TA Bike Brigade

World Cup's over... What am I to do...?

2010-07-15T16:56:00.000-07:00

Only four home games remain in the Portland Timbers regular season schedule, and that means just four more regular season rides! Mark your calendars for August 11th when the Timbers take on the Minnesota Stars.

But for those who can't wait that long, the TABB will be organizing rides out to local bars and pubs that show the Timbers' away games. The first of these will take place on July 31st to St. John's Pub.

I'll post more details when I've got 'em!

The new crest.

2010-06-13T23:25:00.000-07:00

Honestly, I think the less said about this the better, but I'll let ya'll judge for yourself.

Planning...?

2010-06-11T00:30:00.000-07:00

We riding to Directors Park? Where we Meeting up beforehand? Brunch? Anyone?

Been Lax.

2010-06-11T00:15:00.000-07:00

And for that I apologize. We're riding Saturday morning, through the Rose Parade, down to Directors Park. Want in? You know you do...

2010-06-01T21:34:00.000-07:00

I want to make out with whoever is responsible for these videos. And then torture them for information.

The FO will release four videos hinting at the new Timbers' crest, and will release it officially at Directors Park on June 12th at a showing of the USA's first World Cup match.

Here's the first hint:

The second one:

More as they get released.

On-going discussion over at SCUSA.

We can beat Boca Jrs, but not Crystal Palace...

2010-05-31T01:06:00.000-07:00

Exhibition match reports here:

PortlandTimbers.com
RowdiesPDX.org
DroppingTimber
TheOffside
OregonLive
SoccerCityUSA
PortlandMercury

Next game we have is against Carolina on June 6th. You can bet'cher ass we're gonna ride!

Gotta love Nimo

2010-05-28T02:15:00.000-07:00

Just in case ya'll haven't seen it yet: Alex Nimo tries to drag Matthew Mbuta off the pitch. Enjoy!

The Ides of May; Impact at Timbers 5.22.10

2010-05-20T21:28:00.000-07:00

Its been a rough stretch of games at home. After going 3-0-1 at the beginning of the season, the Timbers had almost two weeks off before their next game. They haven't come back from that vacation yet. Last night's game against Montreal was the last of three home games that haven't gone well for the Timbers.

Montreal is a tough team at home or on the road, and proved that by holding the Timbers to a 1-1 draw the first time these two teams met back in April. They came to PGE Park with the same intensity. Unfortunately, the Timbers did not. Decent play on the left side between Cameron, Pore, and Obatola could not make up for our deficiencies on the right side of the field. It is readily apparent that the team is missing the presence of Scot Thompson, last year's right back. Quavas Kirk, having taken Scot's place this year, has proved to be the weak link in the Timber's back line, and it seems that other teams have noted this and are taking advantage. In the 31', Montreal's Donatelli found himself with the ball at his feet and the goal wide open in front of him courtesy of his teammate Sebrango having outplayed the inexperienced Kirk, and in the process, pulled the equally inexperienced Purdy out of position to assist. The quick pass to Donatelli and subsequent goal were almost a foregone conclusion once the back line had been rearranged to the Impact's satisfaction.

Despite some creative substitutions at the half (were the boys playing a 2-3-1-4 for the last half an hour?) and some frenetic work on behalf of the roused squad (outshooting the Impact 17-4 during the game), the Timbers were unable to make up the one point deficit by full time. The refereeing was typically USL atrocious, the Mercury's new Timbers blogger, Brian Costello, putting it most succinctly:

“6,573 people witnessed a clear handball in the 68' that was somehow blindly ignored by the referee.”

But poor officiating is absolutely no excuse for what we've seen on the pitch the last three games, and despite the paragraphs above, this is not the fault of any one player. I'd wager the lack of cohesion and anticipation we have seen on the pitch in the last week has also worried Gavin, currently off on a scouting trip in Ghana, and I do not envy the boys the inevitable tongue-lashing upon his return.

Despite this three game mid-May walk of shame, I have not yet given up hope. Its early in the season, the Timbers are playing with energy and heart (despite seeming to locate it after the half) and are putting up impressive shooting statistics. Some tweaking of the line-up and our schedule over the next few weeks should fall before us like a 2-beers-deep Sounders "fan". I continue to be impressed with Pore's play, we have some rising stars in Danso and Obatola, hopefully Ian Joy will be back on his feet soon, and I harbor dreams of seeing Cameron Knowles back out on the pitch at some point this season. *giggles like a schoolgirl* Ahem.

The Brigade was impressive for a day with such inclement weather! Thanks to everyone who rode – it was great to see some new faces and to ride with some old veterans. My match is no longer complete if I don't hear Cowbell's lounge version of Portland Belongs to Me echoing off of downtown office buildings. If I don't see you all at Beulah for our coming away matches, I'll see you at the next ride!

Better and more perceptive match reviews can be found at the following:

Portland Mercury Timbers Blog

Dropping Timber
The Offside: Timbers
SoccerCityUSA
The Oregonian
RowdiesPDX

OregonLive Blog

Match highlights and archive can be found over at portlandtimbers.com.

Timbers play the Impact; Skate Decks; Oral Surgery

2010-05-18T17:28:00.000-07:00

After a devastating loss to Crystal Palace Baltimore on Thursday and squandering two points in a tie with AC St. Louis on Saturday, not all is well in Timbers-land. Despite dramatically out-shooting both opponents (16-5 over Crystal Palace and 14-3 over AC St. Louis) the boys dropped 5 points to two of the lowest ranked teams in the league². Sometimes the Timbers have an unfortunate tendency to play down to the level of their opponent, but Ryan Pore has seemingly lost the spark that he showed in the first four games of the season and players like Johan Claesson and Quavas Kirk simply phoned in lackluster performances. The consensus amongst the Army seems to be that the best thing about Saturday was the promotional giveaway of skateboard decks.

This seeming malaise is worrisome coming into tomorrow's match against the unbeaten Montreal Impact (2-0-2). In the third game of the season, the Impact held the Timbers to a 1-1 draw and, despite the added difficulty of playing at PGE Park, will be looking to add to their point total. Given that Timbers have had difficulties in the past with bottom-of-the-table teams, I doubt that Montreal are expecting an easy time of it, but I fervently hope that the last two games have awakened the boys after two weeks off. There's unfinished business between our two sides.

We'll be at the usual meetup at The Standard starting at about 4 pm. Come join us (but don't forget your jacket)!

On another note, some disorganization and injuries (as mentioned in the post title) prevented my showing for Sunday Parkways, but it was good to hear that some people made it out to enjoy the glorious weather. Some antibiotics, a little tooth removal, and I'll be right back out there riding with y'all!

Smarter and better match previews can be found at:
portlandtimbers.com
montrealimpact.com
daveknows:portland
Dropping Timber
The Offside
RowdiesPDX

Pre-match discussion is over on SCUSA.

True class (with spoilers).

2010-05-14T03:08:00.000-07:00

Despite a brilliant ride on a gorgeous summer's day, the Army in full effect, and playing, literally, the worst team in the league, the Timbers lost 1-0 to Crystal Palace Baltimore tonight. Shortly after leaving the park, a few twitteratti'ed TA received the following from Ian Joy, the Timber's Captain:

That's what I call class. I feel so sorry for AC St. Louis on Saturday as I think the boys are going to be looking for a little payback. See ya'll at the Standard for the pre-funk with, hopefully, some Gartner's short ribs!

For some post-match notes, cruise on over to the Timber's website, and to check in on the TA's post match analysis head over yonder.

Might try my hand at a full on match report tomorrow. I'd definitely tune in for that!

Wool gathering on the news cycle...

2010-05-12T21:18:00.000-07:00

Timbers released a new tv spot on Monday. For your viewing pleasure!

Let's ride!

2010-05-12T20:27:00.000-07:00

After an unbelieveably long break, we ride for the match against Crystal Palace Baltimore tomorrow at 5:30 (latest)!!! Stop by the Standard after four for a brew and some company, and then join us for what promises to be a beautiful evening.

Yikes.

2010-05-05T00:01:00.000-07:00

Holy hell. Thanks to 14bikeco for this madness.

The Offside Rules FINALLY gets it.

2010-05-04T23:58:00.000-07:00

SF over at theoffsiderules finally sees the light with regard to our 'neighbors' to the north. Well worth checking out: "Band Nerds Take Seattle, Theater Dorks Lay In Wait"

Urban Assault Ride

2010-05-04T23:53:00.000-07:00

From BikePortland.org, an event that sounds like its right up the TABB's alley:

New Belgium Brewing's Urban Assault Ride
Benefitting: Northwest Trail Alliance

Packet Pick Up:*** (Saturday 5/22 11-2pm)
Plan B Bar: 1305 S.E. 8th Ave

VENUE: (Sunday 5/23 9am)
Pioneer Court House Square 701 SW Sixth Avenue

Price: $45-$60/person - registration required.

What is it? From urbanassaultride.com:
"The Urban Assault Ride is a truly unique cycling event...and quickly becoming one of the biggest in country! Here's how it works: You and your teammate will set out on a city-wide quest for 'checkpoints' on your favorite two-wheeled steeds. At each checkpoint, you'll drop your bikes and complete a funky/adventurous obstacle course, then remount your bikes and hit the streets for more.
The goal is to complete all the checkpoints in the shortest amount of time. You choose your own route and checkpoint order. This means that the most clever are often the victors. Of course, it may also help if you can pull a mean big-wheel powerslide and fly across an inflatable slip-n-slide ;)
After your pedal-powered adventure, your team will cross the finish line and enter a massive celebration of bikes and beer. The after party is just as much fun as the ride itself, thanks to the craziest raffle prize contest you'll ever experience.
Pick a partner and we'll see you there!"

Complete info including prizes and sign up form: urbanassaultride.com

Massive celebration of bikes and beer? Who's in?

We got noticed!

2010-05-04T23:46:00.000-07:00

Thanks to DaveKnows:Portland for the shoutout. He's got a great wrapup of last weekend's Timbers match against Costa Rica's Puntarenas and some Timbers news here.

It's National Bike Month!

2010-05-04T23:34:00.000-07:00

After a bit of a mental health break, we're back in action, and it's National Bike Month! There's so much going on that it would be a little bit rediculous to try to mention it all, so we've pulled out some of our favorites for you. (You can find the whole schedule over at PBOT's website.)

Bike to Work Breakfast
Tuesday, May 11th from 7:30-9:00 am. at Pioneer Courthouse Square
PBOT will be serving free bagels, fruit, donuts, coffee and tea in honor of National Bike Month and to say 'Thanks for riding'!
Learn all about it over at PBOT.

Ride of Silence
Wednesday, May 19th, 7:00 pm at either 305 NE Wygant, meet up at the Bike Farm, or at the NW corner of SW 5th & Hall Blvd, on the Beaverton library lawn.
Please come and help us honor those injured or killed while biking. General information on this event is available at rideofsilence.org.

Sunday Parkways
Sunday, May 16th, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm, various locations.
Sunday Parkways is "a 2-way route of city streets open to walk, bike, roll, run, jump, and skip - without having to watch out for cars! The 5.8-mile Northeast Portland Sunday Parkways route will have two loops, connecting Woodlawn, Alberta, Fernhill, and Wilshire Parks. Food, music, and activities are located in the parks and along the route." More information on events, locations, and opportunities for volunteering at portlandonline.com.
Also, the TABB has volunteered to spread the Timbers love by riding the Sunday Parkways route and doing our thing! Come ride with us! I'll post meetup times and details in this space shortly.

It's going to be a long few weeks off until the next Timber's game. I'll try to keep everyone entertained in the meantime. Now forget about the weather - get out there and ride!

Some Youtube fun.

2010-05-01T09:26:00.000-07:00

Love the last few seconds of this (1:27 - 1:31). Props to artgirl63!

Changes coming to the Couch/Burnside Bridge interchange.

2010-04-30T16:44:00.000-07:00

Due to safety concerns, PBOT will be enacting changes on the Couch/Burnside Bridge interchange. Jonathan over at BikePortland.org has the whole story. Here are the pertinent bits:

- As of now, they're shutting down the bicycle lane and shifting traffic to the single outside travel lane. Cyclists are to use the other travel lane that will be closed to vehicle traffic.
- The bicycle lane will be restriped with a skid-resistant material to be a foot wider.
- The moter vehicle lane closest to the bike lane was striped 2 1/2 feet narrower than it should have been. This will be corrected.
- Also, PBOT will be adding a four-foot buffer zone throughout the curve "to keep motorists from encroaching into the bicycle lane."

What do you think? Good enough? Anybody feel like that section of the route is sketchy?

Timbers win!!!

2010-04-30T16:41:00.001-07:00

Ah glorious night. A lovely ride with some new faces and an EPIC win over those bastards from up north. Pictures up soon. DaveKnows: Portland has a great roundup of match reports here.

Love you guys! Can't wait for the next match!

Road rage.

2010-04-28T16:57:00.000-07:00

Interesting post from Jonathan Maus over at BikePortland.org and really interesting comments. Please ride safe everyone.

News! 04/28/10

2010-04-28T11:02:00.000-07:00

Bikes:
- BikeSnobNYC visits Portland and gets an article in Outdoor Magazine. Lucky!
- Do you own an iPad and work on your own ride? Perhaps you need this app...
- Kerr Bikes opens up a FREE bike maintainence station on the waterfront.
- Local bike shop, 21st Avenue Bicycles, is looking for a local designer to create a new logo and win $100.
- Mark your calanders, Kidical Mass is right around the corner.
- As is Reach The Beach.
- Next Critical Mass is Friday, April 30th, at 5:30 pm. Meet up at NW Park and Couch, by the elephant.
- Next Zoobomb is Sunday, May 2nd at 8:30 pm. Meet up near the American Apparel (13th & SW Burnside).

Timbers:
- USSF D2 current power rankings up here, here, and here.
- And don't forget to join us tomorrow at the Standard at 4:30-5:00 for the Vancouver @ Portland ride!

- Dojo Mouse

Upcoming Events 04/27/10 - 05/03/10

2010-04-27T11:29:00.000-07:00

We're going to try to collect all of the TA and Cycling related events going on around Portland for your quick perusal every Tuesday. If you'd like your event to be included, please shoot us an email at tabikebrigade@gmail.com.

Bike Back the Night:
When: Thursday, April 29th, 6:00 pm
Where: South Park Blocks, Park Ave & Montgomery (Click here for map)
What: From the Portland Women's Crisis Line: "Join PWCL and PSU’s Women’s Resource Center for this annual community march, ride and rally to increase awareness of sexual violence. We will be spreading the message across the city with two routes: biking or marching! Event and entertainment begins at 6 PM. March/ride at 7 PM, survivor speak out to follow. Riders please arrive before ride to check in."
For more information: Portland Women's Crisis Line or BikePortland.org

Vancouver Whitecaps @ Portland Timbers:
When: Thursday, April 29th, 7:00 pm
Where: PGE Park
What: The first regular season visit of Portland's most hated rival in the current USSF-2 league, this match is not one to be missed. Check out the "Our Next Ride" box to your upper left for details.
For more information: SCUSA - Vancouver @ PTFC - 4/29/2010

Cheers to Belgian Beers 2010:
When: Saturday, May 1st, 12-9 pm
Where: Hopworks Urban Brewery, 2944 SE Powell (Click here for map)
What: Breweries have been randomly assigned color and strength characteristics (by dart!), so only $6 (for a classy goblet) and $1 per pour nets you quite a selection of Belgian goodness. Head on down to prefunk in style for the Timber's friendly against Puntarenas FC that evening! All profits go to Parkinson's Research of Oregon.
For more information: Dave Knows: Portland

Puntarenas FC @ Portland Timbers (Friendly):
When: Saturday, May 1st, 7:00 pm.
Where: PGE Park
What: One of the top Costa Rican football clubs, Puntarenas FC will be visiting Portland to play a friendly match against the Timbers. Its May Day! Bring your flags/arm bands/solidarity/hatred of the proletariat and cheer on our boys to victory!
For more information: SCUSA - Puntarenas FC @ PTFC - 05/01/2010

- Dojo Mouse

Dojo Mouse

2010-04-25T15:50:00.000-07:00

I'm Nate, aka Dojo Mouse, and I'm one of the admins for the TABB site. I'll do my best to keep things up and running, and provide some commentary along the way but if there's anything I can do to improve usability let me know. We're also interested in other people posting - if you want in, shoot us an email.

Cheers!

Here we go...

2010-04-25T15:34:00.000-07:00

TA Bike Brigade page is up and running! Come join us on our next ride. See sidebar for details.