BikePortland

Velo Cirque brings out the customs, classics, and those who love them

It was packed!
(Photos: J Maus/BikePortland)

Portland is no stranger to bike shows. We’ve hosted the North American Handmade Bicycle Show, we used to have a show that roped in the design industry, and we have an annual show just for Oregon-based custom builders. But Velo Cirque is different.

Held at Velo Cult on Saturday, the show was open to anyone with a story to tell about their classic or custom bike — whether they built it or not. As I walked the aisles and met the owners of many fine rigs, it reminded me of the classic car shows I spent so many days of my youth walking through with my dad. One of the owners of a 1970s touring bike was proud to show me the original owner’s manual and set of pannier bags that came with it.

Here’s what else I came across at Velo Cirque…

Here are the best stories we came across last week…

Whether you like to look at bikes, ride them, or both — here’s your best Saturday night.
(Photo: Velo Cult)

If you overlooked these two events in the Weekend Guide, you’ll be sorry.

On Saturday Velo Cult is hosting the annual Velo Cirque Classic and Custom Bike Show and then the Oregon Timber Trail will take center stage at Base Camp Brewing.

Both events will be held in nice and warm places and are easily accessible by transit, so the weather isn’t an excuse.

Here’s more on each one…

The Oregon Department of Transportation has begun an internal process to analyze a safety risk to bicycle users on Highway 30.

After we highlighted how people park their cars in the shoulder of the busy highway near a Forest Park entrance north of Linnton last week, we urged people to flag the issue via the AskODOT system.

It turns out at least one person took the advice and did so.

A few days after our story went up we heard from ODOT Region 1 Public Information Officer Don Hamilton. “In response to an AskODOT query,” he shared via email, “ODOT will conduct a parking prohibition study at that location. This will take up to six weeks to complete, with appropriate action, if any is necessary, to follow.”

“We will no longer purchase products from companies owned by Vista Outdoors. We will be donating proceeds from the remaining inventory we have of Giro helmets to Everytown for Gun Safety.”
— Leah Benson, Gladys Bikes

Revelations this week that several major bicycle brands are owned by Vista Outdoor — one of America’s largest sellers of assault weapon ammunition and accessories, and a staunch supporter of the National Rifle Association (NRA) — has sent shockwaves through the Portland bike scene.

We’ve heard from several readers who now plan to boycott products from Bell Sports, Giro, Blackburn Design, CamelBak, Raskullz, and Copilot. But for bike shop owners who sell helmets, racks, packs and child seats, the issue is much more complicated. Some say they’ll boycott the brands until ties to the NRA are severed, others say they’ll steer clear of them in the future, and one was in such a moral quandary, they asked to remain anonymous.

Immediately after our story posted we heard from several Portland shops who said they’ll boycott all Vista Outdoor brands.

Clever Cycles, who doesn’t currently sell any Vista Outdoor products, wrote on Twitter that it’s, “Terrible to hear that a company pedaling child seats and safety equipment is also supporting an industry of terror,” and, “We are proud to not carry any products that @VistaOutdoorInc distributes.” Go By Bike owner Kiel Johnson shared that, “We won’t sell those brands either!” Mel Birgé who owns Recumbent PDX says, “I would never knowingly sell products from a weapons manufacturer. We didn’t sell Bell, Giro or Blackburn and now we won’t start.”

Oregon’s latest officially designated Scenic Bikeway traverses a rugged river canyon about 35 miles northeast of Bend and boasts a base camp at one of the coolest country towns in the state.

The Crooked River Canyon Scenic Bikeway is an 18-mile stretch of choice pavement between Prineville and the Big Bend Campground. The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department and Travel Oregon announced the route yesterday. It’s the 17th Scenic Bikeway in the collection.

Here’s more from the official description:

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

If you’re looking for a new start or a change of pace in the bike industry — or if you want to get your foot in the door — we’ve got great opportunities for you to consider.

Here are five fresh new jobs just listed this week…

–> Seasonal Mechanic & Customer Service – Citybikes Workers’ Cooperative

–> Service Manager / Head Mechanic – Oregon E-Bikes

–> Finance Manager – Cycle Oregon

–> Mechanic – Full Time – TriSports

–> Mechanic/Sales – 21st Ave Bicycles

Job Title *
Mechanic/Sales

Company/Organization *
21st Ave Bicycles

Job Description *
Hi there.

We are looking for a full-time mechanic/salesperson here at the shop. The position would be seasonal, but we could go further into the fall/winter with the right person. You’d be looking at about 40 hours a week: repairing bikes, helping folks find what they need, answering the phone, scheduling repairs, selling bikes, creating special orders, cleaning and organizing. Things like that.

We are primarily a neighborhood shop, serving the local community of commuters and weekend riders alike, we also focus on touring, gravel, and bikepacking bikes, so having background in that area is recommended.

The prime candidate that we are looking for must have at least 3 years of shop experience, the chops to deal with bleeding hydraulic disc brakes, cutting carbon steerers, they must be proficient with the Lightspeed Point-of-Sale system, be able to build wheels, etc; they must also be patient and understanding with our customers, knowledgeable with past/current bicycle technologies, have a sense of humor, like riding bikes, and all the other stuff that comes with working at a busy bike shop.

How to Apply *
Go ahead and bring a resume into the shop (week days mid-afternoon work best), or send a resume to us via info@21stbikes.com

Thanks!

PBOT requests $650,000 to kickstart a safer N Columbia Blvd in St. Johns

Like so many intersections throughout our city, the crossing of North Columbia Boulevard near George Middle School in the St. Johns neighborhood is a ticking time bomb. It’s where teenager Bradley Fortner was struck and nearly killed by a driver while walking to school in 2016, and it’s the intersection that spurred Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives Tina Kotek to host a town hall three months ago.

Sauvie Island is a popular spot for serious training and for fun jaunts to pick strawberries.
(Photo: J. Maus/BikePortland)

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife can no longer keep up with the amount of people who drink and drive on Sauvie Island. ODFW says the problem has become so bad in recent years they want to ban alcohol on the island’s popular public beaches.

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If you’re worried that this crazy weather has foiled your bike fun for the weekend, think again! While the snow and ice (and soon, mud and gravel) might seem frightful, we’ve got a full menu of great options that look simply delightful. Not to mention most of them are indoors.

And you want ride inspiration? How about meeting the expert on the Coast Route on Friday night? Then on Saturday you can hear bikepacking tales galore from pioneers who’ve tackled the Oregon Timber Trail. On Sunday, why not get together with fellow three-speeders and plan your world takeover?

We’ve got all that and more in this week’s event guide. And as always, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Check out the BikePortland Calendar for even more great ideas.

It hasn’t been easy — but in many ways it’s been thrilling.
(Photo: J. Maus/BikePortland)

This morning on Twitter we asked our friends if they were still riding through the snow and ice. It was great to see all the responses. People shared photos and tips about how they fared.

Here are some of those replies:

Velo Cirque brings out the customs, classics, and those who love them

The Monday Roundup: NRA Boycott, Wakandan wonders, Oboi Reed’s big tour, and more

Do this Saturday night: Velo Cirque Bike Show, then Oregon Timber Trail Panel and Slideshow

ODOT launches inquiry into Highway 30 shoulder parking hazard

Local bike shops come to terms with their industry’s ties to the NRA

Introducing the Crooked River Canyon Scenic Bikeway

Jobs of the Week: Citybikes, Oregon E-Bikes, Cycle Oregon, TriSports, 21st Ave Bicycles

Job: Mechanic/Sales – 21st Ave Bicycles

PBOT requests $650,000 to kickstart a safer N Columbia Blvd in St. Johns

Booze ban proposed to stem Sauvie Island’s drinking and driving problem

Weekend Event Guide: Velocirque Bike Show, Gateway Green open house, Oregon Timber Trail and more

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