BIKE GEEKS UNITE!!!

Brigette Stoick (phys-ed teacher/River City Bicycles employee)

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Siouxon Creek, about a half-hour northeast of Battle Ground, Wash., especially in the summer. It's pretty close, and I love the waterfalls and swimming holes.

What kind of bike is your main ride?

That would be my Gunnar Cross Hairs cyclocross bike. (A cyclocross bike is a heavy-duty road bike that accepts knobby tires and mountain-bike style brakes. They have been described as a bike that does nothing perfectly, but does everything well). I ride it for just about everything, road rides, cyclocross racing and commuting.

First bike? When?

A 97 Schwinn Mesa mountain bike, it's still my only mountain bike.

How many others?

I have three total, but I am about to get a new mountain bike. Everybody I ride with keeps telling me that I deserve a better bike than this. There are 10 (bikes) in my household.

What is your favorite piece of bike gear?

Arm warmers. I have five pair and I wear them all the time. I even wear them when I am not on a bike ride.

Do you try to influence
others to ride?

During the winter, I am the one in my circle of friends that keeps everyone riding, and when going to the movies or something I always try to get my friends to ride.

Do you wave at other cyclists?

All the time, or I at least give them the "nod."

Why do you ride bikes?

Oh, wow, there are so many reasons. It just makes me feel good when I ride. It keeps me fit. I don't need coffee in the morning when I ride. I hate driving around town and trying to park, plus riding is faster.

How often do you ride?

As much as I can. I get depressed if I am not on my bike for a few days.

Do you think you are
a bike geek?

You know you are a bike geek when you're at a party and all you talk about is bikes.

Any close calls or
accidents?

I was headed up to Rocky Butte with a group and a redneck in a truck swerved into our lane trying to scare us. At the last second he moved back into his lane yelling stupid comments about how bikes shouldn't be on the road. Also, it seems like every time I ride near Beaverton something like a Coke can gets thrown at one of my friends.

CAN YOU DO ANYTHING FOR HELMET HAIR?

Pauline Steiner
(co-owner, Platform
Artistic Salon)

Where is your favorite place to ride around Portland?

I love going up through Washington Park to Skyline and over to the Fairmont loop.

What kind of bike is your main ride?

A Spot Brand cyclocross bike (a Vancouver, B.C., custom frame builder). I had it custom built for me a few months ago.

First bike? When?

My first bike was a 10-speed that I bought with my high-school graduation money. I rode it everywhere because I didn't have a car. The first bike that really got me into cycling was a LeMond road bike four years ago.

How many others?

Just two. I have too much other gear to get another in my garage.

What is your favorite piece of bike gear?

Arm warmers. I couldn't live without them. For some reason I am always cold, so I never ride without them.

Do you try to influence others to ride?

Try? It's more like: when don't I tell people to get off their ass and go ride with me?! Rain or shine doesn't matter, because I am always excited to get out and ride.

Do you wave at other cyclists?

Yes, even the snooty roadie guys who don't.

Why do you ride bikes?

I started out riding to get in shape for skiing. Now I ride because I have to get outside and get some fresh air to re-energize myself. While I'm working I will look at my watch around 11 and think "I could have almost made it to the beach by now".

How often do you ride?

At least three days a week, more in the summer.

Do you think you are
a bike geek?

Maybe. Probably.

Any close calls or
accidents?

I was riding into Portland on Barbur Boulevard and a car decided to do a 180. To make the turn it crossed into the bike lane right in front of me. I slammed on my brakes and came to a stop on the front tire, almost going over the handlebars. I've been pretty lucky. I always have trouble with the train tracks, though.

WHAT'S BETTER THAN GETTING PAID TO RIDE?

Ira Ryan (member, Magpie Messenger Collective)

Where is your favorite place to ride around Portland?

I'm mostly a roadie so I really love doing loops off Skyline. McNamee Road, between Highway 30 and Skyline, is probably my favorite, but I still look forward to riding downtown everyday.

What kind of bike is your main ride?

My Surly Cross-Check (a Midwest brand that makes tough, no-nonsense bikes with attitude). It could be the perfect bike. It's inexpensive and bomb-proof. I ride it for work, on rainy road rides, or cyclocross.

First bike? When?

I got a rusty, old, yellow BMX bike when I was a kid in Indiana. I rode it barefoot down hills and crashed all the time. You know, that "fearless youth" mentality. Jump, crash and get back on it. That was me.

How many others?

I have four others, but I think there are 17 in my house. I live with other messengers.

What is your favorite piece of bike gear?

I would say my Sidi mountain shoes (an Italian shoemaker, known for quality, durability and fit). When you're riding and walking all day, good shoes make a huge difference.

Do you try to influence
others to ride?

Yeah, I really just try to encourage others more than anything. I don't preach to people, though, just make them feel comfortable.

Do you wave at other cyclists?

All the time. Most messengers are pretty apathetic toward other cyclists, so maybe I am trying to make up for that a bit. You know, I am pegged as a light-running, helmetless renegade by most commuters, and I think it freaks them out a little when I say hi.

Why do you ride bikes?

Addiction, and complete happiness whenever I am on a bike. I also really like being part of the whole cycling community.

How often do you ride?

I ride for my job, so everyday.

Do you think you are a bike geek?

Totally.

Any close calls or accidents?

I was behind a delivery truck and got a call on my radio. While I was reaching for it I saw the door on the right open, so I went left. As I came around the side the left door opened. My radio was in my right hand, so when I grabbed a fist full of front brake I went right over the bars. My bike and my body are fine, but I think I left a tire mark on some woman's bumper. I would say once a week I have a close call, but I would imagine most people's close calls are just getting through traffic for me.

DIDN'T YOUR MOM TELL YOU NOT TO RIDE WITH KNIVES?

Greg Higgins (Higgins Restaurant chef/owner)

Where is your favorite place to ride around Portland?

I love to ride out through the Willamette Valley and stop at the vineyards. To be out there riding, drinking wine and having a picnic could be the perfect day.

What kind of bike is your main ride?

My commuting bike is an old Klein Attitude all decked out with fenders and racks.

First bike? When?

A 1963 Huffy Cruiser with a tank. When I was 14, I worked on a farm to make enough money to buy a Fontan (French brand of road-racing bicycles) with Campagnolo components for $220. When I brought it home I lied to my mother about how much it had cost.

How many others?

Ten total, including my wife's, plus a ton of extra parts.

What is your favorite piece of bike gear?

Definitely my Burley rain jacket. It's Oregon: You couldn't ride without a good rain jacket.

Do you try to influence others to ride?

I am always trying to get more of my employees to ride. We have a bike rack in our storage area for everyone to use. I think about a third of our 60
employees are now regular bike commuters.

Do you wave at other cyclists?

Yes, and most smile or wave back.

Why do you ride bikes?

I'm a strong believer in sustainable living. It's good for the Earth and good for my head. I started racing bikes at 14 and couldn't stop now.

How often do you ride?

Every day I ride to the restaurant, and when I am not working I am out riding.

Do you think you are a bike geek?

Yes, but old-school, not techno geek. I ride parts until they die.

Any close calls or accidents?

I was riding on Terwilliger Boulevard one morning when the right half of my handlebar broke off. It almost launched me into traffic, but I managed to keep it under control.

WWeek 2015