[updated*]
Just one week until the BikeCraft Faire! Here’s an update followed by a plea for help in spreading the word…
In addition to an impressive list of very talented and bikey artists and crafters there are a few surprises that you won’t want to miss:
My Gary Fisher hardtail (front suspension only) was taken last week from the federal building at Oak and First downtown on Tuesday night, November 22nd). Whoever took it cut through a pretty knarly bike chain, so they must have really wanted my bike. It has climbing horns, all XTR components, cages, and is black with red and white markings. There was a small bell pouch with tools on the seat. If you see my beloved mountain bike please email me because I am sad. It was a great bike.
genevieve_cox@hotmail.com
I sometimes get emails from readers that have something to “get off their chest” but it doesn’t quite fit as a post or as a comment to an existing post. I also know that many of you are intelligent and creative and have helpful and engaging thoughts about riding a bike in Portland that you might like to publish and share with a larger audience.
The Mountain Bike Hall of Fame has recognized Portland resident Bob Crispin’s 1975 “Tankagnolo” as the “first mountain bike with a disc brake.” The bike is now on display at Portland’s first bike shop, 80 year-old Weir’s Cyclery in St. Johns.
Just ordered new stickers (below). They’ll be available for sale at the BikeCraft Faire. I went through my first batch so quickly that I’ve decided I can’t give them away for free any more (sorry). I’ll still give some away around town, but officially they’ll be 3-for-a-buck from now on. Hope you like ’em!
Check out all 5 designs and make sure to check out the photos people have sent of my stickers in action…
There are two urgent issues that need input from Portland cyclists.
First, please submit your comments on the River Plan Concept draft before they are due December 1st. The River Plan includes the Willamette Greenway Trail and city planners need to hear that you want this new trail that will connect Cathedral Park to the Eastbank Esplanade (wouldn’t that be amazing!?).
Here’s a chance to make a difference, spread pedal power, and fix your busted up bike all at the same time…
A special women’s bike maintenance class is being held at NoPo Bikeworks to benefit the Village Bicycle Project. The VBP supplies bikes, maintenance classes, and repair tools to thousands of Africans. Here’s the info:
Joe Biel (founder of Microcosm Publishing) is working on a short documentary about Portland bike art for From Portland with Bike Love II. It will focus primarily on the infamous bike lane stencil characters but will touch on other bike art in Portland as well. Joe will also explore why this town is so full of great bike art to begin with.
After hearing about them for months I finally got a chance to partake in a bike move. Me and 20 or so others helped a friend move her stuff about a mile across town.
The day started with nice chit chat over pastries (donated by Grand Central Bakery!) and coffee . We then loaded our baskets, panniers, and trailers with stuff. Lamps, books, stereos, a wok, bookshelves, dressers, you name it, we loaded it.
On Friday’s Critical Mass we timed the tree-lighting ceremony in Pioneer Courthouse Square just right. After creeping up Broadway we ended up stopped just outside Starbucks on the west side of the square when the countdown began and the big tree was lit. It was kind of a cool moment. Our bike bells mingled nicely with the cheers and claps of the Black Friday throngs.
After a short loop around the square, we headed back to the Park Blocks and met up with more riders. I peeled off at this point but I heard that the group ended up spreading the cheer on NW 23rd, bombing down Burnside (that’s always fun) and then doing a “mini-Mass” up MLK en route to a “furious dance party”. (Read Elly Blue’s recap for more details).
As for the cops…they seemed much more relaxed than usual. Must be the holiday spirit!
As I reported earlier, initial designs for the South Waterfront development project were unsafe for cyclists. Several movers and shakers at City Hall put their heads together and got City Council to approve a more acceptable design in a resolution that passed this morning.
Get all the details over at PortlandTransport.com.
Portland will get 2 minutes of national TV time this Sunday.
Producers from CBS News Sunday Morning (the one with Charles Osgood) flew into Portland last Thursday to tape footage for the upcoming show.
The episode will feature good news from around the country and when the producers got wind of Portland cops giving out lights to cyclists, they thought it’d make a good fit. We’re sharing the limelight with a boy who raised money to adopt a dog and a guy who left corporate life to be a cook.