Buzz: Outdoors News Briefs for July 2013

Experience the San Juans Scenic Byway—without your car!

Photo at right by Kathleen Ballard

Save a tank of gas and ride the San Juan Islands Scenic Byway Explorer Bus to get out on the islands’ scenic roads and enjoy its unique attractions this summer. Hop on a narrated bus at the Orcas Island and/or Friday Harbor/San Juan Island ferry terminals, and then hop off at the many popular attractions on both islands. After about an hour or two you can hop back on and continue to the next stop.

A $15 Explorer Bus Day Pass is available and companion travelers are free. Wheelchairs are welcome on the bus and on the Washington State Ferries (WSF).

Advance reservations are recommended. www.visitsanjuans.com/scenicbyway

Dazed and Amused

Nutty about Cyclepedia

Portland bicycle helmet manufacture, Nutcase Helmets, recently donated 475 of its colorful and original helmets to display at the Cyclepedia Exhibit at the Portland Art Museum (PAM).

Nutcase, based in Portland, is the original innovator of lifestyle biking helmets. On display are some of Nutcase’s most well-known and iconic helmets like Dazed and Amused, Daisy Stripe, Got Luck? and Glo-Brain.

The exhibit will feature 40 bicycles from the collection of Vienna-based designer and bike aficionado Michael Embacher. The exhibit will be open through Sept. 8, Tuesdays through Sundays.

www.portlandartmuseum.org/special/cyclepedia

Photo by Carolyn Price

Kitsap Peninsula Forest/Bay Victory!

A purchase and sale agreement was signed in late May for the 535-acre Port Gamble Shoreline Block that includes 1.5 miles of marine shoreline and extensive connected forest. The sale is expected to close by August with Kitsap County taking ownership of all but the tidelands which will revert to Department of Natural Resources ownership. The sale price is $4.65 million, the appraised value.

www.greatkitsapforestbay.org/default.htm

Providence Bridge Pedal

Register early for Providence Bridge Pedal

Providence Bridge Pedal has limited the number of cyclists this year. Registrations are on a first-come, first-serve basis. The limitations are due the high volume of cyclists and safety concerns.

This year’s Bridge Pedal is Sunday, Aug. 11. Ride options range from 3 to 36 miles on Portland’s Willamette River bridges—from the Sellwood to the St. Johns, including the top decks of the Fremont and Marquam bridges.

blog.bridgepedal.com

Youth bike campers. Photo courtesy Jim Anderson

USA Cycling hosts youth talent camp

USA Cycling is hosting a Talent ID camp designed for female and male cyclists, racing ages 14–22 years old with some racing experience. The camp will be based on the beautiful campus of Pacific University in Forest Grove, Ore. July 28–Aug. 2. Some partial scholarships are available. All riders need to be current USA Cycling members.

www.usacycling.org/regional-talent-id-camps.htm

Photo courtesy of Tour des Chutes

Ride Scenic on the Tour des Chutes

Tour des Chutes is offering up much more than just five routes in and around Bend, Ore. for its ninth annual ride July 13. It’ll be tough to keep your eyes on the road due to the scenic courses—including the 100-miler that winds through the proposed Sisters-Smith Rock State Scenic Bikeway and the Scenic Oregon Bikeway.

Imagine using mostly low traffic country roads passing large farm and ranch land with some beautiful views of several Cascade Peaks. Not up for 100 miles? Rest assured Tour des Chutes has got you covered. Choose from 74, 50, 25 and a family-friendly 7-miler. Look for burritos, ice cream and live music at the post-ride party.

The ride benefits local cancer survivorship programs.

tourdeschutes.org

Portland riders love their Sunday Parkways days!

Seattle Parks hosts Bicycle Sundays

Grab your wheels and get ready to roll when Seattle’s Lake Washington Boulevard is closed to bikers and walkers on several Sundays this summer as part of its annual Bicycle Sundays program.

Ride or walk traffic-free from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. between Mount Baker Beach and the Seward Park entrance July 7, 14, Aug. 25 and Sept. 1, 15, 22.

Bicycle Sundays are sponsored by Seattle Parks and Recreation and Cascade Bicycle Club.

www.seattle.gov/parks/bicyclesunday/

…Likewise —Sunday Parkways hit Portland

Be sure to participate in one or all three of Portland’s Sunday Parkways events July 28 in North Portland; Aug. 25 in Southeast Portland and Sept. 29 in Southwest Portland. Selected streets will be closed for people to walk, bike and roll.

www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/58929

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