Ashland’s solar powered bike school

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From Bicycle Retailer & Industry News…United Bicycle Institute Chooses Solar Power

UBI, a trade school that teaches classes in bicycle mechanics and custom bicycle frame building, went solar to promote sustainable technology.

"UBI supports sustainable transportation through our educational efforts in the bicycle industry. Now, we’re supporting sustainable energy, too," said UBI president Ron Sutphin. "We think we’re the only solar powered bicycle school in the world."

I know these guys think they’re great and all…but if you want to know more about one of the most environmentally stable businesses in the world (that just so happens to also be in the bike industry), check out Portland-based Chris King Components.

Humancar

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I’m taking one of these
to Critical Mass tonight.

(hat tip to Marino on the Shift list)

Polo, track and pedals

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If you ever wanted to try out bike polo (like regular horse polo, but on bikes) then tonight’s the night. Cruise yourself over to Alberta Park by 6:00 for a beginner-friendly polo session. More details here.

Or, how about turning some laps over at Alpenrose Velodrome. Yep, track season is heating up and Wednesday nights are Track Development Class night. It’s $5 for the class and $5 for a rental bike…but the experience of pedaling into the steep banks of the velodrome are priceless! More details here.

And I leave you today with a nifty product from the land of jockey boxes and blokes. In commuter crazy Portland this new pedal from the UK would come in very handy. It’s called the Pedalite and it’s a pedal with a light inside that requires no batteries and provides 360 degree visibility. A bit dorky, but I bet they work pretty well.

The warm-fuzzy side of Critical Mass

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I know there are a lot of folks who don’t like what they think Critical Mass stands for. But while you’ve been making judgements the movement has really changed. This is a great article from the San Fran. Chronicle that tells a similar story to what in my opinion is happening here in Portland.

An excerpt:

Over the past decade, bicyclists have transitioned from traffic-snarling outsiders to pillars of civic life. They have merged smoothly with the mainstream and…the movement is graduating to a new phase.

(Thanks Stephanie!)

Biking Trifecta Friday!

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OK people, this Friday is looking quite bike-arific. Ready? Set. Go.

Start with Breakfast on the Bridges. Ride to work over the Hawthorne or Broadway Bridge and get free coffee, pastries and friendly conversation.

Then, roll with your velo brethren at Critical Mass.

Then, pedal over to Monsters of Bike Rawk and get your groove on all night long…or incur the wrath of this big, ugly BikeZilla guy who likes to crush bikes.

Interactive Bike Mapping Tool

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I’ve been thinking about this for a long time…a mapping tool just like Yahoo! or Google Maps, but specifically for bicycle routes. Turns out the S.F. Bay Area is way ahead of me. Wouldn’t this be cool here in Portland? We’ve already got a great bike map(which I hear will be fully revised and on sale this June!)…now all we need is a super-techie bike lover with some free time on their hands. Any takers? Email me

(Thanks to The Cycling Dude for reminding me about this.)

Interactive Bike Mapping Tool

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

I’ve been thinking about this for a long time…a mapping tool just like Yahoo! or Google Maps, but specifically for bicycle routes. Turns out the S.F. Bay Area is way ahead of me. Wouldn’t this be cool here in Portland? We’ve already got a great bike map(which I hear will be fully revised and on sale this June!)…now all we need is a super-techie bike lover with some free time on their hands. Any takers? Email me

(Thanks to The Cycling Dude for reminding me about this.)

Interactive Bike Mapping Tool

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

I’ve been thinking about this for a long time…a mapping tool just like Yahoo! or Google Maps, but specifically for bicycle routes. Turns out the S.F. Bay Area is way ahead of me. Wouldn’t this be cool here in Portland? We’ve already got a great bike map(which I hear will be fully revised and on sale this June!)…now all we need is a super-techie bike lover with some free time on their hands. Any takers? Email me

(Thanks to The Cycling Dude for reminding me about this.)