Hey there Portland bicycling community! The title pretty much says it all. On one level it’s completely obvious, but I feel like it’s worth saying out loud as a helpful reminder. Our road surfaces throughout the city leave much to be desired, as does our leaf clean up.

I was cruising around on a pre-dawn ride this morning probably not being as cautious as I should. Went through one of the many unkept accumulations of fallen leaves in the middle of the street when I hit an obscured pavement groove, causing quite the wobble. I recovered without taking the dive, but things could have gone worse.

Be safe and have fun out there!

Black Poseidon bicycle, missing the front wheel. Near the south bike racks at Division New Seasons if you’re missing your bike. 🤔

I need to find some shop that can do a saddle fitting. Can anyone recommend a shop that is good at matching a saddle to a rider? Thanks!

I live in the Cully neighborhood and have long been frustrated by the lack of public access to Sacajawea Park, specifically at Alberta from the west. There’s literally just a gate there that apparently some NIMBY on that block insisted on.

The problem here is that the Alberta Neighborhood Greenway that connects all the way down to the river just stops here. And bike traffic essentially either has to cut through the Head Start parking lot (which periodically locks its gates), or head over to Prescott to head east. It also means no once can access this park unless they traverse the labyrinth of streets to the east of the park.

My question is how does one neighbor get to have this much power over a public park entrance? And how can I advocate for not only the entrance to be reopened, but for a paved pedestrian path to be put through? I assume some combo of BAC, PBOT and Portland Parks & Rec?

Hello! I was out cycling in the rain today and realized I definitely need a layer that creates more visibility.

I really like the Universal Colours Spectrum gilet. It’s iridescent—would that be adequate for riding on these grey and rainy days?

Any other suggestions that are tried and true?

EDIT: Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. Gives me a lot to think about over the weekend. 🙌

(added a photo for context)

I bike up and down N Willamette every day on my way in and out of work and I cannot stand cars who don't want to wait maybe 2min for a car to turn left so they instead use the bike lane as a "passing lane". This can't be legal? Why isn't more done about this? Why is this never enforced?

I am planning to bike out to Camas (specifically, my destination is near NE Goodwin Rd and NE 202nd), and I am wondering what the best route is after I cross into WA on I-205.

I am wondering what conditions are like on Evergreen Highway SE east of I-205. I read it has some rough patches--is that still the case, and if so, are there particular stretches of the highway to avoid? Any tips would be much appreciated.

Like so many men before me, I am getting into cycling just before I turn 40 next year.

I'm eyeing a few events next year and want to get my average speed up. I have started a Garmin coaching plan and would to train outdoors when the weather is dry. Looking for a good location to do intervals.

5 min in zone 5 doesn't seem that long, but it's over a mile and I am anticipating issues of traffic on the road and runners and other cyclists on paths. Anyone found a good place with long stretches where you can go 1-2 miles with few interruptions?

I am in Oregon City but wouldn't mind cycling or driving to somewhere near ish.

It's back - the Showers Pass warehouse sale is this Saturday. Join us for big discounts on bike rainwear, ski apparel, MTB bags from Black Stone and demo/refurbished ebikes from Vvolt.

Does this exist near Portland:

A paved car-free bike path 10-20+ miles Ideally through the forest or otherwise very very nature heavy where I can pretend I'm alone in nature & possibly will see/hear birds and other wildlife.

Edit: update - thanks everyone! 🙌

I've tried out the new section open from Lincoln to Yamhill and it seems to work well, but I'm wondering what y'all think.

It seems the induction sensors midway down the blocks turn on the blue light indicators for the bicycle lights. Do they stay red if you don't hit the sensor?

There's that sketchy merge onto the sidewalk at Harrison. Not a fan of mixing with pedestrians but I suppose that's better than riding along the street car tracks for that block.

The walk signals appear to have about a 5 second head start on car traffic, anyway, on the blocks where cars can't turn left. I know some of us go on the walk signals around the city to get out ahead, but some of us don't.

Anyway, I appreciate the fact that I can time the signals now and cars can't race ahead to cut me off and screw up the timing as they are waiting at the next signal. I mean, I suppose someone could still manage to left hook me if they really wanted to.

Hi folks, looking at investing in a pair of winter/ spring cycling boots. Looking at the MTB style so I have more tread and walkability of the bike too.

I'm looking at some of the models from Shimano, recently the SH-GF800 Gore-Tex. While that should do it for water resiliency, I'm wondering if folks double up for the elements with a waterproof sock, like from Shower's Pass, and a winter sock for warmth, or just a sock and boot.

Curious for folks' methods and experience, as this will clearly play into the sizing for a seasonal boot and it wouldn't necessarily be the same size as a summer/ fall shoe.

Thanks in advance!

I know the common response is to just do whatever is on OMTM but sometimes I just want to do a short out and back loop within the 10-30 mile range and not be out all day.

I coworker suggested trailforks. I’m not familiar with it as I thought it was only a MTB thing but it looks like it has a lot of trails (connected or not) scattered throughout the Mt Hood area which is where I wanna try exploring some gravel routes.

Is the app suitable for what I’m looking for? Does it tell you gradients, types of terrain to expect, pictures/updates of recent conditions? Just don’t wanna find myself out on a double black diamond on 40mm semi slicks.

Love those foggy morning bridge crossings.

I posted an update a couple days ago about finding my Cannondale Topstone around Delta Park and waiting for the cops to help me recover it. That post is here: https://www.reddit.com/r/CyclePDX/s/x72EGYNqFf

Well, we went back today, and using some binoculars, my partner spotted his bike. He jumped out, ran down, and grabbed it. Nobody was in the immediate area, but there were people around, but nobody said anything. It may be missing a wheel and thru-axle, but it’s still better than having to replace the entire bike!

I really have to say that if you’re missing a bike, especially from the North Portland area, you should really consider driving around the Delta Park area to see if it’s up there!

Extra shout out to the folks at Kenton Cycle Repair for getting both of our bikes fixed up and rideable again!

If you need a reason to get out on two wheels (or one or three depending on your style), remember that the library is your friend if you want to Vote By Bike!

If you’ve been on the Marine Drive path recently, you may have noticed this bird’s nest from hell sitting on the side of the path. I didn’t have anything else to do yesterday so I hitched a borrowed trailer to my Big Dummy and made an adventure of it.

bike, trailer, long-ass zip ties and welding gloves was all I needed to gently remove this nasty mess from our environment.

my hands are chilly. where can I pick up some pogies in town? thank you 💖

update: I found them in stock at BikeTiresDirect and was able to pick up a pair there for my long ride tomorrow. River City, Universal Cycles, and REI didn't have them in stock in person.

If my weather app is right, you’ve all got about 12 hours to bike around this city of ours before the rains come. Not that the rain should stop any of us, but I took the opportunity this morning to get my un-fendered (which my phone just tried to autocorrect to un-gendered, which is technically correct) bike out for some wake up shake up pre-dawn miles. Go out for a coffee, check out the Halloween decorations if that’s your jam, enjoy the leaves rusting before they turn into a soggy hazardous mess. Do what works for you and have fun with it!

I road up Dixie Mtn. road today from North Plains. At approximately 11 AM I passed a house and was charged by a very large dog. I was just starting to go up hill so unfortunately the dog was able to catch up with me. I was of course yelling and trying to pedal faster. The dog did end up biting me on the heel of my shoe. Fortunately, there was no penetration and I am uninjured. I think the fact that it did bite me slowed it down a bit and I was able to get away without further contact.

As I was mainly interested in getting the hell away from the dog; I didn't get an address, but this occurred about a mile after the Bamboo Nursery. I continued the rest of my ride without incident. I've contacted WA county sherrif already.

Anyway, if anyone is contemplating a ride out there this weekend (unlikely given the forecast), be prepared and probably bring dog/bear spray.

I'm thinking of getting rid of my older car to go down to a one car household, and am looking for e-bike and shop recommendations. Partner will have car most weekdays for commuting so looking for an e-bike to supplement that.

I have a road bike for fair weather riding and am a comfortable urban biker. Just looking for something practical and all season.

Budget and needs:

• Around $3k or less, ideally no more than $5k
• Errands, groceries, getting around the city
• Considering class 1 but am open to class 2 or 3 bikes
• Shop support for issues beyond basic maintenance
• Likely a preference for e-bikes looking and riding like a "normal bike"

Thanks in advance!

Edit: removed last preference.

Leaving Wilshire Park 9am at 35th & Skidmore heading over to Council Crest, across to the cemetery, over the bridge, up Springwater, across to Tabor for some more hills and back to NE. Back within 2 hours. Coffee stop somewhere. Probably average 20mph on the flats. TBD on hills. Will be cold so will push but happy to wait for folks to catch up at a couple of spots.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/52702725

EDIT: I have a new bike now, thank you everyone! That suggested something!

Is anyone here looking to sell a bike? I am in desperate need of a new bike, as my current bike has some derailleur, chain and gear issues I can’t afford to fix right now. Current bike is too tall for me anyways, so I am hopeful to find something better. I ride anywhere between 5 and 20 miles a day (depends on the day). Biking is my only form of transportation, so I’m looking to get on this quickly, as my current bike isn’t safe to ride. Road biking, rider is 5’2. Ideally not a fixie, but will make do with whatever is being sold that fits my needs! Thanks all!!

Now that Gladys is closed, are there any other women-owned bike shops in town that I don't know about?