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!

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.

While I’m normally in the camp just put away the cell phone until you get from point A to point B on the bike, there are definitely times I wish I had easy access to my iPhone. GPS applications, music, camera, video — there are plenty of useful tools built into the iPhone, but with each of them comes the risk of dropping that expensive device while riding.

Dahon plans to help you out with their new BioLogic waterproof case for the iPhone, which is scheduled for release in January of 2010. The waterproof shell is paired with a clear screen allowing you access to the touch screen, rotates 360 degrees and has a window on the back to allow you to use your camera and video functions. Apparently the device will also pair with the Dahon charging system to keep your iPhone juiced up.

Click here to see the original post over on Bike Hugger. Click here to go to the YouTube video.

You’d think we could all get along on the road, but there’s always someone willing to ruin the party, and this week, it’s UK Celebrity Chef James Martin (yeah, I know…I haven’t heard of him either) writing an automobile review with some downright uncool and scary verbiage:

“God, I hate those cyclists.” This was the first of his tirade that later ended with him retelling how he snuck up on a group of cyclists in the electrick review car in order to blast the horn and scare them off the road. The review of the Tesla Roadster actually has some great information about the car itself, comparing it to a Ferrari for it’s acceleration. However, it quickly turns ugly when Martin explains how he used it to take out his frustration on the cyclists he apparently hates.

“Knowing they wouldn’t hear me coming, I stepped on the gas, waited until the split second before I overtook them, then gave them an almighty blast on the horn at the exact same time I passed them at speed.

“The look of sheer terror as they tottered into the hedge was the best thing I’ve ever seen in my rear-view mirror. I think this could be the car for me.”

The Daily Mail site has since removed the part of the review with this verbiage as blogs, websites, twitterers, and facebook users around the world have been in a fury since it’s release, but the text is available on many sites around the interwebs. On a positive note, Tesla has come out and condemned the review themselves. “Tesla is cyclist-friendly,” says Rachel Konrad, senior communications manager.

As a cyclist out on our local roads, I’ve seen plenty of folks in cars going out of their way to mess with those on two wheels, or just plain ignore the fact that they are sharing the road with something other than cars, and making for dangerous travels. At the same time, I’ve seen plenty of idiots on bikes as well.

Just a couple days ago, a car was stopped at a stop sign, waiting for traffic to pass so he could make a right turn. I was on my bike, behind a cyclist coming up on the car at the stop sign, and watched as he pulled up along the left side of the car, and turned in front of the stopped car in order to get into the bike lane, going the same direction the car was turning. Fortunately, the car didn’t see a clearing, take off and mow the guy down, but it’s this kind of stuff that just incites the fury of many a motorist.

Be a safe, and predictable cyclist on the roads….stop giving guys like James Martin a reason to be so angry.

Update: It’s the week for apologies. First Kanye, now Martin: http://www.jamesmartinchef.co.uk/pcc.asp?xpath=&xpathid=&lang=eng

I stumbled across this on MetaFilter last night (our buddies from the short track series) and thought it was worth sharing. If you’re stuck at the desk, at work, or just need something to kill a little time…you can ride this bike through this drawing with some nice little merry cycling music in the background. Click here, and have at it!

If you are in Portland, or aren’t able to ride the Peach of a Century on Sunday, September 27, you might want to consider another ride in the Portland area, Bike For Shelter. The 27 mile ride will help raise funds for a shelter to house victims of underage sex trafficking in Portland. I got word of this ride from a buddy and received this note about the event:

Hey all!  Come join us September 27th for the first annual Bike for Shelter ride as a volunteer, rider, or both!

This event is a fundraiser, planned by a small group of citizens who want to make a change. Despite the unbelievably high numbers of underage victims of sex trafficking here in Portland, the state is currently ill-equipped to address the issue or offer refuge to those who seek it. All BIKE FOR SHELTER proceeds are benefiting Transitions Global, a Hillsboro-based non-profit organization with plans to open Oregon’s first shelter for underage girls who are survivors of domestic sex trafficking. It’s only $27 to register, $10 for students, and free to volunteer!

BIKE FOR SHELTER is a 27.7-mile ride through East Portland with a 4-mile stretch along the Columbia River and a view from the top of Mount Tabor. Registration is open to single riders, as well as to teams of three that would prefer to tackle 9.3-mile legs.

Volunteer, donate, and/or sign up to ride at http://www.bikeforshelter.org/

Spread the word, and rock on!

Thank you!

Sue and her little dog, who did a great job all the way through the parade!

I know, I need to wrap up the Short Track Series, and I will, but before the last race, we had a great time at the Bike Parade. Most of our family hustled down to the Oregon State Fairgrounds Pavillion to meet up with the many other riders who would ride down the State Capitol and back, as a bike and family friendly way to kick off the Oregon State Fair.

Bike parade participants getting signed in and ready to ride!

We met up at the central location where BMX and Mountain Bike Short track would register and enter the race the following day. Many riders were in costume, or had their bikes dressed up and many kids were in tow or on their own bikes as well! It was great to see the kids out enjoying the ride.

Mother and son getting ready to ride. (OK, that's my son and wife...but had to put them in!)

Earlier in the day the rain dumped down and we wondered how miserable the ride would be for the parade, however, we caught the sunbreak and had really nice weather for the ride.

Kurt telling Martha and Ellen where they could stock up on pig squeaky horns.

Many thanks to the local law enforcement for providing a police escort along the way, giving us a safe path all the way to the Capitol building and back. We even had a few folks who came out to cheer on the riders.

The bike parade moving out from the fairgrounds.

All in all a great little 4 mile jaunt to celebrate bikes and riding in Salem. I only wish we’d have stopped for a picture at the Capitol! A few more photos on my Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/37571505@N06/ – and be sure to check out Eric’s photos from the event as well! – http://breakfastonbikes.blogspot.com/2009/08/scenes-from-fair-parade.html

Dirt and gravel, dismounts, people yelling from the sidelines, timed laps, thrown chains, obstacles and barriers…sounds like cross season right? Well, it’s not, but instead, the target practice segment of national Law Enforcement Bicycle Association’s annual training. Sarah Mirk posted about her visit to the training on the Portland Mercury blog this week.

“Here’s the first thing I learned: bike cops don’t actually shoot guns from their bikes. Like other officers, they rarely shoot their guns at all. But when they do, they can’t ready, aim, fire while still pedaling (though that would be AWESOME). Instead they drop their bikes and fire like “normal” police, except that bike cops are often worse shots because their bodies are coursing with adrenaline from riding.”

Be sure to check out the video. Poor guy, chain problems right at the start line. I hope he gets a free entry into the next race.

4 days ago, a couple of Portland cyclists released this “Performance” video. Half mocking fixie hipsters, half mocking serious and wannabe roadies. I gotta say, I watched it pretty much after it hit, said “eh,” and moved on.

But in the last 4 days, it’s taken off like a wildfire across the cycling blog-o-rama, with nearly 300,000 views, and has even garnered a post on BikeSnob, and mentions in tweets from Lance and Hincapie.

Well, who am I to be keeping ‘art’ from the loyal readers of PacificPedaling? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so I’ll leave it up to you.