Angela Valdez, the well-known staff writer at the Willamette Week has left the local independent weekly and will now ply her trade at The Stranger up in Seattle.
Angela is probably best known for a defining moment that will forever connect her to bikes and Portland.
On July 27th, 2005 she was hit by a car at NE 15th and Prescott and nearly paralyzed forever. The cover story she wrote just one month later titled, “Biker, Interrupted” is the most honest and sobering bit of writing I’ve ever seen in the Willy Week.
“This is cyclocross, a sport made of mud, pain, endurance and grace…Bruises and memories are more common prizes than cash or sponsorships.”
–Valdez on ‘cross
Angela is also respected in the bike community for her work on many stories including her piece titled “Mud, Sweat, and Gears,” the awesome cover story she did last year on Portland’s burgeoning cyclocross scene.
She also wrote a nice piece on my stolen bike recovery efforts. I still love the title; “Two-Wheeled Street Justice: A popular website tips off bike-theft vigilantes.” That was fun.
The cycling community was lucky to have such a talented and sensitive journalist covering the bike beat.
Good luck in Seattle Angela!