BTA chosen for Willy Week “Give! Guide”

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wweek_giveguide

Our beloved BTA is one of the 24 non-profits chosen by the Willamette Week for a special issue called the Give! Guide. So just what does that mean?

Basically, it means there’s never been a better time to donate a bit of cash to the BTA. Here’s why:

Everyone who gives anything (!) gets:

  • One coupon good for a free cup of coffee at Stumptown
  • One box of Powell’s After Reading Mints (stocking stuffer or Hannukah gift)
  • A chance to win the $300+ Johnny Cash deluxe box set, and two chef’s meals at clarklewis

People who give more than $250 get:

  • 6-pack of beer, bottle of wine, and a pound of coffee

If the BTA gets the most number of gifts, even the $5 variety, they get a $1000 bonus.

So here’s the link to to donate…happy giving!

NoPo Greenway Trail meeting

nopomeeting

Take a second to imagine this: A paved trail that connects Cathedral Park (under the St. Johns Bridge) with the Eastbank Esplanade! Monday night, 30 people put that image into motion by attending the first public meeting of the Friends of North Portland Willamette Greenway Trail.

The “Friends of the Greenway” told us about their vision for the trail and asked for our feedback and input. We heard that northern sections of the trail could be funded “sooner rather than later” and that with enough involvement and participation from the public, additional portions of the trail (which would help fill a large gap in the 40 Mile Loop) could become a reality.

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More thoughts on Hawthorne

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(**For anyone sick of jabbering about the Hawthorne Bridge, stop reading right now and wait for my next post. It will be fun, I promise!).

I feel like I’ve opened a can worms. My posts about the the new bike/ped markings on the Hawthorne Bridge have gotten many comments and I received an email from someone on the County bike advisory committee who said my recent post, “frivolously demeans the efforts of everyone on the County bike and ped Committee.” Then his email was CC’d to all sorts of prominent folks whom I have much respect for. Ouch.

Given all this, I want to clarify a few things.

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Cinema and Swap see success

Bike Film Night
PUMP Swap Meet

Friday’s Bike Film Night and Sunday’s PUMP Swap Meet were smashing successes!

On Friday, when I pulled up to the Clinton Street Theater, cyclists were spilling out into the street and the vibe was electric. Hundreds of people milled outside waiting for a chance to support Times Up! and see a collection of bike movies put together by RevPhil and Sara Stout.

There were bikes everywhere. Several of us ended up just locking up together in the middle of Belmont Clinton Street!

With plenty of beer (donated by Widmer) the scene inside was racuous. The show kicked off with a hilarious short featuring dueling clowns on the infamous Spin Bikes racing to their death around the Alberta St. Clownhouse. The last movie was “Still We Ride“, a documentary about the ongoing battle between the NYPD and cyclists in New York City. It was depressing to see such misunderstanding between fellow humans. Remember folks, bicycling is not a crime!

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First look: Sprockettes Calendar!

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I’m happy to share these images of the first-ever Sprockettes Calendar! The Sprockettes are Portland’s very own mini-bike dance troupe (check out my photos of them).

They’ve performed all over Portland and next year they’re looking to spread their message of fun feminism through funky dance moves outside our borders. You can help with their big plans by buying a calendar (or two). They’re just $7 (plus shipping) and they won’t last long!

The calendars are still at the printers, and will be available for purchase on this site as soon as they’re ready. They’ll also be for sale at the upcoming BikeCraft Faire & Shift Winter Social on December 7th. So make sure your stop by…I’m sure they’d be happy to autograph it for you!


Stolen: Kona Kula

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Yesterday my Kona was stolen from the P.S.U. bookstore. I’m still paying it off. This bike means everything to me. I have not seen similar Konas around,so it would stand out. If you happen to notice it please let me know, thanks. andy_j9@yahoo.com (971)404-6663
konakula

Stolen: Tan Voodoo MTB

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Theft occurred late Aug., from SE Stark & 122nd Ave area–from my garage. S/# on Marzocchi superFly fork, 551 651 Z2 [Yw tag]. Tan titanium Sm-frame with Dean ti-seat post. Race Face headset. Model: D-Jab

Someone watched me leaving for 10mins on another bike — as I pulled the Garage door down 3in from the ground. They entered, weasled down a tight isle to my bike rack, lifted it from the top rung, then escaped! When I returned, nothing appeared ‘fishy’. Two days later, I noticed the theft.

A year & ahalf ago, my Silver M-2 Specialized mtn bike was taken from Gateway Fred Meyers [NE 102nd Ave/Glisan]. My S/# A98 4358. Sm-frame, 16in with Blk metal fenders, rack, & Mavic wheels.

My Krypt lock & bike disappeared from the E. side rack–always PARK in busy-traffic areas!! Gateway area [Freds’ & Park&ride] is notorious for Grand Central Escape routes, as bikes & cars vanish!!

Why can’t our officers plant bikes as their Sting Operation–catching Low IQ thieves in action & flinging such Scum into city cells??? There is no lower feeling than realizing that your Bike was taken. Always, insure your Bikes with a Homeowners/Renters’ policy–at least I gained some compensation.

–Ray [roseyeden@netscape.net]

360 lbs of beer…by bike!

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Beer by bike
Beer by bike

This morning Sara Stout and I moved two kegs of beer for tonight’s Bike Film Night from Widmer Brewing on N. Russell to the Clinton Street Theater in SE.

The kegs weighed 180 lbs. each!

It was pretty awesome to see the reaction from the folks at Widmer. They couldn’t believe what we were doing. They had their cameras out and everything. They said it was the most exciting thing that’s happened around there for a long time.

Check out some of their faces in the photos. I especially like this shot of the guys near the forklift looking at us like we’re crazy.

Don’t miss the Bike Film Night. Tonight, 9:00 at Clinton Street Theater (26th & SE Clinton)!

(If you think moving kegs by bike is cool…check this out)

Stolen: black TAKARA road bike

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Some lowlife stole my bike off of my porch last night. Although this bike was not worth much (if anything), it was my only means of transportation.

It’s fairly easy to spot. I’ve not seen another Takara ever in town and this one will stand out to anyone who’s looking. It’s an all black road bike except for the TAKARA name written in white. It had both a mud flap and lights on the back and front.

I expect that whoever stole it will try and convert it to a simple fixed gear (messenger style) bike, so bike shops should be on the lookout…

please call me if ou spot it:
503-232-4726

Stats confirm bike theft problem

Bike theft is on the rise. I had 20 stolen bikes listed on this site in October alone. And from what I’ve heard, the thieves are getting more and more brazen, sawing racks in half, taking the entire rack with them, and even coming into homes while the victim sleeps just feet away!

According to this official map just sent to me by the Portland Police Bureau, there were 315 bike thefts reported between 9/1/05 and 11/12/05 (shown on map below as blue squares).

Here is the breakdown by precinct (precinct map):

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From the Archives

The good, the bad, and the ugly on the Oregon Coast Bike Route