Note: I'm currently on a family trip and not working normal hours. Email and message responses will be delayed and story and posting volumes here and on our social media accounts will not be at their usual levels until I return to Portland September 4th. Thanks for your patience and understanding. - Jonathan Maus, BikePortland Publisher and Editor

Month: April 2012

New film by PDXCross documents Bend cyclocross madness

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Watch it below…

When PDXCross burst onto the local cyclocross scene back in 2008, the bar was officially raised when it came to cyclocross photography. Simply put, these guys nailed it. There was something special happening in Portland’s cyclocross scene and these guys were telling the story each week with some of the best photos of bicycling I’ve ever come across. In the years since, they’ve built a huge following, published the Dirty Pictures coffee table book, and have continued to produce breathtaking and inspiring images of the sport we all love.

Now, two of the PDXCross crew — Rob Finch and Jamie Francis — have released a short film called ‘Cross-Dressed’, which gives viewers a glimpse of the madness that is the annual Cross Crusade Halloween weekend. Based around the Bend Halloween cyclocross festival back in October, the 14-minute film garnered Audience Choice honors at Filmed by Bike earlier this month. And it’s easy to see why: Much like their images do, the film succeeds in capturing the distinct spirit and style of Oregon cross.

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purple cannondale F800 1995

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Year: 1995
Brand: cannondale
Model: F800
Color:purple
Size:58cm
Stolen in Portland, OR 97217
Stolen:2012-04-27
Stolen From: my house n.delaware ave & n.bryant
Neighborhood: arbor lodge
Owner: Tom Miller
OwnerEmail: milhouse3@comcast.net
Description: elbow rests for laydown arm rests are not on small white rubber light on the front with speedo mounted next to it top bar saddle bag black and red.small bag under the seat with tailite on it
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

Light blue Raleigh Super Record

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Brand: Raleigh
Model: Super Record
Color:Light blue
Size:49 cm
Serial: SOD1767
Stolen in Portland, OR 97211
Stolen:2012-04-26
Stolen From: NE 8th and NE Holland St, back yard.
Neighborhood: Woodlawn
Owner: Caitlin Riese
OwnerEmail: caitlinriese@gmail.com
Description: Light blue commuter bike, rack, black rims. Back wheel has a nuvinci internal hub, which is really big and noticeable.
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: 12-152616
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Share your bike stories with us

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A family ride from NoPo to Sellwood-22

I’m looking to share more community voices here on the Front Page. Would you like to be one of them?

Contrary to popular belief, I do not have any regular writing staff (beyond Mr. Will Vanlue who is paid for the Monday Roundup each week). That fact not only tires me out, but it makes it heard for me to take a vacation (which is what I’m doing starting early next week). Beyond that, BikePortland needs to hear more voices from the community!

We’ve created something pretty awesome here (notice I say “we” as in you and me and everyone who makes (and has made) BikePortland possible) and I’d love to allow others to take a turn at the megaphone every once in a while.

On that note, I’ve published a new submission form that you can use to email me your essays, ruminations, perspectives, and so on.

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Survey says: Over 80% feel bikes should pay for Canby Ferry ride

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Bike camping at Champoeg St. Park-30

It might not be free for long.
(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)

Survey results from Clackamas County show that charging people a fee to roll onto the Canby Ferry with their bikes is very popular idea.

The County is in the process of figuring out how to raise money to keep the Canby Ferry afloat. As we reported back in January, the county faces a major expense in keeping the ferry operational and options on the table include closing it for good, or raising the user fees.

Currently, the ferry (which just opened for the season yesterday) is a beloved connection over the Willamette River for people bicycling between Wilsonville and Canby en route to the great rural roads and campgrounds in the Willamette Valley (home of Oregon’s marquee State Scenic Bikeway, Champoeg State Park, wineries, and more). Fares for bike-riding customers have always been free.

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Glossy Black Bianchi Milano 2007

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Year: 2007
Brand: Bianchi
Model: Milano
Color:Glossy Black
Size:18.5
Serial: H6MB01223
Photo: http://www.bianchiusa.com/archives/2007/cross-terrain/milano/
Stolen in Madison WIS, WA 53704
Stolen:2012-04-25
Stolen From: Locked at a rack in front of house
Neighborhood: Langdon St.
Owner: Brianah Mader
OwnerEmail: dave.mader@gmail.com
Reward: Respect
Description: 2007 Black Bianchi Milano. No front fender. Cover on seat. City of Madison bike license.
Police record with: Madison PD
Police reference#: 2012-109550

Bikes back up during Broadway Bridge lift

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The scene this morning.
-More below-
(Photo: Gabe Graff)

Thanks to a few warm, sunny, and (quite frankly) amazing days of weather recently, Portland’s cycling spring has sprung. Yes, a chill has returned and even some crazy hail happened earlier this week; but the bikeways are still full of people. One neat thing about riding bikes in Portland is that, if you’re like most people who live east of downtown, you get to ride over any one of our beautiful bridges to get into work in the morning. Usually this is a highlight of the commute and usually it goes smoothly. But sometimes lifts happen. And when they do, it’s neat to see the huge line of bike traffic that backs up.

Here in America we’re used to seeing car back-ups; but seeing bike back-ups is something relatively new. Check out the photos of a back-up that occurred on the Broadway Bridge this morning (thanks to Nathan Farney and Gabe Graff for the images!):

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PPB bike theft report shows sharp increase, reveals hotspots

“Only 28% of bike theft victims knew their bike’s serial number- making it harder for police to identify the bike if recovered.”
— From PPB Bike Theft Analysis

The Portland Police Bureau’s Crime Analysis Unit has just given us the first look at a new report on bike theft. According to the PPB’s statistics, the number of reported bike thefts has increased sharply this year, more Treks were stolen than any other brand last year, the most commonly stolen bikes are worth about $500, and the major bike theft hotspots are downtown.

The report reveals that 2,214 incidents of bike theft were reported in 2011. That is a large increase over previous years. The Portland Mercury reported in 2010 that, between May 2008 and February 2010, there were only 2,300 stolen bikes reported. PPB spokesman Pete Simpson says he believes the higher number is a reflection of both more thefts and more people actually reporting them (thanks in large part to the PPB’s new online crime reporting tool which launched in early 2010).

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white/red Centurion Accordo 1980s

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Year: 1980s
Brand: Centurion
Model: Accordo
Color:white/red
Size:54cm
Photo: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150713868547684&set=a.10150163133387684.296893.507857683&type=1&theater
Stolen in Portland, OR 97266
Stolen:2012-04-26
Stolen From: In front of Kelly School where I volunteer.
Neighborhood: Lents
Owner: Johnathan Darby
OwnerEmail: mkd485@hotmail.com
Reward: Big warm meal
Description: single-speed conversion. It has blue bar tape, white brake hoods, brand new red-striped schwalbe tires, elliptical biopace chainring, and some of the decal on the downtube is missing. The rear wheel still has a five speed cassette on it, but the derailleurs have both been removed. Stickers: “walk-n-bike” on seat tube, “I brake for people” and “if you were biking you’d be happy by now” on the top tube. huge sentimental value.
Police record with: PPD
Police reference#: T12003596
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

Job of the Week

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Just one job posted this week; but it’s a good one. A local folding bike company is looking for a marketing and sales manager. Check out the listing below and good luck if you apply. Don’t forget there are tons of other great job opportunities still waiting your inquiries. Check out the Job Listings for the full list.

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pur thrustler slider 20″ boys bike 12094 2012

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Year: 2012
Brand: thrustler slider 20″ boys bike
Model: 12094
Color:pur
Stolen in Portland, OR 97203
Stolen:2012-03-15
Stolen From: Back yard 7806 n dwight portlad, or 97204
Neighborhood: university park
Owner: Ana Rayon-Garcia
OwnerEmail: anamariagarcia138@hotmail.com
Description: Thruster Slider 20″ Boys’ Bike:•Frame: steel frame
•Brakes: front and rear hand brakes
•Front and rear pegs
•Dimensions: 60″L x 24″W x 36″
purle pegs purple and blk w skulls on seat.
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

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