Blog

Hot Tips for Cold and Rainy Riding

Portland is starting to act like Portland again and that means we’re riding in the dark and damp. Whether you’re a bike commuter in fancy work clothes or a spandexed speed demon, we’ve compiled some tips to keep you safe and dry in the rain.

07b879a832666ea7d3598b31d6c5bb2d

Georgia in Dublin Leggits, waterproof overshoes with reflective straps and rubber toe soles.

Get the right kicks:
Get a pair of nice rainboots or waterproof shoes for riding because nothing is worse than soggy feet. Hit up Next Adventure for new or used shoes, you’re bound to find more than enough gear there to survive the elements. Andy & Bax has a wide selection of boots and shoes; they even have waterproofing spray and waterproof socks!

Online you’ll find that Bogs makes some sweet waterproof boots and shoes and they’re sold in various locations around town: REI or Clogs-N-More. For the dapper dressed, Timberland, Keen, and Hunter make stylish rainboots. And don’t forget Leggits, waterproof overshoes!

Love some gloves:
Keep your handlebar hands from freezing up with a pair of warm and waterproof gloves. Cycling Portland covers the best winter riding gloves in this post. Also check out Bike Portland‘s review of gloves from Showers Pass.

8516229729_36f7e48418_h1

Rain capes from Clever Cycles!

Rainproof yo’self:
So you’ve been living in Portland for how long and you don’t have rain gear? Get on it! Chrome Industries makes upscale bags and gear for urban cyclists; their outerwear provides protection from the wind and rain, with reflective details, active and passive venting, a mobile fit, and bombproof fabrication.

Portland-based Showers Pass makes all sorts of raingear for the sporting rider, while Nau designs outdoorsy apparel for the more fashionably minded (their flagship store is located at 304 NW 11th).

Of course, Andy & Bax, Next Adventure, Columbia, and REI are all local spots to suit up. For the ladies, Gladys Bikes carries a variety of cycling apparel, favoring businesses and makers that are local, women-owned, and USA made. You can always try a bike poncho or rain cape! Local shop Clever Cycles wrote an awesome blog about rain capes.

Winter biking 101:

  1. Tune it up. We know you rode hard all summer, so now is the time to tune it up and hit the slippery roads in better shape. Our favorite shops for tune-up and gear are: Clever Cycles, A Better Cycle, River City, and Bike Gallery.
  2. Check your tires: Decreasing tire pressure can actually help improve traction on slippery streets.
  3. Slow your roll: Road grit and water can erode brake pads, so slow down and brake early. In Portland, our streets are currently covered with wet leaves which function as cycling sabotage. Slow down, brake early, and watch the road.
  4. bikeparty

    Light up your bike!

    Watch the corners: Cornering in the rain can problematic. Shift as much of your weight on the outside pedal as possible, keeping the bike more upright when cornering. You’ll be able to take the corner with a reasonable amount of speed, keeping balance as tires slide over slippy spots.

  5. Be seen: Obviously, visibility is a lot lower in winter. Many local riders even use lights during the daylight hours, due to the low light and gloom. Make sure you’ve got high and bright lights in the front and visible back light (carrying an extra set of batteries isn’t a bad idea either). Our favorite local spot for lights is Portland Design Works, featuring high-quality and simple gear with the urban cyclist in mind. Reflectors wherever possible is also recommended.
  6. Get some fenders: Nobody wants to arrive at their destination covered in a thin film of road grime. Portland Design Works’ also makes beautifully designed fenders, a must-have for rainy day riding.

Moral of the story is: suit up and ride safe. See you on the streets!


Introducing…New People at PPP!

Howdy folks! I just joined Portland Pedal Power as the new Marketing Specialist, and I couldn’t be more excited to be working with the fabulous team here. So far I’ve toured the town on the big bikes, attended a Sundown Concert with Ecotrust, visited the new exhibit at the Portland Art Museum with some of our team, and have met with several of our great sponsors and partners. I’m excited to help grow social media, strengthen partnerships, and further develop our marketing strategy. The amazing Peter Wang also just joined the team as the new Vendor Relations Manager, and we took a moment to interview each other. This is the magic that happened:

IMG_20150709_161252

Peter being techy in the shop.

MD: So Peter, tell me why you are an amazing person.
PW: I am not so much an amazing person. I am just amazed a lot.

MD: Are you excited about joining the PPP team?
PW: Yeah, I mean, I get to ride bikes and get paid for it. It’s like a reverse gym membership.

MD: What background do you bring to Portland Pedal Power?
PW: I graduated from Oregon State University with a business degree, but I am also interested in tech stuff like the cloud and user experience. I’m halfway between computer nerd and business bro.

MD: So you call yourself a nerd. What’s the nerdiest thing about you?
PW: I play StarCraft. I know the characters and I am sad that they are concluding the story after 17 years this winter. On the other hand, I did get into beta fairly quickly. I have that going for me, I guess. One thing to be sure, though, is that a part of me will never be the same once the Legacy of the Void (the final part of the story) ends. That’s the day I will have to carry on my own journey without the Protoss fighting along with me. En taro Tassadar!
(Maria blinks uncomprehendingly)

IMG_20150716_162011

Don’t worry, I always wear a helmet.

PW: Maria, let’s start with a story. What was it like riding the big bike in high heels?
MD: Well here’s the thing, biking in heels is easier than walking in heels, and even though the guys in the office raised their eyebrows, I did take the big bike out the first time with a new pair of wood heeled wedge pumps, and I looked FANTASTIC. Or at least, I felt like I did.

PW: I know the words wood, heeled, wedge, and pumps on their own, but I have no idea what they mean when they come together.
MD: That is the number one reason I am needed here at PPP.
(Peter blinks uncomprehendingly)

PW: What did you study and why did you choose your major?
MD: I was a Literature major at UC Santa Cruz and I chose it because I like to read and write things.  I then went on to get a graduate MFA degree in Creative Writing from San Francisco State University. Then somehow I ended up working in Marketing (which I dig). I still write stuff; I am working to finish a novel.

PW: What made you want to work for PPP?
MD: I come from a recent longtime marketing job working with urban planners and transportation nerds. I was a bikey person already but I got even more bikey working with them. I really like the idea of working for a bike-based business, I love the food in Portland, and I’m excited to engage more with the community. There are so many awesome partners and sponsors and restaurants and food carts working with Portland Pedal Power. So, this job really rests at the intersection of several of my passions.
(Peter and Maria end the interview abruptly to eat pizza)

***

Both of us are super excited to join the excellent group here at PPP. Say hi if you see us on the bikes or at the food carts!


TREO Bike Tours: An Escape in Eastern Oregon

TREO 1This past weekend, I had the pleasure of experiencing a TREO Bike Tour in Eastern Oregon. We won the trip, which was up for live auction at the BTA Alice Awards, and I am so grateful we did.  The drive from Portland to TREO was quick; we arrived at the ranch, which is south of Arlington, in 3.5 hours flat. Eastern Oregon’s beauty became apparent as soon as we got off the main road. The views of the open range were filled with towering windmills, rolling hills, livestock and, best of all, car-less roads.

Upon our arrival, TREO owner Phil Carlson was waiting for our group and gave a quick tour of the property. This ‘real ranch’ includes mounted deer and photos that show TREO’s 25 years of winter guests who visit to game hunt for pheasant and chukar. The ranch house is spacious, and immaculately clean with plenty of space for groups of up to 16 people. Amenities include a hot tub, pool table, horse shoes, volleyball, a dedicated bike shop adjacent to an Old West style saloon, wireless internet, and NO cellphone reception.

(more…)


Goldsprints at Velo Cult

Velo Cult GoldsprintsDo you have a need for speed? Do you crave competition? Do you love locally brewed beer?

If you answered “Yes!” to any of these questions, you should go to Velo Cult on Fridays at 7pm from February 8th through March 8th to take part in (or just sit back and enjoy watching) their First Annual Goldsprints!

Here’s your 15 second history lesson on Goldsprints: Starting as part of the 1999 Cycle Messenger World Championships, a Goldsprint is a racing competition between two riders on stationary bikes. The event was founded and named by Adrien Weber, a cyclist and brewery owner whose TurbinenBräu Brewery produces a beer called the Gold-Sprint.

(more…)


The Portland Bicycle Plan for 2030

Portland Bike LaneHave you ever wondered why Portland is such a great cycling city? Well, take a look at the Portland Bicycle Plan for 2030 and wonder no more! Adopted in February of 2010, the plan suggests that bicycling will be more attractive than driving by the year 2030 if advances are made in six key areas:

• Attracting new riders.
• Forming a denser bikeway network.
• Increasing bicycle parking.
• Expanding programs to support bicycling.
• Increasing funding for bicycle facilities.
• Strengthening bicycle policies.

(more…)


Bike Portland : Looking forward to June!

So May is coming to a close and the first day of summer is rapidly approaching.  Well… the first day of summer is officially June 20th for us northern hemisphererers. Anyway, as our favorite (or least favorite depending on varying degrees of skin pigmentation) season is here, as are our 2 to 3 months of liberation from the oppressive rains.  So to celebrate the beginning of this dry(er) season, we at Portland Pedal Power decided to prepare you for June with some funtastic events for you to bike portland to while enjoying dry(er) weather.

Portland Rose Festival (June 1st – 3rd and 7th – 10th)


Our favorite annual city fair celebrating that which Portland is most well known for has begun (if you hadn’t noticed the fireworks or giant ferris wheel on the waterfront) and will be ongoing through to June 10th.  You may have missed the fireworks on May 25th but there are still plenty of rides, games, events, and attractions to see down on the waterfront whether you bike to or bike through!  Click here for more information on upcoming events without having to decipher the Rose Festival’s website.

Dates and Hours being:

May 31 – June 1: 3:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

June 2 – June 3: 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.

June 7 – June 8: 3:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

June 9 – June 10: 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Portland Beer Week (June 7th – 17th)


Being some of the most profound beer drinkers of our day and age, local brewers: Apex, Deschutes, and Columbia Distributing present Portland Beer Week.  This week is not just a celebration of Portland’s amazing beer, but the amazing people and culture surrounding the city and our free spirited attitude that keeps alive the dreams of the 90s.  This festival isn’t just about drinking and enjoying beer, but educating people about the finer points of beer drinking such as: how to taste and evaluate beer, pairing the proper foods with beer, barrel aging beer, and much more.  Hey, France does wine, we do beer!  For more information and a schedule of events check out PDX Beer Week’s website.

North Portland Sunday Parkways (June 24th)



Sunday Parkways is held by the Portland Bureau of Transportation.  This event is an opportunity for locals to get out and experience Portland’s beautiful parks, physical healthy activity, games, sun, and fun all while promoting Portland’s ever so famous “Greenways.”  Greenways are our vast network of bicycle lanes running throughout the city making bicycling safer for everyone on the road.  The parks covered for June in North Portland are Peninsula, Arbor Lodge, Kenton, and McCoy Parks.  Don’t worry if you can’t make this one, they have a Sunday Parkways event every month through to September.

Portland Pedalpalooza (June 7 – June 30)

So essentially the entire month of June is Portland’s Pedalpalooza!  I’m sure you’ll be seeing more from us about this monumental event.  For a short version, Pedalpalooza is 3+weeks of over 251 (and counting) events revolving around “bikey fun.”  As we always do in Portland, this event is going to be kicked off with a ride on June 7th at 6pm followed by bikey party time nary an hour after.  Throughout the month of June, if you’re not on a bicycle then you’re 1) missing out, 2) totally uncool, 3) going to be very irritated at all the fun we’re having!  So if you don’t own a bicycle, I highly recommend Craig’s list!

Free Movies (All Month!)


So I know Portland loves an oldie but goodie in every sense of the phrase.  Well all around Portland you can find free movies for various nights!  For information on where to find what venues play free movies on which nights check out PDX Pipeline!  You can likely find anything from Ghostbusters to Encounters at the End of the World to Milk.  Whatever your taste, I’m sure there is something for you to kick back with a beer and enjoy.

So enjoy June all you weather crazed cyclomaniacs!  We’ll catch you on the streets!

For more on Portland Pedal Power check out our blog for events and information regarding this city’s hip vibrant radiant gnarly attitude and fun! Yay!


We want to hear from you! You could win stuff!

Hello all our Portland Pedal Power friends and fans out there!  As you well know, we love and appreciate each and every one of you!  We love seeing when you post on our Facebook, call us on the phone to order something, give us a high five when we deliver food to your door, send us postcards from your most recent vacations, etc.  We notice these things and it makes us feel loved and drives us to work harder to benefit you; the Portlander, the business person, the software developer, the hipster, the marketing genius, the  mother, and everybody we deliver to.  Which is why now we want to hear from you!

Give it to us Portland, we want your testimonials, your ideas, your photos, you!  We want to know how we can better serve you through our blog. What do you want to read more of?  What do you want to see less of?  Do you enjoy writing and have something you want to share with the world?  Send us your blog and be a featured “Guest Writer“. We would love to host your awesome ideas!

Have you had a great experience using Portland Pedal Power’s food delivery services or product delivery services?  We want you tell us about it and about what we did right so that we can keep doing it right.  Send us your testimonial and why we rocked your socks!

Did we do something wrong?  Probably not. But if we did, we encourage you to email us and let us know so we can stop doing it wrong and start doing it right.  We may not be able to please everyone but we’ll darn sure try!

Did you see a rider while riding/ walking/ driving/ scootering/ skating to work?  Take a picture with our riders and post it to our Facebook wall!  Or take a picture with your lunch (the goofier the better) that we just dropped off and get featured up on our Facebook page!  Who knows, one of these days there may just be a little something in it for ya! 😉

In all, we want to see more from you!  Let us get to know you, and help us to show you who we are!  Send your ideas and feedback to [email protected] or find us on Facebook and leave us a message in our inbox or on our wall!  We’d love to hear from you!

Want to win a free jersey and lunch for 4?

We want YOU to name our PPP enclosures!  As much as we love to give ourselves credit for being some of the most creative mother earth loving cyclists on the planet, even this task is too great for our imagination.  So we’re turning to you, our mixture of creative and talented customers, for ideas on what to call our giant bicycle enclosures containing the happiness of Portland-verse.  The winner of this contest will win one of our NEW PPP bicycle jerseys and a free lunch for 4!  Submit your ideas to us via Facebook either on our wall or via comments on the appropriate FB posts.  You can also email us at [email protected]!