Author profile: Tori Bortman (Contributor)

Here are the other 9 articles by Tori Bortman (Contributor):

• 'Cross primer: Get ready to race! (September 30, 2011)
  

  Do what Tori says and you'll be smiling too.(Photos © J. Maus)

  Earlier this week, Tori shared some background on cyclocross. Now she's got some key pointers for your first foray into racing. This weekend offers two great opportunities to get out there. So get out there (but read Tori's primer first)! — JM
  Pre-Race Prep
  Practice [...]

• Priming the cowbell: Cyclocross de-mystified (September 28, 2011)
  

  Welcome to 'cross.(Photo © Daniel Sharp)

  Recently, you may have noticed your neighborhood parks being taken over by lycra clad people running and jumping with their bikes; or maybe you've overheard excited murmurs about brand new cowbells or talk of this years "Crusades." 
  No, this isn’t a religiously sanctioned military campaign for cyclists to take over [...]

• 'Cross Conversion: Get your (non-cyclocross) bike ready for the season (September 16, 2011)
  

  You can race 'cross on nearly any bike; but these tips will help your conversion work better.(Photos © J. Maus)

  As fall approaches it's time to start dreaming of the thrill of mud, cowbells, Belgium fries and waffles and hundreds of people cheering for you as you ride your way through cyclocross season.
  Whether you're toying with [...]

• Optimize Your Ride: Patch up your relationship with inner tubes (August 19, 2011)
  

  Our optimization specialist Tori Bortman is here to help you gain confidence in patching tubes.(Photos: Daniel Sharp)

  Most folks don’t like to patch tubes for many reasons: "It takes too long," "it never holds," or "I just carry a new tube." Carrying an extra tube will only get you through one flat per ride, and [...]

• Optimize your Ride: Getting ready for the long haul (July 27, 2011)
  

  As I demonstrate, a road bike with a trailer can work on a multi-day tour (just make sure the gearing will get you up the hills).(Photo: Daniel Sharp)

  Share

• Optimize your Ride: Fighting brake dust (and that horrible screech) (June 15, 2011)
  

  Make a clean sweep of grime.(Photos: Daniel Sharp)

  When you break it down, your bicycle only needs to do two things: Go and stop.
  In our last column we discussed the go (chains), today we'll delve into the stop (brakes).
  The Pacific Northwest is known for many things, but one of the most insidious is the slow, grinding [...]

• Optimize your Ride: Working on the chain, gang (June 1, 2011)
  

  Publisher's note: This article was written by Tori Bortman. In the coming weeks, Tori will help you Optimize Your Ride by sharing her bike repair tips, tricks and perspectives.

  Lube it up, wipe it down.(Photos by Daniel Sharp)

  Today's topic: the chain.
  The chain is one of the easiest parts to maintain on your bike; but [...]

• Guest Article: Get your bike ready for spring (March 5, 2010)
  

  This guest article was written by Tori Bortman, owner and operator of Gracie's Wrench, which offers private and group bike maintenance clinics (and more). Tori wrote a similar article for us last spring, but this one's new and improved!

  Spring is coming!(Photos © J. Maus)

  Thanks to El Nino, spring has officially sprung a bit early [...]

• Guest article: Spring cleaning tips from a pro wrench (April 14, 2009)
  

  Tori Bortman(Photos © J. Maus)

  Editor's Note: This article was written by guest author Tori Bortman. Tori is very active in the local bike scene. She's a co-host of the KBOO Bike Show, a promoter of bike polo and women-only alleycats, and she's the proprietor of her own bike mechanic training business, Gracie's [...]