Local bicycle parts manufacturer Chris King Components, is expanding their breast cancer awareness efforts with the “Pretty and Strong” campaign. From now until December 23rd, they will donate a portion of the sales from select pink merchandise to benefit local chapters of the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
So go buy some stuff from them…because I know you secretly love pink parts anyways.
Words can’t do justice to the Chunkathalon. I’ve seen some of the Chunk crew here and there throughout the summer, so I had an idea of what to expect. But when I showed up to Freegeek on Sunday, I was totally blown-away. It was an awesome display of kinetic art and energy and one of the most inspired pursuits of bike fun I have ever witnessed.
The crowd was massive and the competitors were out in full regalia with costumes ranging from Mad-Max-meets-Tarzan to nothing but pink panties. Beer cans and limbless dolls littered the street as mutant bike gladiators with names like “Iron Lord” battled for supremacy in events like the Beer Run Time Trial, the 40oz Relay, the Baby Rescue, and of course, the all-important essay contest (with bonus points for limericks).
Thanks to Oso at Freegeek who hosts this “Burning Man on wheels.” He kept his cool, threw a great party, and let me climb up on the roof to take photos. And of course, a big shout out to Chunk for pulling off the event. You guys make me proud to live and ride in Portland! I’m just bummed I left before nightfall, because I’m sure things got even more out of hand once the fires started blazing. Oh well, guess there’s always next year…
For more of the people and bikes from Chunkathalon 2005, check out the rest of my photos.
Updates:
Jessica Roberts of the BTA was recently featured in an OPB radio interview about the Three Bridges Project.
The Three Bridges Project will help cyclists navigate the Springwater Corridor trail from the Willamette east through Sellwood and beyond via new bridges at Johnson Creek, Hwy 99, and over the Union Pacific RR.
The image below is a mock-up of one of the bridges.
There’s a great “Mr. Portland” comic strip by Joe Spooner in the Living section of today’s Oregonian. Here’s the text:
“Bicyclists listening to music while they ride! Herumph! Why, I’ve had to put my latte AND my cell phone down SEVERAL times to avoid inattentive bicyclists! What are they doing in those narrow lanes anyway?!“
All joking aside, wearing headphones while riding or driving is a terrible (yet too popular) idea. For a serious discussion of the legality of headphones, see this recent column on VeloNews.com by Porltand’s own biking lawyer, Bob Mionske.
I’m excited to announce the first poll on BikePortland.org!
I figured I’d start with a bang and make this first poll about Critical Mass. I’ve been thinking a lot about CM lately and I’ll post something about it when I have more time…but for now, I’m curious what the vibe is out in the community.
You can vote on this poll in the sidebar to the right (under the photos) or on the new Polls page. Please consider taking a few seconds to vote. If you have something to say about CM, stay tuned for a post about it next week.
You can also add your own answers to the poll if none of the options suit you. If you have ideas for polls you’d like to see, leave a comment, or email me directly. Thanks.
[NOTE: I unfortunately erased the 7 votes (as of 9/2/05) for the “Is needed now more than ever” option (which was added by a visitor). I am trying to restore those votes ASAP. ] fixed it!
The Treehugger blog uncovers news about innovative and sustainable products and eco-friendly transportation. I thought you’d appreciate their recent post on carrying large loads by bike.
And while you’re at it, check out these awesome photos and movies of bike moves here in Portland:
Snapped a few photos of the new bicycle boulevard pavement markings I mentioned a few days ago. These are the first of “700 or so” that the city will install in the next few weeks. These markings will guide cyclists onto low-traffic through streets and will be yet another sign to motorists that they aren’t the only ones on the road.
These photos are from NE 37th and Holman. View all the photos here.
In January 2006 the City of Portland will begin installation of 4 “bike oases” structures on Hawthorne Blvd (see photo). The oases are being designed by Rick Browning of Browning Shono Architects and will likely be placed at SE Elliott, SE 36th, Ave, SE 38th Ave, and SE 48th Aves on Hawthorne Blvd.
According to the manager of the project:
“Each Bike Oasis will have space for ten bikes. In the information panel, PDOT plans to install bike maps and information on the side facing the bike racks, and walking maps and information on the side facing the sidewalk. “
These exciting new bicycle facilities are part of the Hawthorne Boulevard Project which seeks “to create a public environment and transportation system that supports Hawthorne’s role as a vital neighborhood main street”.
Portland’s pedal-friendly profile continues to to grow outside of Oregon. Just days after an AP story hit nationwide, a recent article in the Christian Science Monitor focuses on our new lane markings called “sharrows.” Roger Geller and Mia Burk – local bike advocacy stalwarts – were quoted in the story. Here are a few excerpts:
Caught between the need for a continuous bike lane and the demands of drivers, Portland transportation engineers finally came up with a solution. Next month, the city will fill the gaps in the network with new shared-lane pavement markings, called “sharrows.” Stencils of a bicycle with two chevron markings above it will be painted, two per block, in areas too narrow for a bike lane. The idea is to keep cyclists away from parked cars while promoting awareness of their right to use the road.
The principle behind sharrows is simple: They reinforce existing rules of the road. In most states, cyclists are required to stay as far to the right as possible, except under unsafe conditions. One of these conditions is when the travel lane is too narrow for side-by-side passage of an automobile and a bicycle.
“The most dangerous place for a cyclist to be in a narrow travel lane is far to the right, because you are in a ‘door zone’ and motorists think they have enough room to stay in their travel lane and pass you”
I’m all for sharrows and other pavement markings…but I also know that my safety ultimately comes down to vigilance and defensive riding. On that note, don’t forget to attend the bike safety workshops coming to a neighborhood near you.
Cyclocross season is right around the corner. If you’re new to the sport, or just want to sharpen your skills, you should check out the Cyclocross Skills Clinics every Wednesday in September at the Alpenrose Dairy velodrome.
The clinics will cover essential cross skills like dismounting your bike and crossing barriers. The clinics will be led by our very own, local and world-class cyclocross racers, Erik Tonkin and Rhonda Mazza.
Here are the details: