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Don’t Let the Rain Keep You Indoors!

As it gets cold and wet outside, it may be tempting to hang up the helmet and call the riding season over. It’s getting slightly miserable out there, and it seems like only the crazy would be pedaling on the streets this time of year. (we should know, we deliver in all kinds of weather!)

Even if you choose not to commute by bike while it’s wet out, that doesn’t mean you should stop riding entirely. After all, it’s not like we cycle purely for the sake of getting from point A to point B!

Here are a few reasons to keep cycling, even if it means getting a little wet during your trip:

Cycling is good for your muscles: If you’ve been on a bike for more than a few minutes, you should be familiar with a burning sensation in your legs. This is, of course, a good thing. Cycling is great for improving the muscles in your thighs, calves, and rear.

Cycling can help with joint conditions: Because cycling is considered a low-impact form of exercise, it can be especially beneficial for those who can’t take part in other higher impact exercises (jogging for example).

Cycling increases lifespan: Cycling has been linked to improving cardiovascular health, and drastically decreases your risk of heart disease. According to the British Medical Association, cycling just 20 miles a week can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by 50%. Discovery Magazine even writes cycling can improve your immune system, and has even shown evidence of fighting cancer. Even when adjusted for risk of injury, cycling has associate with increasing “life-years.”

Cycling improves the waistline: On an average ride, a cyclist will burn approximately 300 calories per hour. An average person will burn approximately 11 pounds of unhealthy fat per year, while building muscle mass and increasing your metabolic rate.

Cycling improves mental health: While the physical health benefits are usually very apparent, few consider the mental benefits behind riding a bike. Bicycling has been proven to reduce stress and increase hand-eye coordination among those who choose to cycle a mere 30 minutes a day. The Journal of Occupational Health published an article showing cycling significantly improved mental health among those who choose to commute daily to work.

At the end of the day though, it comes down to your comfort level of riding in bad weather. If rain is coming down sideways, maybe sit the day out and give us a call! We can drop by your favorite food cart, so you can stay dry indoors.


Get a Taste of Fall at Gluten Free Gem Bakery!

apple_barWith fall comes rain, warm sweaters, visits from the grandparents, and the taste of pumpkin. I swear, pumpkin flavored everything is 80% of the reason I look forward to fall so much. You can add it to coffee, pie, and obviously baked goods. Who can turn down a home-made pumpkin muffin?

Gluten Free Gem Bakery seems to have read my mind, because the baking brains that bring you some of the best baked goods in the Northwest have got quite the menu to help welcome in the fall colors.

Gluten Free Gem Bakery specializes in pastries and desserts to please gluten and gluten free consumers alike.  Many of their items are not just gluten free, but dairy free and vegan as well!  This way, Gem can accommodate some of the most common food allergies without sacrificing flavor.  The owners’ daughters, Greta and Emma Miller, who are gluten free, inspired the bakery and its name.

And now, Gluten Free Gem Bakery has been working long into the night to bring all the best baked goods that will teleport you back to watching Charlie Brown collect rocks and serve popcorn for Thanksgiving. It’s all about nostalgia!

Visiting the menu, you will find some favorites from last year like their Caramel Apple Bar, Chocolate Pecan Pie Bar, and Pumpkin Cheesecake. On top of these classics, you’re also going to find a few new items like their Cinnamon Swirl Pound Cake, Chocolate Cheesecake Bar, Pumpkin Swiss Roll, and Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake.

So grab your wool sweater and smell the pumpkin spice! It’s time to get back into the season of things. Reacquaint yourself with some Fall Flavor and Visit our Order Page!


It’s Dangerous to go Alone! Take This!

worst_day_ridersHappy Fall everyone! As of the 23rd of this month, we are officially packing up the good weather. The sun begins to hibernate, we put away the shorts, and we break out the Gortex jacket and rubber booties to endure our 9 months of showers.

I for one welcome our moisture-ridden months, but its also a time to be extra cautious on the road. People tend to forget that it’s been 3 months without water on the roads, and with that comes oil slicks and bad attitudes.

Whenever it starts to rain when we’re on the road, we always need to take a few extra precautions to make sure both our precious cargo and riders get to their location on time. Here’s a few tips to help keep you safe on the road:

Dress to Stay Dry – Ok, so this might be a “Duh” moment for some people, but sometimes it’s easier said than done. After all, moisture seems to come at you from all directions on busy roads. Be sure to grab the rain jacket, Walz Cap, If you need some new equipment, ask our riders where they get their gear, or check out North St. Bags to see how the locals do it.

Stay Away from the Rainbows – Don’t get me wrong, I love seeing rainbows after a good rainstorm. It makes a good picture for Instagram! But if you see one on the road, steer clear. That’s oil showing true colors. Oil buildup from the summer is still clinging to the asphalt, and provides a wonderfully slick surface the help your face become fast friends with the ground. (Not a friend worth having)

Yellow Lenses – Eye protection like your regular sunglasses are always a good idea, but when it’s overcast and a little darker outside, it might be harder to see where you’re going. Yellow lenses don’t darken your view, but still offer you protection from the water aiming directly for your corneas. It’s science! (more…)


Make the Most of Fall: Take a Ride!

Photo by Adam Sawyer

Photo by Adam Sawyer

It’s getting to be that time of year again. The rain returns, pumpkin flavored beer, rain, fall colors, rain, more rain. But let’s look for the silver linings on all these clouds! Sometimes we get a nice crisp fall day which we can all take advantage of. Last year, we put together a list of fall rides to help you make the most of your fall! When we do get one of those nice days where the sun comes to visit, you can be prepared with this list of local scenic routes that can be found right in our back yard!

1. Terwilliger Bike Path is a relatively easy bike path starting at Charter House at OHSU, following Capital Highway, passing Tryon creek and ending at Lake Oswego. The bike path is mostly downhill and separated from the road. It’s perfect if you want to have a family day out with your kids! You can find a detailed map of the route here.

2. The Banks-Vernonia State Trail is a part of a non-profit effort to repurpose unused railways called “Rails to Trails.” The path used to be a part of a railway system from Portland to Seattle, and is now a 21 mile trail. Cross waterways like Beaver Creek and the Nehalem River, and view the massive trestles used during the heyday of the railroad. Take a look at the trail here.

3. The Forest Park Trails are a great way to get a little closer to nature while sticking around the neighborhood. From Leif Erickson Drive to Saltzman Road to Newton Road to Firelanes 1, 3, 5, 10, 12 and 15, there are dozens of miles open to cyclists throughout Forest Park. The park sports an amazing tree canopy, picturesque greenery and an abundance of wildlife.

Keep in mind the trails in Forest Park can be pretty rough compared to urban trails, and you will want to take a bike that can comfortably navigate the gravel roads. Take a look at a map of the park here. (more…)


Fall Weather, Fun Rides!

Gorge in the FallFall is here, and you know what that means! Rain, pumpkin flavored beer, rain, fall colors, rain, more rain. But let’s look for the silver linings on all these clouds! Sometimes we get a nice crisp fall day which we can all take advantage of. When we do get one of those nice days, you can be prepared with this list of local scenic routes that can be found right in our back yard!

1. Terwilliger Bike Path is a relatively easy bike path starting at Charter House at OHSU, following Capital Highway, passing Tryon creek and ending at Lake Oswego. The bike path is mostly downhill and separated from the road. It’s perfect if you want to have a family day out with your kids! You can find a detailed map of the route here.

2. The Banks-Vernonia State Trail is a part of a non-profit effort to repurpose unused railways called “Rails to Trails.” The path used to be a part of a railway system from Portland to Seattle, and is now a 21 mile trail. Cross waterways like Beaver Creek and the Nehalem River, and view the massive trestles used during the heyday of the railroad. Take a look at the trail here.

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The Rain Is Coming… Be Prepared!

RainAttention, Portland! The rain is coming. Are you prepared to ride through the wonderfully wet weather that greets us in the fall and lasts all winter? If you’re feeling a bit intimidated by the forecast and your lack of quality gear, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered!

Here at Portland Pedal Power, we take to the streets to deliver food from great, local restaurants and food carts regardless of the weather. So we know what works to protect our bodies from the elements. We know what keeps our phones dry. We know what gear keeps us visible and safe while riding alongside other commuters.

Here’s a quick rundown of what we use on our delivery routes throughout Portland:

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Northwest Rides: Worst Day of the Year

Worst Day PictureAre you feeling the chill of the long Portland winter? How about a little bike ride to warm you up? It’s not too late to join a couple thousand other brave souls in signing up for the Worst Day of the Year Ride, the first ride of the year coordinated by Good Sport Promotion. You must have some questions, so read on for more details!

Who should participate in the Worst Day of the Year Ride?

Anyone who feels comfortable riding 16 miles! And if 16 miles sounds too easy, sign up for the 45 Mile Challenge. Either way, make sure you’re prepared with cold weather and rain gear. It’s called the Worst Day of the Year Ride for a reason.

What should I expect along the way?

A great ride! You’ll have a map of the route and you’ll be backed by road support in the form of ride along mechanics and medics, as well as support vehicles, in case you need a lift. If that’s not enough, there’s always the food factor: There will be coffee and doughnuts in the morning, warm treats at rest stops every four miles and hot soup and fresh bread at the finish line!

When are these crazy rides happening?

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Here comes the rain again!

Not including these past 3-4 days, you’ve likely noticed the past few weeks that the rain is upon us once again! Yes cyclists, the days of dry summertal bliss are gone, and all that is left is the grey, cold, wonderment that reminds us why we love Portland the way that we do! Yet despite the weather cyclists in this city (as we are so well known for) persist as though they carry the same creed of our country’s postal workers, “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.”

We at Portland Pedal Power, your favorite food delivery service in Portland , live and operate by this very same creed! Except for the snow part… nobody in Portland should ever leave their house in the snow… seriously. Snow aside, as dedicated all weather cyclists, we would like you to stay safe and dry in the rain/fall/winter this season. To be sure you do just that, we’ve decided to provide you with some tips for safe rain riding this year!

1. Get the right gear!
So we’re not saying this is you, and to be honest I’m sure many of you hardcore cyclists have proper rain attire. For those that don’t, this is for you. Your typical rain poncho that you have at home may not be suitable for a bicycle. They can get caught in the spokes, or in the gears or chain and cause you to fly off your bicycle. Cycling rain gear has a specific cut that is made for being on your bicycle. Not to mention rain proof zippers and other useful ‘stay dry’ features that keep the water out, and the warmth in. If you don’t have the proper gear, or are beginning to get suited up try sites like Bicyclinghub.com  where you can save up to 40% on rain gear. (<— awesome pitch)

2. Check your tread!
Your tire tread is going to be real important when turning those tight corners in Portland’s legendary wet weather. No tread, no grip, no ride (or you just fall on your butt). New tires can be inexpensive, especially with all the awesome recycle shops around Portland. Make sure you get those tires fixed! Things to look for:

  • Can you see the fabric on your tires?
  • Are your tires smooth or missing the grooves?
  • Is any part of your tire bulging or lumpy?
  • Are there visible holes or gashes? (Should be obvious)

Use your best judgement, but if you feel you need your tires replaced, you probably do!

3. Stay Visible
Yea, sure, it may be the middle of the day. Or it could just be getting dark, but its not too dark just yet. These factors don’t necessarily mean you are visible to motorists, or even to other bikers! Make sure you’re wearing the proper reflective gear at all times, and that you have your bicycle lights attached to both the front and back of your bicycle. When its raining especially, its not the easiest thing in the world to spot whats right ahead of you. So even if you have to buy wheel tires that make your bicycle look like a light bike (skip to :20) from Tron then do it! Tis better to light up the neighborhood than to light up the hospital.

4.Avoid Leaves
As much as we love the colors of Fall, don’t let them hypnotise you! You must stay alert and be on the look out for the LEAVES. Leaves look great, when they’re not in the bike lane. But unfortunately when leaves fall on the road, they all somehow magically make their ways to the side of the road which so conveniently also happens to be the bike lane. Leaves can be slippery and lethal. I know we all have fond memories of jumping into piles of them as children, but those piles won’t save you now that you’re all growed up! So if you have to, signal and merge into the driving lanes as long as you need to avoid these deadly beauties.
tl/dr: Ride in the driving lane to avoid leaf piles.

5. BRAKE CHECK!
No I don’t mean how cars brake check you when you’re riding their butt! I mean check yo’ breaks kid! If you’re sporting V-brakes (which most of us do) then check the brake pads to make sure they’re not worn down and need replacing. Wipe your rims down every so often to maximize your breaking ability and decrease pad wear. Don’t be a hipster who’s too cool for brakes! They’re important… for important things… like stopping.  Stopping is good.

So here are 5 tips for safe riding this Fall and Winter season. Did we miss anything? Have any other tips and suggestions? Be sure to comment and let us know your safety riding tips!

For more cool useful information on riding, food, and events, follow the PPP blog! Or be sure to follow us on Facebook as well!  Or if you really wanna be social media savvy,  check out our Twitter!