On Saturday morning, over 50 people showed up to Alpenrose Velodrome, but they weren’t there to race or to spectate. And instead of energy gels and sports drinks, they fueled up with precision made pancakes from the skilled hands of Chris King, owner of Chris King Components. It was the annual track clean-up and repair … Read more
[Gary Sansom, curator.] Over 20 years ago, 40 year-old Northeast Portland resident Gary Sansom was a top BMX racer. Like many guys his age (including me), he grew up wanting to be a BMX superstar. Eventually (also like many of us) he grew up, got a “real job”, and got on with his life…but his … Read more
[Earl poses with Colbert.](Photo: Blumenauer reps.) Portland’s bike-loving Congressman, Earl Blumenauer, appeared on the hit Comedy Central show, “The Colbert Report” last week. Blumenauer was part of the popular “Better Know a District” segment where Stephen Colbert profiles districts and the member of Congress who represents them. Colbert introduced Blumenauer to a nationwide audience as … Read more
Here are a few interesting links I’ve come across lately. Some have a Portland connection, some don’t. I’ll try and make this a regular thing from now on, so if you find a neat link feel free to send it my way. [Shows distance and calories burned] Portland resident Peter Loewi (photo) is spending the … Read more
[Dave Johnson, President] You wouldn’t know it from the outside, but up on MLK Blvd. (at Jessup Street), behind an IT company called Netropole, is an online retailer of bike apparel called Veloclothes.com. I recently paid them a visit to find out more about the company. Dave Johnson, a major bike enthusiast, is the owner … Read more
After a hiatus of nearly a decade, the City of Portland will host an official Bike to Work Day celebration at Pioneer Courthouse Square on May 17th, from 7:30-9:00am. Find out all the details in the official press release. It should be a great party and continuation of a proud tradition that dates back to … Read more
[See this comment for an update.] Yesterday I received a phone call from Shawn Karambelas, owner of SK Northwest (I had left a message for him last week). This is the company currently in escrow on a lot just south of OMSI on the Willamette River, smack dab in the middle of a potential trail … Read more
Check out this cover photo (below) of the May St. Johns Sentinel. It features Shawntae Wilson and her Britney Bike. According to the Sentinel: “She also has a DVD player attached to the handle bars so she can listen to Britney and watch her videos while she rides.”
[Try not to let it bug you.] The warm Spring air has beckoned hordes of Portlanders onto their bikes. I’ve heard reports of bike congestion on the bridges and I think its safe to say we’ll see more people than ever on bikes this year. With more bikes on the road, I thought it would … Read more
[New bike lane on Vancouver!Photo: BTA] Some very exciting news announced by Jessica Roberts of the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA). A major new bike lane has been striped on Vancouver Ave., from Russell Street down to Broadway. This completes a “missing link” in the bike network that is part of the BTA’s larger goal of … Read more
As long as Critical Mass exists in Portland it will be controversial and divisive. Recent events have renewed the debate about its merits and purpose within the cycling community and beyond. Critical Mass is a big, complex idea that has as many definitions as participants. No one person can define Critical Mass and each city … Read more
[Coming in July.] Last week, while running some errands in the Hollywood area, I came across this pickup. Naturally I started taking some photos and a few minutes later, two ladies walked up. Turns out the truck (and trailer) was being driven by Candace Shadley and none other than former NORBA Downhill Champion Lisa Sher.