The Bike Issue: Bike, Bike, Baby! | The Source Weekly - Bend, Oregon

The Bike Issue: Bike, Bike, Baby!

Whether you're a mountain biker, road rider, cyclocross racer, or bicycle commuter, you probably spend a decent amount of time pedaling. Bend's urban infrastructure isn't exactly the most bike-welcoming terrain, but plenty of locals prefer riding a bike anywhere they can, like Sean Shriver, who runs his tree-trimming business from an electric bike. Local geologist Matthias Perle hauls his two kids to school and back on the back of an electric cargo bike. And graphic artist David Caplan, an avid mountain and road biker, uses an old Sun Fox cruiser to get around town during all seasons.

Some local riders prefer sticking to the trails, like the bicycle mechanics we interviewed at Sunnyside Sports, Hutch's, and Bend Velo, each of whom is lusting after a different type of mountain bike.

When they need to replace or upgrade parts on their top-of-the-line mountain bikes, they can order locally-assembled, high-end components from the fine fellows at Hope Components, a European company that just opened its first U.S. assembly division in Bend.

At the other end of the bicycle spectrum, steel-frame bikes are making more inroads lately, in the form of the J. Livingston bike. These beauties are custom-made right here in Bend, and named after local biking icon, John Livingston.

Unicycling is taking off, particularly with kids at Pine Ridge Elementary School, where dozens of students are learning to ride the single-wheeled contraptions before school, thanks to a unicycling club. Bend Parks & Recreation also offers unicycling camps and workshops.

Check out our Bike Issue articles:

Upgraded by Hope

A Balancing Act for Pine Ridge Elementary Students

Meet J. Livingston

The Bike Guys' Bikes

How Important are Bike-able Neighborhoods for Homebuyers?

Bicycle Re-Source of Bend Receives $2,000 Grant

Comments (2)
Add a Comment
For info on print and digital advertising, >> Click Here