Tag Archives: portland

Another satisfied customer!

Everything Bicycles June 5, 2009 Todd Roll

Hi Todd,

Thank you again for the great tour on Saturday! I included a review (below) and post-tour photo (attached), both of which you can use if you’d like!
We miss Portland!
Lindsay & Sean

The best way to see Portland is on a bicycle. During our first visit to Oregon, we decided to take a tour of downtown Portland with Pedal Bike Tours. It was the absolute highlight of our trip. Having not been on a bike in about 15 years, I was a little anxious at first. Our guides Miles and Todd quickly put me at ease, and the comfortable bikes made the ride a pleasure. We learned so much from Miles and Todd, all while riding through Portland’s neighborhoods, parks and even across a few bridges. We got some great tips about restaurants and brewpubs and saw some regions of the city we would have missed had it not been for this tour. It was a fantastic experience!

Portland 42nd In Nation For Rainfall

Everything Bicycles May 6, 2009 Todd Roll

According to a 2007 study on rainfall, Portland is no where near the top of rainiest places in the country. In fact, with 36.4″ it’s just a couple of inches over the US average (34.5″).

Our reward for this spot? A lush green place to live and just enough rain to enjoy a fresh, clean storm while biking around town, sitting over a hot latte with Cellar Door roast in a cafe or curled up on the sofa.

See the study here.

It turns out Mobile, Alabama takes first prize with almost twice as much rain as Portland (66.9″!).

Book- Pedaling Revolution: How Cyclists Are Changing American Cities

Everything Bicycles April 25, 2009 Todd Roll

Portland’s own Jeff Mapes has done what many would like to but few have the skill, time or energy to do- document America’s 4th bicycling golden age and compare it to the bicycling meccas of Europe. The book is a comprehensive chance for us to drag our eyes off the pavement ahead of us and see how our local scene fits in with other places in the US and Europe. The bottom line-we’re way behind, but catching fire quickly.

Mapes includes a lot of great statistics for an objective look at where we all really stand, but he also tells a lot of stories of the people who are shaping the “Pedaling Revolution” and pulling more people out of their cars every day in this country. I learned a lot about the culture in my own town, and a whole lot about the happenings in New York, Chicago, Boulder, Davis, Copenhagen and of course the big daddy, Amsterdam. Being a seasoned political journalist, Mapes knows how to tell a story and still keep it succinct.

I’d recommend this book for anyone who’s interested in getting a quick yet indepth look at where we are today in biking and where we might be going. After all, by this time next year we’re all going to be on bikes (I wish).

Gateway Green- A New Bike Park for East Portland, Maybe

Everything Bicycles April 14, 2009 Todd Roll

The Oregonian reported today that east Portland is looking into turning an unused area next to a freeway into a bike park. The park would acccomodate off-road riding, of which there’s very little in Portland. In fact, the lack of mountain bike riding within Portland almost cost the city its Platinum award as America’s most bicycle friendly large city. However, the city is out to make sure it improves its facilities for off-road biking and this park would be one way of helping that. The 35 acre area would have mountain bike trails, a cyclocross course and a free-riding area.

“It’s a significant project in our eyes,” said Tom Archer, a board member of Portland United Mountain Pedalers, a mountain bike advocacy group that has been involved in developing the plan.

An open house to explain the project will be held on Tuesday, April 14, 2009 – 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Gateway Elks Lodge

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!

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