Some very exciting news announced by Jessica Roberts of the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA). A major new bike lane has been striped on Vancouver Ave., from Russell Street down to Broadway. This completes a “missing link” in the bike network that is part of the BTA’s larger goal of gaining bike access through the Rose Quarter Transit Center to the River and the Lloyd District.
As long as Critical Mass exists in Portland it will be controversial and divisive. Recent events have renewed the debate about its merits and purpose within the cycling community and beyond.
Critical Mass is a big, complex idea that has as many definitions as participants. No one person can define Critical Mass and each city has its own, unique set of rules for dealing with it. Given its controversial and emotional past and present, we can debate and argue about it forever.
Last week, while running some errands in the Hollywood area, I came across this pickup. Naturally I started taking some photos and a few minutes later, two ladies walked up. Turns out the truck (and trailer) was being driven by Candace Shadley and none other than former NORBA Downhill Champion Lisa Sher.
[Check out the Monday Night Racing photo gallery.]
Last night I rolled over to Portland International Raceway (PIR) to take in some race action compliments of the Monday Night Bike Race Series. PIR is a real gem for the Portland race scene. The expansive area, serpentine roads, and good pavement make it a perfect venue for road and cyclocross racing and it’s just a few miles from downtown Portland.
A stiff breeze and bright sun made for a challenging yet beautiful night of racing. The fields were large and I was impressed by the supportive and enthusiastic field of women racers.
[Posted by Jessica Meyers.]
I had my bike stolen on Thursday, April 27th between 8-9:30 am from the east side of East West College. What a sad sight to see a clipped lock laying on the ground where my bike once was…it is a two shade blue Trek hybrid (I think?), maybe 4-5 years old, with a rip on the seat and a sweet blue bell on the right handle bar. I have two picture at http://flickr.com/photos/jayjay1
..please email or phone if you see this bike…thanks
Jessica
503-772-1175, jessicasgreenlivin@yahoo.com
The calm and civility that has long been the hallmark of Portland’s Critical Mass ride was shattered last Friday. According to a report and photos on Indymedia there were several arrests that got out of hand.
As usual, there are several different accounts of what happened. One says the riders instigated the arrests with their disrespect of the police and the law, while another side says the treatment from the cops was totally out of line and unprovoked.
After the fracas, the ride regrouped and continued on without incident.
On Saturday I was lucky enough to join local cyclist Elicia Cardenas in a beautiful ceremony to wed her beloved bicycle, Vanilla. It was touching to see the young couple so happy and it’s obvious they were meant to be together.
The formal affair took place in the front yard of a home in Southeast Portland. Their union was made official by an ordained minister who read the touching vows in front of a teary-eyed crowd of well-wishers.
Elicia was given away by her best man, Timo Forsberg (who married his bike last summer) and Vanilla was joined in the aisle by Kiran Limaye. Music was provided by Jasun and his wonderful musi-cycle.
I’m happy to report that over the weekend, the vigilance and awareness of the bike community scored yet another victory over bike thieves.
On Saturday, Carl Larson noticed a nice Blue Schwinn Homegrown mountain bike in front of Red Light Clothing Exchange in downtown Portland. The bike looked very similar to a Stolen Bike Listing he had just read about. Carl didn’t have a lock with him, and he wasn’t near a computer to notify the victim, so he ran over to the downtown Bike Gallery and double-checked the listing online with Assistant Manager Mike Hilbrandt. When they realized it was indeed the stolen bike, Mike ran back to lock it up…but it was gone!
[Posted by “sommer11”]
Silver Specialized M-2 mtn bike
16in/small-Alum Matrix frame
s/#__ 4358
Mavic wheels
Blk metal fenders & blk rear rack
Blu skull sticker on frame
[Posted by “sommer11”]
Tan Voodoo D-jab ti-mtn bike
Area: SE 122nd Ave & Stark St
16in-sm light-wt Tan/silver frame
Blk/silver Marzocchi Super Fly fork s/#__ 651 Z2
Race Face headset
Dean ti-seat post
Despite some scary and somber times last October, I’m happy to report that bikey shenanigans and mayhem are alive and well at the Alberta Clown House. Last night was the first warm and dry Last Thursday celebration of the year and the Clowns and all their friends took full advantage.
The Mud Pit of Doom was oozing perfectly and claimed many victims during the mini-bike races. There was a tall-bike pie jousting match and Dingo and his family even debuted their very own concession stand…just like a real circus!
The party really got going as night fell and the tall-bike jousts became the center of attention. As I left (with Eleni asleep in my arms), Revphil was encouraging chants of “kill, kill, kill!” from the blood-thirsty crowd.
