Tag Archives: pedal bike tours

Safe Routes To Work

Everything Bicycles May 22, 2009 Todd Roll

Last Saturday we did the first ride in our Safe Routes To Work series. Starting at the Little Red Bike Cafe in North Portland a group of intrepid riders headed out into the wilds of Portland’s back streets with one mission in mind, get downtown safely. Now, of course, Portland being the most bike friendly large city in the US, this isn’t difficult. However, even here there are lots of people who are still a little leery of cars and would appreciate a little help figuring out just what is the best way to get where they’re going. With the help of the official city of Portland bike map the Pedal bike gang was able to outline a super quiet and safe way to get to our destination, The Portland Farmer’s Market, mostly on bicycle boulevards or quiet streets marked on the map in green. Although many in the group were accomplished commuters, we still were able to show them some streets and back ways they hadn’t previously known about. Along the way we saw lots of beautiful houses and greeted friendly neighbors and cats. Once we got to the market, it was packed, as usual. Also as usual the line for Cafe Velo was a mile long.

Cafe Velo- so good it

. After buying supplies for a small picnic back at the shop we continued on, leaving downtown by a completely different route than we came. Back at Pedal hq we dined on the season’s first strawberries and apple cider from Wandering Aengus ciderworks before rolling along back to Red Bike Cafe. Thanks to everyone who took part in the first Safe Routes To Work. Join us tomorrow for the second installment starting from Delphina’s Bakery in Northeast Portland. Happy Commuting!

Super commuters Stacy and Kristen

Create A Commuter

Everything Bicycles April 28, 2009 Todd Roll

Another Happy Biker

Yesterday we had a great Create A Commuter class at Pedal Headquarters. 16 eager pedestrians walked in at 10AM and they all emerged five hours later with a newly refurbished bicycle.

“The Community Cycling Center’s Create a Commuter Program provides low-income adults with fully outfitted commuter bicycles and five hours of training on safe bicycle commuting. Federally funded initially through the Job Access Initiative, it is the first program of its kind in the nation. The program provides a flexible option to meet the transportation needs of low-income adults.”

These bikes allow many in our community to get around, to work, the store, medical appointments and everywhere else quickly and at low cost. These people don’t take access to a car for granted, many of them have no access to one. In addition, the bicycle is cheaper than public transportation and in many cases is far faster.

The Community Cycling Center aims to get 230 new riders on the streets every year. With their distinctive yellow fenders, it’s easy to spot a Create A Commuter bike around town, which gives me a little thrill of victory. Let’s hope we fill the streets with them!

This Couple Each Got A Bike!

The Times Loves To Bike In Portland

Everything Bicycles April 3, 2009 Todd Roll

There was a great article in the New York Times today on what a great city Portland is to bike in: Portland, Portland Style: Touring by Bicycle. In it, the author gives us the thumbs up for being so bikeable even in the winter! Of course, those of us who live here know what a joy it can be to ride around when it’s chilly outside but you’re all warm and cozy inside, but it’s great to know other people appreciate us too!

Pedal Bike Tours teams up with Bikes to Rwanda

Everything Bicycles February 27, 2009 Todd Roll

Pedal Bike Tours is proud to be teaming up with Bikes to Rwanda to do a Cafe Bike Tour at the 2009 US Barista Championship March 3-8. Baristas from around the US will be competing to see who’s the best coffee slinger in the US of A. On Thurs. March 5th and Fri. March 6th. we’ll be riding to several of Portland’s best cafe’s to sample their wares before the big parties happening afterwards. Bikes to Rwanda works to get cargo bikes to coffee farmers in Rwanda, allowing small family farms to get their precious beans to market before they spoil. Come on down and check it out!

Fog Riding

Everything Bicycles January 29, 2009 Todd Roll

I rode into downtown today in the early morning fog. It was pretty cold, with the wind I stirred up as I pedaled downhill trying to cut through my clothes. Good morning for a heavy coat, scarf and long johns. The fog hung in the air like gray silt, translucent yet giving the same city as yesterday a new dimension. Riding into the fog felt like riding into a wall of blankets, but which gave no resistance as I battered it. On my cheeks was that same chilly sting of cold air, so bracing and energizing in the winter. As I passed over the Broadway bridge the reflection of the grain merchants building in the river was just obscured enough to look like a phantom level under the water. The sky above was the slightest tint of blue in the slowly dawning light, presaging another brilliantly sunny day.

By the time I had come out of my appointment in a windowless room, the sun was up, the fog was gone. But I remembered my ride and cherished the fog all the more for its fragile nature.

Going by car wouldn’t have been the same.

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