Pro GRT Round 1 from Goldstein Productions on Vimeo.

The Athertons? Mick Hannah? Santa Cruz Syndicate? The reigning world champion, Steve Peat?

And all those Canadians!

Word on the street is that this weekend’s big Pro Gravity Tour kickoff at Port Angeles will be the biggest collection of downhill racing stars the Northwest has ever seen in one place.

The reason: The big international pros from the Sea Otter Classic, including the Athertons and Peaty, can’t get back to the homeland because of the flight mess created by the unpronounceable Icelandic volcano. So, the reasoning goes, why not mosey on up to Port Angeles and mix it up.

The weather is supposed to be good Friday, so-so on Saturday, better Sunday. But the worst of it may be just a few showers to keep the course tacky. In any case, it’ll be a huge scene.

Check out Katie Holden’s redux of last year’s event above and Luke Strobel’s pre-run video below and below for a taste of the action. See you there!

[Update: Peaty just tweeted he's back home after all...looks like the resumption of flights is working against the PGRT, but it's always a scene no matter what!]

Another city adjusts to increased bike traffic: Vancouver BC is winnowing vehicular traffic on the Burrard Bridge to expand access for cyclists and pedestrians. Burrard is the chief bridge crossing from downtown to West Vancouver, and an extremely busy bike route. Previously bikes used the sidewalk (the east side is bikes only), but now the western-most outside lane will be bikes only as well. The move comes as other cities, notably Los Angeles, grapple with how to handle the surge of bicycle commuter and transportation traffic. Too many bikes make motorists angry and impatient and pose safety hazards to cars and cyclists both.

Seattle’s Cascade Bicycle Club will offer “Breakfast on (or near) the Bridge” the next two Fridays (the first was today) on the west side of Mercer Island to support bike commuting during construction repairs on I-90. The club will run its Bike Bus from Mercer Island to downtown, the U District and Bellevue during construction periods, scheduled for May and July.

Wrap-up report from Port Angeles on the Pro Gravity Tour initial race, congrats to Katie and Curtis!

Bellingham Herald: Craigslist ad leads Bellingham police to suspected bike thieves. “The investigation began when a woman, whose mountain bike had been stolen, told Bellingham Police she thought she saw the bicycle for sale on Craigslist, said Mark Young, police spokesman. An officer went to the Web site, tracked down the listing and saw the bike being offered for $1,500. The ad included a picture that matched the description of the womanís bicycle, Young said.”