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

New on Portland’s cyclocross scene: Dog racing

Cross Crusade #4-52

How fast is your dog?
(Photo © J. Maus)

If you’ve attended a cyclocross race in or around Portland, you probably noticed that there are nearly as many dogs as bikes. For some reason, there’s a huge cross over between dog lovers and ‘cross lovers.

Now, one local race organizer plans to make the dogs part of the action.

Kris Schamp, owner of Portland Racing, said the idea came to him after watching the Cross Crusade up in Astoria over Halloween Weekend. “Seeing all the dogs out there sitting on the sidelines, I just thought ‘Hey, why don’t they get to race and have fun?'”

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Newswire: Pedal Past the Lights Annual Holiday Bike Ride

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Pedal Past the Lights II Annual Holiday Bike Ride in Portland

Portland, OR (11/12/09) – Pedal Bike Tours is jumping into the holiday spirit with a special tour to pedal through Portland’s most spectacular light display, the Jubitz Winter Wonderland at Portland International Raceway. It’s had more than 1 million visitors in its 17 years, but never by bike! This year, for the first time ever, Monday, December 7th will be BIKES ONLY!

Set on the two-mile racetrack, it features more than 250 colorful displays and 40 fully animated scenes, including the 200 foot Tunnel of Lights. This family-friendly event will start and end at the Northeast Portland bike shop shared by Pedal Bike Tours and Metropolis Cycles (2249 N Williams). We’ll create our own light show as decorated bikes ride on quiet streets through the neighborhoods of North and Northeast Portland. After riding the two-mile long light route, we’ll warm up with hot drinks and treats before rolling back to Pedal Bike Tours’ shop. We’ll also have a contest for best bike decorations with the winner taking away prizes from Metropolis Cycles.

The easy-paced ride is 11 miles long round trip (plus the 2 mile light route) and almost perfectly flat – great for families. Dress for the weather, and make sure you have lots of lights to show your holiday spirit. Bicycles are available for rent or bring your own. For more information visit pedalbiketours.com or call (503) 916-9704.

    Who: Everybody!
    When: Monday, Dec. 7, 6PM-9PM
    Where: Start & end at Pedal Bike Tours (2249 N. Williams)
    Cost: $5 (Benefits the Sunshine Division- a local non-profit emergency food relief organization operating since 1922 and collected at Jubitz Winter Wonderland)
    RSVP: info@pedalbiketours.com; 503.916.9704

Media Contact:
Todd Roll, Pedal Bike Tours
(503) 916-9704
todd@pedalbiketours.com
www.pedalbiketours.com

Join us for an evening with PBOT’s Roger Geller

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Bike Master Plan Ride #4

Get to know Mr. Geller.
(Photo © J. Maus)

We’re excited to announce the latest in our occasional “An Evening With…” series of live interviews. Next week, on Wednesday November 18th, we’ll host PBOT’s #1 bike guy Roger Geller (and all of you!) at Plan B (1305 SE 8th Ave, map).

The event will give you the chance to learn more about Mr. Geller and his role in shaping Portland’s bikeway network. Geller has spearheaded the effort for the Portland Bicycle Plan for 2030 and he also worked on our existing plan back in the mid 1990s. Geller has also traveled extensively researching bike facilities throughout Europe.

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Weekend Event Guide

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metropolis cycle repair2

Party with Metropolis to celebrate
their first year of business!
(Photo © J. Maus)

We’ve been wondering when the bike event season would start winding down, and with only three events popping out at us on the calendar this weekend, it looks like it might finally be happening. Not that you’re off the hook — there’s still fun to be had, organized and otherwise. So bundle up and get out there!

What are your plans? If there are any other events you’d like to see on here (or if you feel inspired to organize something), feel free to get in touch and we’ll add them.

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City survey: Drive-alone trips up, biking down

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In traffic on Grand Avenue-1.jpg

(Photo © J. Maus)

The City of Portland Auditor’s Office has released their annual Resident Survey and the results show that the number of respondents who drive-alone to work has increased while bike use fell one percent from last year.

The City received 3,194 responses to their survey. One of the questions was “What is the primary means to get to and from work?” Of the 2,004 people who work outside their home, here’s how the answers came back:

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Concern grows for missing community member – UPDATE – FOUND!

AARON HAS BEEN FOUND. He’s safe and sound. Details here.

[Please scroll down for latest updates]

Bike to Work Day

Aaron Tarfman, seen here at
a bike event in 2007.
(Photos © J. Maus)

Friends of Southeast Portland resident Aaron Tarfman are concerned tonight because he has not returned home for over 24 hours and he has written a poignant “Farewell Letter” on his personal website.

Aaron’s roommate Steven Kung says he last saw him on Tuesday. Kung has filed a police report.

Aaron is a dedicated transportation and environmental activist. In a very long and detailed “Departing Letter” on his website, Tarfman shares his depression about the health of our planet and his frustrations that more people aren’t doing something about it.

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black and silver Trek 7000 2008

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Year: 2008
Brand: Trek
Model: 7000
Color:black and silver
Size:20″ frame
Serial: WTU331K2779D
Photo: http://www.jacksbikes.com/contents/media/trek%207000%202008.jpg
Stolen in Portland, OR 97206
Stolen:2009-11-8
Stolen From: SE Portland at 52nd Ave. and Knapp St.
Neighborhood: East Moorland heights
Owner: Gary Hepting
OwnerEmail: ghepting@gmail.com
Reward: $10
Description: It has scratches on the gear shifters from me wiping out once.
Police record with: 09101488
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Pewter, red details Trek 420 1984

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Year: 1984
Brand: Trek
Model: 420
Color:Pewter, red details
Stolen in Portland, OR 97214
Stolen:2009-09-29
Stolen From: Taylor Place Apartments, 25th and Taylor.
Neighborhood: Sunnyside
Owner: Tom Henderson
OwnerEmail: tom@mathpunk.net
Reward: gratitude and dinner!
Description: Mustache bars with braided cotton tape, black Brooks B17 saddle. Tail rack with Wald collapsible baskets. Nitto Technomic stem.Specialized Armadillo tires. Maybe an inch or 28mm wide? Downtube friction shifters (Suntour?), similar vintage to the frame.
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

Speed limits and ODOT: A primer

Some Portlanders will resort to
anything to slow people down.
(Photos © J. Maus)

Excessive speed. It’s a killer and it’s on the loose on streets throughout Portland.

It’s a problem and there are many ways to combat it. One of those is to reduce speed limits. But, as you’ll find out below, that’s far easier said than done.

Currently the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) holds the power to set speed limits in our state. Even on local roads, where they don’t have jurisdiction in terms of maintenance or engineering, all speed change requests must go through ODOT. This process is a thorn in the side of our local Bureau of Transportation.

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Bronze Specialized Rock Hopper 2007

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Year: 2007
Brand: Specialized
Model: Rock Hopper
Color:Bronze
Size:Large Frame
Serial: On File
Stolen in 97006, OR
Stolen:2009-10-29
Stolen From: Stolen from an open garage NW Shadow Hills Lane & NW 168th Pl
Neighborhood: Arbor Reserve
Owner: Karl Baumann
OwnerEmail: kbaumann01@msn.com
Reward: 100.00
Description: New condition. Split-support new seat, and green tool pouch under seat. Front shocks, front/rear disc brakes. Yellow Bethany Bike Store sticker on base of main frame near pedals.
Police record with: On File
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

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From the Archives

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