Brett Flemming, who oversees all of the service departments for Bike Gallery will be offering free talks every night about basic bike maintenance, fixing flat tires and riding skills. Brett is always entertaining and these talks should be a big hit. Tales of the kinds of fixes Brett has been able to pull off on the road have become legendary. He usually breaks out the torch and does at least one major frame repair every year. This year the Oregonian got word of these crazy antics and decided to send along a photographer to follow Brett and the rest of the Cycle Oregon train to document the event. They will be posting video and blogging every step of the way. We’ll send links as soon as we have them.

The big night is going to be in Pendleton when 2000 cyclists meet thousands of cowboys at the 100th Pendleton Roundup. The rodeo is one of the biggest in the US and the contrast between cowboy boots and lycra should make for some interesting photo opportunities.

A brief history of bike pedals:

A traditional toeclip and strap

When pedals were new, people that were riding bikes at speed found a need for keeping their feet attached to the bike. The toe clip was the preferred way to stay attached to the bike until “clipless” pedals came onto the scene in the 80’s.  Toe clips are attached to a pedal, sometimes called cages or baskets, and can be adjusted by tightening or loosening a strap on the clip.

Clipless pedals use a metal or plastic cleat bolted to the sole of the shoe. The cleat interfaces with the spring loaded engagement of the clipless pedal and provides a secure attachment and an easier way to get in and out of the pedals. Some pedals have adjustable spring tension that adjusts the amount of force needed to get in or out of the pedals.

A clipless pedal

Whether you ride a bike with toe clips or clipless pedals your choice of shoes can make a big difference in your comfort and efficiency on the bike. The surface area of a pedal is a small part of your shoe’s “footprint.” If the sole of the shoe is flexible like a running shoe, as you apply power to the pedal the arches of your feet work hard to not curl around the pedal. This can cause strain and lead to soreness. Cycling shoes vary in sole stiffness, but they are all a lot stiffer than usual street shoes. The sole stiffness in effect increases the surface area of the pedal, providing a bigger platform for the foot to push down. This decreases the work your foot has to do and reduces strain.

On the highest end of performance shoes are heat molded models that are custom fitted and shaped to your foot using a special oven. If you have issues with shoes that don’t fit right, these are a great option. We also have cyclesole custom foot beds that can be custom fitted to you. Our trained fit services pros use these tools to help guide you to a pain free riding experience.

If you have issues with foot pain, or are just interested in making the riding experience more efficient, try some cycling shoes on for size!

Our head fitter Aaron “Rambo” Harrison set me up with a set of Cyclesoles custom footbeds last week. After a couple hundred miles and a nice climb up Larch Mountain yesterday, I am a convert! I have been riding a pair of Sidi Genius 5 Mega shoes for the past three years. I had come to accept the toe numbness and mild foot pain as a small price to pay for stiff soles and supple uppers. I was wrong. It doesn’t have to be that way.

My Cyclesoles are custom fitted to every contour of my foot, from my heel to the tips of my toes. I now have support for my high arches, the ball of my foot, and that little space between my toes and the ball. The result is no slip, high efficiency pedaling, and no more smashed-numb toes.

The Cyclesoles hold my feet completely still. With the stock insoles, the body of the shoe was containing my foot, which means constant pressure as the foot meets the end of the shoe and at the back where I pull with the heel. Now, the Cyclesoles provide all necessary support points against which to pull, resulting in a more smooth and efficient stroke while climbing and a more powerful push along the whole of the foot while sprinting.

I highly recommend you pick up a pair, especially if you have had foot and toe pain in the past. Cyclesoles will take your feet out of the efficiency equation.

Please email our Fit Services folks or call your neighborhood Bike Gallery if you’re interested in trying Cyclesoles.

Jay Graves makes sure this bike is ready for the ride. (photo by Dean Rodgers)

Cycle Oregon weekend saw almost 2000 riders for the two day bike-centric event based in Monmoth Oregon. Riders were treated to some beautiful loops around the mid-Willamette valley. Bike Gallery staff included the most seasoned ride supporters we had to offer. Jay Graves, Brett Flemming, Kelly, and Randall turned wrenches and kept the bikes rolling while Marjorie held down the camp single-handedly. The weekend ride is always a big hit and is especially family friendly with kids bike camp and safety rides for kids over 5.

Saturday was the Woodstock parade and our Woodstock Neighborhood store was involved in the daylong event. We set up our big tent as a sun block for the main stage. Music, food and a parade were the perfect way to spend a sunny Saturday.

The next day, we moved the big tent to the Sunday Parkways East Portland edition. We also set up a booth at the nearby Ed Benedict Park for the East Portland Expo. The roads were packed, and our location at Bloomington Park was a ideal for viewing all of the riders making their way around the four and a half mile car-free loop. Now that Sunday Parkways has grown to five rides over the summer, there are more rides that target folks who want to try riding a bike, but are concerned about riding with automobile traffic. And that is a great thing!

Andrew working in the grass at MBO

Mountain Bike Oregon was this past weekend too and Bike Gallery sent mechanics to make sure the rough terrain of Oakridge Oregon didn’t get the better of people’s bikes. I was lucky to be able to help out at this event. I have been riding mountain bikes in Oakridge for about 15 years now and it is always a treat to get to experience this beautiful area. Oakridge is a small town located at the confluence of the middle and north forks of the Willamette River high up in the Cascades. The town was grown on a diet of logging, but after the mills closed the town shrank and began to die. Recently, thanks in no small part to the efforts of Mountain Bike Oregon, Oakridge is becoming known as the best mountain bike destination in the state. Mountain Bike Oregon is in its 5th year and has exposed the trail systems to hundreds of people. The town has experienced a bit of a renaissance in the last two years. A brewpub opened up in the old downtown area where boarded up storefronts are more common than open businesses. Also, in the last year a hostel and a bakery have opened up just down the street from the pub. It’s clear that mountain biking has been a huge factor in helping put Oakridge on the radar of people who are looking for a place to enjoy the outdoors, and hopefully this will spur more growth and a stronger economy in a town that can desperately use some help.

Dean Tracy (right) celebrates a team sprint win at the AVC (photo Janice Tracy)

This was also the weekend of the Alpenrose Velodrome Challenge. The AVC brings world class track racers to Portland for the three day race. The Alpenrose track is one of only around 20 tracks in the US and is even more unique because it is made of concrete instead of wood, and is longer and steeper (and bumpier) than just about any other track out there. Hollywood staffer and Alpenrose local, Dean Tracy raced to a win in the team sprint while setting a new track record! Congratulations Dean!

And during all of this bike activity, we managed to show two of the most exciting stages of the Tour de France yet live, at out Hollywood store. This weekend was a lot of work and a lot of fun. How was your weekend?

This weekend will mark our 5th year of joining with some of the top wineries in Oregon with our annual Wine Ride series. The rides begin and end at wineries throughout the Yamhill Valley. The 32-mile ride on July 11th will start and end at Penner Ash Winery. Penner Ash is famous for their Pinot Noir, and is consistently listed in the Wine Spectator top 100.

Our route travels through the rolling hills near Carlton, Yamhill and Lafayette. Each ride includes full support on the course, as well as a catered lunch and wine tasting at the end of the ride. All of this great fun while raising money for The Children’s Heart Foundation, dedicated to funding the most promising research to advance the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of congenital heart defects. We have rides in August and September, hosted by Vista Hills Winery. Pre Registration is required. Visit ORBike.com to register.

Sunday morning June 20th,  Bike Gallery staff along with our friends and our customers gathered to ride in the the 2010 Portland Pride Parade.  Though the weather forced us under an awning while we waited to line up, the rain cleared and rainbows everywhere made up for the lack of sunshine.  Our group was full of excitement as we circled our bikes around and the crowds erupted with cheers as we wheeled past.  I heard “Go Bike Gallery!”, “Thank you Bike Gallery!”, and “More tricks!” as Amy Wantulok and Jay Graves wowed the crowed with wheelies, track stands and fabulous bike handling skills.  Jake Ryder, a mechanic from our Downtown location, brought his custom-made zebra-striped mobile sound system built into the front of a cargo bike and blasted dance music into the crowds receiving cheers with each new song.  It felt fantastic to bring our diverse group out for a party in the streets and celebrate the GLBT community who have played an important role in our company’s success over the years.  Next year we hope to see you out there with us!

Jay Graves pulls a wheelie!

Our DJ and sound system kept the party going!

Amy Wantulok shows her bike skills!

Our littlest member nearly doses off during the parade.

How would you describe Tina? Slow, comfy, good for getting around town, cruising. It’s the bike I ride around all winter, but it’s kind of dangerous because it only has one brake, and it’s freewheel. I like that it has character. It’s the only bike I have that isn’t black. I like that I can throw it into a bike rack and not worry if it gets beat up.

What makes a good commuter bike? Something you can ride year round, something that has some utility to it. A comfortable single speed has no gears to mess around with. It needs to be geared easily.

What parts have you worn out? Brake pads and tires, I broke a chain on it, and I think this front wheel is about ready to be replaced.

Why should people commuter by bike? It doesn’t have to be pollitically motivated or anything, I’ve always ridden bikes and I’ve always liked riding bikes, it’s cheaper than a car and it’s way more fun. Get a bike that’s simple, it doesn’t have to go fast.

Justins bike named Tina.

What's my name?

Brass bell

Front basket

Flat pedals make it easy to just hop on and go.