in October.

Stolen: Villiger Cabonga RX – Recovered!

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RECOVERED!! See this comment for details.

[Posted by user “jasonyc”]

This is my wife’s bike that I built-up for her. She’s distraught and I WILL find it with your help. It has a black, brazed steel lug frame with white decal lettering. This unique frame is powered by a rather rare SRAM Dual Drive 3X9 drivetrain. It was pieced together with primarily Bontrager components (see included pictures). The lock was cut and the bike stolen from the racks out in front of the Ecotrust building (at NW 10th and Johnson) in the Pearl District of Portland on Jan. 24, 2006 between 5:00pm and 5:45pm.

If found or sighted (bike in whole or it’s individual components), please reach me anytime at:
Work- (971) 249-7565,
Cell- (512) 799-7433, or
e-mail- jason_y_c@hotmail.com

I will offer a nice reward if it can be returned to us intact.

Stolen Villiger-Pictures and Details

Cyclists to TriMet: “Want a donut?”

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Breakfast on the Bridges - October

A group of cyclists intends to put a TriMet twist on this Friday’s Breakfast on the Bridges. The event (which happens on the last Friday of every month) usually consists of volunteers handing out free coffee and pastries to early-morning bike commuters on the Hawthorne and Broadway Bridges. However, in light of recent events organizers have decided to fight fire with flour.

They plan to gather at the westbound Hawthorne Bridge bus stop (the one before the overpass) from 7:30-8:30 this Friday morning with bikes and signs. When a bus pulls up to the stop, the cyclists will board and hand the driver a donut with a label on it that says, “Thanks for sharing.” I can’t even imagine the look on the drivers’ faces when they realize what’s happening.

Here are more photos of Breakfast on the Bridges.