Vanilla mixes with cyclocross big boys

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Cross Crusade #2- Alpenrose
[Rhonda Mazza]
Veloshop Cyclocross Race at PIR

Vanilla Bicycles, a small Portland-based framebuilder is supplying bikes to some of the best cyclocross racers in the country. In the current standings of the US Gran Prix of Cyclocross Rhonda Mazza (shown in photo) is currently ranked 6th in the Elite Women’s field and Shannon Skerritt is ranked 7th in the Men’s Elite field.

Another Vanilla rider, Molly Cameron is riding very strong in her first year as a pro and is currently ranked 32nd in the Elite Men’s field (read Molly’s great race reports on her blog!).

These riders are up against teams from the largest bike companies in the world like Kona and Giant.

A former bike messenger and relative newcomer to the custom framebuilding world, Sacha White has carved out a reputation as one of the best. His eye for aesthetic detail and finish, combined with technical precision and an appreciation for classic lines has won his bikes many fans and races [Disclaimer: I’m biased because Sacha is a friend and a client.].

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Stolen: Fisher Tassajara, Mullet

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TWO Bikes stolen Saturday Nov. 5th in NW Portland from Royal Arms Apartments on Lovejoy:

2005 Gary Fisher Tassajara GS Women’s Mountain Bike, silver with blue decals, cat eye computer on handlebars, covered in Wonder Woman stickers. Stolen with it was a 2005 Gary Fisher Mullet, blue, 19.5″, big tires, disc brakes, scratches on top tube. Both bikes have small “Alpine Shop Kirkwood, Missouri” stickers on lower frame area beneath seat, but of course all stickers and identifying marks could have been removed by now.

My wife and I are offering $100.00 reward for any info leading to us getting our bikes back. Contact peg_n_jamie@ yahoo.com with any and all info. Please keep an eye out and remember, cable locks aren’t to be trusted. I wish they would’ve just stolen our car. Stealing someone’s bike is some cold sh*t to do to a fellow human being.

2005 Gary Fisher Tassajara GS

2005 Gary Fisher Mullet

ODOT opens old wounds from St. Johns Bridge

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Last night I heard a presentation by Matt Garrett, Region Manager for ODOT. He came to the PSU Traffic and Transportation class to give an overview of how ODOT fits into the transportation picture.

As someone who is concerned about bike safety, and the livability of our cities, it was very unsettling to listen to Mr. Garrett’s talk and it’s obvious to me that bicycles do not figure into ODOT’s priorities at all.

The word “bicycle” did not even appear in his 26 slide presentation and he made only two mentions of bicycles. One of those was to say that bicycles, “probably shouldn’t be riding on Powell, they should take Hawthorne instead.” Hmmm. Then maybe cars shouldn’t be allowed on Tillamook or Clinton.

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Lloyd District bike parking map

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Just came across a nifty little bike parking map on the Lloyd District Transportation Management Association’s website. It’s got information and photos on all the racks and bike lockers in the Lloyd District. You just roll over various points and a little window pops up. Neat!

However I must admit, I can’t remember the last time I thought, “hey, I wonder if there will be a place to lock up my bike?” But that’s just me.

I had no idea the LDTMA had such a good bikey vibe going on. It looks like they’re doing excellent work in getting more people to ride in this dense, highly urban area. If you live in or around the Lloyd District area, you should check out their bike information page.


Stolen: Pacific Shorewood

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Dark green w/ yellow writing – on stickers, could be peeled off. Cruiser style, wide handlebars. Identical bike posted for sale on Craigslist, ironically the day before mine disappeared from my backyard in North Portland. But there’s a picture on the posting; it’s listed as “pacific shorewood cruiser”. I’d love to get the bike back, but mostly I’d like to find the creep who’s been in my yard and make sure he never ever does it again. Really. To anyone.
Thanks for any tips.

More details on police bike lights program

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[UPDATE: Don’t miss this very informative comment by Greg Raisman from PDOT.]

As I first reported back in September, Portland traffic cops are embarking on a new program to install free lights on bikes. This morning, the Oregonian has a more in-depth story that lays it all out.

Making appearances in the article are traffic safety specialist for PDOT, Mark Lear, traffic cop Mark Kruger, and “Get Lit” program founder and Shift volunteer, Jeff Bernards.

A few observations:

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Stolen: Purple Bridgestone

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STOLEN by some FU**ER

Purple Bridgestone Mens Bike

Stolen from 8705 SE 11th Ave In Sellwood
26” wheels
Nice bike..
Very missed : – (

So I just moved back to Portland me and my wife were so excited about coming here I grew up in Oregon city but always wanted to live in PDX so now I do.

Anyway so for the fist time in my life I actually started using a bike for new environmental convictions and the need to be healthier.

So today I take my father downtown and stop by the goodwill to buy a helmet for my bike and try and find one for my wife.

I just bought this bike two weeks ago.
Bought the lock and lights..

Well by the time I got home some ass stole it.. right from the front of my house..

I did however hear that there is a house in Sellwood 8851 SE 11th Ave that has a habit of stealing bikes.. They have 3 in their yard right now.. None of them mine..

Willamette Week tackles major cycling issue

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Good thing we’ve got the Willy Week watching our backs (or should I say fronts?).

In an article titled, “Hey Numbnuts” they bring in an OHSU urologist to dispel an article in the NY Times about a link between erectile dysfunction (E.D.) and bike seats. For 95% of cyclists, this is a non-issue. But every time this pops up in the media, everyone talks about it…and the doctors that specialize in E.D. get a nice bump in business.

If you (or your significant other) is concerned about this issue, the Willy Week put together a quick quiz that will put your mind at ease:

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Exclusive report from Amsterdam

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[This post is from BikePortland.org international correspondent, Jessica Roberts of the BTA. She’s in Amsterdam with a delegation of Portland bike advocates. More info on their trip can be found here.]

Hello, friendly Portland cyclists! We’re here looking at bicycling programs and infrastructure, meeting with many bicycle professionals–planners, education specialists, consultants, and safety experts. Here’s a taste of some of the extraordinary things we’ve seen so far:

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Announcing the Portland BikeCraft Faire!

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You’re cordially invited to the first ever Portland BikeCraft Faire. It’s happening from 4-10PM on Wednesday, December 7th at Urban Grind Coffee (2214 NE Oregon). I’ve brought together some amazingly talented local artists that will have handmade, bike-themed arts and crafts for sale. Check out the warm, fuzzy cycling caps from Shaun Deller, wood-cut prints and postcards from Carye Bye featuring the lovable characters found on the new BikePortland.org T-shirt and much more.

We’ll also have kids activities (Urban Grind has a great kids area), a special screening of local bike movies, a Pedalpalooza ’05 slide show, drinks, snacks and music!

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