Introducing…New People at PPP!

July 17, 2015 by Marketing

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:

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)

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!

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A Sweet and Savory Addition: Sunee Thai & Lao

July 14, 2015 by Marketing

Thai food is definitely a comfort food for me. The combination of sweet and savory spices, bright veggies and basil, and coconut-based curries and soups never fail to satisfy. If you’re like me, you crave Thai at least once a week. So let’s get you some!

Portland Pedal Power is proud to deliver for Sunee Thai & Lao, a local restaurant located in the historic Buckman neighborhood. Sunee Thai & Lao offers authentic Thai food as well as unique Lao influenced dishes. Everything from hot curries and noodle dishes to deep fried hard boiled eggs.

Now you can get Thai delivered hot and piping right to your office. Some Sunee stand-outs include:

Lemongrass Chicken: Chicken breast marinated with lemongrass and then grilled to perfection, served on a bed of vegetables topped with peanut sauce.

Pad Phet Pla Duke: Crispy, boneless morsels of catfish, plus eggplant, bamboo shoot, basil, bell pepper, kaffir lime leaf, and Kha-chai root stir-fried with red chili paste and fresh coconut milk.

Pineapple Fried Rice: Jasmine rice with pineapple, vegetables, and egg fried with a special curry powder plus cashew nuts, raisins and shrimp.

Pad Thai: Rice noodles wok-fried in a light but sweet, red sauce with egg, bean sprout, onion, and ground peanuts. This dish is consistently highly rated by customers, many who swear it’s the best Pad Thai around.

Ready to get a taste of Sunee Thai & Lao? Check out our menu and get things cooking!

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Happy Sparrow – Bringing the Kolache to the NW!

June 30, 2015 by Jon Elias

If there’s anything we love more than delicious food at Portland Pedal Power, it’s delicious unique food that you would struggle to find anywhere else. The kind of food that makes someone do a double take and say “Wow, where did you get THAT?”

That’s why we are very excited to be delivering for Happy Sparrow Café, who specialize in making the Kolache (kuh–lah-chee)!

Now if you’re anything like me, you may have never heard of a kolache. But Happy Sparrow’s creations compete with bagels and donuts as the favorite breakfast meal in Texas. A pastry that competes with donuts? Color me surprised… and more than a little curious.

So what is a kolache? According to Mary and Danny Quach, the owners of Happy Sparrow, it’s a “sweet soft bun filled with yummy fillings, then baked to a beautiful golden delight.” Like many things in life, it’s the insides that count! (But take it from me, the outside is just as tasty!) This special pastry was brought over to the States by Czech immigrants, and once the locals in Texas got a taste, they couldn’t get enough.

Today, Mary and Danny continue the tradition of creating delicious Texas-Style Kolaches like the ones they enjoyed growing up in Houston and Austin. But now, they get to use some of the best local Northwest ingredients resulting in a fresh and delicious treat. You will find Tillamook Cheddar Cheese, Zenner’s sausages, locally crafted fruit preserves, all fitting inside a hand-rolled, lovingly made treat.

On our menu, you will find kolaches for the sweet tooth, savory kolaches for those looking for a hearty breakfast, and even mini kolaches for those just looking for a quick snack before work. No matter how you’re feeling, there’s a kolache to compliment the mood.

So what are you waiting for? Do yourself a favor: try a kolache, and change the way you look at breakfast!

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Ate-Oh-Ate: It’s like going to Hawaii, but with better food!

May 21, 2015 by Jon Elias

At Portland Pedal Power, we always get excited when we start delivering for a new vendor. Ate-Oh-Ate is a Hawaiian restaurant located on Burnside, bringing the delicious cuisine of the islands to the mainland. We wanted to learn a bit about Ate-Oh-Ate, so we asked them to tell us about themselves:

Certain things become iconic for a reason. Sometimes you just hit a combination so right, there’s no improving upon it. Like a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup. It’s just kind of perfect. That’s how I feel about Hawaiian Plate Lunch. There’s just something so right about two scoops rice, a scoop of creamy macaroni salad and a pile of tender, smoky Kalua Pig. Or Teriyaki Chicken, maybe.

Tropical paradise is a frame of mind. It helps to be someplace warm and sunny with the breeze coming off of the ocean wafting aromas of plumeria and hibiscus; but if you can’t be there then transport yourself mentally via alimentary pleasure. Sometimes people ask me, “How is it you’re wearing board shorts and rubber slippers when it’s so cold out?” I just tell ’em, “If I believe hard enough, it’s warm and sunny right now.” The sit in stunned silence, allowing me the time to slurp up the last of my Saimin noodles, as the warm rays of belief start to shine in their heads.

Ate-Oh-Ate is proud to be in partnership with Portland Pedal Power, sharing our version of reality with the entire city of Portland. Ate-Oh-Ate – promoting the power of belief one plate lunch at a time. Working to achieve Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup status.

Ready to get yourself some delicious Hawaiian food? Check out our menu, and bring a taste of the islands to your office!

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Sending Some Portland Love With Tique Box

February 3, 2015 by Jon Elias

Valentines Day: The perfect opportunity to make yourself look like a hero for your special someone. But how do you top yourself from last year? Don’t waste your time searching for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift. We’ll take care of the heavy lifting and give you all the credit!

Together, Tique Box and Portland Pedal Power are bringing you a chance to send someone a special gift on February 13 and 14. Anyone can get a box of chocolates or a stuffed animal. But getting something truly incomparable? Tique Box has you covered.

Using the Valentine’s Delivery Service, your gift can be hand-delivered by bike, a truly unique and Portland way to celebrate your loved ones. Think of us like cupid, but instead of wings, bows and arrows, we’ve got gears, wheels and boxes filled with Woodblock Chocolate, Rose City Sweets, and Smitten Artisan Truffles.

Each box includes items crafted by Portland artisans and a personalized note from you. Our easy-to-navigate system allows you to customize the experience with a personal touch.

Get started by visiting the Delivery System and personalize your Valentines Day! Be sure you get your orders in by the deadline of February 9th!

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Win Yourself a Walz Cap!

June 12, 2014 by Jon Elias

Everyone has their own individual look, especially here in Portland. That’s why we are very excited to show off some of our newly acquired swag! Walz Cycling Caps has taken to Portland by storm, bringing with them a unique style we know you want to see.

Walz Caps are made from one of three types of fabric: Moisture Whicking Wool, Cotton-Blend, and Eco-friendly. The caps come in one of three designs, and can fit anyone, “from pinheads to melon heads or those in between.”

Says Walz Cycling Caps: Our cycling caps earn their reputation for quality and function because they are created with the individual cyclist in mind. Our cycling caps’ global popularity has allowed us to expand production while still keeping our handmade production in the United States. Our customers are raving about the fit, fashion and function our cycling caps provide at a remarkable value.

And when we say unique style, we mean unique. Walz Caps can be customized to fit your stylistic needs, whether they may be. If you can design it, they can sublimate, silkscreen, or embroider your own hat right here in the USA. Check out their customization page for more information.

Now, you have a chance to win one of these fantastic hats for yourself! We have some customized Portland Pedal Power caps we’re just itching to show you, and we want to share the love! This coming week, you have a chance to win yourself one of three of these stylish cycling caps.

To enter to win, all you have to do is catch a picture of one of our bikes with our Walz Cycling Caps signage. Grab an original photo of us while we’re delivering lunch, stopped at a red light, on the go, or wave us down for a quick selfie! Once you get a shot, tag us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram with the hashtag #PPPWalzCaps, and you will get the chance to win a cap for yourself.

Get your photos in by Friday, June 20th, at 5:00PM, and we will announce the winner by drawing.

Already have a Walz Cap? Show us your style on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We want to see you rockin’ the look!

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Something New: The Copenhagen Wheel

January 14, 2014 by Jon Elias

Electric bikes have always been a bit of an oddity; They’re heavy, a bit oddly shaped, and honestly, it kind of misses the point of jumping on a bike, doesn’t it? That’s why I wanted to share this cool alternative to the typical electric bike.

The Copenhagen Wheel is a replacement for your rear wheel, developed by some of the bright minds at MIT through a partnership with the city of Copenhagen. The partnership lead to the start-up Superpedestrian, located in Boston. The wheel doesn’t appear all that different to the typical bike wheel, with the exception of sporting a bright red disk in its center. Inside that disk, you will find an assortment of equipment including a small motor, some batteries, a torque sensor, and a wireless adapter allowing the wheel to connect to your smartphone.

(more…)

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