Local framebuilder preps for 325-mile race
At the end of April, local framebuilder and former bicycle messenger Ira Ryan will travel to Iowa for a grueling, 325 mile endurance race known as the Trans-Iowa.
The Scene
The people, clubs, and culture that make up Portland’s bike scene.
In the shop with bike tool maker Brett Flemming
[This is the third installment of my “In the shop” series. Check out the first two on Joseph Ahearne and Tony Pereira.] Brett Flemming At the end of a cul-de-sac in a non-descript, Vancouver Washington subdivision, is the home and shop of Brett Flemming, an extraordinary machinist, inventor, and head mechanic for one of the … Read more
Bike mechanic in Oregonian photo spread
Tori Bortman, bike mechanic.Image scanned from Oregonian Local bike mechanic and bike polo promoter Tori Bortman made her way onto a full-page photo in a recent special section of the Oregonian that profiled how 40 Portlanders make their living. You might remember Tori from a story I did on her last year. In addition to … Read more
Bike trailers, big loads show Portland spirit
When a rack is your closet, bed, kitchen, bathroom… In the past, I’ve brought you stories of the ingenious trailers and cargo-bike contraptions used by Portland’s homeless and low-income population. Remember Bill and Buster and their bike move that never ends? Or how about Mike Colhour’s bike-based scrap metal recycling business? And we can’t forget … Read more
Meet the Oregon contingent
With 20 representatives, Oregon boasted the second largest contingent of attendees at the National Bike Summit (California led the way with 50). Below is a group portrait, followed by the names and affiliations of each person:
Filmed by Bike expands to seven shows
[The scene from inside last year’s event.] Filmed by Bike founder and promoter Ayleen Crotty has announced that the event will expand to seven screenings this year. That’s up from two screenings at last year’s event when over 250 people were turned away from a packed Clinton Street Theater.
The scoop on Microcosm Publishing from founder Joe Biel
[A popular shirt available through Microcosm.] Recently on a local cycling email list, news surfaced that Microcosm Publishing and founder Joe Biel, were leaving Portland. Microcosm is the company behind most of the bike stickers, zines, t-shirts and general bike propaganda that is a common sight on backpacks and messenger bags throughout the city. But … Read more
How to make "beer-view" mirrors
[Photo: Ben Salzberg] Ben Salzberg, a local computer expert and guitarist for bikey band the Trash Mountain Boys, has finally shared his secret knowledge of how to make rear-view cycling mirrors out of a spoke and a beer cap. He calls them “beer-view” mirrors and has published detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to make them … Read more
Day 2: Pacenti, longbikes, Sycip rumors, and more
[The cherry blossoms are already blooming down here.] Today was another action-packed day here in San Jose at the Handmade Bicycle Show. I finally got to meet Kirk Pacenti. Kirk is a former product designer at Bontrager and is well-known in the framebuilding world for his lugs (the things that join frame tubes together), but … Read more
Ms. Michaels gets her mixte
Here’s a nice bike love story for you. Sprockette and Portland school teacher Maggie Michaels got the surprise of her life today. Maggie is the girlfriend (and muse) of builder Joseph Ahearne and he has been secretly working for months on a special “mixte” style bike that he unveiled today. She showed up at the … Read more
Vanilla to unveil new 'cross bike, poster at builder's show
[This is the final installment in a series of four interviews with local bike builders who are exhibiting at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show next weekend (March 2-4) in San Jose, California. Read previous interviews with Ira Ryan, Tony Pereira, and Joseph Ahearne.] – – – – – – [Sacha White (L) shows some … Read more
Ahearne will display diversity at builder’s show
[This is the third in a series of four interviews with local bike builders who are exhibiting at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show next weekend (March 2-4) in San Jose, California. Read previous interviews with Ira Ryan and Tony Pereira.] [Joseph Ahearne in his shop.] Joseph Ahearne of Ahearne Cycles has come a long … Read more