A brief update, since it’s been awhile

Hello friends! Yeah, it’s been a bit since I’ve written something substantial here. What can I say, the last month has been extremely busy! June consisted of a bike tour, Pedalpalooza, and a bit of romance. As such, I didn’t have a lot of “free time” to blog about it all. I do want to write something about that tour, but it may be another week or two before that happens, sorry.

This is the part where I casually mention that I’m quite active over on flickr and Instagram. These are the best windows in my day-to-day life, so if you want to see things as they happen, I encourage you to check them out!

Anyways, even though Pedalpalooza is a fading memory, the bike fun hasn’t stopped. On Sunday evening, I led a Sunset/Moonrise Ride. About a couple dozen folks rode the five miles from the Woodlawn neighborhood to Broughton Beach on the Columbia River. The weather was perfect, if a bit windy. And the sunset and moonrise were great. It was good hanging out with fun folks.

And now more action: This Thursday, July 13, I’m leaving for another trip! I’ll be taking the train up to Bellingham where I’ll spend Friday. Then I head south to tiny La Conner, Washington for their Seersucker Social. And from there I head west through Anacortes to catch a ferry to Lopez Island (part of the San Juans) where I’ll camp Sunday night. Then I head east on Monday, get down to Seattle for the night, and head home Tuesday morning. It should be fun!

Christmas in July sale: A bunch of random bike stuff for sale

Hello fine folks, as part of the never-ending bike parts acquisition swap and purge, I’m finding myself with a box full o’ stuff that I want gone. All prices are sans shipping, and I will be willing to make deals if you buy multiple items.

• For those of you outside of Portland, please include your zip code when inquiring, so I can work out a shipping price. Payment is done via Paypal.
• For those of you in Portland, we can work a local pickup either in the Woodlawn neighborhood of NE or on SE Hawthorne. You can pay in cash.
• Feel free to make an offer if a price feels somehow unreasonable.

And here’s what’s available. UPDATE 7/10: Anything crossed out means it’s been sold or claimed.

• Takagi Tourney triple crank set (sort of). This came off of the Crested Butte, so 1984 vintage. The rings are 46-36-26, which are separated since I was going to convert this to a double. Non-drive side crank is not original, it’s Shimano. $15
• Shimano Deore rear derailleur. 90’s vintage, reverse pull. $15
• Shimano Deore brake levers for cantilever brakes. Original “bull moose” style that came off of the Crested Butte, so 1984 vintage. $15 for the pair.
• Suntour bar end shifter. Still works, used for right side (rear derailleur.) Friction only. $10
• Bottle dynamo, top left. Generic Basta. $1
• Bottle dynamo, top right. Spanninga. Original wheel has a dent so there’s a new “cap” over it. $1
• Bottle dynamo, bottom left. AXA HR. Not really functional, for parts or to fix up. FREE (as long as you buy something else.)
• Bottle dynamo, bottom right. Generic Dutch. $1
• Power Grips. $3
• Klean Kanteen plastic bottle cage. Designed for steel water bottles like Kleen Kanteen (smaller sizes) and Hydro Flask. $3
• Maxxis Holy Roller Tires, 26″ x 2.4″, pair. Never mounted! $30 for the pair (or $20 if you just want one, for some reason.)

Sunset Moonrise Ride, Sunday July 9

Just because Pedalpalooza is over, doesn’t mean that bike fun is over!

Come join me for one of my favorite semi-regular rides: The Sunset Moonrise Ride. Did you know that at the time of the full moon, the moonrise is just around the same time as sunset? That means if you find a good spot, you can see both! And I definitely know of a good spot.

Meet on Sunday July 9 at 7:30 PM at P’s and Q’s Market, NE Dekum St at NE 13th Ave. Get your supplies at P’s and Q’s*, we roll out at 8 PM. We’ll ride an easy five miles down to the Columbia to watch the sun set and then the moon rise! And of course enjoy food and drink down at the water.

Picnic blankets, lights, and layers encouraged.

FOR THOSE WHO CARE: Technically the date of the full moon is on Saturday. But Sunday will be better this time, as the moonrise on Saturday is shortly before sunset, which means a lackluster moonrise. On Sunday July 9, the sun set is 9:00 PM, moon rise at 9:20 PM.

*P’s and Q’s are not exactly known for their cheap beer, so plan accordingly!

REMINDER: Proper Pedal Picnic TOMORROW, Thursday June 29!

​Yes, my final #pedalpalooza ride! 

Meet at P’s and Q’s (NE 13th Ave and NE Dekum St) at 6:30 PM tomorrow, Thursday June 29. We depart at 7. We ride approximately 5 miles to a mystery picnic destination. 

Get supplies at P’s and Q’s (or elsewhere.) Keep it classy: Dress up a bit and think of fancy (but not necessarily spendy) things to eat and drink. Don’t forget your picnic blanket! (And layers and lights too!) 

#pedalpalooza2017 #properpedalpicnic #bicyclepicnic 

REMINDER: Woodlawn Park Coffee Outside, Three Speed Ride, Slough Country Ramble TOMORROW Sunday June 25

Tomorrow! Three #pedalpalooza events that blend into each other. 

First, at 9 AM tomorrow, Sunday June 25, meet in Woodlawn Park (N of NE Dekum, W of NE 13) for Coffee Outside! Bring your own coffee to make via camp stove, or bring brewed coffee. Breakfast ain’t a bad idea, either. 

Then, at 10:30 AM, the combined Three Speed Ride/Slough Country Ramble will depart! Bring any kind of bike, but Three Speed is of course preferred. We’ll ride about 15 miles around the lowlands of the Columbia Slough. Not a loop, will end near transit/food/beverage. 

IT’S GOING TO BE HOT TOMORROW, so please be prepared! Extra water good. We WON’T have a brew up stop, but bring something like iced tea for a mid ride stop. 

See you tomorrow! 

#pedalpalooza2017 #woodlawnpark #coffeeoutside #sloughcountryramblers #columbiaslough #threespeed #threespeedride #societyofthreespeeds #threespeedmafia 

Midweek Columbia Gorge Ride/Campout: Still Space, registration closes Saturday at noon

One of my favorite area rides is the Historic Columbia River Highway through the Columbia Gorge. It can get choked with traffic on weekends, so that’s why it’s best to do it on a weekday. And you’re in luck, as I’ll be leading a ride out that way this Monday, June 26!

We’ll be meeting at 10 AM at a MAX station on the east side (full details will be revealed when you register.) You can choose to do it as a day ride to Multnomah Falls and back, which would be about 40 miles. The return trip will be “unguided”, but there will be maps!

And if you are willing, some of us will be camping at Ainsworth State Park, just four miles beyond Multnomah Falls. The hiker/biker site is $5 a person. There’s water and showers there too.

Are you interested in joining me? You are in luck, as there are still some spots left! This ride requires registration. And registration closes at noon Pacific Time this Saturday, June 24. Go register here:  https://ualmdwkgorge2017.eventbrite.com

REMINDER: Rough Stuff Ramble is tomorrow, Thursday June 22!

My Rough Stuff Ramble happens TOMORROW, Thursday June 22! Meet at Fillmore, 7201 NE Glisan at 5:30 PM. We depart at 6, so time to get food/drink at Fillmore! 15 mile mixed terrain and surfaces around I-205. Leisurely pace. Will end somewhere in NE near food and drink. Lights and layers recommended! Hope to see you there.

REMINDER: Powell Butte Solstice Sunset Ride is tomorrow Tuesday June 20

Tomorrow night is supposed to be decent, so why not spend it watching the sunset on the shortest night of the year atop Powell Butte?

Meet me at Taylor Court Grocery, 1135 SE 80th Ave. We will meet at 6:45 PM on Tuesday June 20. We depart from the market promptly at 7:15. Please don’t​ be a jerk to the business!

We’ll ride about seven miles, much of it will be fairly flat, with about a mile or so of dirt climbing at the end. And yep, we’ll be going up the Butte via the easiest route possible!

Hope you can join us!