has long been a fan of bikes.
(Photo © J. Maus)
At the 34th annual Street of Dreams event, Portlanders will get a healthy dose of our local bike culture in addition to the usual tour of luxury homes.
This year’s event, which focuses on the Pearl District, will feature a special “Cycle the Dream” component. Organizer Mark McGregor has put together a roster of bike-related businesses that will be on display as event-goers tour eight penthouse condominiums inside the four buildings on the Street of Dreams tour route.
At the Pearl Condominiums at Block 90, bike realtor Kristen Kaufman will be set up. She’ll lead guided bike tours of the Street of Dreams buildings every two hours. Pedal Bike Tours will also be at Block 90, renting bikes to anyone who needs one.
condo dweller rolling around on
Renovo’s new, Portland-made “Panda”
bamboo commuter bike.
At the 937 Condominiums building, visitors will be introduced to builder Ken Wheeler’s Renovo Hardwood Bicycles. Racer and shop owner Molly Cameron will also be there to share information about The Veloshop and her latest endeavor — a high-end, personalized service bike shop called the Portland Bicycle Studio. And, if someone simply must-have one of Ken’s or Molly’s bikes, Unitus Credit Union will be there to sign them up for a bike loan.
At Hoyt Street Properties’ Encore on the Park building, bike builder Natalie Ramsland will have a few of her Sweetpea Bikes on display. Waterfront Bikes will also be there if anyone needs a bike and Dennis Kelly from North Portland Mobile Bike Shop will keep everyone running smoothly (and will offer a maintenance clinic at noon).
Also at the Encore, building industry honchos will compete in a fun-loving alleycat. McGregor says they’ll take to the streets at 3:00pm to, “bribe, cajole and cheat on their cycling skills on their way around the Street of Dreams. Watch them deliver plans, pick up permits and grab a smoothie on the course. Those wearing lycra will be disqualified!”
It’s great to see more exposure and attention for bikes in the Pearl District. The City has plans in the hopper to turn the Pearl’s dense grid of narrow streets into a “bicycle district” and we’ve already seen how developers and building owners are trying to encourage biking and carfree living.
Street of Dreams happens on August 16th.