Gary Medley

*Contact*: Jocelyn Sycip, Director: 503 956.4071, *
jocelyn@oregonmanifest.com*

*Contact*: Gary Medley, Medley Communications, 503 516.1468, *
gtmedley@gmail.com*

*For Immediate Release: * September 9, 2009

Oregon Manifest Bike Festival

Shifts to a Higher Gear for 2009

*Constructors Design Challenge, “Dreams on Wheels” Danish cycling exhibit,
a cycling fashion show, and bike racing highlight the Manifest's expanded,
six-**weekend** **schedule.*

PORTLAND, Ore. – Oregon Manifest is back, with new paint, fresh tires and
extra gears!

Oregon Manifest – Portland's unique, multi-faceted celebration of cycling
culture, craftsmanship and competition – returns, larger and fresher, for
2009. Expanded to six weekends (up from three days) Oregon Manifest 09 will
feature a national bike design challenge, an acclaimed Danish cycling
culture exhibit, bike racing, guest speakers and a pop-up storefront Bike
Union – all highlighting the bike's influence on culture, sustainability,
and urban design.

Set to run from October 2 to November 8 in Portland, Oregon Manifest 09 –
presented by Chris King Precision Components – will showcase nearly every
facet of the cycling experience, from the craft of bike design to the
athletic power of single speed cyclocross, from examining cycling's impact
on sustainability to its influence on fashion.

“As one of two Platinum-rated cycling cities in the U.S., it's natural that
Portland would host a cycling festival with the broad sweep of Oregon
Manifest,” explained event director Jocelyn SyCip. “*Oregon Manifest was
created to celebrate the art, craft and community of bicycling, in turn
engaging a wider audience with the cycling lifestyle. *This series of events
does not exist elsewhere and is the result of the cycling and creative
communities coming together to develop something extraordinary and
different.”

Three events headline the festivities:

* DREAMS ON WHEELS DANISH CYCLING CULTURE EXHIBIT*

Working with the Embassy of Denmark and the City of Portland, Oregon, Oregon
Manifest is hosting the U.S. debut of the Danish interpretive exhibit, *Dreams
on Wheels.* Developed by curator Thomas Ermacora and in collaboration with
Danish designer and architect Jan Gehl, *Dreams On Wheels* showcases Danish
cycling culture and Denmark's commitment to sustainability via urban design
that promotes active transportation. The exhibit illustrates how cycling has
affected Danish culture, analyzing the history and social development of
biking as a viable transportation alternative.

*CONSTRUCTOR’S DESIGN CHALLENGE*
Oregon Manifest is seeking the next-wave transportation bike. Bicycle frame
builders from around the country are challenged to design and build an
innovative, modern transportation bike – a technical trial of engineering
dexterity and fabrication mettle. Creative solutions for the everyday rider
will be explored and exhibited before the public at the Oregon Bike Union.
Some of the country's most accomplished makers of hand-built, custom bikes
have taken up the challenge, including Igleheart from Wenham, Mass., Ahearne
Cycles from Portland, and Curt Goodrich Bicycles from Minneapolis,
Minn. Thirty-three
builders will enter their purpose-built designs.

A prestigious panel of experts, including Rob Forbes, founder of Design
Within Reach, and Sky Yaeger, of Swobo Bikes, will judge the bikes on
Friday, October 2nd, followed by an evening gala at the Oregon Manifest Bike
Union. The entered bikes will be displayed and the builders introduced to
the public.

"The transportation bike is a long-neglected segment of cycling, but one
that's making a comeback,” SyCip said, “The Constructor's Design Challenge
is a unique way to jump start the conversation about what constitutes a
great, modern, all-around transportation bike."

*CONSTRUCTOR’S RACE*
To prove that the bikes entered in the Constructors Design Challenge deliver
function as well as form, the bikes will compete in a unique real-world
transportation test. Presented by Rapha, the UK-based cycling apparel maker
with offices in Portland, the Oregon Manifest Constructor's Race serves up
77 miles of epic on-and-off road challenges inspired by the European one-day
classics, such as *Paris Roubaix*. Design Challenge builders (or their
designated riders) will brave dirt, gravel, elevation climbs, and urban
technical trials on the secret route to bike victory.

*BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE...*

While Dreams on Wheels, the Constructor's Design Challenge, and the
Constructors Race, top the Oregon Manifest line-up, other Manifest events
will also pique the interest of cycling enthusiasts.

*Guest Speakers* – In addition to a presentation by the Danish Ambassador,
the rough and tumble world of Euro bike racing will be discussed by author
Joe Parkin, who spent nearly a decade living in Belgium, learning Flemish
and racing his bike professionally. Parkin chronicled his exploits in his
memoir, *A Dog in a Hat: An American Bike Racer's Story of Mud, Drugs,
Blood, Betrayal, and Beauty in Belgium*. He will speak at the Oregon
Manifest Bike Union (NW 10th and Hoyt in The Pearl) on October 16th at 7
p.m.

*Single Speed Cyclocross World Championship**s* – As if the mud, the
barriers , and the run-ups of cyclocross weren't challenging enough, single
speed 'cross limits the riders to one gear, putting a premium on strength,
suffering,and in the case of this particular event, spectacle. On November 8
th, the Single Speed Cyclocross World Championship closes out the Oregon
Manifest's six-week run, taking place at Portland International Raceway

*Ready to Roll** Cycling Lifestyle Fashion Show and Concours D’Elegance*

Cycle chic is two-wheeling it to Portland Fashion Week! Fabulous meets
functional on the runway of *Ready to Roll*, a cycling lifestyle fashion
show. October 10th, *Momentum *magazine in conjunction with Portland Fashion
Week, will showcase bike style that performs on both the morning commute *
and* at the evening’s big event. After the show, *fashionistas* can
participate in a rolling Concours d’elegance presented by River City
Bicycles that will wind it’s way through the city toward a dapper
celebration at the OM Bike Union.

*Family Bicycle Transportation Day *
Want to learn more about riding with kids? This is the event for you! Come
demo a huge selection of family biking products in a fun atmosphere at a
single convenient location. Many easy and flexible two wheeled options will
be on hand, including bakfiet and other cargo bikes, trail-a-bikes,
front-loading child seats, child seats options, bike trailers, tandems,
electric-pedal assist electric-assisted bikes, accessories and more. In
addition, more information and resources will be available on safe routes to
school and work, tips on riding with children, and bicycle maintenance.

*SUPPORTERS OF OREGON MANIFEST*

Oregon Manifest, a non-profit organization, wouldn't be possible without the
generous support of its partners. Presenting sponsor Chris King Precision
Components and the City of Portland have been instrumental in seeding the
event. Other Champion supporters include Cycle Oregon, Hopworks Urban
Brewery, Drive less. Save More., Portland Development Commission, the Pearl
District Business Association, and Rapha. Additional support comes from the
Ace Hotel, Alta Planning + Design, Castelli US, Clever Cycles, Grey Matter
Design, Momentum Magazine, Nau, pdxcross.com, River City Bicycles, United
Bicycle Institute, and Wells Fargo.

For more information on Oregon Manifest visit *www.oregonmanifest.com*. To
learn more about Dreams on Wheels, visit *www.dreamsonwheels.dk*,

--
Gary Medley
gtmedley@gmail.com
503-516-1468
www.medleycommunications.net
http://twitter.com/gtmedley