If you like bikes, and bikes on things, co-organizers Aaron McBride and Andrea Updegrave McBride cordially invite you to join them at the Second Annual Pedal Nation Bicycle Show this weekend, April 9th-10th, at the Oregon Convention Center.
Described as "an industry show for the everyday cyclist," the Portland-based event offers a variety of great deals on gear, apparel, bike accessories, and equipment; workshops and seminars on bike-related topics from Wheel Truing 101 (Jude Kirstein, Epic Wheel Works) to Bicycle Trip Planning (Jeff Smith, Portland Transportation Options); the Pimp’d Bike Showcase; and family friendly entertainment for every level of cycling addiction. From year-round commuter to time-trialing specialist, die-hard roadie to mountain-bike maniac, rambunctious randonneur to Sunday strolls with the family, and all the riders in between, Pedal Nation promises to satisfy your bicycle cravings.
BicyclingHub.com sat down with Aaron McBride not long ago to discuss the upcoming show and how he and his wife Andrea plan on making their sophomore effort bigger, badder, and more bike-spectular than ever. New for 2011 is a re-designed floor plan featuring a bigger freeride and exhibition area and a 40 X 80 feet Nutcase Pedal Park in the center of the venue, paying tribute to Portland's lush greenways and prolific parks. A Portland Saturday Market theme--with a circus tent at the hub and park benches, grass strips, and helmet tree displays adding to the ambiance--should produce a more dynamic feel. McBride comments, "We wanted to bring the outside element inside...the expanded Demo Area and loop [was constructed] roller-rink style to produce a streetscape effect."
Also new this year is the OBCA Framebuilders Showcase, featuring 10 local bike manufacturers who custom build frames by hand. And just ask McBride about the pro riders on the roster and his eyes readily light up. With professional trials rider, "bike porn" star, and yoga instructor Ryan Leech and freeride specialists Andrew Taylor, Greg Watts, Jamie Goldman and Phil Sundbaum scheduled for daily demo sessions, the adrenaline should be fast and free-flowing.
With over 100 exhibitors, booths, manufacturers and organizations, under one roof, visitors can peruse the latest models from manufacturers such as Marin, Co-Motion Cycles or Bianchi; shop for belts and messenger bags re-purposed from bicycle inner tubes, proudly display their velo-love with bicycle-themed jewelry and arm themselves against the variable Portland weather with the help of Showers Pass. Those contemplating expanding their travel horizons had the opportunity to chat with experienced guides at Cycle Oregon and Unusual Tours, as well as chat with local advocacy organizations such as the Bicycle Transportation Alliance and Northwest Trail Alliance.
Returning favorites from last year include the popular Gold Sprint races, matching up to 4 riders on stationary trainers attached to computers who are encouraged to sprint as hard as they can for 500 or 1,000 meters while the crowds cheered on and tracks their performance on a color-coded screen in the background. Another crowd-pleaser is the Urban Bicycle Fashion Show, where fashion models and their trusty two-wheeled steeds roll down the runway highlighting a wide range of clothing, apparel and accessories to wear on and around one’s daily bike-commutes.
Knowing visions of springtime races and long summer rides dancing in your head, BicyclingHub.com staff will be in attendance this weekend to help you find the appropriate gear to help you stay motivated and ride straight thru Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter 2011. Pedal Nation attendees will be treated to an unparalleled display of cycling clothing for every kind of cyclist, special discount coupons for gear of your choice will be handed out to every booth visitor. Our goal: enabling cyclists to set—and reach—new goals throughout the year. Be it short-sleeve jerseys, cycling shorts and bib shorts, booties and/or extra-comfy gloves, we've got you covered.
BicyclingHub.com also has a limited number of 2-for-1 entry passes available at our new retail space. Stop by 642 SE Stark St. anytime between M-F, 9-5, and pick some up.
Photo, left: Don't miss our trademark I BIKE PDX t-shirts--guaranteed to be the hit of the show!
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