Month: June 2009

Naked Ride Party organizers: Thanks, we’re in the black, and we’ll be back

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward
World Naked Bike Ride - Portland-42

As a follow-up to our story yesterday, about volunteer organizers of the epic Pedalpalooza Kickoff Naked Bike Ride and Party not making enough from the event to cover the bills, comes this update (emphasis mine):

From the entire Pedalpalooza Kickoff Party organizing team, thank you for the monumental response in the way of thanks, offers to volunteer in future, and donations.

We are good financially, so save your donations for the frothy or caffeinating beverage of choice to help you glide through the rest of this delightful festival of bike fun.

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US DOT Sec. proposes extension, changes to current transpo. bill

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U.S. DOT Secretary
Ray LaHood.
(Photo © J. Maus)

U.S. Transporation Secretary Ray LaHood issued a statement today proposing an immediate, 18-month “highway reauthorization” to the current transportation bill.

The proposal is being made in an attempt to replenish the ailing Highway Trust Fund that could run out of cash by late August.

Also, beyond the 18-month mini-reauthorization, LaHood wants to reform the bill to help the federal government, “make better investment decisions with cost-benefit analysis, focus on more investments in metropolitan areas and promote the concept of livability to more closely link home and work.”

Perhaps sensing the eyebrows this move might raise on Capitol Hill, LaHood added that, “with the reality of our fiscal environment and the critical demand to address our infrastructure investments in a smarter, more focused approach, we should not rush legislation.”

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More eating than pedaling at the Remedial Ride

[Thanks to BikePortland intern J.R. (Jonathan Reed) for reporting on last night’s Remedial Ride. Apparently 80 people showed up — twice last year’s turn out!]

Frites from Potato Champion
(Photo: Jonathan Reed)

Approximately 45 people on bikes gathered at Colonel Summers park at 7:00pm Tuesday for a Pedalpalooza event called the “Remedial Ride 2.” Ride organizer Ben’s description on the Shift calendar caught my attention with promises of a short ride distance and multiple food stops. It sounded right up my alley so I coasted on over after work and took a seat in the grass while the tide of bikers rolled in.

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Fine bikes, high style, and great food: Come along on the Tapas Ride

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Tapas Ride - Pedalpalooza 09-18

Clever Cycles owner Dean Mullin
at the Tapas Ride last night.
– Slideshow below/Photo gallery –
(Photos © J. Maus)

Portland is a city known for many things; including food, fashion, beer, music, and of course, bikes. At last night’s Tapas Ride, we did our part to cover three of those.

The ride was organized and led by Clever Cycles. Clever is the shop on SE Hawthorne that almost single-handedly introduced Portland (and North America to some extent) to the Dutch standards of city bikes (well-built and made for utility) and bike fashion (there is something beyond spandex!).

So, it was fitting that they led 24 very well-dressed and well-equipped people (a sell-out crowd) on a ride to some of inner SE Portland’s finest restaurants last night. Stops included Biwa, Noble Rot, Nostrana, and The Maiden.

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Report and slideshow: Bikendo!

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Last night in Overlook Park, about 16 men and women, wearing everything from short skirts to spandex, learned the rudiments of a newly emerging martial art form: Bikendo.

Our teacher was Nature Boy, a longtime practitioner of karate and tai chi. He had the idea to develop a specific self defense technique for people who ride bikes, using the bicycle itself as a tool for fending off attack. He has been working on creating particular techniques using bicycles for several months. Last night was the form’s public debut.

We learned how to stand properly, alone and then with our bikes. Then we learned to use our bikes as a shield, and practiced dismounting and grappling. Nature Boy walked through the group correcting stances and giving suggestions. Along with experienced assistants, he demonstrated a couple of techniques for flipping an assailant over your rear wheel — see the photos below for a better idea of what that looked like.

green Schwinn Deluxe Collegiate 1969

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Year: 1969
Brand: Schwinn
Model: Deluxe Collegiate
Color:green
Size:24
Photo: http://www.bareiss.net/collegiate5spd1.jpg
Stolen in portland, OR 97212
Stolen:2009-06-16
Stolen From: NE 12th and Tillamook
Neighborhood: irvington
Owner: Josh Pope
OwnerEmail: joshpopepdx@gmail.com
Description: This was stolen from my house in inner NE portland. Its a beautiful green bike with a yellow registration tag on inside of the main chassis bar.
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Black / Silver Centurion Turbo 1984

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Year: 1984
Brand: Centurion
Model: Turbo
Color:Black / Silver
Size:62cm
Photo: http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/78/l_7efc6f2d8032407ea2479227581394f6.jpg
Stolen in Portland, OR 97217
Stolen:2009-06-16
Stolen From: 105 N Killingsworth St, from the back parking lot.
Neighborhood: North Portland
Owner: Mike Warm
OwnerEmail: mikenapkin@gmail.com
Reward: Yes!!!
Description: Black Centurion Turbo road racing frame with a silver head tube and chrome on the drive-side chainstay. Drop bars wrapped in forest green (Schwinn Varsity-style) bar tape with bar-end shifters. Black Velocity “Fusion” rims laced to 36-hole Shimano Ultegra hubs. Drive train and brakes are a combination of Ultegra and Dura Ace. Large chain ring and pedals are Canadian-made Blackspire, black in color. Pedals are big, chunky mountain/BMX pedals, in contrast the rest of the bike’s light and aerodynamic components.
Police record with: Portland Police
Police reference#: 09053164
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Slideshow/report: Benson Bubbler Ride

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

About 40 people showed up for the Benson Bubbler ride yesterday. (For those of you not from Portland, Benson Bubblers are the name given to our iconic drinking fountains).

We met at SW 5th and Washington, site of the first bubbler, installed in 1912 (and still looking great). Our ride leader Lily brought along a brochure and two staffers from the Water Bureau to help with questions and add information.

I had to leave the ride before it ended, so perhaps someone can fill us in via the comments. Check the slideshow below or browse our photo gallery here.

— More Pedalpalooza coverage

dark green Trek 7200 2000

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Year: 2000
Brand: Trek
Model: 7200
Color:dark green
Size:20
Serial: WTUH0973295
Stolen in Portland, OR 97204
Stolen:2009-06-16
Stolen From: SW Park and Alder – 519 SW Park
Neighborhood: downtown portland
Owner: Stephanie Wilken
OwnerEmail: s.wilken@comcast.net
Description: Set of black panniers containing two Multnomah County library books, clothes
Police record with: not yet available
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Graphite Specialized Street Stomper 1987

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Year: 1987
Brand: Specialized
Model: Street Stomper
Color:Graphite
Size:20″
Stolen in Portland, OR 97202
Stolen:2009-06-9
Stolen From: The bike was taken from our garage, via the backyard door. SE Division close to New Seasons market,
Neighborhood: Ladd’s Addition.
Owner: Tony Hunt
OwnerEmail: hyla7@yahoo.com
Description: The bike was powder coated, so it doesn’t have a brand decal. The rear rack, bottle cage, and bell are powder coated bright red. There are fenders, reelights on the front and rear hubs, BOB Nutz, and a Bikes-at-Work trailer hitch on the left chainstay.
Police record with: Portland Police
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

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