Portland Velo Club News

Community Spin, Jan. 5, 2009

2009-01-05T23:56:00Z

After two weeks of a ONCE-IN-A-GENERATION WINTER STORM that pelted Portland into submission, bicycle riding became challenging to say the least. Now that the weather seems to be improving, we turn our thoughts to how and if we can ride. Even with no snow, the roads, especially the bike lanes, are covered with gravel and debris making cycling difficult at best. After the storm, the Bureau of Transportation went into full clean-up mode. Work crews began picking up the 4,600 cubic yards of sand and...(read more)

Member Profile: Richard Seton, by Marc Altman

2008-12-08T20:08:00Z

Toss a rock at Longbottom's on a Saturday morning and you are guaranteed to hit some PV member who will inspire you with their commitment, on/off the bike accomplishments and willingness to share their knowledge. With such a large group of passionate and talented people all gathered on one place, it would be a mistake to think any of these folks are “ordinary”. Everyone has a great stories to tell, interesting life pathways and a common love of cycling they are happy to share. As a PV member...(read more)

Bicycle Alchemy and Cannibalism, by Marc Altman

2008-12-08T19:27:00Z

It’s December, and that means that Bike Porn and Bike Lust are in full swing online, at the shops and in boxes of glossy catalogs singing the siren song of the 2009 ultimate in a cyclists life: A New Bike! All sorts of neat designs, cool colors and weights less than a box of Cheerios. New frame materials! Stronger! Faster! Stiffer! Made with favorite frame material of all cyclists: Tantalizanium. Ok. So you are GOING to GO FOR IT, plunk down big $$$ for the shiny new steed. Visions of scorching up...(read more)

Community Spin, December, 2008

2008-12-08T00:35:00Z

NEW AND REOPENED BIKE PATHS--Several cyclists have found the new bike path behind the TROUTDALE AIRPORT and by the Columbia Slough. It doesn’t seem to be officially open but many cyclists, dog walkers and runners are using it. From Marine Dr. turn north on NE Sundial Rd. (just west of the airport) and go to the end where you’ll see the paved path on the right (watch out for a short patch of gravel before the path begins). The path goes along the slough for about 1 ½ miles and comes out on the other...(read more)

Member Spotlight: "Michigan Gary" Molloseau

2008-11-05T07:59:34Z

I had heard this nickname “Michigan Gary” and didn’t know who Gary was, but I could easily guess that he was from Michigan. I showed up one Sunday several months ago for the “fixie” ride, thinking there was no way I could ride with these guys, but willing to give it a try. I think that day there were about 6 or 8 of us, including Matt D’Elia, Dan LaVoie, Dean Lee, Michigan Gary, and his friend Terry (also from Michigan). They were wearing their matching team jerseys. We took off and I was thinking...(read more)

ANNUAL CLUB MEETING SUMMARY

2008-11-04T21:03:00Z

On Monday night, our generous host Steve Brown opened his room at Madison's to host the 2008 Club Business Meeting. Tables were set for 80, and they were all full as we enjoyed a Lasagna feast. John Ohnstad kicked off the meeting by giving special thanks to the 2008 leadership team (Carlo, Ty, John Ohnstad, Traci, Martin, Lynne, Kimberly, Linda, and John Lucas) and welcomed our newest members John Elrod (Ride Operations) and Marc Altman (Member Liaison). Recognition & thanks were extended...(read more)

Ride Report: A Wet Adventure on the Palouse, by Robert Goldfield

2008-11-03T21:41:26Z

Determined to prove that I could successfully ride across a state border someplace other than the I-5 bridge, I participated in the 2008 Tour des Lacs (that means Lakes for you non-Frenchies), a there-and-back two-day journey between Spokane, Wash., and Couer d’Alene, Idaho. Getting myself, and more to the point, my bike, from Portland to Spokane, took some doing. I obtained a bike box from Sunset Cycles and spent, well, far too long, taking my bike apart some, wrapping it with bubble wrap and fitting...(read more)

PORTLAND VELO DRAWS STELLAR PEOPLE!

2008-10-01T19:32:22Z

by Traci D'Elia If you've been attending Saturday rides, you know that we have a strong contingent of regulars, and a regular contingent of new members. Some show up, ride, and enjoy. others have arrived only to jump in with both feet, hungry to help, and do more. One such example - I was contacted by someone named Marc. I had no idea who this guy was. New, granted, but where did he come from? He was looking to get involved with the volunteer leadership, just as we found ourselves in need...(read more)

Oregon Coast Challenge, June 2008

2008-09-06T04:36:00Z

By Portland Velo member John Lucas South of Gold Beach Just 3 years ago, when I joined Portland Velo, my longest ride on a bike was probably less than 15 miles. Hip and knee pain had cut short my running career and I was looking for an alternative form of recreation. My wife’s brother, Jim Eddy, a long-time rider from Salinas, California encouraged me to take up cycling. On my first group ride I rode in tennis shoes on an old 10 speed Schwinn mountain bike that had been gathering dust in my garage...(read more)

Race Across Oregon – 2008

2008-08-10T03:27:00Z

Race report – by Richard Seton Race Across Oregon is the premier ultra cycling event in the Pacific North West. The race is held in the third week of July each year, and attracts an international field of cyclists. While the race has the word ‘Across” in it, it is really more of a race around Oregon. The race starts at the Holiday Inn near the Portland Airport, and finishes at Timberline on the slopes of Mt Hood. However, we don’t go direct – we cover a total of 538 miles, with over 40,000 feet of...(read more)

Club Kit Order Update

2008-08-07T20:07:00Z

A new jersey? Perhaps long sleeves, and a vest. Maybe it's a new pair of shorts as a reward for all the riding you've done this summer. You've waited all year for this - and in a few short days (perhaps hours) you'll finally be able to order your Fall'08 Portland Velo Club Kit! Huzzah! We have a few final adjustments on the design translation from Squadra to Castelli - it will be nearly the same as our most recent Big Mountain design. The order form is due to go live very soon...(read more)

Community Spin, 8/6/08

2008-08-06T17:54:00Z

Oregon state senator Floyd Prozanski, a cyclist and friend of cycling (Share the Road License Plate and laws requiring motorists to drive more carefully around cyclists), had planned to introduce a law would have made HELMETS MANDATORY FOR ADULTS. But there was such a negative response from bicycle advocates that he seems to be backing off. The BTA and other advocates certainly want you to wear a helmet but don’t think it should be a law. It would be too hard to enforce and might cause some people...(read more)

Ride Report - 2008 Portland Velo Century by Matt D'Elia

2008-07-29T04:28:00Z

Century Recap You couldn't have asked for a nicer day for the third annual Portland Velo Club Century! Never one for shying away from the norm, this years event had a number of brand new twists and sponsors that made it the best event that PV has pulled off to date. The crack of dawn saw a small team scurrying to get things setup for the early start time. As if on cue, the first riders start to arrive for registration once we have everything in place. Numbers get pinned on, and maps handed out...(read more)

Ride Report - 2008 Portland Velo Century by Carlo Delumpa

2008-07-28T03:30:00Z

An Organizer's Perspective Wow! When I think of how far, how fast, this club has come since our first century, I have only one reaction and that's one of astonishment! We took the club century to another level this year, largely due to the phenomenal effort from planning team ( me, Traci D'Elia, Linda "Jelly" Jellison, John Ohnstad, Jim Mazzocco, Mary O'Donnell, John Lucas, and Matt D'Elia ), under Kimberly Shute's leadership. Our day-of volunteers were the heroes...(read more)

Ride Report - 2008 Portland Velo Century by Doug Rennie

2008-07-28T03:04:00Z

70 MILES OF MERRIMENT AND MIRTH Hey, here's one big time (non-terrorist) fist bump for those who a) laid out, and b) serviced PV's annual metric century-plus: one hell of a nifty route over (for this rider) scenic and varied-terrain roads heretofore untraveled, and broken at exactly the proper intervals by well-stocked refueling stations. I mean, pasta salad, garlic focacia bread AND gummi bears, too? Not your Daddy's event ride food stop. The main climbs up Carpenter Creek and up-down...(read more)