Local transgender racer told she can’t enter men’s championship event – Updated

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Stumptown Criterium-13

Cameron at the Stumptown Criterium in 2014.
(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland)

Molly Cameron, a 39-year old local professional cyclocross racer and owner of Portland Bicycle Studio, has just gotten some bad news. Despite a stellar racing season where she amassed 14 top five finishes in the highly competitive men’s “A” category, she has been told by USA Cycling (USAC, the governing body of racing in America) that she cannot race in the men’s event at the Cycloross National Championships next month in Asheville, North Carolina.

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Weekend Event Guide: BikeCraft, new beer, a singalong, and more

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A new belt made out of recycled inner tubes? What will you find at BikeCraft?
(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)

This menu of delicious rides and events is brought to you by our friends at Hopworks Urban Brewery. Their support makes BikePortland possible.

Whether it’s because racing season is over or due to the crazy weather, we realize you might not be riding as much as usual lately. If that’s true, than this weekend we’ve got some very mellow rides and events that might be right up your alley.

What are your plans? Check out our suggestions below…

Saturday, December 12th

Multi-Faith Friendship Ride to Rizwan Mosque – 10:30 am at Japanese American Historical Plaza (2 NW Naito Parkway in Waterfront Park)
Our News Editor Michael Andersen is leading this ride because he wants to do his part to counter all the Muslim hatred and bigotry going on in America right now. If you are curious about Islam and want to meet and support local Muslims, come along for the ride. More info here.

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Event: Multi-Faith Friendship Ride to Rizwan Mosque

In the last few weeks, some people in the Portland area and elsewhere have expressed hatred and anger toward refugees fleeing danger and toward Muslims.

I’m a secular Christian by culture who doesn’t know a ton about Islam, and I’m not sure I know a single Muslim. I would like to do my part to help prevent a wave of hatred from engulfing our country but that’s hard to do when you don’t know anything or anyone directly affected.

That’s why I’m going to ride my bike to an event Saturday at the Ahmaddiya Muslim Community, on Southwest 35th Drive.

Here’s the event description from the mosque, which is also posted on its website:

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City proposes parking-protected bike lanes for Gateway retail district

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A rendering by national organization NACTO of a parking-protected bike lane. A similar configuration could be coming to the NE Halsey/Weidler couplet in the heart of the Gateway district.
(Image: Urban Bikeway Design Guide)

If Gateway is ever going to get going, it’ll take tricks like this.

City planners have high hopes for this area on the inner edge of East Portland — literally. It’s zoned for downtown-style skyscrapers but (despite being fed by three MAX lines) currently devotes its real estate to gas stations, fast food joints and parking lots.

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Three secrets hidden in Metro’s great new map of every local traffic collision

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metro area collisions

Every reported traffic collision in the Metro area, 2007-2013.
(Source: Metro Crash Map)

Last spring, the City of Portland created a fantastic new map of every fatality and major injury on its records for a decade. Now, regional government Metro has followed suit with a similar map that includes many other cities and unincorporated areas, too.

It’s not just an essential tool for understanding the context of future traffic collisions. (Should we be arguing about the specific circumstances of collision X, or does something seem to be inherently wrong with the street it happened on?) It’s also a source of some useful insights about road safety in Portland.

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As it pours outside, take a trip to the headquarters of Showers Pass

Showers Pass HQ

Front lobby of Showers Pass HQ in southeast Portland.
(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)

This local business profile was written by BikePortland contributor Jessie Kwak. Her last piece was about how bicycles are helping a Portland man recover from a traumatic brain injury.

When I lived in Seattle, I didn’t own a rain jacket or an umbrella. The city may get a bad rap for rain, but the precipitation most often comes as a week-long drizzle, rather than the heavy rain showers I’ve become familiar with since moving to Portland. And with a particularly rainy winter in the forecast, you can bet I’m looking for a cycling rain jacket that can handle Portland downpours.

Enter Showers Pass.

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BikeCraft is this weekend! Here’s a sneak peek at the vendors

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BikeCraft is here! You have two days to find amazing things. We suggest planning ahead.

The 11th annual BikeCraft holiday gift fair is this weekend. For just two days you’ll get the opportunity to meet local artists and craftmakers who are just as inspired by cycling as you are. And the best part? Everything is for sale. If you are looking to treat yourself or get some holiday shopping done, you should not miss this event.

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From the Archives

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