Jun 16 2010

Sunday Parkways coming up!

SUNDAY PARKWAYS IN NORTH PORTLAND

The next Sunday Parkways is coming soon on June 27th. Do you have a bike yet?

RESERVE YOUR BIKE for the next Sunday Parkways and pick it up there!

Enjoy the full service: We reserve the bike for you, pick it up on site, we provide all the equipment you need for free (helmet, lock, map, or handlebar bag), you ride and explore the park, and bring it back to our stand or keep it as long as you want to. We also provide child trailers and trail-a-bikes for kids.

If you would like to have first pick at a bike, feel free to stop by our shop and pick one out. We will reserve it for you. We also have pictures of our bikes on flickr.com. Pick one out there and let us know which one you want. You find us under Portland Bicycle or use the link below

http://www.flickr.com/photos/portlandbicycle/sets/72157624028763802/

When you have found your bike online, send an email to portlandbicycletours@gmail.com, use the form sheet on https://portlandbicycletours.flywheelsites.com or give us a call (503) 360 – 6815.

This month our stand will be in the Arbor Lodge Park in North Portland – see map. The event goes from 10 am to 3 pm.
More information under http://www.portlandonline.com/transportation/index.cfm?c=51515&a=282546

Jun 11 2010

Kickoff Ride Success

We had a great turn out for the kickoff ride considering the downpour earlier in the day. I would guess about three hundred people braved the grey skies to roll with us – but nary a drop fell upon our steeds. Exploring bike boulevards and newly sharrowed corridors, we looped Ladd’s before crossing water on the Hawthorne. After infiltrating the urban core we… made a left. My heart swol and laughter spilled from my face as I heard the cries of celebration caused by taking the lanes on Broadway. This was my favorite moment of the ride. Just an excuse really- to approach the new bike/ pedestrian pathway on the Morrison Bridge that would carry us back East to our trusted Salmon St. bike boulevard. What’s that? A freight train trying to cut our parade in half? We barely escaped! Bumpin tunes from the back rippled through the crowd and people whistled with glee. Passing by Col. Summers park up 20^th we did – careful not to make eye contact with the growling 84 beneath. Sweet Tillamook neighborhoods welcomed us to Irving Park where upcoming ride schedules were distributed and champagne bottles were passed. Yes there was cake, and crunch n munch, and I only saw one grumpy driver. The boys in blue followed for a bit, but were un-able to match our knack for pace hitting every light, and probably lost interest when we entered the quiet streets of the North East country.

Special thanks to CupCake for riding mechanic/ medic and to Carl for hauling all those ride schedules along. I got some great feedback about the route and made some new friends – success!

Jun 09 2010

join us for the Pedalpalooza kickoff ride!

We get to lead the Pedalpalooza kickoff ride this year! 3-500 people expected. See details

Pedal-KABOOM

PEDALPALOOZA KICKOFF RIDE DETAILS.

COME ONE COME ALL…

Celebrate Portland’s Bike Fun extravaganza by riding with your friends in to the night. Meet at Laurelhurst Park BY THE POND at 6 pm to Ride at 7. We will be there at 5 pm for a community potluck till the 7 pm departure time. Bring a dish, say hello to your fellow bike funnists and share a story of years past, along with goals for the future.

This is not a loop. Expect varied qualities of urban terrain, tracks in the pavement that can make you fall over, traffic calming techniques, confused automobile drivers, horizontal and vertical deflection apparati, and roadside swashbucklers dressed in blue. Directions back to Laurelhurst from the secret ending location are extremely easy and include one right and one left hand turn. Route is less that two hours and less than 15 miles.

KICKOFF this years festivities with a little style and sass, bring your feathered hat and most colorful underwear. Parade your way across our city with active transportation and inspire those who look upon your glory. Let’s see bright lights, dome protectors, glowing stuff, music machines, dingy bells, and a jug of your own fun. Costumes highly encouraged and safe cycling techniques are rewarded with survival.

Do not count on a beer stop. This is a LEAVE NO TRACE event.

May 14 2010

Rain Garden Review

On April 1^st we had our first rain garden tour in cooperation with Green Girl PDX – ‘Rain Gardens 201: A Collaborative Learning Technical Field Class’. Evan guided the cyclists to the different rain gardens in Downtown Portland while Maria Cahill from Green Girl explained the details of their construction and implementation. She gave a great overview about how rain gardens function, and about how the sum of the parts like inlets, outlets, check dams, etc. can be designed, constructed, and maintained to improve or impact the ecological function of the watersheds in which they are built. The class is designed for anyone, beginners to experienced designers, engineers, agency employees, developers, and educators.

“I’m new in Portland and this class opened my eyes to another view of my surrounding environment when I walk through the city! I especially like the Tanner Springs Park in the Pearl District, my new favorite park, because now I know how rain gardens function and I’m able to explore them on my own. Thanks Maria!” – Tanja.

There will be three more rain garden classes on June 3^rd, July 8^th and August 5^th. One of them will be by foot. Check out the web site for more information: www.greengirlpdx.com/rg201.htm or call us (503) 360 – 6815.

May 10 2010

Tanja goes Tandem!

I’ve had the chance to try a lot of our different bikes in the past few weeks, we have so many different styles in our shop in Oldtown. I never tried a bike built for two – until last weekend. It was great sunny weather and the perfect time to try it with a friend.

After Evan gave us some advice about riding a tandem, we took it around the block to see how it works. Then, we started our ride down the West side River walk until we reached Willamette Park in the South West.

In the beginning it was a little shaky and it was a challenge to make 90 degree turns, so we decided to use the bike lane on Natio Parkway until the fountain on SW Salmon Street. We became rock-stars on the tandem very fast. We couldn’t imagine to ride so slow between people because it was so waggly, but we had no problem with finding our way through the people on the river-walk. After we passed the Waterfront Park, the River Place and the Portland Aerial Tram, we raced in the bike lane (well, as fast as the tandem let us ) towards Willamette Park.

I can say that riding a tandem is a great feeling! Most of the time it was flat terrain, so it was easy to ride – also the little hills we passed were no problem for us because we pedaled and worked together. As I was riding in the stokers seat (on the back part of the tandem), I developed a great deal of trust in my tandem-partner. You have to act as a team when you pass people, during turns, navigating hills, etc. I really enjoyed talking to my friend over such a short distance and riding a bike at the same time, because we were able to carry on a conversation.. Lastly, we got lots of attention, and many people screamed with excitement – seeing us riding in tandem.

We definitely want to go for another ride -and for a longer journey! We can’t wait!!

May 09 2010

Portland Mt. Bike Tours

That’s Right – We are offering mountain bike tours in the Portland area. With Forest Park’s network of trails and new terrain like the Sandy Ridge Trail to be broken in- there are options for beginners all the way through masters of dirt. Bring your own bike or take one of ours and we’ll set out to explore some of Oregon’s best single track.

Roll around our large trees and get your heart rate up while taking in the beautiful views and fresh Cascadian air. Check out our ride reports on Rideoregonride.com under Oregon Bicycle Tours and discover why Oregon is the land bicycles dream about.

Bring your shoes if you clip in and we’ll swap pedals for you, we have helmets, loaner gear, and all accessories are included. Ride on!

Mountain Ride

Apr 30 2010

Announcing our first “Bike In” movie night!

Save the Date: May 23rd for our first “Bike In” movie night hosted by the Jupiter Hotel!

WHAT : The Jupiter Hotel and Portland Bicycle Tours are proudly bringing back the drive-in movie – with a uniquely Portland spin.Tour, beer, dinner and a movie! A perfect Sunday evening…

WHEN : Sunday, May 23rd from 5 to 10 PM. The series of Portland-area bike rides followed by a movie in the chic DreamBOX of the hotel begins May 23rd, continues during PedalPalooza 2010 on Father’s Day, June 20th, and again on July 25th!

Get out of the house, enjoy a summer ride in the Pacific Northwest, and cool down afterwards with a movie and a locally crafted Portland beer from Hopworks and food from Mayahuel Catering.

WHERE : Tours start downtown, last 2 hours, and leave you to relax at the Jupiter Hotel’s DreamBOX Theater with a refreshing Hopworks brew in hand. Mayahuel Catering will also be on-site with a tamale bar, drinks and more.

HOW MUCH : Tickets are $15 for the tour, movie, and a beer, or $35 including a Parisian City bike rental. Tours are limited to 50 people, 21+ only.

MOVIE :

Quicksilver the Movie

Watch the awesome trailer HERE.

SCHEDULE :

5 PM – Bikers meet at Portland Bicycle Tours and take off from the shop to go on your 2 hour ride and tour around Portland. Each tour will be matched to the theme of the movie.

7 PM – Arrive at the Jupiter Hotel and grab your beer and food.

7:30 PM – Movie starts in the DreamBOX, where the film will be projected onto our big screen with surround sound. Food and beer will be available throughout the movie.

9:30 PM – Movie ends… time to go home!

FOOD :

BEER :

Apr 30 2010

Sign up for our NEWSLETTER

We are about to launch another newsletter and would love to update you on our current projects, upcoming events, and specials this season. Find out about our group ride for the Oregon Bike Summit on June 5th and Sunday Parkways on May 16th among others. use the contact form on the www.portlandbicycletours.com page or e-mail Tanja at beer.tanja@gmail.com with sign me up in the subject line.

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Cycle Portland

Rentals, Tours & Bike Shop in Downtown PDX