October 2009 Archives

Design Challenge race: More camaraderie than competition

Pausing at the Rapha-sponsored
beer stop high atop Portland off of
Dixie Mountain Road.
(Photos by Mark Reber)

Saturday’s Constructor’s Design Challenge (part of the Oregon Manifest) race may have been for points and it was certainly tough, but the riders seemed to focus more on camaraderie than competition.

The day seemed to be an extension of the previous evening’s party, albeit without the DJ. The mood was light and joyful, the weather cooperated and there was excellent beer and food along the way.

Whether organizers at Oregon Manifest intended it or not, the day — from the first checkpoint where riders loaded a six-pack of Hopworks beer, to the lunch stop at Chris King’s home to the finish line — expanded what it means to have a biking culture and a bike community. The expectations of riders and visitors were exceeded and few could help but smile and laugh.

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

[Welcome to our continuing coverage of the Oregon Manifest’s Constructor’s Design Challenge. See our previous coverage here.]

Greg Heath built and raced this
Donkelope bike, which won a
design award.
(Photos © Elly Blue)

All day yesterday, the thirty offerings in the Oregon Manifest Constructors Challenge were judged. Today, they were put through their paces on a 77 mile course, from Vernonia to Portland via some epic hills, gravel roads, and city traffic.

Year: 2009
Brand: Trek
Model: 7.3FX+
Color:Black
Size:17.5″
Serial: SWTU063C0991E
Photo: http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-ohUSjM9DOQ/Sp3rRrlml3I/AAAAAAAAAFI/ZJJ8mRRy4bw/s800/bike.jpg
Stolen in Portland, OR 97211
Stolen:2009-10-3
Stolen From: NE 33rd Ave. and NE Ainsworth
Neighborhood: Condordia
Owner: Nate Allen
OwnerEmail: nate_allen@yahoo.com
Reward: $250
Description: This is a pre-release model of Trek’s upcoming electrically-assisted bicycles. There are only a handful of them in Portland. The bike has a Bionx motor integrated into the rear wheel with serial number 2142-A091107076. It has a bicycle computer that integrates with the motor. It has an unusual rear rack that is designed to hold the battery, which was not stolen – the rack has two ‘decks’, the lower with special rails where the battery attaches, and has an small electrical connection in the front.

If you see this bicycle please contact the police or myself at (503) 401-3880 during the day or (503)281-7820 during the evening.
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Spirits high, riders weary, some down as Constructor’s Race challengers near end point

The Circle A Cycles bike was the only one
with dirt proudly on display last night.
They’ll all be looking battleweary by now.
(Photo © Elly Blue)

Our correspondent Mark Reber just called from up on Skyline Drive where he’s been photographing the challengers in the Oregon Manifest Constructor’s Race at the race’s Beer Pickup Checkpoint.

All the racers Reber saw were in high spirits, he said. They report a beautiful and rural but challenging course that began at 10am today at Vernonia High School and continued to Scappoose before winding through the west hills and returning to Portland via Old Germantown Road.

Year: 2007
Brand: JAMIS
Model: COMMUTER 2.0
Color:MINT GREEN
Size:14.5”
Serial: U64K45793
Photo: http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/3121/img5051ta.jpg
Stolen in PORTLAND, OR 97215
Stolen:2009-09-28
Stolen From: SE 50TH & Hawthorne Blvd
Neighborhood: SE Hawthorne
Owner: Amy Wong
OwnerEmail: amy2wong@gmail.com
Description: Jamis commuter 2.0, purchased in Summer 2007, mint green with mustache handle bars; two black metal foldable baskets at the back; the mirror on the handle is gone, but the attachment is still there.
Police record with: 09-087638
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Blue/Black Kona Jake the Snake 2006

Year: 2006
Brand: Kona
Model: Jake the Snake
Color:Blue/Black
Size:60cm
Serial: F905K2787
Photo: http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/9056/65765323124498414200140.jpg
Stolen in Portland, OR 97219
Stolen:2009-10-2
Stolen From: Powell’s Books bike corral – SW 11th & Couch
Neighborhood: Pearl District/Burnside
Owner: Robert Anderson
OwnerEmail: robert.axel.anderson@gmail.com
Reward: $300
Description: 2006 Kona Jake the Snake.
Electric Blue top tube, down tube, and head tube.
Electric Green graphics, “2005 US Cyclocross Champion” insignia on top tube.
Black seatstays/chainstays.
Black electrical tape wrapped on rear seatstays.
Mavic Aksium Race 700c wheels and hubs.
Schwalbe Racing Ralph tires, 35c.
Shimano 105 drivetrain, 46/36 front chainrings, 11-25 tooth rear cassette.
FSA cranks, Shimano SPD pedals. Dura-Ace bottom bracket.
Fizik Pave CX saddle.
Kona Carbon Cross fork.
CatEye wireless computer sensor mounted on front fork.
Police record with: Ralph Elwood #26797
Police reference#: 09088937
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

The Design Challenge from the builder’s perspective

An enthusiastic crowd turned out tonight for the reception party.
(Photo by Mark Reber for BikePortland)

Our man at the Oregon Manifest Constructor’s Design Challenge has sent over more photos of the amazing transportation bicycles put together by some of the best builders in the business.

This is just a small sampling of the extraordinary bikes in the show. Get down to the Oregon Manifest Union (539 NW 10th at Hoyt) from 7-10:00pm tonight for the official reception.

Scroll down for a few more sneak peeks of the builders have showed up with:

Pereira Cycles (Portland, OR)
Tony has really outdone himself (again). Highlights of his beauty are a hand-made taillight, integrated spot for a u-lock, and a fully custom from rack bag by Portland-based Lemolo. Check it out:

(All photos by Mark Reber/BikePortland unless otherwise noted)

Year: 2002
Brand: cannondale
Model: f1000
Color:wood grain
Size:large
Serial: mi07588
Photo: http://www.bikepedia.com/Images/image.aspx?filename=2002%20Cannondale%20F1000.jpg
Stolen in portland, OR 97227
Stolen:2009-10-01
Stolen From: back door of 3925 north williams, in the alley between vancouver and williams, 2 doors north of failing.
Neighborhood: north portland
Owner: james thompson
OwnerEmail: jetwoodshop@spiritone.com
Reward: yes
Description: 2002 cannondale f1000 woody frame with lefty front fork, all decals removed, scott aero bars, selle italia saddle, xtr rear derailleur/rear hub, hayes mag disc brakes, conti road tires. please call 503.331.7109 w/ any info.
Police record with: portland police
Police reference#: #09-088509
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

First look inside the Constructor’s Design Challenge

Editor’s note: Please welcome new BikePortland contributor Mark Reber. A reporter and photographer, Mark is working with us to cover the Oregon Manifest Constructor’s Design Challenge and Race this weekend. Mark was able to spend some time with the bikes and their proud, nervous builders this morning, and sent this dispatch — and some enticing shots of some of the bikes — from the show floor.

The crew from Chris King stand with their Cielo entry. In the middle is Cielo brand manager Jay Sycip (yes that Sycip) and to his left (in short-sleeve blue shirt) is Chris King.
-More photos below-
(Photos by Mark Reber for BikePortland)

The Cross Crusade cyclocross race series is set to get underway this Sunday and organizers expect a record turnout of competitors.

Portland architect and urban planner Rick Potestio is one of the founders of the Cross Crusade. He says Oregon Bicycle Racing Association officials are seeing pre-registration numbers up about 20-30% over last year, putting the expected racer turnout in the 1,500 to 1,700 range. That would make the Alpenrose race (the first of eight races in the series) the largest cyclocross race in the world in terms of participation.

There’s yet another new bike-based business in town — the difference is that at this store, everything is free.

The Portland Free Store is, according to its website, “basically a second-hand store, except that everything is free.” People can drop off donations at the recommissioned school bus that houses the store at SE 11th and Clay during its open hours — currently 11am – 7pm, Monday to Friday — or a bike messenger will come and do a pick up.

Design Challenge race: More camaraderie than competition

The bikes have been raced, judged, and ogled. And the winners are…

Black Trek 7.3FX+ 2009

Spirits high, riders weary, some down as Constructor’s Race challengers near end point

MINT GREEN JAMIS COMMUTER 2.0 2007

Blue/Black Kona Jake the Snake 2006

The Design Challenge from the builder’s perspective

More handmade magic from the Manifest Design Challenge

wood grain cannondale f1000 2002

First look inside the Constructor’s Design Challenge

Record turnout expected at Cross Crusade opener

Portland’s first Free Store works its magic by bike

Latest Headlines

Transportation Commission says state can move forward with I-5 Rose Quarter project

Weekend Event Guide: Sunday Parkways, Naked Ride, immigrant solidarity, and more

TriMet: Service cuts will start in November

Pause or proceed? Commission weighs future of I-5 Rose Quarter project

From the Archives

Opinion: If we’re serious about cycling, let’s get serious about cycling infrastructure