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Archived Articles
From the Road – Bike Gallery in Action at Cycle Oregon '08.
Every year, come September, a small army of Bike Gallery staffers gets all busy to make sure everything is in place for what many of our customers consider the pinnacle of their summer cycling season: Cycle Oregon. This year, the 21st edition of the weeklong cycling adventure was staged in the remote northeast corner of our state – right on the Idaho border – and included such scenic attractions as Hell's Canyon, Wallowa Lake, and peaceful rural towns like Elgin, Halfway and Joseph.
As in the past 20 years, the Bike Gallery was one of the main sponsors of the event and traveled along with the 2,000+ cyclists to provide a host of services along the way, from on-road and in-camp bike repair, comfort fit services, free clincs, and a mobile store that featured everything from cycling gear – think lots of tubes, chamois butter and lycra accessories – to a full array of camp essentials like tooth brushes, suncreen and even spare sleeping bags.
Downtown Bike Gallery Features a New Look.
Oct 2, 2008 - Last week, our Downtown store – located on the corner of SW Salmon Street and 10th Avenue – received a long-awaited face-lift of sorts. Gone are the weathered purple awnings and the old Bike Gallery logo, now the store features a classy, marquee corner sign in the colors of our current logo that nicely complements the architecture and aesthetics of the historic building that houses the store.
According to Downtown Store Manager Eric Daignault, the new sign was made possible with the support of the Portland Development Commission who has been active in helping downtown businesses preserving the historic character of the area and its buildings.
So next time you are cruising through downtown Portland and spot this new yellow-black-and-white beacon, you'll know that bike bliss is just around the corner. Drop by to browse our large selection of bikes, cycling gear and clothing, or just to get a free refill of air in your bike's tires.
Bike Gallery's "August = Go By Bike Month" wraps up with 179 new BTA members and a lucky winner.
That's right, during the past month we were able to hit our goal of of signing up more than 150 new BTA members. We like to thank all 179 customers who became a BTA member, as well as all BTA members who participated in our raffle for a state-of-the-art Gary Fisher Simple City bike... which was won by Christine Hoerner, who entered the raffle at our Hollywood store. Congratulations Christine! We wish a lot of joy and plenty of riding on your new urban commuter bike.
Mission Accomplised: we exceeded our goal of creating more than 150 new BTA members in the month of August!
Tour de Fat '08 - Bike Gallery's Butch Wells crowned "Slowest Rider in Portland" for third year in a row.
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Butch has the win almost bagged, but he first has to finish the beer! (Photo by David Anderson) |
Butch Wells, Service Manager at our Division store, has successfully defended his title of "Slowest Bicyclist in Portland" at this year's stop in Portland of New Belgium Brewing's ever-popular Tour de Fat!
Under a blazing sun and temperatures soaring in the high nineties - all while sipping away on a refreshing beer -, Butch held off a field of about 30 contenders who showed promise, but just couldn't produce what it takes to be the slowest bike rider in town. The champion's belt that Butch won at the this year's event (fittingly featuring a water bottle cage that can double as a beer cup holder) will be on display at the Division store. Congratulations and way to go, slow poke!
Bike Gallery's Ace Mechanic Receives Top Honors from Portland Monthly Magazine.
Once a year, Portland's most popular weekly and monthly magazines dish out their "Best Of Portland" awards for just about anything, from best city park to walk your dog in, to best place to have vegetarian sushi.
For the last four years, Bike Gallery has been the proud recipient of Willamette Week's Best Bike Shop in Portland award. Now, Portland Monthly - in their "Best of the City '08" August cover story - has bestowed upon Bike Gallery's Service & Training Manager Brett Flemming the honorary title of "Best Bike Mechanic" in P-town. The enviable accolade comes complete with a full page photo of Brett performing some of his magic in a surreal decor, featuring a Signal Cycles custom bicycle (another Bike Gallery one-of-a-kind) and a couple of chainrings.
Sunday Parkways turns North Portland streets into a cycling and walking oasis.
On Sunday June 22nd, Portland held its very first "car-free streets" event. Inspired by similar popular events in other cities around the world, 6 miles of North Portland streets were closed for 6 hours to car traffic and opened for non-motorized users to enjoy. The event attracted thousands of cyclists, walkers, joggers, and skaters of all ages, who took a leisure ride or stroll through North Portland neighborhoods and parks, all while enjoying the music, food, dance and other activities along the route.
As one of the sponsors of the event, the Bike Gallery was present all day, providing free bike check-ups and doling out yummy treats at our "Peanut Butter Base" located on the Willamette River Bluff. Thanks to everyone who stopped by. We hope you had a great time and we are already looking forward to the next edition of this wonderful event!
More news stories about the Sunday Parkways event are posted on bikeportland.org and oregonlive.com.
Strong turnout and generous giving marks Brett Jarolimek Memorial Fund benefit night.
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On Thursday May 1st, the Brett Jarolimek Memorial Fund - with the generous help of the PSU Cycling Team - held its inaugural benefit event at the Downtown Bike Gallery. Hundreds of Portland area cyclists attended the event to raise funds and connect with fellow cyclists over a free beer and some fine food.
At the event, Bike Gallery president Daniel McGinnis provided an update on the objectives and future plans of the Memorial Fund. He told the crowd that the Fund's intention is to spend a significant portion of its raised monies on grassroots projects in the area of traffic and cyclists' safety. he also invited everyone to make their voices heard and submit ideas on what actions or projects they like to see funded.
The event included a raffle and a silent auction, featuring an impressive prize list of items donated by individuals and businesses from inside and outside the bike community. According to event co-organizer Eric Tsai, "it was great to see attendees stepping up big time with their contributions. At final count, the event raised more than $8,000 for the fund, making it a complete success."
Portland Goes Platinum!
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Photo by Jonathan Maus BikePortland.org |
On Tuesday April 29, the Downtown Bike Gallery was the location for a well-attended press conference where City of Portland Commissioner Sam Adams - together with a host of other dignitaries and bike advocates - announced the news that Portland was awarded the Platinum-level designation as a Bicycle Friendly Community, by the League of American Bicyclists.
Exciting news, since Portland is only the second city in the USA - after Davis, CA - to receive the League's highest level designation and the first large city in America that achieved platinum status.
Bike Gallery owner Jay Graves kicked off the event, by reminding the audience that it was two years ago at the very same location that Sam Adams unveiled a nine-part "Platinum strategy" to make Portland a best-in-class city for cycling and cyclists and earn the Platinum-level designation.
Bike Gallery owner receives prestigious advocacy award from BTA
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Photo by Jonathan Maus BikePortland.org |
Each year the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) presents the Alice Awards to individuals, businesses, and organizations in Oregon and SW Washington who have shown exceptional dedication to improving their community for bicyclists.
It's not every year that they present the Bud Clark Award for Lifetime Achievement, but this was one of those years and Jay Graves, owner and CEO of Bike Gallery received this prestigious honor Saturday March 22, 2008, at the Annual Alice Awards and Auction.
'08 Handmade Bicycle Show goes for record attendance in Portland.
;)
This last weekend, the North American Handmade Bicycle Show, came to Portland for what was the 4th edition of the world's largest trade and consumer show for custom-built bicycles. More than 180 exhibitors showed off their custom rides and wares and the organizers counted over 6,800 visitors, who flooded the Oregon Convention Center to take it all in. If you missed out on the show, you can still read the show reports and enjoy some great photos posted on bikeportland.org, cyclingnews.com and velonews.com.
The Bike Gallery was present at the show booths of our very own custom bike brands Parlee Cycles, Signal Cycles (pictured) and Co-Motion.
Bike Gallery expands its line of custom bikes with the addition of Parlee and Signal Cycles.
February 5, 2008 - In the lead-up towards the much-anticipated North American Handmade Bicycle Show - coming to Portland this next weekend - the Bike Gallery is excited to announce the addition of two top-notch, custom bike brands to its already extensive line-up of bicycle brands. This month, Bike Gallery will start selling custom framesets and complete custom bikes built by carbon fiber specialist Parlee Cycles and Portland-based upstart Signal Cycles.
Parlee Cycles - a New England-based bike company lead by carbon whiz Bob Parlee - might not be a familiar name yet among northwest cyclists, but the company is rapidly developing a reputation of its own that is quite impressive. For one, the company is one of only a few builders that can do custom sizing in carbon fiber. Moreover, in the high-end, custom road bike segment, Parlee is currently considered “nothing but the best.” At least, that was the verdict of the editors of Bicycling Magazine when they announced their favorite bikes of the year last spring. Read More
Bike Gallery establishes Brett Jarolimek Memorial Fund.
On Monday October 22 2007, Bike Gallery co-worker and team mate Brett Jarolimek was killed in a collision with a truck while riding his bike in Portland. The news of his death came as a terrible blow to all of us at the Bike Gallery, as well as to many customers and friends in the community. For most of us, words are falling short to express the deep sadness caused by the sudden loss of a great friend and a wonderful human being, but we like to acknowledge with gratitude the outpouring of support and concern that has been expressed at Brett’s loss.
The Bike Gallery - with the support of Brett's close family and friends - has decided to establish a memorial fund in honor of Brett's life. The Brett Jarolimek Memorial Fund will be sponsored by the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA), which will administer the collection and distribution of donations under its charter as a 501 C-3 nonprofit organization. The Bicycle Transportation Alliance is based in Portland Oregon and exists to support bicycle and pedestrian safety and transportation concerns throughout the state.
Donations made to the Brett Jarolimek Memorial Fund will be used to support the cause of bicycle safety through strategic partnerships and direct support of projects intended to 1) enhance motorist awareness and education, 2) enhance the awareness, visibility and education of bicyclists, and 3) enable bicycle safety infrastructure projects on a selected basis. This will include funding of grassroots projects initiated by individuals in the community.
Read more on how you can donate to the fund
Bike Gallery Service Manager Tours Asian Bike Factories.
In early December 2007, Bike Gallery General Service Manager, Brett Flemming toured several bike factories in China and Taiwan with representatives of Trek Bicycle Company. Brett returned to Portland with lots of pictures, a few souvenirs, a new perspective on Asian bike-factories, and a tremendous amount of enthusiasm for Trek bicycles.
The journey really began when Brett provided feedback to Trek about some of the challenges Bike Gallery faces in assembling Asian-built bicycles for our stores. Trek was listening and responded to his input and then asked him to tour some of facilities in Asia to provide additional suggestions for improvement.
Bike Gallery mud lovers wrap up another successful cyclocross season.
The Bike Gallery employee team - made up of Bike Gallery staffers and their families - just wrapped up another great cyclocross season. This year's cross season started out with a dry and sunny spell through mid November, resulting in races held in exceptionally balmy conditions, but ultimately Oregon fall weather kicked in full force and racers got the rain and mud that they had been craving for all season.
This year, Bike Gallery staffers could be seen racing their bikes in almost every category, from the Juniors to the 50-plussers, from the Clydesdale to the Singlespeed classes, and from the Beginners to the big dogs in the Cat A Men and Women. And like the last couple years, the strong contingent of cross fanatics at our Hollywood store yielded another set of podium finishers.
Trek World '08 — Some cool, new bikes coming your way.
Two weeks ago, Trek - the world's largest manufacturer of high-quality specialty bicycles - hosted its annual dealer show Trek World in Madison, Wisconsin.
Dealers and guests from all over the world got a chance to take an up-close look of all the new bikes and cycling products coming our way from Trek and its sister brands Gary Fisher, Lemond, Mirraco and Bontrager. The Bike Gallery was there to take it all in.
While a lot of the attention at the show focused on the all-new Trek Madone, the much-improved Trek Fuel EX, and Gary Fisher's new line of full-carbon mountain bikes, we couldn't help marveling about all the new and cool "urban & bike path" bikes that soon will be rolling into our stores and onto the streets of Portland.
Bike Gallery voted "Best Bike Shop in Portland."
For the third year in a row, the Bike Gallery was voted Best Bike Store in Portland in Willamette Week's annual "Best of Portland" Readers Poll. In addition, our store was voted favorite bike shop by the readers of Portland Monthly.
Of course, we are very proud of all the recognition and a big "thanks" is in place to everyone who has shown their appreciation for our service, our products and our longstanding involvement in the
community. Thank you Portland!
Bike Gallery honored with Oregon Ethics in Business Award.
One June 13, The Bike Gallery was honored as the recipient of the 2007 Oregon Ethics in Business Award. The award, now in its fourth year, honors Oregon-based organizations and individuals who demonstrate ethical responsibility, integrity and social and environmental stewardship.
At a well-attended awards banquet at Portland's historical Governor's Hotel, Bike Gallery owner Jay Graves acknowledged that the company's guiding principle in doing business has always been what his father (Bike Gallery founder Bob Graves) told him: "Treat your customers, employees, and business partners how you would like them to treat you and give back to your community."
Photo: Jay Graves and his family holding up the prestiguous award.
Other recipients of this year's Oregon Ethics in Business awards were Mercy Corps, S.D. Deacon, David Evans & Associates, and Harvey Platt.