2009 was such a great year for PacificPedaling.com and for the Pacific Pedaling team! I’m still working on an end of the year wrap up, but there’s so much to go through that I need a bit more time. However, I did want to post a few notes and photos from the Pacific Pedaling end of year wrap up and Christmas party. First off…click on that photo above. I mean, yeah, every team can try to go out and get some sweet kits, but how many have custom ceramic coffee (or other beverage of choice) team MUGS made?! Go on, click on the picture to see it in all it’s glory. Our very own Martha Paulus made those for all the riders on the team…so stinking cool. One of my favorite moments of the night came when I said something like, “wow Martha…you MADE these??” Martha says, “well, yeah…I *am* a potter,” matter of factly. Guess you had to be there, but my wife and I are still laughing about it. Sorry, these aren’t for sale.

Another favorite moment came when the team showed off their presentation of the Pacific Pedaling team edition framed jersey and photo art. Click on that baby too and take a gander…it really is an impressive work, and I was overwhelmed by such a cool gesture and gift from the team. I also left the night with a sweet Tissot jersey (Tyler knows my watch brand all to well) and super cool leather and canvas bike bag…perfect for the Ira. Again, way too generous guys…a million thanks!

I swear I say this about every other post, but I don’t know how we could have asked for a better group of riders for our inaugural season. In addition to the amazing times riding and racing together, I just flat out dig hanging with these folks, their spouses and their families. It’s a good thing we actually ride sometimes, or I’d spend way too much time eating and laughing with them, and growing exponentially. Martha, Tyler, Ellen, Pat, James, Dave….you are just good folk, and you give cycling a good name. I’m looking forward to us all representing in 2010!

Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year from PacificPedaling.com!

It’s crazy weather off and on out there, and additionally, there is not much daylight. Bike commuters and cyclists in general find themselves in dark and inclement conditions through the next couple of months. I always tell people ‘don’t do anything to surprise another vehicle on the road…whether you are in a car, or on a bike!.’ The League of American Bicyclists have a tremendous amount of resources on their website, including these Top Ten Rules of Bicycle Saftey. Most of us know these, but it’s good to be reminded.

1. Wear a helmet for every ride and use lights at night.

2. Conduct an ABC quick check before every ride.

3. Obey traffic laws: ride on the right, slowest traffic farthest on the right.

4. Ride predictably and be visible at all times.

5. At intersections, ride in the right-most lane that goes in your direction.

6. Scan for traffic and signal lane changes and turns.

7. Be prepared for mechanical emergencies with tools and know-how.

8. Control your bike by practicing bike handling skills.

9. Drink before you are thirsty, and eat before your are hungry.

10. Have fun!

Local man about town on two wheels, Eric Lundgren, fires off his ever informative update for what’s going on in and around the Salem area in the bike world. Thanks Eric! (Be sure to visit The Salem Breakfast on Bikes blog if you don’t already read it!)

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It’s cold!  But it’s beautiful, and if you’re dressed right it feels great!

Not so many date-bound events this time of year…but lots of bits of news!

Breakfast on Bikes – Friday, Dec 11th
We’ll be at Mission and Winter.  Thanks to Cascade Baking, Coffee
House Cafe, LifeSource Natural Foods, Salem Bicycle Club, Willamette
University!  For complete details see -
http://breakfastonbikes.blogspot.com/2009/12/breakfast-on-bikes-december-11th.html

Parade – Saturday, Dec 12th
The PGE Festival of Lights Holiday Parade is this Saturday!  All
riders are invited to join in the bike float!  For more information
see -
http://breakfastonbikes.blogspot.com/2009/12/why-watch-you-can-bicycle-in-holiday.html

Kidical Mass
Kat’s planning Kidical Mass rides for Salem!  These are short rides
for families and kids, not more than 5 miles with stops at parks and
for ice cream and fun stuff!  To learn more or to volunteer to help
with planning see -
http://kidicalmasssalem.blogspot.com/

Salem Bike Taxi
Have you seen the new pedicab downtown?  Check it out!  Michelle’s
also looking for help with maternity leave…let her know if you can
take a shift or two!
http://breakfastonbikes.blogspot.com/2009/10/salem-bike-taxi-joins-mix-of-downtown.html
http://breakfastonbikes.blogspot.com/2009/12/3-great-ways-to-help-bicycling-this.html

Commercial Restriping Plan
Council passed the plan to put sharrows downtown on Commercial!
http://breakfastonbikes.blogspot.com/2009/11/council-approves-restriping-plan.html

Bike Friendly Business Apps
The deadline for the LAB Bicycle Friendly Business award is January
15, 2010.  Who will be Salem’s first?
http://breakfastonbikes.blogspot.com/2009/11/do-you-know-bicycle-friendly-business.html

Union & Front Video Camera
Video traffic light controllers have been installed for traffic on
Union at the eastern bridgehead of the Union Street RR Bridge!  Now
bicyclists don’t have to use the crosswalk.
http://breakfastonbikes.blogspot.com/2009/11/traffic-lights-at-union-and-front.html

Cyclocross
Lots of local racers participated in the fall cyclocross season.
Check out Paul’s great coverage of the races and local riders at
Pacific Pedaling!
http://pacificpedaling.com/

Salem Bicycle Club
If you haven’t tried club rides, consider the introductory High
Wheeler Rides every Sunday afternoon at 1:30pm.  For more information
see -
http://salembicycleclub.org/calendar.plx?id=1

Whimsy
Want a bit of whimsy in the cold?  Here’s some sweet bike propaganda!
http://breakfastonbikes.blogspot.com/2009/12/whimsy-for-cold-copenhagen-errol-morris.html

Join the BTA
Need a gift for a bicyclist you know?  Consider a BTA membership!
It’ll help with legislation and advocacy statewide.
http://www.bta4bikes.org/btablog/2009/12/01/donate-to-the-bta-by-december-15-and-win-tickets-to-cirque-de-soleil/

I heard about AuctionPDX.com on the radio the other day and was pleasantly surprised to see a few bikes in their list of items. They currently have 5 items in their Bikes category, with retail values ranging from $400 to $1150. The highest bid (at the time of this posting) is currently under $300 on any of the items, with some of them ending this afternoon. If you’re looking to pick up a new bike for someone for Christmas, or just for yourself, it’s work taking a peek. These are provided by Portland area businesses, such as River City Bikes, and winning bidders will pick up bikes at the location specified. There are also some other items in the auction list that may be of interest to you.

Got this note from my buddy Tori over at GraciesWrench.com….tune in today if you get a chance!
http://kboo.fm/node/17751

Hey all,

As the year comes to a close and many changes are upon us in Portland bicycling from new Morrison Bridge access for cyclists, to a new executive director of the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA), we take a closer look at the State of Bicycling in Portland.

We’ll be joined by Roger Geller, City Bicycle Coordinator in the Office of the Director and creator of the Bicycle Master Plan. The 2030 Bicycle Plan is the crystal ball to the future of cycling and the city’s goals. We’ll talk with him about where we are now and where the city hopes to be by 2030. Also joining us will be Michelle Poypourow from the BTA to bring us their own version of where they see Portland now and what they hope to see in the new plan.

Are we dreaming too big or not big enough? Have we got all we need or is this only the beginning? Join us for an in-depth discussion and bring your own questions, concerns and vision of the future of Portland transportation.

If you miss the show or you’re from out of town you can also catch the podcast (usually up a few hours after the show) at http://bikeshow.portlandtransport.com/.

Thanks and happy listening!
Tori Bortman