The Circulus is moving to Portland.
(Photos: Emily Lace – More images here)

The Circulus, a 132-foot circumference wooden velodrome made as a senior thesis project by an art student in California, will get a second life thanks to a Portland-based bike company.

Artist Samuel Starr is a graduate of Pomona College who created the unique track as a senior capstone project last year. When Dan Powell, one of the founders of Portland Design Works saw a video of the track online this past summer, it left a lasting impression. When he heard it was for sale, he got in touch with Starr and the rest is history.

Here’s another photo of Circulus:[Read more…]

Portland Design Works founders Dan Powell (L) and Erik Olson headed out to deliver $9,000 worth of bike lights to the BTA.
(Photo: Portland Design Works)

[Read more…]

Erik Olson (L) and Dan Powell
of Portland Design Works.
(Photos © J. Maus)

It’s been almost a year since we first reported on Portland Design Works. The company was started by Erik Olson, a former general manager of Wisconsin-based bike accessory juggernaut Planet Bike. Olson has since brought on another ex-Planet Bike staffer, Dan Powell, to be his partner.

Portland Design Works officially launched for business this past January and they didn’t start actually selling product until March. I got the lowdown on how things are going from Dan and Erik when they swung by our office a few weeks back.[Read more…]

PDW’s “Panda Treat” grips.

Portland Design Works has been busy since we broke word of their arrival back in September. Erik Olson, the former Planet Bike GM who moved from Wisconsin to Portland to launch the company, has now joined forces with former Planet Bike co-worker, Dan Powell.

Powell and Olson have finalized their initial line of products (grips and inflation accessories), launched their website, and moved into a new office in Southeast Portland.[Read more…]

The former general manager of Wisconsin-based accessory company Planet Bike has moved to Portland and plans to offer a new line of products under the Portland Design Works banner.[Read more…]