Eugene Gears

Cycling Clinic at REI

2008-03-29T15:03:00.001-07:00

Cycling 101

Monday, April 21st, 7 PM

Get ready for spring and summer riding with an expert bike tech! Learn the basics of maintenance – fix a flat, adjust your brakes, and learn how to care for your bike chain. FREE. Please register at Customer Service in person or call (541) 465-1800.

Please join us at the Walk/Bike Summit on Jan. 26

2008-01-16T20:41:00.000-08:00

You are invited to participate in Eugene’s second Walking and Biking Summit Saturday, January 26th. The Summit promises to be an engaging and educational event with plenty of opportunities for networking and learning about bicycle and pedestrian issues. City staff are planning on releasing the final version of the Pedestrian and Bicycle Strategic Plan at the summit and participants will discover plenty of opportunities to get involved with one or more of the eighty actions designed to achieve the vision of a more walkable and bikable Eugene. The event is free and open to the public so bring your friends and neighbors.

The Summit will be held in the South Eugene High School Cafeteria at 400 East 19th Ave. Registration begins at 8:30 AM, with speakers and workshops from 9 AM to 1:00 PM. Coffee and bagels from Full City Coffee Roasters and BagelSphere will be served.

The Eugene Walking and Biking Summit will be a day filled with engaging speakers and informational workshops that give you a chance to get involved. This year’s speakers will include our own Mayor Kitty Piercy and Portland Metro Councilor Rex Burkholder, one of the founders of the Bicycle Transportation Alliance. The work sessions this year are focused on three of the highest ranked action items from the NEW Pedestrian and Bicycle Strategic Plan. The work sessions are as follows:

Share the Road Campaign

Are you interested in making your daily commute, recreational ride, lunchtime jog, or pedestrian journey SAFER and more enjoyable?

Then attend this session to help create a campaign for the Eugene area that will work to educate drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians on how to effectively share the road and in turn make it safer for everyone.

Safe Routes to School and Active Youth

Why aren't our kids walking or bike to school? A generation ago, about 50% of children routinely walked or bike to school. Today, about 15% of our children are walking and biking and more parents are driving their kids to school, increasing traffic congestion around schools while childhood obesity is a major concern. Come and learn what efforts are being made to increase walking and biking by our youth and how you can help promote active transportation in the community.

Develop a Signature Walking and Biking Event in Eugene

Have you ever thought about helping to design or coordinate an event or a celebration of biking and walking in Eugene?

If so, this workshop is for you. A signature event is a great way to show people how much fun it can be to walk or bike. Bring your creativity and help plan an event that will put Eugene on the map!

For additional information, please contact Lindsay Selser, City of Eugene Public Works, 682-5094 or lindsay.r.selser@ci.eugene.or.us or go to: www.eugene-or.gov/walkbike

GEARs and EBC have Merged

2008-01-16T20:34:00.000-08:00

Exciting news for the cycling community!

The Eugene Bicycle Coalition and GEARs have decided to unite in our efforts to improve access and safety to cyclists in our community. We anticipate being able to accomplish more with our combined efforts. This is a mutually beneficial relationship. Please read what Sue Wolling had to say about it:

After hemming and hawing for many months about how to get non-profit
status for the Eugene Bicycle Coalition, we have just completed an
agreement with GEARS Cycling Club that will accomplish that for the Bike
Coalition--and hopefully benefit GEARS, as well.

Since GEARS already is a registered non-profit organization, and its
goals include "encouragement of facilities for cycling on public roads
and lands" and "promotion of the regulation and recognition of bicycles
as vehicles for pleasure, health and transportation", it's a good fit for
the Bike Coalition. The simplest approach seemed to be for the Bike
Coalition to become a "committee" of GEARS. This will allow the two
groups to pool their resources--in terms of money, people and
communications--for mutually agreed upon purposes, and yet for each group
to maintain its specific focus: GEARS for recreational cycling and the
EBC for bicycle advocacy.

I'm sure the relationship will evolve over time, and I hope that the
combined group will be stronger and more dynamic that either of the two
groups was alone. So, at this point I'd like to thank the GEARS' board
for their openness and friendly cooperation, and wish us all well! In
the meantime, if anyone wants to show support for bicycling in
Eugene-Springfield, I suggest that becoming a member of GEARS/EBC would
be a great first step! A standard membership is only $12, and you can
find a membership application on the GEARS web site at
www.eugenegears.org.

GEARs board election

2008-01-16T20:19:00.000-08:00

Susan Stumpf has resigned from her role as President of GEARs, effective 2/12/08. We will be electing a new president at our next Board meeting, which is on February 12 at 6:30pm at BiMart Credit Union at 645 S. Seneca at the corner of 7th & Seneca.

Please feel free to join us. If you are interested in being a candidate, please let Susan know as soon as possible. stumpf underscore s at yahoo dot com or 554-1286.

Also on Nov. 2nd: Dedication Event Marks Completion of Improvements on East 18th Avenue

2007-10-31T18:33:00.000-07:00

A dedication event on Friday, Nov. 2, will mark the successful completion of improvements on East 18th Avenue between Agate and Alder streets. The dedication begins at 12:30 p.m. adjacent to Hayward Field in the vicinity of Emerald Street.

The $1.1 million project began in early July and included repaving the street, constructing pedestrian and bicycle improvements, and installing “green” stormwater facilities. The project was designed and managed by the Eugene Public Works Department, and the work was done by Eugene Sand & Gravel as the general contractor on the job.

The work included installing parking bays, reconstructing the north curb line and sidewalk between University and Agate streets to provide better pedestrian passage, and building vegetated stormwater swales. Travel lanes were reduced in width and bicycle lanes were added on both sides of the street. As part of the City’s pavement preservation program, 18th Avenue was repaved from Agate to Hilyard streets, Agate Street was repaved from 13th to 22nd avenues, and the intersection of 19th Avenue and Agate Street was reconstructed.

As part of the project, Eugene Tree Foundation volunteers planted 41 new street side trees along the north side of 18th Avenue. These new trees and landscaping features, plus the wider sidewalks and bike lanes, help to fulfill a goal of improving the environment for walking and bicycling along this busy section of 18th Avenue. The project also is part of a community-wide effort to prepare for the Olympic Trials in Eugene next summer.

Members of the public are invited to attend the event. Light refreshments will be served.

If you have questions, please Matt Rodrigues, Project Manager, 541-682-6036

Joe Metal Cowboy Kurmaskie

2007-10-23T21:11:00.000-07:00

The one and only Joe Metal Cowboy Kurmaskie, fresh off a 4,000 miles pedal across Canada - with his entire family in tow no less, that's three growing sons and hisfully grown wife ( cover story for Bicycling Magazine this winter) will be bringing all 17 feet of bicycle along with comedy, satire, slides and stories of the human condition with a unique cyclist's eye view of the world.

November 2, 2007 7pm. Eugene Public Library

The event is FREE, but all book sales and funds raised go to support Camp Creative "No Child Left Inside" ,an Oregon based nonprofit summer arts and cycling expedition program, founded by the our very own wild-man.

Hope to see you there, be sure to bring friends, and non-cyclists too - Joe humor boasts a very high conversion rate to the church of the wheel.

Stray well,

Metal Cowboy Headquarters
www.metalcowboy.com

Newly improved street needs trees Oct. 6

2007-10-03T20:34:00.000-07:00

FALL TREE PLANTING - The Eugene Tree Foundation is looking for volunteers to help us plant over 40 new streetside trees along East 18th Avenue as part of the nearly completed project by the City of Eugene to make pedestrian and bicycle improvements. Rain or shine, planting date is Saturday, October 6th, 9am to noon. Look for our canopy setup along East 18th between Agate Street and University Street. Please wear work boots or sturdy shoes and appropriate clothing. Tools, gloves, and refreshments will be provided by the City of Eugene and the Eugene Tree Foundation. I can be reached at my office number listed below for any questions.See you there! (Jeff Lanza, Planting Coordinator, Eugene Tree Foundation, Wk. Ph. 484-7367)

Cycling in Eugene, Salem and Portland this weekend

2007-08-23T20:18:00.000-07:00

Eugene

SUNDAY, AUGUST 26

From Eugene Weekly:
Bicycle Poker Cruise, a benefit for the LiveStrong Foundation, group ride & poker contest, 3pm, Diablo's Downtown Lounge. 343-2346. $15.

We wonder if the Bicycle Poker Cruise was hatched after a bored poker-playing cyclist contemplated the back of his Bicycle brand playing cards and then considered combining the two in a benefit event for Lance "cyclist-cum-erstwhile-marathoner" Armstrong's LiveStrong Foundation. We'll never really know how it got started (that would require a Congressional subpoena, and even those don't work anymore), but here's how it works: Donate $15 to participate, join the group ride around town to various checkpoints, collect a card at each stop and return to Diablo's Downtown Lounge to play your hand. The grand prize is a "Fat Tire" Cruiser Bike, as if you needed another bike in your six-bike garage.

_________________________

Salem

Bring the whole family and join us at the State Fair for leisurely 10 mile bike ride through Historic Salem. The ride will start at the State Fairgrounds in front of the new pavilion off of Sunnyview, ample parking available.

Date: Saturday, August 25th Registration Starts: 7:30 Riders Leave: 8:30
Cost: $10 - Day of Event

Features: Oregon State Hospital Grounds, Mission Mill Museum Tour for $4, Willamette University, Bush Park, and the Oregon State Capital

Goodies included: Admission to the Fair, T-shirt, Water Bottle, Snacks, and Showers (bring your towel)

Iris Riggs
Bicycle Recreation Coordinator
Oregon Parks and Recreation
Phone: 503-986-0631

_____________________

Portland

CYCLISTS CELEBRATE PORTLAND

Portland has been named the Best Bicycling City many times over by Bicycling Magazine and other sources, and now the city is proving its status with a namesake bicycle ride. The second annual Portland Century is Sunday, August 26th at Portland State University. Registration is $40 online until midnight on Friday or $50 on the day of the ride and a portion of the proceeds benefits Hands on Greater Portland.

The Portland Century is all about Portland: local foods at the finish line dinner, Portland features along the way and a take home goodie bag of local treats such as smoked salmon, beer and coffee.

Riders can choose from 25, 50 or 100 mile options, and each affords spectacular views of Portland along the way, rider support and rest stops.

GEARs, cycling and the Eugene Celebration!

2007-08-21T20:12:00.000-07:00

Eugene Celebration Parade Saturday, September 8
Please join GEARs as we enjoy cycling in the Eugene Celebration Parade. Dress up yourself and your bike and come on down for the fun. The parade starts at 9:30 and we will begin assembling at 8:30 to 9am. Please watch this space for our parade number. And since you will be so energized from all of this fun, please join in the:

Bike Lights Parade Saturday, September 8 8:30pm
The "Lighten Up" bike lights parade will take place about 8:30 PM on Saturday Sept. 8th. Come celebrate bicycling with a night time ride through downtown Eugene. At least the first 50 people who show up to be in the parade will get free passes for the rest of Saturday and Sunday to the Eugene Celebration. There will also be a raffle prize drawing for participants and a prize for best decorated bike. Parking will be at one of the valet bike parking sites (exact location TBD) and there will be some materials for last minute decorating of bikes at a location TBD.

Bicycle Tour Brings Awareness on Global Warming

2007-08-21T19:59:00.000-07:00

The City of Eugene and the Eugene Bicycle Coalition will sponsor a presentation from David Kroodsma, a Stanford trained global warming scientist, who has spent the past two years traveling by bicycle and teaching people about global warming. The presentation will begin at 5:30 PM on Thursday, August 30th in the Bascom/Tykeson Room at the Eugene Public Library located at 100 W 10th Ave and will include photos of his travels across the US.

In an effort to increase awareness on global warming, David Kroodsma has biked from California to the southern tip of South America and has recently biked from Boston to Seattle. He is now biking south and will finish this journey in the San Francisco Bay Area in September.

The project, Ride for Climate has reached hundreds of thousands of people across 16 countries and appeared on international television and in newspapers across the U.S.

Mr. Kroodsma has a slideshow of these experiences and he will be showing pictures and videos from travel across the western hemisphere. He will also talk about how global warming will affect both - the far ends of the earth and our own backyards while providing examples from his travels. The slideshow concludes with a discussion of what we can do and about our special opportunity to make a difference as United States citizens.

For more information about the presentation, please contact Cindy Clarke, Transportation Options Coordinator at 541-682-5285 or cindy.j.clarke@ci.eugene.or.us

GEARs will then be cycling with the group as they head towards the Oregon Coast on Saturday, September 1st at 8:30am. We will meet at Alton Baker Park at the Duck Pond and escort them as far as Siuslaw River Road and Wolf Creek. GEARs will then head back towards Eugene as The Ride for Climate continues on to Dunes City. Please join us!

GEARs member raising money for ALS

2007-07-13T21:17:00.000-07:00

GEARs member, David Longdon, is cycling and raising money for ALS. David's story about cycling for ALS, (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's disease") can be found here. David rode in the Oregon Ultimate Road Ride on July 7 and has also documented that story.

I would like to encourage you to donate money to David's cause, it is a very good one!

Good luck, and Thank you David!

Delta Ponds Summer Construction Temporarily Closes Trails

2007-07-02T14:06:00.000-07:00

Construction equipment moves into place on July 2 for the second phase of a multi-year project to enhance habitat and recreational opportunities in the Delta Ponds area.

Contractors are installing two sets of culverts to improve seasonal flows from the Willamette River into the Delta Ponds near Valley River Center. Two 9-foot-wide, arched culverts beneath the East Bank Trail will be gated to allow for flood control. A third 12-foot-wide culvert will be constructed under Goodpasture Island Road north of Valley River Center. Pro Landscape Inc. is the contractor, working under a contract managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Trail sections adjacent to the culvert sites will be closed from early July through mid-September. The connector path between the East Bank Trail and Goodpasture Island Road just north of Valley River Drive will be closed beginning July 2. The East Bank Trail will be closed from Willamette Oaks to the Delta Ponds Causeway beginning July 9. Lane closures and detours on Goodpasture Island Road will occur while the culvert is being installed. Signs will direct trail users to use alternate routes around the construction zone.

The goal of the Delta Ponds project is to re-establish vital habitat for native wildlife and provide recreational opportunities for residents in the area. The project began in 2004 with the removal of invasive non-native vegetation, construction of paths and parking areas, and excavation of inlets to improve water flow. Future plans include re-grading pond edges and additional trails and overlooks.

For more information, contact Project Manager Scott Milovich at 682-6086 or Scott.R.Milovich@ci.eugene.or.us.

Fern Ridge Trail System Open House 6/27

2007-06-19T21:38:00.000-07:00

Help shape the vision to create a network of bike routes and pedestrian paths throughout the Fern Ridge area! The City of Veneta is having an open house to seek public input on the Fern Ridge Trail System:

Wednesday, June 27, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
City Hall, 88184 8th Street, Veneta

There will be a brief presentation, followed by a question and answer period and an open group discussion. The public will have an opportunity to review the draft map and offer feedback on the proposed routes. For more information, please contact Taunya Jones at 935-2191.

Free basic bike maintenance class 6/21

2007-06-19T20:54:00.000-07:00

REI Eugene, located at 306 Lawrence Street on the corner of 3rd Avenue will be offering a free bike maintenance class on June 21st at 7 PM. Join Bike Tech, Matt Hickey for a quick run-down on bike maintenance basics. This is a great opportunity to learn how to fix a flat, adjust your brakes, and learn how to care for your bike chain. No registration is required.

For more information contact Matt Hickey or Guy Larson at 541/465-1800 or go to www.rei.com/stores/43

China-Henan Performing Arts Ensemble - July 22

2007-06-19T13:47:00.000-07:00

Leave your car at home! Support the Mayor's Climate Challenge and cycle to the Hult Center for a free performance of the China-Henan Performing Arts Ensemble on Sunday, July 22 at 3:00 pm. The 21-member group will present a program of four traditional Chinese arts: Kung Fu, Tai Chi, traditional music, and Peking Opera.

Pick up vouchers at all Bi-Mart stores (beginning June 19) and redeem for free tickets at the Hult Center (details on vouchers). Don't delay as tickets are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Free valet bike parking provided by City of Eugene Transportation Options will be available at the 7th Avenue entrance. Cycle on down and remember to wear your helmet!

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. This is the first time we've specifically promoted cycling to a Hult event, so we'd like to get the word out to cyclists

Thanks for your assistance,
Rhonda Smith
Marketing Project Coordinator
Hult Center for the Performing Arts
One Eugene Center
Eugene, OR 97401
Phone: 541.682.5220
Fax: 541.682.5426
rhonda.s.smith@ci.eugene.or.us

Middle Fork Willamette River Path Open House, June 27

2007-06-15T15:49:00.000-07:00

Willamalane Park and Recreation District, in coordination with the Oregon Department of Transportation, is planning to build a 4-mile walking and bicycling path along the north bank of the Middle Fork of the Willamette River , between Clearwater Park and Dorris Ranch Living History Farm in Springfield .

Stage 1 of this exciting project, between Clearwater Park and Quarry Creek, is expected to be built in 2009. Stage 2, between Quarry Creek and Dorris Ranch Living History Farm, will be built after additional funds are obtained. Please see the attached map and project summary for more information.

Willamalane strives to build the best parks and recreation facilities for the people who use them, within the constraints of available funds. So, as future path users and interested parties, we want to hear from you!

You are invited to attend a Middle Fork Willamette River Path Open House on Wednesday, June 27, from 4 to 6:30 p.m., at Willamalane’s new Community Recreation Center , 250 S. 32nd St., Springfield (just south of Main Street , next to the Regional Sports Center ).

Drop by any time between 4 and 6:30, learn more about the project, and let us know what you think. We look forward to seeing you on the 27th.

Rebecca Gershow, Park Planner
Willamalane Park and Recreation District
250 S 32nd St, Springfield OR 97478-6302
Ph: 541/736-4052 Fax: 541/736-4043
rebeccag@willamalane.org
www.willamalane.org

BTA needs your help 6/13, 6/14

2007-06-12T13:34:00.000-07:00

After much negotiations, Shasta MS has allowed me to take students off-campus on Wednesday and Thursday morning for the last BTA safety rides of the year. Again, I apologize for asking you at the last minute, but I would love 3-4 volunteers at these times:

Wednesday, 10:45 - 11:40 (class time 10:50 - 11:37), topic: Intersection Practice

Wednesday. 12:55 - 1:55 (class time 1:03 - 1:50), topic: Intersection Practice

Thursday, 10:45 - 11:40 (class time 10:50 - 11:37), topic: Community Ride

All classes will take place at Shasta MS, which is off Beltline Hwy and Barger Rd. When you arrive, check in at the office, and then meet me in or behind the Gym.

If you can make it, or you have any questions, please call me at 984-0064 - I won't be by my computer between now and then. Thanks!

Tom Powers
Southern Willamette Coordinator
Bicycle Transportation Alliance
(541) 682-6318 (message)

Help the BTA open roads and minds to cycling: Join! Check www.bta4bikes.org for more.

biking for Uganda Orphans June 15 & 16

2007-06-12T09:47:00.000-07:00

Stefanie Marshall and Jim Savage on their 3400 mile ride to raise funds for the Uganda Orphans Fund will be in Eugene on June 15th. They will be leaving Florence on June 15th at 8:00 a.m. and anyone interested in riding out to Veneta to join them or on 126 towards Florence would be very welcomed. It would be great to welcome and support this duo in their courageous endeavor with an entourage of riders.

On June 16th this energetic couple will be leaving Eugene at 8:00 a.m. and riding to Sisters. Anyone interested in joining them for part or all the ride are welcome.

For further info regarding this ride and pictures of Stef and Jim check www.AmericasTeamsports.com or www.ugandaorphans.com. or call Marleen Marshall at(541) 743-6440.

Adaptive Bike clinic - Volunteers needed

2007-06-11T20:28:00.000-07:00

I am specifically looking for someone with a tandem. I have a gentleman who is vision impaired who really is interested in biking again and is looking forward to riding a tandem with someone. I have a Bike Friday tandem but if someone has a nice bike and feels comfortble riding with this gentleman it would be greatly appreciated in many ways. I'll also need some volunteers to just ride along with participants as they ride along the Amazon bike path. They don't need to know about disabilities, I'll give them a brief training and I'll be doing the adaptations if needed for folks. This is a great opportunity to get some new folks out and introduced to riding.
Thanks, Patty
682-6365 or patty.l.prather@ci.eugene.or.us

Event Date(s): Saturday, June 16, 2007
Location: Hilyard Community Center 2580 Hilyard St., Eugene, OR 97405
Details:
Eugene Recreation will hold a free handcycling and adaptive bike clinic from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. that is designed for individuals with physical disabilities. Pre-registration is required.

Handcycling is one of the fastest growing wheelchair sports and it’s great aerobic exercise. This introductory clinic will provide the basics of the sport and will help the beginner find the equipment that fits their needs. For more information or to register, call 682-5311 or go to www.eugene-or.gov/recenroll.

Starts: 10:00 AM
Ends: 1:00 PM
Sponsor: City of Eugene
Contact: Eugene Adaptive Recreation by phone at 682-5311 .

June 2 events!

2007-06-01T21:21:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the late notice!

Wonders of the West Eugene Wetlands with WREN
(Willamette Resources & Educational Network), part of the West Eugene Wetlands Partnership

East meets West in this day-long celebration of Eugene's natural resources & alternative transportation. Start your day by biking or walking the Fern Ridge Bike Path between Beltline & Greenhill Rd. Along the way local experts will have educational displays to help you discover the many wonders of the West Eugene Wetlands. Learn more about wetland plants, animals, restoration projects, and more about the education center. Activities in the wetlands will begin Saturday, June 2 at 10 AM until 1 PM.

For more information visit www.wewetlands.org

And

Bike Day at the Science Factory

The event continues the experience and invites participants to travel by bike, bus, or carpool to the 3rd Annual Bike Day at the Science Factory on Saturday, June 2 beginning at noon and lasting until 4:00 PM. The celebration includes bike safety demonstrations, marimba music, free Ben and Jerry's ice cream, free bike check-ups, unicyclists, racing demos and other fun examples of human powered transportation.

North Bank Path closed May 7 - July

2007-05-02T08:24:00.000-07:00

Resurfacing of the North Bank Path from the Greenway Bike Bridge to Club Road is scheduled to start May 7th. The goal of the project is to repair the unsafe traveling conditions of the cracked and heaved path surface caused by tree root damage and aging. Approximately 1.5 miles of pathway along the Ruth Bascom Riverbank Trail will receive a new concrete surface and portions will be widened to 12 feet. Special efforts will be made to avoid damaging tree roots and other natural areas along the path. The project is scheduled to be under construction through early July. The path will be closed for extended periods of time during construction. Closure is necessary to protect path users from the construction equipment and prevent damage to the new concrete surface while it cures. The Greenway Bike Bridge behind Valley River Center will remain open during the work and users should detour to the South Bank Trail during the path closure. Federal funds will pay for approximately 80% of the $785,000 project, with City transportation system development charges funding the remainder. Wildish Construction Company is the general contractor on the job, which is being managed by the Eugene Public Works Engineering Division in cooperation with the Oregon Department of Transportation. For more information please contact Jenifer Willer at 682-5364 or Jenifer.m.willer@ci.eugene.or.us.

Ride of Silence, May 16th

2007-04-20T09:33:00.000-07:00

Eugene will join communities around the world in holding a Ride of Silence on Wednesday, May 16th at 6:30 PM beginning in Alton Baker Park. The Ride of Silence will be held to honor the memory of bicyclists who have been killed or seriously injured by motor vehicles and also to promote the concept that all road users must share the road and take responsibility for safety.

The Ride of Silence is a short, slow-paced ride that is open to cyclists of all ages and abilities. It is neither a race nor a party; its character will be more like a funeral procession as cyclists who have died are remembered. Cyclists are encouraged to wear armbands in memory of injured/killed cyclists while the group rides silently along the route.

The route will travel from the duck pond at Alton Baker Park, through the park, over the Autzen foot bridge to Agate Street, 24th Avenue, Amazon Park path, High Street and back to Alton Baker Park. The ride is intended to be an easy, slow, law-abiding ride that is open to all members of the community.

Anyone interested in helping with the Ride of Silence may contact Eugene Bicycle Coalition members: Sue Wolling at
bicycle at efn dot org
or Dwight Collins at
newmans at newfish dot com.

Upcoming event at the UO

2006-10-27T14:19:00.000-07:00

A Tale of Two's: Cycling Thailand & Laos

Thursday, November 2

One country is a constitutional monarchy, the other a communist state. One has all the conveniences of the modern world, the other barely can supply water and electricity to its people. One is overrun with scooters, while the other still embraces the bicycle. One is over-touristed, the other barely visited. Both are amazing travel destinations, seperated by the Mekong River. Come and experience these two incredible countries from the seat of a bicycle with award-winning commentator and travel writed Willie Weir.

Free to UO students and OP Co-op members, $3 General admission.
Thursday, 7:00Pm: 177 Lawrence Hall

People Powered Festival - July 27th

2006-07-18T13:52:00.000-07:00

Join fellow Eugene cyclists and walkers in downtown (East Park Block) from 4-7 PM for festivities and a celebration of people power!

You may register to win prizes too!

Meeting with Ray Thomas, July 12 at 6pm

2006-06-21T10:55:00.000-07:00

Bike Laws – A Legal Perspective

Ray Thomas, Portland bicycle attorney and advocate, will speak on bicyclists’ rights and responsibilities on Wednesday, July 12 at 6 PM. He will speak primarily about how to deal with insurance companies and how we can foster a safety-oriented attitude for all users. This talk is part of the City of Eugene’s July-in-Motion promotion and will take place in the Tykeson Room on the main floor at the Eugene Public Library located at 100 W. 10th Ave.
(from Post Carbon Institute Newsletter)

Fern Ridge Path closure

2006-06-14T08:56:00.000-07:00

The West Eugene bike path from Chambers to City View will be closed at some point starting mid June. The path will be redone in concrete. You may take 12th almost to City View, joining the path between the Holt Office and apartment complex. You can walk your bike on the grass along side the Holt Building to City View.

Monday night Crits for Cat 4 women

2006-06-06T16:07:00.000-07:00

Monday night crits for Cat 4 women are being held out at the industrial park during June. It is a good way to learn the ropes on crit racing. Registration starts at 5:45, racing 7:15, $10 plus OBRA license. Check out http://www.obra.org/flyers/2006/true_amateur_crits.html for more info.

Celebration of Life for Jane Higdon

2006-06-06T14:37:00.000-07:00

Friends of Jane and Fellow Cyclists,

As many of you already know, Jane Higdon died when she was struck by a vehicle while riding her bike on Territorial Road this past Wednesday, May 31. Those of you who know Jane are undoubtedly experiencing loss and grief. Those of you who didn't know Jane, please find someone who did (it won't be hard) and learn a little bit about a truly unique and wonderful human being.

There is a celebration of Jane's life scheduled for Wednesday, June 7th at 1:00 P.M. at the McDonald Theater, 10th and Willamette in downtown Eugene.

Remembrances in Jane's name can be made to Greenhill Humane Society Animal Shelter and Committed Partners for Youth.

Some of you have not yet heard about the circumstances of the accident and some have requested more information.

The Oregon State Police original news release on May 31, 2006 and the June 1, 2006 Eugene Register Guard newspaper story from the morning after both include a totally erroneous set of statements about the incident. Most of the original news stories, including the AP release were crafted from the totally erroneous initial Oregon State Police news release.

The road was straight as an arrow for maybe two hundred yards before the point of impact. There was a blind left curve in the road about 50 yards past that point. The riders' involvement with the log truck occurred entirely within the timeframe of the truck cab coming along side us and the rear wheels passing us.

Below is how the R-G newspaper accurately recounted our version of events in later editions, with my addition in [ ]. Several other 'official' statements, in the Friday article in particular, are patently inaccurate.

Friday article Eugene R-G 6/2/2006:

One of Higdon's riding companions questioned the official story. Paul Moore of Eugene said the truck came up behind the foursome on a straight stretch of the road and was passing "less than an arm's length away from us."
The cyclists rode in a single-file line, and Higdon was at the rear. Moore was in front of her. The rider in front of him fell. Moore was able to brake, but he said he thinks Higdon may have clipped his rear wheel and fallen to the left, under the trailer's tires, although no one saw what happened. He said there was no way an experienced rider like Higdon steered into the truck as police said. And although he empathized with the driver, he questioned why the trucker decided to pass the group rather than slow down until it was safer.

"There's one thing I want people to be real clear about: This wasn't some unavoidable accident," Moore said. "Rather than making the choice to slow down, he chose to try to go for it and get around us before the curve, and he just totally misjudged it."

Saturday R-G 6/3/2006:

Paul Moore, who was on the ride, has said the truck came upon the group quickly and passed within an arm's length of the cyclists, causing one of them to fall. Moore said he braked to avoid the fallen cyclist, and [he theorizes that] Higdon clipped his rear wheel and fell into the truck's path.

The Oregon State Police have removed from their web site all news releases that state any 'facts' of how the accident happened and the current news release simply states that there was a fatality, that a thorough investigation is underway and that the case will be referred to the District Attorney's office if warranted.

There was a great editorial in today's (June 5th) Register-Guard regarding the accident and sharing the roads. Please read it and if you are inspired as I was, please phone the R-G (541-485-1234) to congratulate them or send a letter to the editor. They deserve support on the stand they have taken. There are a few artifacts of the bad facts from the original news reports, but things are getting somewhat cleaned up.

Register Guard editorial June 5th:

"Jane Higdon's tragic death last Wednesday in a truck-bicycle accident on Territorial Road was all the more heartbreaking because it was entirely avoidable. There is no roadway anywhere - if it is legally open to bicyclists - that cannot be shared safely by safe-riding cyclists and safe-driving motor vehicle operators. No roadway, anywhere."
...........................

One thing that came out of a conversation I had today is the realization that I don't want to speak as though it is a bicyclist versus log truck world out there. And I don't want to encourage others in such a stand. Just like we as cyclists don't deserve to be lumped into one group in any conversation, neither do the log truck drivers, dump truck drivers, or horse trailer hauling drivers for that matter. I believe we have to avoid any us vs. them mentality if we are going to see the transformation we are looking for. Just all the safe drivers and riders putting pressure on any unsafe ones.

Enjoy your ride and take Jane along in your heart,

Paul Moore

River Avenue - design phase

2006-04-03T11:45:00.000-07:00

A meeting about the design of improvements on River Avenue will be held:

Wednesday, April 5
6-7:30 p.m.
Wastewater Treatment Plant, 410 River Avenue

There will be a presentation of the proposed design at 6:15, with questions and answers after that. Minor modifications of the plan are possible at this time, before the project goes out to bid this spring.

2006-03-14T15:34:00.000-08:00

"I SHARE THE ROAD" STICKERS NOW AVAILABLE

Get yourself some of the slick "I Share the Road" stickers!

Here's what they look like

And here's where you can get them free

Oregon Bicycling Summit

2006-03-14T15:33:00.000-08:00

Oregon is the land bicycle riders dream about! How do we turn those dreams into reality and make Oregon the #1 bicycling destination in the USA? Organizers of Oregon's 1st State-Wide Bicycling Summit invite you to attend and find out!

What: Oregon Bicycling Summit

When: April 1, 2006; 10 AM - 3 PM (Exhibit Hall open 9-10 AM and 3-4 PM)

Where: Hilton Hotel &Conference Center, 66 East 6th Avenue, Eugene, Oregon 97401
http://www.eugene.hilton.com

Program Highlights:

* Welcome &Opening Remarks - Jay Graves, President, Nat'l Bike Dealers Association

* Sharing the Dream: Oregon as the #1 Bicycling Destination - John Blackwell, Chairman, Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission

* Bicycling and Tourism in Oregon: A Significant Socio-Economic Potential - Todd Davidson, CEO, Travel Oregon

* Roles of Oregon Parks &Recreation and Oregon Dept. of Transportation

* Luncheon Keynote - Peter DeFazio, U.S. Representative - Oregon

* Facilitated Work Groups: How do we turn the dream into reality?

* Open Forum/Feedback Session: Where do we go from here/Next steps

Cost: $25 per person

Please RSVP to: mailto:ingrid@cycleoregon.com or 503.287.0342 ext. 103

Exhibit opportunities available before and after the Summit for $50 (skirted tables).

Swap meet and other Spring Events

2006-02-27T16:40:00.000-08:00

The Paul's Bicycle Way of Life Swap Meet happening March 4th at the 3470 W 11th Paul's Shop from 11am-3pm. Tables are $10 for people wanting to sell stuff and free for people wanting to buy.

The Willamette Valley Classic Stage Race is April 21st-23rd, 2006. We are looking for volunteers and groups looking for possible fund raisers that we could donate to.

We also have our annual April Time Trials and May Hill Climbs every Tuesday coming up.

Richard Sweet
Paul's Bicycle Way of Life Cycling Team
541-517-0685

Umpqua Velo club rides

2006-02-27T14:34:00.000-08:00

Hello:

The Umpqua Velo Club, Roseburg Oregon, has temporarily lost our web site. However, we are still riding!

This year our two feature Rides are:

Tour de Fronds - 72 miles of paved back county BLM and Forest Service roads from Powers to Glendale Other loops also available
Saturday 17 June 2006
Contact: Dave Anderson, 541-496-4833
email: ildavide@jeffnet.org

Rim to Roseburg Century - Crater Lake down to Roseburg The Fastest Century in the West, 102 Miles, minus 6000 feet!
Saturday 19 August 2006
Contact: Dave Anderson, 541-496-4833
email: ildavide@jeffnet.org

Eugene GEARS and Eugene were mentioned in Bicycling Magazine

2006-01-27T11:32:00.000-08:00

We were mentioned in the March 2006 edition of Bicyling Magazine.

Poplollies

2006-01-01T21:25:00.000-08:00

Willamette Valley Women's Cycling Team

About the Poplollies:
The Willamette Valley Women’s Cycling Team is the only racing team in the Willamette Valley dedicated solely to promoting women’s racing and training.

Team Novara Meeting

2006-01-01T20:16:00.001-08:00

Want to join a cycling club without feeling intimidated? Want to try a mountain bike race –just for fun? Want to meet others who share your enthusiasm for cycling? Whether you’re entering your 50th road race -or your first- Team Novara invites you to join the REI cycling ranks! All rider levels welcome!

We are looking for cyclist of all levels and abilities to join Team Novara. Team Riders will be eligible to earn discounts on gear and bikes based on their level of participation with the team through out the year. Come by and hear what Team Novara has to offer you.

Time and Date: Monday January 23 at 7pm

Location: REI 306 Lawrence

Contact- Jay Middleton jmiddle@rei.com

Ride the Rogue - Sept. 23, 2006

2005-11-30T09:11:00.000-08:00

Sept. 23, 2006: Ride the Rogue

Rogue River, OR. Experience the unique beauty of Southern Oregon! Come take in the wonders that the Rogue Valley has to offer by participating in the century, metric century, 30 mile route, or family-friendly course through the park. Ride a relatively flat course through forests, along rivers, and across valleys alike! Finish the ride with a feast fit for all appetites! Spend the rest of your visit enjoying fishing, rafting, wine-tasting, watching Shakespeare, and many other activities that Southern Oregon has to offer!

Proceeds of the ride benefit the Rogue River Recreational Corridor & Greenway, an expansion of the bike/pedestrian paths, spanning the entire length of the Rogue Valley.

Start/Stop @ Palmerton Park, Sat., Sept. 23, 2006. www.ridetherogue.org

Bike Safety volunteers needed

2005-10-13T08:24:00.000-07:00

High gas prices, obese kids--even the President is pushing conservation
(well, sort of). What a perfect time to get the next generation hooked on
safe bicycling!

Kat Smith is teaching the Bike Safety Education Program at Adams/Hillside
School in south Eugene NOW, and needs your volunteer help. Please contact
her ASAP at katsmith78@hotmail.com or 682-6318 to let her know which of the
following slots you can help fill. (it helps a lot if you can let her know
in advance, but PLEASE feel free to just show up if you find yourself
available at the last minute).

Monday, Oct. 17 11:45-1:45
Tuesday, Oct. 18 11:45-1:45
Tuesday, Oct. 25 11:45-1:45
Thursday, Oct. 27 12:00-2:00
Friday, Oct. 28 12:00-2:00
Tuesday, Nov. 1 11:45-1:45
Thursday, Nov. 3 12:00-2:00

Adams/Hillside Elementary
950 W. 22nd Ave
Eugene, OR

Cottage Grove to Oakridge - Paved!

2005-10-10T09:53:00.000-07:00

News Release

October 10, 2005

For Immediate Release
Contact: Lisa Lawton, CVALCO (541) 484-5307
Richard Meyers, Cottage Grove City Manager (541) 942-5501
Randy Dreiling, Oregon Adventures (541) 782-2388

Route Between Cottage Grove and Oakridge Ready for Cycling Activity

Lane County, OR… A newly finished road project is paving the way for recreational and competitive cycling activity between Cottage Grove and Oakridge.

Public officials, tourism leaders and representatives of the cycling community will gather today, Monday, October 10, at 11 a.m. for a special ribbon cutting celebrating the complete paving of Forest Road 22, off Brice Creek Road southeast of Cottage Grove. The four-mile section of road had been the only unpaved portion between Cottage Grove and Oakridge.

“Paving this once graveled gap between our cities is a huge step in opening up opportunities for major bicycling events, as well as recreational touring for skilled cyclists,” said Randy Dreiling, owner and operator of Oakridge-based Oregon Adventures, who leads tours and organizes cycling events. Dreiling also serves on the board of the Convention and Visitors Association of Lane County Oregon (CVALCO).

As a destination marketing organization, CVALCO views the project as a significant addition to solid cycling infrastructure in Lane County; a key focus for the Oakridge and Cottage Grove communities.

Both cities and various bicycling groups have ranked this route high on their list for its bicycle touring potential. The route winds through the Willamette and Umpqua National Forests offering both challenging and scenic landscapes.

The ribbon cutting will be held southeast of Cottage Grove and Dorena at the intersection of road 2216 and the new paved section of Forest Road 22. The intersection is approximately 7.1 miles from the Brice Creek Trail Head off Brice Creek Road.

Please help at the Eugene Celebration Stage Race

2005-09-08T15:14:00.000-07:00

Sal is in need of some volunteers to man corners on Sunday Sept. 18th.
She can offer free passes to the Celebration, and T-shirts for the volunteers.

Please contact her at:
comotionclassic@comcast.net

Bus Rapid Transit / Bike carriers

2005-08-15T14:35:00.000-07:00

Dear Bicyclists,
Is anyone willing to try out the design for loading bikes on/off of the prototype Bus Rapid Transit buses LTD is building? Stef Viggiano is looking for a few bicyclists to come to the LTD Station in Glenwood in early September to try out the test vehicle they have, and give feedback from the bicyclist's perspective.
The best times for Stef would be either at noontime or in the evening during the week of Sept. 12--but if necessary he could probably make other times work.
If you're willing to help out, please contact Diane Bishop at dbtransportationsolutions@msn.com. Thanks for your help!

Jim Bloomer's Bench

2005-08-15T14:34:00.000-07:00

Come have a look!
The new bench dedicated to Jim Bloomer is complete and ready for visitors. I think you will find the location, at the end of the causeway going North from Valley River, excellent. We will have a formal dedication later this Fall.
Phil

Celebration - Today!

2005-08-02T08:07:00.000-07:00

Celebration!

Come join Peter DeFazio at the plaza adjacent to the Eugene Depot. We will be celebrating the passage of the transportation bill. This bill features a number $$ for bike projects in the Eugene - Springfield area.
So, ride your bike to this event at 1:30 p.m. August 2nd, Eugene Depot ( a k a train station ).

Phil

Repair work on Fern Ridge Path

2005-07-28T09:16:00.000-07:00

July 28, 2005

CONTACT: Mike Spangler, Street Surface Lead, 682-4800
Tony Jobanek, Surface Operations Supervisor, 682-4835
From Public Information Section, 682-5523 or 954-2938
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Repairs to Fern Ridge Path from Chambers to City View Scheduled August 1-2
Eugene Public Works Maintenance crews are scheduled to do asphalt repairs on portions of the Fern Ridge Path between Chambers and City View streets beginning Monday, August 1, weather permitting.
The work is expected to take approximately two days to complete and will be done in two sections: Chambers to Garfield streets, and then Garfield to City View streets. Each section will be closed while repair work is occurring on that section. While the path is closed, bicyclists will be directed to use alternate routes, such as 18th Avenue.
The maintenance repairs will address immediate hazards related to the deterioration of the path’s paving. A more complete reconstruction and improvement project on that section of the Fern Ridge Path is tentatively scheduled next year.

Welcome to our Blog!

2005-06-16T13:39:00.000-07:00

Hello!
We created this blog as a space where we can share current bicycling information with each other. We hope to post information about road closures, new rides, information about our members and other news. Please feel free to share local biking news with us too!
Thanks,
Greater Eugene Area Riders (GEARS)