“The Tour Baby” coming to Portland

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A great new bike film about life behind-the-scenes of the Tour de France is coming to the Bagdad Theater for two nights, June 22 and 23rd. More info on this website.

Here’s a blurb:

The Tour Baby! chronicles Scott Coady’s amazing journey following the entire Tour de France. Watch as Scott embarks on an adventure of a lifetime armed only with a Sony digital camera, his passion for cycling, and a beat up Avis rental van he called home for a month. Experience first-hand the excitement and drama of the world’s most difficult and grueling sporting event.

Last I heard the raffle will include some pretty stellar prizes. Tickets just went on sale and will probably sell out quick. Get yours here

A local Portland resident put all this together in memory of a friend lost to cancer. All the money raised at these showings will go to the Lance Armstrong Foundation to fund cancer research. Learn more about The Tour Baby on the website.

Bike law handbook

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Just caught wind of this info from the BTA:

“The Bicycle Transportation Alliance and bicycle lawyer Ray Thomas announce the release of the new, revised 4th edition of “Pedal Power: A Legal Guide for Oregon Cyclists.”

For over ten years, lawyer and bicycle activist Ray Thomas has been teaching a “cyclists’ legal clinic” to interested cyclists. In his clinic, Mr. Thomas translates vehicle code from “Legalese” into English, clarifying the rights and responsibilities laid out for cyclists under the Oregon law. Since 1999, the information has also been available in book form.”

To purchase your copy call 503.226.0676, email info@bta4bikes.org or stop by the BTA office at 717 SW 12th Ave in downtown Portland. More info on the book and other BTA goodies can be found here.

Ashland’s solar powered bike school

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From Bicycle Retailer & Industry News…United Bicycle Institute Chooses Solar Power

UBI, a trade school that teaches classes in bicycle mechanics and custom bicycle frame building, went solar to promote sustainable technology.

"UBI supports sustainable transportation through our educational efforts in the bicycle industry. Now, we’re supporting sustainable energy, too," said UBI president Ron Sutphin. "We think we’re the only solar powered bicycle school in the world."

I know these guys think they’re great and all…but if you want to know more about one of the most environmentally stable businesses in the world (that just so happens to also be in the bike industry), check out Portland-based Chris King Components.

Humancar

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I’m taking one of these
to Critical Mass tonight.

(hat tip to Marino on the Shift list)

Polo, track and pedals

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If you ever wanted to try out bike polo (like regular horse polo, but on bikes) then tonight’s the night. Cruise yourself over to Alberta Park by 6:00 for a beginner-friendly polo session. More details here.

Or, how about turning some laps over at Alpenrose Velodrome. Yep, track season is heating up and Wednesday nights are Track Development Class night. It’s $5 for the class and $5 for a rental bike…but the experience of pedaling into the steep banks of the velodrome are priceless! More details here.

And I leave you today with a nifty product from the land of jockey boxes and blokes. In commuter crazy Portland this new pedal from the UK would come in very handy. It’s called the Pedalite and it’s a pedal with a light inside that requires no batteries and provides 360 degree visibility. A bit dorky, but I bet they work pretty well.

The warm-fuzzy side of Critical Mass

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I know there are a lot of folks who don’t like what they think Critical Mass stands for. But while you’ve been making judgements the movement has really changed. This is a great article from the San Fran. Chronicle that tells a similar story to what in my opinion is happening here in Portland.

An excerpt:

Over the past decade, bicyclists have transitioned from traffic-snarling outsiders to pillars of civic life. They have merged smoothly with the mainstream and…the movement is graduating to a new phase.

(Thanks Stephanie!)

Biking Trifecta Friday!

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OK people, this Friday is looking quite bike-arific. Ready? Set. Go.

Start with Breakfast on the Bridges. Ride to work over the Hawthorne or Broadway Bridge and get free coffee, pastries and friendly conversation.

Then, roll with your velo brethren at Critical Mass.

Then, pedal over to Monsters of Bike Rawk and get your groove on all night long…or incur the wrath of this big, ugly BikeZilla guy who likes to crush bikes.

Interactive Bike Mapping Tool

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I’ve been thinking about this for a long time…a mapping tool just like Yahoo! or Google Maps, but specifically for bicycle routes. Turns out the S.F. Bay Area is way ahead of me. Wouldn’t this be cool here in Portland? We’ve already got a great bike map(which I hear will be fully revised and on sale this June!)…now all we need is a super-techie bike lover with some free time on their hands. Any takers? Email me

(Thanks to The Cycling Dude for reminding me about this.)

Latest Headlines

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From the Archives

With six kids and no car, this mom does it all by bike