A PDOT concept drawing of new on-street bike corrals coming to downtown Portland by the end of this month.
(Click to enlarge)
(Click to enlarge)
Month: September 2008
Slideshow: ‘Cross is coming…are you ready?
Mud and smiles coming soon.
– Watch slideshow below –
(Photos © J. Maus)
– Watch slideshow below –
(Photos © J. Maus)
There is no denying that the cyclocross season is upon us.
The first sign is always an increase in sales of ‘cross bikes and parts on the OBRA email list. Then, I hear shop employees telling me how everyone is coming in to gear up for the season. Eventually, local bike bloggers start writing about it, Forest Park and Willamette Blvd (which riders use to loop back from Forest Park) begin to fill up with ‘cross riders, and friends I would never expect to try it, start saying they’re excited to race for the first time.
Bike polo players take action to the grass
Bike polo is a time-honored tradition here in Portland and our very own Axles of Evil is a team/club full of some of the most skilled and respected players anywhere.
Their home base is the tennis courts at Alberta Park in Northeast Portland, and now they’ve taken their game onto the grass. Below is an article on this new version of bike polo from local legend Dabby McCrashalot.
Updated: Serious injury crash at SE 122nd/Division
This just in from the Portland Police Bureau’s Public Information Office:
UPDATED statement posted at 11:10pm:
“On Tuesday, September 9, 2008, officers from East Precinct and the Major Crash Team were called to the area of Southeast 122 Avenue and Southeast Division Street on a serious injury collision involving a motor vehicle and bicyclist. During the subsequent investigation, officers learned that a Subaru driven by 24-year-old Stuart Brown was in the process of making a westbound turn from the northbound lane on Southeast 122 Avenue when a bicyclist struck the right rear side of his car. At the time of the collision the bicyclist, 19-year old Andrew Constantinescu, was southbound on Southeast 122 Avenue and believed to be in the bike lane.
Investigators are in the process of interviewing witnesses and reconstructing the collision. Just prior to the collision, motorists had stopped in both on the southbound lanes of Southeast 122 Avenue to allow Brown to complete his turn into the restaurant. Investigators have yet to determine if the fact that vehicle were stopped, blocked the view of either the motorist and the bicyclist.
Mr. Constantinescu was transported to OHSU with possible life threatening injuries but doctors believe he will survive. Speed or impairment are not believed to be factors in the collision.
No citations have been issued in this continuing investigation.”
Here’s a map:
Pain on the Peak – CX Race
Bald Peak—like no other cross venue around. A fast and technical course with a mix of narrow trails and wide open spaces for exciting racing and viewing. Madison’s Bar and Grill will host a barbecue and beer garden so bring cash!
New! Team Competition
Make sure to bring your teammates to the Peak! We will be hosting a team competition (Portland Velo excluded) with points accruing in each race. The team with the most combined points at the end of the day will win a unique trophy and a $250 cash prize.
Points breakdown:
Race Entry: 5 points
2nd or 3rd place: 2 additional points
1st place: 3 add’l points
DFL: 3 add’l points
Schedule
9am 45 min Beginner Men
9:50am 45 min Men C, Clydesdales
10:45am 45 min Master C 35+
11:45am 45 min Master B 35+, Juniors, Masters 50+
12:30pm Break with Kiddie Race
1:00pm 45 min Men B, Single Speed
1:55pm 45 min All Women (A, B, Masters 40+, Beg., Jr.)
2:50pm 60 min Men A, Master A 35+
Lance for Governor? (Oh, and he’s racing again too)
Lance Armstrong, shown here at
the Oregon Convention Center
in February, is no stranger
to Portland’s bike-friendliness.
(Photos © J. Maus)
the Oregon Convention Center
in February, is no stranger
to Portland’s bike-friendliness.
(Photos © J. Maus)
By now, I’m sure many of you have read the story heard ’round the world about Lance Armstrong’s rumored return to bike racing.
VeloNews posted a story about it yesterday, and now the rumors have been confirmed by Lance himself.
I’m excited about this because his presence can be nothing but good, not just for the sport of bike racing, which is in dire need of drug-free heroes (at least that’s what many Americans see him as), but for the bike movement in general.
New repair/custom build service in Woodstock area
Reader Donna just send me this Craigslist posting from a new bike repair service based in Southeast Portland:
I’m a small shop owner specializing in service and sales of vintage bicycles. I’m a recent graduate of United Bicycle Institute and have been working on classic bikes for over 6 years, performing everything from custom builds to overhauls and basic tune ups. My shop is conveniently located in the Woodstock area of SE PDX, I can also provide a pickup and delivery service to your home or office. If you have an older bike that needs lots of love or just a quick tune up I can usually complete the repairs within 2 days, please call I would love to earn your business……thank you!
Rick
Backpedal Cycleworks
503-891-9842
Lic# 704126
I gave Rick a call and I’ll have more on his new business on the Front Page by next week.
Cyclocross Clinic
Team S&M, Kona Bicycles, and the Cross Crusade present
The Alpenrose ‘Cross Clinics
Where?
The Alpenrose Dairy is located at 6149 SW Shattuck Rd., Portland, OR 97221.
When?
This year’s dates are September 3, 10, 17 — all Wednesdays!
Clinics start at 6:30pm sharp and end about 8:00pm (or dark).
Registration is open 6-6:20pm at Alpenrose Dairy. Be on-time as daylight is precious.
How much?
Register for the whole series for $25. However, there is no charge for all Juniors (ages 13-18) and Kids (ages 12 and under). (Kids get their own separate practice group!)
You can pay with cash or check at the first clinic or send a check with a standard OBRA release form to: Team S&M; c/o Sellwood Cycle Repair; 7639 S.E. Milwaukie Ave.; Portland, OR 97202. Please include your email address!
Otherwise, each clinic costs $10. Not sure if you want to do the whole series? No sweat! Come to the first clinic and pay $10, and if you like it then settle the $15 balance at the second clinic. (Our goal is to encourage participation in the whole series.)
What’s the best reason to register for the series? It’s the only way to qualify for the grand-prize giveaway of a new 2009 Kona ‘cross bike (and other stuff). What a gimmick! The raffle will be held Sept. 10, and, yes, you must be present to win.
Why?
Hone your ‘cross skills with some of the top local ‘crossers and most experienced coaches in the Pacific Northwest. Get measured practice first so you can train properly later. Socialize with your brethren. And so on.
What else?
Contact Erik Tonkin via email at tonkin@sellwoodcycle.com or call at 503-233-9392.
* This is an OBRA event, so all participants must be Oregon Bicycle Racing Association members (OBRA). Annual ($20) or day ($5) licenses are available at the event. Best, the annual CX-only license is just $10 – it’ll cover the clinics and the race season!
* Helmets must be worn while bikes are being ridden!
* See below for more notes on the clinics and answers to frequently asked questions…
Notes on the Clinics
o Register early so we can be ready to practice by 6:30. This will be important as daylight dwindles!
o We’re here to practice our skills, not get a workout. Go slowly at first to hone your technique, and then gradually speed up. That’s the healthy and safe way to do it.
o We’ll break into equal-sized groups, each led by one or more coaches. Groups will be divided by experience level. What one coach has to say may “click” better than another, so feel free to work in a different group each week.
o The first and second clinic will be broken into three segments: first, we’ll work on the approach and dismount; second, the transition, going over the barrier or up the run-up; and third, the dreaded remount and get-away.
o The first clinic might not cover everything. Subsequent clinics will always review the previous week’s work. It’s like two steps forward, one step back. (The clinics are best if treated like a series: there’s definite progression from one to the next.)
o At the third clinic, we’ll apply the skills to segments of real ‘cross courses, and the speed of practice will accelerate. However, doing it “right” will remain the objective.
o Race strategy and technical issues will be discussed at the clinics.
o The clinics provide the skills necessary for riders to practice on their own or with friends outside of a structured environment.
o There’s a kid-‘cross group at each clinic, led by one of our parent-coaches. Feel free to bring the family.
o Many of our volunteer coaches offer private tutorials. Contact one of them directly or simply contact the promoter.
o Any bike (‘cross, MTB, or road) is acceptable to use at the clinics. However, it’s best to practice with the bike you plan to race. (Narrow road tires are not recommended.) It’s also best to practice with the pedals you plan to use. (Single-sided, clipless road pedals are not recommended.)
o We’ll practice rain or shine. Be prepared for the weather, as it can quickly turn cold and wet and dark.
o We will issue weekly updates on each clinic. These will be posted on www.obra.org and www.crosscrusade.com. If you include your email on your registration form, then we may email you directly.
In St. Kitts: Man fined for not having hands on handlebars
I could hardly believe what I was reading when this story came across my inbox (emphasis mine):
Man fined for not holding bicycle handle
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – A man, who resides at Trafalgar Village, was recently convicted and fined for improperly riding a pedal bicycle.
Glen Webbe, who was charged with not holding the handle with at least one hand when riding the pedal bicycle, was fined $50 that is to be paid within 24 hours of the date of conviction.
AP: Girl killed after being struck by bicycle in Indiana
[Editor’s note: I am experimenting with sharing interesting/strange/noteworthy stories from across the web and posting them here on Page Two.]
Just to refute the myth that bikes can do no harm in collisions, here’s a story from Akron, Indiana (reported by the Associated Press) where a girl was struck and killed by a bike-riding classmate during gym class:
AKRON, Ind. — A 17-year-old girl died a day after officials say she was struck by a bicycle another student was riding on the track of a northern Indiana high school.
Bike rental shop gets into cyclocross spirit
You can rent this bike: Now there’s
no excuse not to give ‘cross a try!
no excuse not to give ‘cross a try!
In the latest sign that Portland is gearing up for another crazy cyclocross season, a downtown bike rental business has announced they’ll offer cyclocross bikes as part of their fleet.
Eric Roden, the manager at Waterfront Bicycles (now at 10 SW Ash St. along Naito Parkway) says he wanted to give his customers a “true cross experience.” “Obviously, we’re in the world’s biggest hotbed for the sport,” he said via telephone today, “and there are new people who are wanting to try it all the time.”
Metro joins in nationwide trail user count effort
Many people enjoy the
Eastbank Esplanade by bike.
(Photo © J. Maus)
Eastbank Esplanade by bike.
(Photo © J. Maus)
Metro, is set to join Portland, Vancouver (WA), Hillsboro, Gresham, Tigard, Tualatin, and 30 other cities across the nation in an effort to document the number of people biking and walking on multi-use trails.
The counts are organized by the National Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project and will take place at approximately 50 locations through the Portland-Vancouver metro region from today through September 14.
In a press release about the project, Metro Council president David Bragdon — who is set to embark on a trail study tour to Amsterdam and Copenhagen next month — said,