Day: December 18, 2008
Sell or find gear at first-ever Veloswap
Anyone looking to start off the new year with some new gear, or looking to make a few bucks on their old stuff, will be happy to hear about the first annual Portland VeloSwap.
Jim Anderson — who is also the man behind the Monday Night Racing series at Portland International Raceway — announced the event this week.
MTB shop steps up for Forest Park plan
(Photo © J. Maus)
Fat Tire Farm, a shop that specializes in high performance mountain bikes and is located near a busy Forest Park trailhead, has stepped up to encourage its customers to join the Forest Park Conservancy (FPC).
According to citizen activist Frank Selker, the shop has agreed to give a 10% discount to customers that flash an FPC membership card.
The gesture by Fat Tire Farm comes after Selker met with them to share his plan to get more involvement and cooperation between mountain bikers and the conservancy — two groups who are key to moving the conversation about increased access to Forest Park forward.
Selker says he plans to talk with other bike shops to encourage them to offer similar discounts.
Selker also reports that nearly 20 people have joined the FPC since we published a story about his plan yesterday. His goal is 100 new members and he seems well on his way.
The bikes in my basement
Last month I cleaned out the bikes from my basement. As I took them down from their hooks and carried them to their new home (a shed in the backyard), I heard voices in my head recounting the memories and stories behind each one.
On the train: Checking the bike, making friends
(Photos by Elly Blue)
I’m beginning to realize a few things about traveling with a folding bike.
First of all, it’s definitely a passport to general goodwill and friendliness. I had a great time chatting with a homeless guy and a college student on the L’s blue line last night at 1am. It’s hard to imagine the three of us in that circumstance getting into a friendly conversation without the Brompton.
It’s also because of the Brompton that I met Marc and Sheri, Portlanders headed out on a month and a half long east coast train trip of their own. We soon found we had friends in common (Sheri worked with Sara Stout on the Share the Road mural that Jonathan covered back in 2006). They were excellent train companions.
From Chicago: Crashing with the 4 Star Courier Collective
[Publisher’s note: Elly Blue is on a trip through the East Coast. She’s got a Brompton folder, a backpack, and one of my old cameras around her neck. She’ll be posting dispatches and photos from the road. I’ve created a special section for all the articles and I’ll share some of them here on the Front Page. You can also follow Elly’s adventures on Twitter.]
(Photo © Elly Blue)
Courtesy of the weather, mechanical delays, a freight derailment in Minnesota, one medical emergency, and the priority of freight over passenger trains, I’m unexpectedly in Chicago for the day.
So here I am sitting in a coffeeshop in Wicker Park, enjoying excellent espresso and fast WiFi. It’s sunny out and “above zero” as my host optimistically put it. Sleet is expected after 5, just when it’s time to head back to the station.
Vanderslice chosen to help lead Bike Master Plan Update effort
Project Manager for the
Bike Master Plan Update.
The City of Portland’s languishing effort to update its Bicycle Master Plan just got a shoot in the arm. Ellen Vanderslice, an effective bureaucrat and well-known activist for people-friendly cities, has been selected as Project Manager for the Bicycle Master Plan Update process.
PDOT staffers have been working on an update to the all-important plan for nearly three years now. Our current plan was adopted by City Council in 1995 and it was intended to be updated in 2005.
Open Thread for riding conditions (12/18)
N. Rosa Parks Way.
(Photo © J. Maus)
Snow has just begun to fall across the Portland Metro area. But luckily, so far, the big freeze that was predicted for last night/this morning hasn’t happened.
Like we’ve done for the past few days, please use the comments below to share details about the riding conditions where you live.
How will you get to work today?
Thanks for your feedback.