Month: July 2009

The Monday Roundup

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Autopocalypse; electric cars; greenwashing run amok; sticking up for the right to assault; Metro plans ahead; freeway gardens; tires from orange peels

Here are the news stories that caught our eye last week:

– The new US highway bill, which is hoped by many to herald in a new era of non-highway transportation spending, is now on hold while Congress tackles health care.

– Elana Schor at DC StreetsBlog has a good primer on the current state of wrangling over the transportation portion of the federal stimulus dollars.

– Living near a freeway is worse for your health than you thought (particularly if you’re in the womb) — and you don’t even have to live very near it. New research finds that the pollution corridor extends a full one and a half miles on either side of a freeway.

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For many, STP adventure ends on a soggy note

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STP riders get photographic
evidence at a rest stop.
(Photos © Bob Crispin)

Thousands of riders poured into Portland today — and so did the rain — for the 30th running of the Seattle to Portland (STP) bike ride.

They left before dawn on Saturday and the final rider just rolled through the balloon-studded finishing chute in Holladay Park at about 9:00pm Sunday night. There were 10,000 riders in all. Were you one of them?

64-year old St. Johns resident Bob Crispin was out to complete his 14th STP. He made a “great attempt,” but in the end, he says, his body just didn’t want to deal with weather and the final 40 miles (he ended up doing 100 miles, plus his age for 164 total).

Thankfully, Bob felt good enough to snap some photos (and then send them to us). Here are a few of his shots from the road…

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Black Cannondale R600 2003

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Year: 2003
Brand: Cannondale
Model: R600
Color:Black
Size:58cm
Stolen in Portland, OR 97212
Stolen:2009-07-12
Stolen From: Stolen from our garage at NE 16th and NE Fremont.
Neighborhood: Northeast
Owner: Clay Veka
OwnerEmail: clayveka@yahoo.com
Reward: $200
Description: Black Cannondale R600, aero front rim, Mavic rear rim; Armadillo tires on both. Black 105 components, black handlebar tape, sks fenders front and back. Computer mount. Left shifter does not work properly. Speedplay pedals and 1 water bottle cage.
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Anodized Orange (looks goldish-orange) Santa Cruz Blur LT (long travel) 1997

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Year: 1997
Brand: Santa Cruz
Model: Blur LT (long travel)
Color:Anodized Orange (looks goldish-orange)
Size:Medium
Serial: 2115
Stolen in Bend, OR 97701
Stolen:2009-07-11
Stolen From: The bike was locked to a yakima lock-jaw roof rack, and the bike and the rack were stolen off of the roof of my car. My car was parked in front of my house 20 feet from my front door!
The police said that there was also another santa cruz stolen the same night in town as well. (sat July 11 after dark)
Neighborhood: West side (downtown) Bend oregon
Owner: Kari Szukalski
OwnerEmail: kariski@hotmail.com
Reward: yes!
Description: Juicy 7 disc brakes. 5050 “flat” pedals which are silver. Fox float rear shock and Fox Talus Float front shock. XT components. To the best of my knowledge, there are only 2 bikes like this in town. The frame is anodized orange and looks “goldish” orange
Police record with: 09-03-4729
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Silver Trek 4300 2007

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Year: 2007
Brand: Trek
Model: 4300
Color:Silver
Size:16
Serial: WTU352C1236B
Stolen in Portland, OR 97212
Stolen:2009-07-11
Stolen From: Stolen from Fernwood School (now called Beverly Cleary School) by the field entrance on 32nd & Tillamook
Neighborhood: Grant Park
Owner: Davis Karen
OwnerEmail: morganandkaren@comcast.net
Description: This silver trek has a kryptonite lock attached to the middle cross bar.
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Light Blue TREK 710, 930 (?) series 1979, 80

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Year: 1979, 80
Brand: TREK
Model: 710, 930 (?) series
Color:Light Blue
Size:60-62 cm
Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/30113099@N02/3713707435/
Stolen in Portland, OR 97214
Stolen:2009-07-12
Stolen From: 637 NE Tillamook. Portland, OR, 97212.
Neighborhood: Irvington.
Owner: Greg Jones
OwnerEmail: gjones999@gmail.com
Reward: $400
Description: Had silver water bottle holder, black front light holder. Brand-new white-taped handle bars. Metal toe clips.

The bicycle is a 1979 or 1980 model. I think its either a 930 or 710 series model.
Police record with: Portland Police Dept.
Police reference#: 09061415
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

chrome Bianchi Pista Early 2000’s

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Year: Early 2000’s
Brand: Bianchi
Model: Pista
Color:chrome
Size:56cm
Stolen in Portland, OR 97227
Stolen:2009-07-11
Stolen From: Mississippi Area, N. Beech & Kerby
Neighborhood: Mississippi
Owner: Edward Villareal
OwnerEmail: edvillareal@gmail.com
Description: early 2000’s chrome bianchi pista, with riser bars, white oury grips, wald basket, chris king headset, sugino messanger cranks/chain ring.
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

The Night Ride, STP, Food Cart Ride, and more: Weekend Open Thread

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The Night Ride is a sure bet
for bike fun.
(Photo: Good Sport Promotion)

Lots of great rides happening this weekend. Use this post to see what other folks are up to and share your bike adventures. Here’s a brief rundown of what folks might be up to on their bikes…

Many Portlanders will hope for a good night sleep tonight before embarking on a 200+ mile journey from Seattle to Portland. They’ll be part of a 10,000 person strong floatilla of riders in the 30th annual Group Health Seattle to Portland Classic.

But don’t feel left out if you’re staying in town. Folding bike lovers are riding on Saturday and later that night is the annual Night Ride, an awesome event put on by Good Sport Promotion that benefits the Bicycle Transportation Alliance. Check out the ride preview video for a taste of what it’s like:

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White w/Lime Green Schwin Women’s Hybrid 2009

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Year: 2009
Brand: Schwin
Model: Women’s Hybrid
Color:White w/Lime Green
Stolen in Portland, OR 97217
Stolen:2009-07-9
Stolen From: House on Vancouver Ave between Killingsworth and Alberta in N Portland
Neighborhood: Humbolt
Owner: Betsy Dillner
OwnerEmail: betsy.dillner@gmail.com
Reward: $25
Description: Brand New women’s Schwinn hybrid. Has a mount for a basket in the front and light brackets on the handle bars, and below the seat.
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

ODOT: I-5 closed to bikes over Boone Bridge for six weeks

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This just in from ODOT (emphasis mine):

TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Shoulder closure on I-5 north in Wilsonville

The 6-week closure will impact bicyclists and pedestrians on the Boone Bridge

As part of ODOT’s ongoing I-5 Preservation Project from the Willamette River in Wilsonville to the Tualatin River, the contractor will be closing the right shoulder of I-5 northbound from the north end of the Boone Bridge over the Willamette River to the Wilsonville Rd. off-ramp. The shoulder closure – starting this Monday, July 13 and lasting approximately 6 weeks – will prevent bicyclists and pedestrians from crossing the Willamette River in the northbound direction. Southbound traffic will not be impacted.

The right shoulder closure is required to prepare for the construction of the new auxiliary lane being built on I-5 north from the Boone Bridge to the Wilsonville Rd. off-ramp. The 6-week shoulder closure is approximate and could be take longer due to weather and scheduling conflicts.

ODOT appreciates the patience of bicyclists and pedestrians while crews work in the area and encourages finding alternate routes or using other modes of transportation during the closure period.

Special screening of ‘Bike Porn’ for lycra-clad STP riders

STP Party at Holladay Park

STP is this weekend.
(Photo © J. Maus)

This weekend is the 30th annual Seattle to Portland ride and around 10,000 people are expected to roll into town.

After over 200 miles (30 of them uphill) in the saddle, the riders will have a lot to be happy about when they arrive at Holladay Park near the Lloyd Center. There will be congratulatory hugs from family and friends, food, drinks, music, an expo area, and now — thanks to entrepreneurial bike fun provocateur “Reverend” Phil Sano — there will be bike porn.

Sano has spent the last three years touring the country with a varied collection of short films that celebrate bodies and bikes. His latest (the third set he has put together) is Bike Porn 3: Cycle Bound. Sano says the six or so screenings so far gotten a “stellar reaction”.

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Latest Headlines

Pedego electric bike shop closes Portland store without notice

Despite clear evidence, officer’s lack of citation illustrates discretionary loophole

Family searches for answers in mysterious death of SE Portland cyclist

Councilor floats using climate tax funds to reverse TriMet service cuts

From the Archives

With six kids and no car, this mom does it all by bike