🚨 Please note: BikePortland is currently on hiatus and only publishing guest articles. Learn more here. Thank you. - Jonathan 🙏

NW Trail Alliance President Tom Archer responds to illegal trail

Off-road trails roundtable discussion-104

NWTA President Tom Archer.
(Photos © J. Maus)

In light of the discovery of an unauthorized bike trail in the northern reaches of Forest Park, I spoke about the situation this morning with Tom Archer, President of the non-profit off-road advocacy group the Northwest Trail Alliance.

Archer was clearly disappointed by the discovery and expressed hope that attention on this incident will not distract from the ongoing effort to increase off-road trail riding opportunities in the region. (Archer is a member of the Forest Park Single Track Cycling Committee formed by City Parks Commissioner Nick Fish.)

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North Portland gets three new on-street bike corrals

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New on-street parking in North Portland-16

One of three new on-street bike corrals
installed in North Portland.
-Slideshow below-
(Photo © J. Maus)

The Bureau of Transportation has just installed three more on-street bike corrals in North Portland. These are just the latest in an ongoing effort to install more bike parking in front of businesses throughout the city.

The new corrals in North Portland are on Michigan Avenue, Albina Avenue, and Mississippi Avenue.

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Event will rally brooms and bikes for cleaner streets

Could use a sweep.
(Photo © J. Maus)

Portlander Jake Cummings is tired of riding by trash and debris on his favorite bike routes each week, so he’s decided to do something about it. On March 20th, Cummings has planned the first “Saturday Sweep” event where he and other volunteers (like you!) will ride around the city with trash bags, brooms and dustpans on a mission for clean streets.

Cummings has about 25 people already signed up to join him and he’s got a group of volunteers from both the Showers Pass Cycling Team and the non-profit Bike Farm. I asked Cummings why he wanted to spend a Saturday sweeping up streets…

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Unauthorized bike trail damages “pristine habitat” in Forest Park

Portland Parks employee Dan Moeller with the illegal trail behind him. (Photo © J. Maus)

Portland Parks & Recreation staff have discovered an unauthorized mountain bike trail built in the northern end of Forest Park. Parks spokesperson Beth Sorensen said the trail was found at the end of last week in “one of the most pristine habitat areas in the park.”

According to Sorensen, the trail is “pretty damaging” and whoever built it cut down trees, removed large rocks, and dammed a stream. The trail was created where elk and deer are active and Sorensen says it has “destroyed an area of highest habitat value.” The location of the trail is about 200 yards off of the Forest Park entrance on Harborton Drive, about 10 miles north of downtown Portland.

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Ask BikePortland: How do I see clearly in the rain?

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BTA New Year's Day Ride-23

Any advice for someone who’d like
to see more clearly in the rain?
(Photo © J. Maus)

Today’s question comes from Matthew Bowers:

“I commute about 3 miles to work (and back, obviously) 5-6 days a week, and I wear glasses. This becomes an issue when it’s raining, and was wondering what other glasses-wearing riders do about it. I asked the gentleman at my local bike shop, and he didn’t really have any useful suggestions — so I turn to you!

I know they have prescription goggles, but I was really hoping for a slightly less expensive alternative — something I can wear over my glasses, perhaps? Please help!”

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Job: Retail Sales Staff (The Bike Gallery)

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Job Title
Retail Sales Staff

Company/Organization
The Bike Gallery

Job Description
The Bike Gallery is seeking outgoing and dynamic individuals for positions on our sales floor. The Bike Gallery is one of the most acclaimed specialty bicycle retail organizations in the U.S. and currently has openings for full and part time seasonal positions working directly with customers to deliver exceptional customer service in a fast paced, high volume setting. Preference given to applicants with bicycle retail experience and who demonstrate a commitment to and enthusiasm for, the cycling lifestyle; other specialty retail experience is also helpful.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate a strong history of self motivation, professionalism, team work, and customer service excellence.

The Bike Gallery is an equal opportunity employer. Sales positions require the ability to lift 40 pounds to shoulder height and to work extended hours while standing.

How to Apply

To apply send a resume and cover letter to resumes(at)bikegallery(dot)com. The Bike Gallery does not maintain a policy of responding to all applicants.

“Lost Cyclist” has historical Portland connection

Cover of The Lost Cyclist.

David Herlihy’s forthcoming book, The Lost Cyclist: The Epic Tale of an American Adventurer and His Mysterious Disappearance, has a Portland connection that’s over a century old.

Herlihy, author of the award-winning Bicycle: The History, got in touch recently to tell us a bit about the story of Frank Lenz, the “lost cyclist.”

Back in 1892, Lenz set off from Pittsburgh on his innovative “safety” bicycle (a prototype of the modern bicycle design) with an aim to cycle around the world. According to legend, and Herlihy’s book, Lenz disappeared under mysterious circumstances in Turkey two years later.

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Save the Date: Oregon Bike Summit is June 4th

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Oregon Bike Summit afternoon sessions-24.jpg

In 2008, Summit attendees asked for a
website. In 2009, they got it!
(Photo © J. Maus)

Speaking of bike tourism promotion… The fifth annual Oregon Bike Summit has been scheduled for June 4th.

Organized by Cycle Oregon, this Summit has become the key event in galvanizing the effort to make Oregon “The land bicycles dream about.” The 2010 event will be one day only (it’s been a two-day event since 2007) and it will be held at the World Trade Center in downtown Portland from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

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Travel Oregon marketing campaign will focus on bike tourism

Cycle Oregon Day 4 - Lake Selmac to Glendale-45

Riding along the Rogue River
in Southern Oregon.
(Photo © J. Maus)

Travel Oregon is currently developing a marketing campaign for the 2010 spring-summer season that will focus on Oregon’s outdoor recreation opportunities. According to Linda Andrews, a tourism development assistant with Travel Oregon, the campaign will “specifically focus on cycling and mountain biking.”

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Orange/Black Jamis Nova 2007

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Year: 2007
Brand: Jamis
Model: Nova
Color:Orange/Black
Size:53cm
Serial: WE7H00605
Stolen in Portland, OR 97006
Stolen:2010-02-18
Stolen From: Portland Convention Center, 777 NE MLK Portland. Bike rack on north side of building
Neighborhood: Downtown-east side
Owner: Scott Spiker
OwnerEmail: spiker691@gmail.com
Reward: $200 if good shape
Description: Orange and Black 2007 Jamis Nova Cycle-cross bike, 53cm frame. Also had handlebar bell, waterbottle cage, handlebar mount for riding light and seat mount for tail light
Police record with: T10000944
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike