I just launched a new blog to keep up with all the bike fun during Pedalpalooza 2005. Check it out for all the latest ride and event reports.
Kick Off Parade Slide Show
UPDATE: Check the video (from Ed S. at the Big Time TV blog)
Check out my slide show from the rockin’ Kick Off Parade!
This one was completely accidental, I didn’t see the graffitti till i got home! (it says, “Smash the State” I think.)
Ride report: Taco Ride
(reported by Ben Salzberg)
It rained cats and dogs right at the time to gather for the ride, eliminating all but the hardiest cyclists. We still had 9 taco enthusiasts along for the ride, and visited several excellent stops:
Cha Cha Cha (Hawthorne)
Uruapan II
Super Torta
We didn’t get down to San Felipe… maybe we can do a southlands reprise and hit the way out spots. Or a downtown/inner east side…
Astronomy ride looks like clouds, wah!
Report: Dinnertime Mystery Ride
as reported by the Cougars:
* Riders: 28
Mystery Destination:
former homesite of George Washington Shaver, pioneer of steamship navigation
Special Thanks:
Ethan and Kellie for making dessert crepes with all the fixin’s
Ride Synopsis:
From Bikehenge we pedaled south on 18th, under Hwy 26, then along the mixed-use trail that runs along the Sunset through town. At 12th street we turned North, took a lane and had a fast downhill coast to Whole Foods. The foodless contingent stocked up on chicken salad, vino, noodle salad, more vino, crusty bread, and yet more vino.
From Whole Foods we wound our way through the Pearl district taking some ped path short-cuts, crossed the Broadway Bridge, and stopped at the grassy knoll opposite the Rose Garden parking lot. A few intrepid souls entertained themselves climbing the stockade and rock pile. Good times and hearty picnicing ensued. Thanks to everyone that made it out.
Pedalpalooza Essentials
from Kiran Limaye:
Check the list below before you go to any of the
remaining 73+ events.pp Essentials
10. Coffee/yerba mate/stimulants of choice
9. Properly inflated tires
8. Virgin helmet
7. Cell phone securement to bike/body
6. PP/SHIFT T-shirt
5. Rehydrating salts/ electrolyte solution & water
4. sunscreen (days); birth control (nights)
3. PP calendar & maps
2. On-bike recycling bin or basket
1. B-vitaminsCome to the Transportation Geek’s ride tonight at 6 if
you need help with any of the above.
World Naked Ride
Update: According to some reliable sources, there were around 170 riders.
The Folz family, cold and bold.
Division Street bike planning workshop
This just in:
This Saturday (June 18th) there will be a Community Workshop about planning for Division Street. The workshop will be at Richmond Elementary School (2276 SE 41st) in the cafeteria. It will be from 9 am to Noon.
This workshop will give the community an opportunity to weigh in on proposed zoning changes, changes in traffic signalization, pedestrian improvements, the configuration of the vehicle lanes, parking changes and the locations of bus stops. Needless to say, the changes could have a profound impact on how Division functions for bicycling both along Division and crossing Division.
The best bike route map has just been revised and is now available.Cold and Bold at the Naked Bike Ride
Saturday night I rode my bike naked for the very first time. Me and about 100 or so other intrepid souls bared all in the name of bike fun. We met in SE and rode across the Hawthorne bridge and did a few loops around downtown.
I couldn’t tell if my headache was from being so cold or because I was yelling so darn much. Either way, it was easily one of the most memorable things I’ve ever done…on or off a bike!
I love the diversity of the Portland bike scene. Start the morning leading kids on bikes in a parade…and end the day terrorizing unsuspecting tourists while riding stark naked through the city. Yeah!
At the pre-ride dance party, I snapped this photo of a friend’s back. I told him to keep his pants on because I knew I’d be posting it to this blog…see, I’m always looking out for my readers!
Bike polo: my new favorite sport
Sunday I had a date with destiny.
I’ve been intrigued with bike polo for a long time now…but it wasn’t until Sunday that I actually gave it a try. Wow. What an awesome game. I got to play with some masters of the sport who I now have extreme respect for.
Bike polo is a combination of every little piece of biking and sports skill I’ve picked up since I was like 6 years old. Positioning, timing, balance, vision, fitness, finesse…it all comes together in a beautiful way. Even though if I said the word beautiful around some of the regulars, I’d get a can of PBR thrown at my face.
The best moment of the day came on the final goal of my first-ever game. It was a fast break and I received the puck, tapped in the goal, and proceeded to crash through the cones and into the fence. Blood was spilled. I was baptized. It was good
Check out my Bike Polo slide show!
More info on bike polo here.
Kids Pedal leads the way
What a morning! The Community Cycling Center’s Kids Pedal got the Grand Floral Parade off to a bikey start. Since we hit the parade route a few hours before the floats, we were sort of just a bikey appetizer for the “real” action to come…but that didn’t stop a great bunch of kids on bikes from having the time of their lives running red lights down MLK with a full police escort, a cheering audience, decorated bikes, and huge smiles. Check out my photos of the event.
Secret bike path during Rose Fest
If you’ve been anywhere near downtown you know it’s a mad scene and lots of normal bike routes are a bit disrupted by the Fun Zone. Just thought I’d give a little tip…the carnival folks have coned off a service lane on Naito Parkway that is actually a great, car-free, bike lane that will get you from the Hawthorne Bridge to the Steel Bridge…just watch out for the ATVs.