7 August 2009 Archives

Thousands flock to Park Blocks for a memorable Twilight

Racers zoom around NW 8th
and Flanders. (As seen from
10th floor roof of North Park Lofts.)
(Photo © J. Maus/iPhone)

The Park Blocks were packed tonight for the Twilight Criterium. From the race course to the VIP area, from the beer garden to the handmade bike expo in the infield — spectators turned out in droves to absorb the spectacle of Portland’s only major downtown bike race of the year.

Organizers may have had some budget troubles a few months ago, but that seemed like a distant memory tonight (yet not too distant to forget to approach lawyer Ray Thomas to give him a hearty handshake and a thank you). The event had all the signs of success.

For the first time in five years, I left my camera and notebook at home. I shared the race with my three and six year old daughters. We cheered on our favorite racers (like the guy in the first race with the purple booties and of course all the racers wearing hot pink) and held our breath as they swooshed through the corners inches away from each other and the pavement.

The Twilight Criterium is tonight!
(Photo © J. Maus)

It’s the weekend! And it’s a big one. Bridge Pedal, Portland’s iconic, 20,000 rider strong annual event is coming — this year with an Expo the day before. The Twilight Criterium is also happening this weekend, as are several rides inspired by successful Pedalpalooza events…and two separate events that celebrate Muppets. Read on for details.

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: ’80s
Brand: Schwinn
Model: Sprint 10 speed
Color:Blue
Stolen in Portland, OR 97202
Stolen:2009-08-3
Stolen From: The garage at my house.
Neighborhood: Sellwood/Westmoreland
Owner: Mark Wedin
OwnerEmail: markwedin@gmail.com
Description: Front brakes very loose. Right foot pedal bent, not enough to see but you can feel it when you ride. There was also a very small red light attached near the back wheel; and a black U-lock around handlebars, which, without my key, couldn’t be removed without removing the wiring for the brakes.
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

Adventures in bike culture at First Thursday

Builders, bikes, and socialites
mingled in the Pearl last night.
(Photos © J. Maus)

Unlike its more funky offshoot in the Alberta Arts District, First Thursday in the Pearl isn’t known as a hotbed of Portland’s bike culture. But last night, Pearl District residents and visitors got a healthy dose of two-wheel art and entertainment.

It was a night of PBR and IPA, in a setting where wine is usually the drink of choice.

At the offices of social media marketing company StepChange Group, a steady crowd streamed in and out of the Portland Framebuilders Show. The event was pulled together by StepChange employee Michael Jones. Jones invited several of Portland’s lesser known builders to share their craft. Among them were Hufnagel Cycles, Sprout Cycles, Courage Bicycle Manufacturing, Metrofiets, Palmares Cycles, Belladonna Cycles and Cascadia Bicycles.

The latest student commute choice survey by PSU shows drop in driving.

Cover of Oregon Cycling Magazine.

Oregon Cycling magazine — a free, newsprint publication that covered bike news, racing and culture throughout the state — will no longer be published. But according to sources — and a job listing on Craigslist — it might be already set for a comeback.

Oregon Cycling had been published since 1987 and was owned by the Center for Appropriate Transport (a Eugene-based non-profit) since 1992. In June, Editor Karl Benedek wrote on the magazine’s blog that the changing media landscape had brought tough times onto the publication, forcing them to close their doors. “The last few months have been rough, and we are no longer able to produce Oregon Cycling as a labor of love.”

U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) is one of five Democrats in the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee that have introduced a new bill that looks to integrate housing, transportation, and environmental policies.

Dubbed the Livable Communities Act, a statement about the legislation says that it is intended to “Help towns and regions across the country plan and implement development projects that integrate their community’s needs for transportation, housing, land use, and economic development.”

Deminski and Doyle

A radio station in Detroit Michigan aired very dangerous and inflammatory remarks against people who ride bikes during a morning talk show yesterday (listen/download mp3 here). The situation reminds me of when a similar incident occurred on a local Portland station back in July 2006.

“How many people have seen a bicyclist and you would just love to lob something at their heads…”
— WCSX radio show host

In Detroit, on the Deminski and Doyle morning show on WCSX, Jeff Deminski and Bill Doyle shared their feelings about sharing the road with bike riders. The nearly eight minute segment was shockingly anti-bike. The segment aired as a response to a recent article in USA Today outlining how more and more states across the country have passed laws to protect people who are riding bikes.

Thousands flock to Park Blocks for a memorable Twilight

Weekend Events Guide: Bridge Pedal, Twilight Criterium, Muppets

Blue Schwinn Sprint 10 speed ’80s

Adventures in bike culture at First Thursday

PSU survey: Drive-alone trips plummet, biking on the upswing

Oregon Cycling magazine shuts down; new owners look to bring it back

Merkley, colleagues introduce Livable Communities Act

Memories of Jammin’ 95.5: Detroit radio show goes on anti-bike rant

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