Johaan Bruyneel, one of the men behind Lance Armstrong’s eight Tour de France victories, has a new book and he’ll be stopping in Portland to talk about it on July 8th.
The book is, We Might As Well Win.
Here’s info on his Portland visit:
In the bike world, few topics elicit as much heated conversation and interest as fixed gear bicycles (a.k.a. “fixies”).
BikeSnobNYC, one of the most well-known bike blogs in the world, has made a career out of skewering the fad, and my coverage of them — whether it’s about their legality or about their rising popularity in Portland — always garners a lot of comments.
I’ve only tried a fixie once or twice, so I’m no expert on the topic, but I still find this fascination with them rather interesting (if not strange). On that note, I came across two things recently that we can add to the fixie cultural notebook.
In an illustration that the political winds on transportation are shifting comes news of two bike-friendly bills that have recently passed through the U.S. House of Representatives.
In an effort to make Amtrak more bike-friendly, last Wednesday (6/11), the House passed H.R. 6003, “The Rail Passenger Improvement and Investment Act.” The bill reauthorizes Amtrak’s funding through 2013 (the the first re-authorization in 11 years).
This bill included an amendment to include funding for bike racks and increased bicycle access into rolling stock (i.e., railcars).
[Submitted by Ashley Mitchell. More on Cycle Seen at CycleSeen.org]
Around 40 folks met up at Stumptown Roasters on Division this past Saturday around 10am. An early start, we checked out the art, drank some coffee and then headed to A Better Cycle to view the Ghost Bike installation and Bike Life. Just down the street was New Seasons, and the Friends & Family bike art show.
I realize it’s already Tuesday and there are new events to cover and rides to join, but I can’t resist sharing some photos, video and a few thoughts about a Saturday I’ll always remember.
It started at Colonel Summers Park in Southeast Portland. On the schedule was the 2nd Annual Stumptown Joustdown. The event was billed as the Pacific Northwest’s only organized bike jousting tournament, a “full day of metal on metal carnage and warfare” that promised, “smashed bikes, smashed bodies, and nudity.”
Pedalpalooza is in full swing! Below is a listing of events for Tuesday (6/17).
The highlight is the free, public day of the Towards Carfree Cities Conference. Tuesday’s Program highlights include: a panel on the defeat of the Mt. Hood Freeway moderated Portland Mercury news editor Amy Ruiz, a family transportation panel, a discussion of the Columbia River Crossing project, and keynote speeches by several stellar leaders of the carfree movement.
If you can’t make it to the Carfree Conference (and you’d rather be pedaling in the sunshine), join urban historian/adventurer/artist Shawn Granton for his famous Dead Freeways Ride. Shawn will share his knowledge on a tour of freeways to nowhere and other highway infrastructure lore.
Meet at the Columbia Boulevard Wastewater Treatment Plant, 5001 N Columbia Blvd,
(Meet and be ready to ride at 7AM at the trailhead.)
7 am to 9 am Thursday June 19, Morning Birding Bike Ride along the Lower Columbia Slough. Birding is a lovely attention-grabbing adventure you CAN do almost anywhere. Biking is joy almost beyond measure that you SHOULD be able to do almost anywhere. Combine birding and biking on a spring morning along the Columbia Slough and then you are really living the good life! Join us for this fun pre-work bird and bike.
Jim Labbe, www.urbanfauna.org
Meet at the South Park Blocks , South Park Blocks & PSU (SW Market & SW Park Ave.) Take Trimet
6:00pm
Come kick it with your hometown homegirls – the Sprockettes. We leave from PSU downtown and ride to the east bank esplanade for dancing to our bumpin’ mobile sound system. Bring snacks and drinks and play with our hula hoops, chariots, bikes, and trade sweet moves! Wear hot-pink and black to rep!
Agent Trouble, stayhidden at gmail dot com
Meet at – Palio, 1996 Se Ladd Ave
6:30pm – 8:30pm
A leisurely bike ride on SE neighborhood streets stopping at Portland’s Heritage Trees
HT, mlemily at gmail daht comm
Meet at South Park Blocks in front of Smith Memorial Ballroom (PSU), SW Park Ave and Montgomery St Take Trimet
9:00am – 12:00pm
What if…Portland built all the freeways it planned? This ride will follow the routes of several highways that never made it off the drawing board, such as the fabled Mt. Hood Freeway, some that did but were later removed, like Harbor Drive, and also as a reference some freeways that currently exist. Approx 10 miles of riding through moderate traffic. This event is part of the Towards Carfree Cities Conference.
Shawn Granton, urbanadventureleague at scribble daht comm, urbanadventureleague.blogspot.com
PSU Smith Memorial Student Union, 1825 SW Broadway, Portland Take Trimet (followed by Art Show and Reception at City Hall, 1221 SW 4th.)
9:00am – 9:00pm, keynote, presentations, and art show times at carfreeportland.org
The Towards Carfree Cities Conference opens its door to the public for a free day to promote discussion of urban livability, mixed-use development, local agriculture, pedestrianization, strong neighborhoods, accessible public space, and sustainable transportation.
We are excited to announce that Gil Penalosa, a pioneer of Bogota’s carfree ciclovia movement and executive director of the Canadian organization Walk and Bike for Life, will deliver the keynote speech!
Towards Carfree Cities Conference, www.carfreeportland.org, portland at worldcarfree daht nett, 503-810-9443
“If I had to choose between Bush on his mountain bike and John Kerry on his Serotta, I’ll take Obama.”
–U.S. Congressman Earl Blumenauer
Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama made headlines last week for his private meeting with members of the bicycle industry in Chicago.
U.S. Congressman Earl Blumenauer (who some have whispered would make a great Transportation Secretary under Obama) was also at the event. He was so moved by what he thinks the event meant for the bicycle movement, that he took time to share his thoughts during a phone call with me a few days later.