Bicycle roadside assistance

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A friend of mine passed this along. He saw a brochure for it while eating lunch at the Ecotrust Building. It’s sort of like having AAA coverage for your car…but for your bike. The company, Better World Club, says:

The nation’s first and only bicycle roadside assistance service is now available…

Bicycle Membership provides nationwide emergency roadside assistance (up to 30 miles annually) for you and your bicycle.

We’ll take you and your bike to the nearest repair facility, or home, within 30 miles from pick up. There is a maximum of two service calls per covered member per year. The annual fee is $39.95 for one person, plus a one-time non-refundable sign up fee of $10. You may add additional household cyclists for just $15 more.

The plan is nationwide, so this would be a cool thing to sign up for if you were doing a long tour, or if you’re riding in places you’re not familiar with and don’t want to break down in uncharted territory.

If you’re a commuter and you break down, you’ll probably get help from a fellow cyclist or be within walking distance of a local shop. But still, this is a nifty service and it just might be that extra security some people need to start riding more.

Tour de France viewing party

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This just in:

CitySports NW and Rogue Brewing have put together a special Tour de France viewing party, scheduled for Saturday, July 16th.

Pedal over to the Rogue Ales Public House at 1339 NW Flanders in Portland (ph. 503-222-5910) for Stage #14, a 220k stage that features some epic climbs in the Pyrenees.

The first two-hour showing starts at 11:30am with another re-broadcast at 3pm. Special BIKE ONLY parking is available–ride your bike and get a free $4 certificate good for a beverage or Rogue merchandise. We’ll also have raffle prizes during commercials. Raffle tickets are just $3 each, with all proceeds going toward local charity b.i.k.e..

Timothy Lake ride

Timothy Lake Ride

You ever do a ride that is so perfect it reaffirms your love for riding? On Saturday I did my first big ride of the “summer” and it was one I won’t soon forget.

Me and 7 other lucky folks rode from Ripplebrook Ranger Station (about 25 miles SE of Estacada on Hwy. 224) up to Timothy Lake and looped back down to the Clackamas River. Total ride mileage was about 54 miles.

I think we saw about 10 cars the whole time. We pedaled a narrow road (in pristinely smooth condition) through lush, green forests, meadows and wildflowers.

I want to share this ride with all of you, so if you’ve got a few minutes, I’ve posted more photos here.

“Recyclist” apparel from Shaun Deller

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A few weeks ago I overheard some people talking about a local guy who makes really cool cycling caps out of classy, recycled, thrift store fabrics. Then, at the recent Multnomah County Bike Fair I ran into him. His name is Shaun Deller. He calls his caps, “Recyclist Apparel.”

According to Deller:

The idea is to create a line of functional and fashionable apparel for the cycling community by reinventing quality thrift store clothing and fabrics. I’m inspired by the early days of cycling and a desire to recycle.”

His business is just getting off the ground, but the great folks over at River City Bikes have already snatched some up. They go for $32 a piece and they’re available in wool or cotton.

For more info call (503) 227-0975 or email Shaun directly at dellershaun[at]yahoo[dot]com

Good luck Shaun! The bike industry is in dire need of more functional and fashionable clothing.

Portland bike community in Bicycling Magazine

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The August issue of Bicycling Magazine features two great articles on Portland’s bike community.

On page 37 they cover a local program called b.i.k.e. that helps inner city kids get into cycling. The program was started by John Benenate. You’ve got to love this quote:

“We try to respond to each of the kids’ needs, whether it’s SAT flashcards or cyclocross training.”


I had the pleasure of meeting John a few weeks back and was lucky enough to listen to a jam session with him (he plays harmonica and sings the blues), local racing legend David Auker (on keyboard), and River City Bike Shop owner, Dave Guettler (bass).

(Just FYI, this isn’t the first bit of national exposure for John’s program. A few years back he was featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show.)

Then on page 42, they cover Portland’s growing trend of moving by bicycle. It’s called “Put Your Home on Wheels”.

And they even mention this here little blog!

Report: Bike-in Movie at Hawthorne Hostel

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Reported by Brian Scrivner:

At least 120 people enjoyed food, music, a short BikeTV show, and animated feature movie at the Hawthorne Hostel on Friday, after the Critical Mass “Memorial” ride.

The Bike-In Movie was again hugely popular, thanks in part to the Critical Mass (special Memorial edition) ride, which was in a way a part of a two-part event with Bike-In Movie. The Memorial Critical Mass (previously reported on) was well attended, spirited, and stopped at three sites for fallen cyclists:
– SE 37th & Taylor
– SE Belmont & 40th
– SE Stark & 49th

Later, the ride converged on the Hawthorne Hostel at SE Hawthorne & 31st, where veteran volunteer Karin, daughter, and friends had done a fabulous job of setting up seating and creating a mountain of popcorn. Many riders demanded “where’s the food?”, and though there was plenty of food donated it hadn’t all been prepared. Maybe more volunteers next year? This was, like last year, a matter of lack of volunteer resources and the organizer having
a day job.

Once the sound system had been set up by the very competent Jasun (thanksagain!) with much help from Hosteller Talbot, it was possible to make an amped announcement for kitchen help, of which more than enough crowded the kitchen a minute later. Hot chai was brewed, chocolate milk (for the non-vegans) was stirred, veggies were baked, and a huge salad (which didn’t
last long) was tossed. Tall Steve kept the donated ‘dogs going all through the rest of the event on the giant gas BBQ. There was much more bread than even this crowd could eat.

During all this kitchen activity, Clarence, the producer of NYC TV show BikeTV, introduced and showed a Portland-filmed BikeTV episode. The audience then voted on their fav movie, rejecting AGAIN the film Kiki’s Delivery Service for another film by Hayao Miyazaki, Porco Rosso. The crowd was entertained for the next hour and a half by the adventures of the ace
pilot flying pig, and courteously picked up the yard before leaving for any of several parties including a trampoline party way up north.

Apologies, but the raffle became a casualty of a lack of volunteer resources. There wasn’t time to coordinate the food, borrowing equipment, etc. and also solicit and pick up raffle donations.

HUGE THANKS are due to the following, without whom the event would not have been possible:
– Most of all, the Hawthorne Hostel, for loaning the place, pitching in, letting us take over the kitchen, and tolerating our mess. Thanks especially to Talbot, who held a lot of things together, prepared some things days ahead of time, and during the event was very tolerant of this often-perfectionist organizer. Thanks to the many Hostel guests and employees who pitched in, some whose names I never got, especially the guests who washed the dishes and cleaned the kitchen before the movie was even finished.
– The very dynamic Jacque, who seemed to be three people as she secured donations, rounded up stuff, and contributed ideas and labor to the event.
– Lewis, for creating an event flyer with short notice when I still hadn’t found a Graphics Slave the week of the event.
– Jasun, for loaning his projector and managing many technical aspects of the event.
– Karin, Tori, and friends, for showing up early and doing a tremendous amount of work setting up the yard and making popcorn.
– Brian S. (no, not me the other Brian S.) for loaning the mixing board which made it possible to tie together the sound and video, and for keeping the tunes going (from laptop computer if I’m not mistaken) pre-movie.
– Mykle for loaning the very nice amp/speakers.
– I’m sure I’ve forgotten some people, but you are not unappreciated!

Also, THANK YOU FOR THE FOOD:
Java Dogs
Organics to You
Redwing Coffee
Sunshine Dairy
Tao of Tea

Bike parking at the Blues Festival

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BTA Bike Parking at the Blues FestivalOn Saturday I helped the BTA park bikes at the Blues Festival. It felt great to help fellow bikers with such a cool service. Everyone was really thankful for the BTA’s work in setting it up and over the course of the fest. I bet they parked at least 1000 bikes (if not more).

When I wasn’t working I just roamed the racks and checked out all the cool, quirky, and classic bikes people were rollin’. I saw everything from a Lance Armstrong replica Trek to a classic to a bike with a homemade rear rack made out of 2 x 4s.

I also got to meet recent U of O grad. Sara Hodges, the BTA’s summer events coordinator, and Chris Ho, esteemed freelance photographer. Chris was one of the first members of the BTA, back when they were known as the Portland Area Bicycle Coalition!

I had a great time and I’ll definitely do it again next year!

Check out a few more photos.