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Hi, Brian here.

I live on the top of Bald Peak Hill near Bald Peak State Park a little south of Hillsboro, OR.

Thanks Shifty. So far, so good. I live in a house with no AC and so far has not been a major problem. I think I'll be buying a portable AC or something, but hasn't been truly unbearable or anything that a fan and window couldn't take care of. :)
Before you go and get AC, talk to some locals about how to manage your house so that it stays cool in the day and then super-cool it off at night. In our dry summers, this actually works quite well.

Before you go and get AC, talk to some locals about how to manage your house so that it stays cool in the day and then super-cool it off at night. In our dry summers, this actually works quite well.
Hmmmm....everybody I know has been screaming about either getting AC or being glad they got one last year.

But I do understand what you say.....it is cool enough at night if I opened all the windows I could probably cool the house down really well so that it wasn't too bad for the poochies.

Hmmmm....everybody I know has been screaming about either getting AC or being glad they got one last year.

But I do understand what you say.....it is cool enough at night if I opened all the windows I could probably cool the house down really well so that it wasn't too bad for the poochies.
I had a Doberman housemate for about 4 years. I think her heat tolerance was about the same as your greyhounds. This worked fine for her.

I'm surprised to hear that east King County is so wimpy. :rolleyes: Of course my girlfriend in Bellevue would scoff at such weaklings. ;) IMO, there's only about 2 weeks out of the year when I wished I had AC - and it's not that bad compared to the hot and humid Michigan summers of my youth.

I've found that a house that is well insulated for the winter will stay cooler in the summer. Also, cedar siding does not retain much heat, and also repels mold/mildew in the winter. What we do is put fans pointing outward in one direction, turn on, and then open the windows in the other direction. We can cool the place down in 45 minutes. Then we keep it on so it's downright chilly by morning. Works nicely.

Thanks Shifty. So far, so good. I live in a house with no AC and so far has not been a major problem. I think I'll be buying a portable AC or something, but hasn't been truly unbearable or anything that a fan and window couldn't take care of. :)

It's only a problem if you're like me and need to sleep during the day. Fans work most of the year (and I do mean ALL year, as the fans also mask outside noises), but there's about a month or so where AC is desperately needed for shift workers.

Unlike some people, I CAN'T leave windows open. Too much outside noise. Eventually your body will adjust and you too will start thinking that it's exceptionally hot outside when it's 80 degrees :p .

On the other hand, eventually you'll think that 60 degrees is quite balmy :) .

East Hill

I've found that a house that is well insulated for the winter will stay cooler in the summer. Also, cedar siding does not retain much heat, and also repels mold/mildew in the winter. What we do is put fans pointing outward in one direction, turn on, and then open the windows in the other direction. We can cool the place down in 45 minutes. Then we keep it on so it's downright chilly by morning. Works nicely.


indeed. these last few days i've done just that. i live in a recently (last couple years) renovated building, so i imagine it has some decent insulation now. i'm surrounded by units on all sides and it gets to be an oven in here since i'm ground floor and can't really leave windows open. but when we get home we just open our windows, have one fan downstairs and one in the loft and it's comfy in about half an hour.


oh, i'm jared by the way. i live in seattle. nice to me you all :)

Like any true native Puget Sounder, I start to whine, complain and feel faint once the temperature goes above 75 degrees. My wife, who was born and raised in Iowa, was amazed that almost no one has air conditioning in their homes here. She said that everyone back in Iowa did.

my name's brooke and i live in olympia, wa. i've lived in the puget sound area nearly my entire life. (except for a bit of time in bellingham and a year or two in spokane).

good to see so many people from the pacific nw on bike forum!

my name's brooke and i live in olympia, wa. i've lived in the puget sound area nearly my entire life. (except for a bit of time in bellingham and a year or two in spokane).

good to see so many people from the pacific nw on bike forum!
Hello and welcome are you doing the STP this coming weekend?
V

i'm tessa, and i live with jared (srsly) in seattle.

i grew up on the hood canal, in a little town called tahuya. anyone familiar? i know there's a race that happens every year starting in tahuya and connecting through seabec, dewatto, and belfair. i've never done it because i moved away before i really started riding, but i'd like to know if anyone's participated, or would like to.

Tessa, there's not many people who would know where Tahuya is--I do because I work for the US Postal Service :) .

What kind of a race?

And welcome to Bike Forums!

East Hill

I guess I should have introduced myself first before I posted anything.:)

I'm a 34yo male, grew up in Redmond, WA, lived in downtown Bellevue for the past year and now on the Sammamish plateau. Haven't ridden or owned a bicycle since I was 13, delivering the Seattle Times each and every day.

For some strange reason I decided that I want to get into cycling. Of course, living in the Seattle area we're accustomed to seeing cyclists everywhere we go, in all types of weather. I guess at some point this past March I decided that I want to give it a try...so I did.

I chose a TREK 7.3fx because I knew that I was going to be out of shape at first, so I dedicated this entire year to "getting in shape". Well, being 34 years old and having the notion that my body can still perform the way it did when I was 18 was absolutely ******** because the day I bought my bike I rode the Burke Gilman from Marymoor Park to the UW....AND BACK!!! Oh yeah, WITHOUT CYCLING SHORTS. Oh yeah, WITH NIKE RUNNING SHOES. Needless to say I almost didn't wake up the next morning. That was the first time in my life that I realized that I'm not 18 anymore, that I probably should take it easy and work my way up to cycling shape. Silly me.

The second day of owning my bike I bought some cycling shorts, Shimano SPD pedals and cleated shoes (highly recommended), a computer w/ cadence (I love spinning). I'll probably invest in some bar ends seeing that my hands get tired of being in the same position on rides of 30 miles +.

I'm absolutely, 100%, unequivocally addicted to cycling and all that it brings. I've lost 20 lbs since March, I sleep better at night, shoot...even my sex life has improved. Here's something even more crazy...I sold my Mercedes Benz. I did something as "extreme" as that because I love cycling THAT much. Plus if I decide not to ride and need to get somewhere I can just take the bus, or have my girlfriend take me. Ain't life grand?

My eyes are on the Specialized Allez Triple. From what I've seen and read it looks to be a great introduction into the world of road bikes. I'll probably keep my Trek for farting around town.

Well, enough from me. I'm glad to be a part of this forum and please let me add that my experience so far has been nothing buy joy. Cycling has, is and will continue to be a life changing experience for me. Thanks!!!;)

...shoot...even my sex life has improved.

You need to put that in every post that member 'exas' has posted!

[he has a very strong fixation on what cycling will do to him :rolleyes: ]

Seriously, glad to have you join us here!

East hill

Hey everyone,
Just moved here from spending 2 1/2 years in Germany. Great for me and Bike. Well I now live in Olympia/Lacey area. Can't wait to start riding again.

D

Tessa, there's not many people who would know where Tahuya is--I do because I work for the US Postal Service :) .

What kind of a race?

And welcome to Bike Forums!

East Hill


it's a road race from tahuya to seabeck and back. there's some nice riding out in that area in general. especially if you like hills :D

...especially if you like hills :D

As a matter of fact, I do :p .

East Hill

Another Olympian here! My name really is Pete, and I've been prowling the mean streets of Thurston County on this hefty Huffy for the last year or so:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y87/boysrus/178_7802.jpg
I just recently found this with a "Free Bike" sign on it, so I plan to switch:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y87/boysrus/183_8386.jpg
We are a family of five with one motor vehicle and 11 bikes :eek: See you on the Chehalis Trail!

We are a family of five with one motor vehicle and 11 bikes :eek: See you on the Chehalis Trail!

What's the free replacement, Pete?

My husband and I have you beat on the collection (although you're doing better with the fewer motor vehicles) of bikes!

East Hill

What's the free replacement, Pete?

East Hill
It's a Trek 830 from '85 or '86. Sorry the pic's a little fuzzy. All that bike needed was a little WD-40 (and possibly a new rear tube) and it's ready!

I am in Snohomish, East of Everett. Right by the wonderful Centennial trail. 13.5 miles one way to work with 750 elevation gain. I try to ride 4 days a week and am training for the flowing lake triathlon.

It's a Trek 830 from '85 or '86. Sorry the pic's a little fuzzy. All that bike needed was a little WD-40 (and possibly a new rear tube) and it's ready!

Oh, you can take better photos and do a post in the Classic & Vintage forum if you haven't already done so :) . I see you got the Fuji over there.

East Hill

As a matter of fact, I do :p .

East Hill

the roads are rough through dewatto so you have to prepare for some deep soul vibrations

the roads are rough through dewatto so you have to prepare for some deep soul vibrations

Are the soul vibrations there because the road is rough, or because Dewatto has ghosts?

East Hill

Oh, you can take better photos and do a post in the Classic & Vintage forum if you haven't already done so :) . I see you got the Fuji over there.

East Hill

Once I get it cleaned up a little, I'll take some better pics. Right now, though, I'm laid up with a large cut on the bottom of my foot, right under my toes :mad: I can hardly walk, let alone ride!:cry:

Once I get it cleaned up a little, I'll take some better pics. Right now, though, I'm laid up with a large cut on the bottom of my foot, right under my toes :mad: I can hardly walk, let alone ride!:cry:

Ow! Sounds a bit like me, on my first day of wanting to try out my new vintage cycling shoes (Detto Pietros, size 37 :D ). Managed to drop something very heavy on the top of my foot. Never mind the Dettos, I went with something a bit more forgiving. Soon...

So what happened?

East Hill

There's a plywood walkway from the rear deck of our rented house to the garage. Saturday night, while letting the dogs out, while barefoot, I stepped into the raised head of one of the nails that (sort of) holds the plywood down.:eek: :eek: :eek: The pain was truly remarkable. I bent the rim of our copper firebowl with my hands. The head of the nail tore into the side of the pad of my foot below my 4th and 5th toes. I may never go barefoot again.:cry:

My name is Nikolaus (or Nik or Niko). I already made an introductory thread, but I just wanted to make a quick post in here. I am over in Happy Valley, off of Sunnyside Road, about ~20 miles outside of Portland.

I am picking up my new (to me) bike tomorrow, so I can finally start riding. :) I will post pictures when I have it.

Beautiful Seattle, Wa- All around the city, and as far out as I can get too!

Hello Pete, Nik, and Gregg--

Pete, that sounds extremely painful. I think I would keep the shoes on too!

Gregg, how far south do you get? Interurban/GRT/Cedar River Trail? What are you riding?

East Hill

Just created my account and thought I'd check in on this thread.

I live in Sherwood, OR. A checkup at the doctor's office convinced me to lose some weight and lower my cholesterol, so I changed my diet and dragged my old 1984 Schwinn World out of the garage (hadn't ridden in about 15+ years) and got it tuned up at the bike shop. I started riding a mile or two at a time around town and then gradually started taking longer rides to nearby towns. I recently started riding my bike to work and back (~9.5 mi each way) and I'm loving it.

Anyway, I've lost about 30 pounds in 3 months (now at 5'11" 176 lbs) and am having a great time doing it on my bike.

Hey sherwoodforest, take some photos of the Schwinn World and join us over at the Classic & Vintage forum:) . Welcome to Bike Forums!

East Hill

Usually just head east out towards the cascades or around town (gilman trail). I don't get off the pavement too often. Right now riding a Lemond Reno, but just ordered a Specialized Allez Elite. Pretty excited for that to get here. And my good ol' northwaves with some look pedals.

and am having a great time doing it on my bike.

I have not tried this yet but I am thinking about it :D Welcome and congrats now quit bragging ;)
V

I have not tried this yet but I am thinking about it :D Welcome and congrats now quit bragging ;)
V

LOL! Poor choice of words on my part, 'cause my wife would give me five across the eyes for even thinking about such a thing! :o

I live in NW Portland on NW Cornell Rd & 26 Hwy. I commute about 11 miles to downtown and 11 miles back. It's a great ride.

I hail from the Sammamish Plateau... about 25 miles east of downtown Seattle.

Nice to meet you khuon and everybody else from Seattle. I'm Matt and I will be moving from Japan to the area in a couple weeks. As the wife will have the car, I need to commute to the UW campus by bike on weekdays and therefore looking into a safe, direct shot to the campus, other than the Burke-Gilman trail. Would GREATLY appreciate any local suggestions for a fellow roadie!

We are tentatively targeting to drop anchor in either the Lynnwood/Mountlake Terrace area or Eastern Bellvue, either way about a 15 mile commute each direction.

Does anybody know if the floating Evergreen Bridge (520) has a bike lane or allows cyclists?

Thanks!!

Nice to meet you khuon and everybody else from Seattle. I'm Matt and I will be moving from Japan to the area in a couple weeks. As the wife will have the car, I need to commute to the UW campus by bike on weekdays and therefore looking into a safe, direct shot to the campus, other than the Burke-Gilman trail. Would GREATLY appreciate any local suggestions for a fellow roadie!

We are tentatively targeting to drop anchor in either the Lynnwood/Mountlake Terrace area or Eastern Bellvue, either way about a 15 mile commute each direction.

Does anybody know if the floating Evergreen Bridge (520) has a bike lane or allows cyclists?

Thanks!!

There is no bike lane or any way to get a bike accross 520 other than getting on a bus.

Does anybody know if the floating Evergreen Bridge (520) has a bike lane or allows cyclists?


Hello Matt, welcome to Puget Sound :) . 520 does not allow cyclists, as woodinville guy pointed out, but the I-90 floating bridge does have a bicycle/pedestrian lane. If you want to have some fun later when you get settled in, you can ride around Lake Washington, crossing the floating bridge, and get some great exercise on the hills of Mercer Island.

Welcome to Bike Forums!

East Hill

True (last time I took I-90 to work, I think they were just putting those bike lanes in).
90 is a major hi-way, though. The ride around E. Lake Samamish drive is nicer, but then you have the 520 problem to contend with.
...of course there's always Lake Washington Boulevard.
Just remember to start out the day before your class and you should be fine. (kidding :D ).

...ah, these are the times we long for the days when the steamers plied the lake.
That would be the best alternative to his problem, short of moving to the U.district.


Bebop

Grad student in Moscow (Idaho), that wonderful island of Pacific Northwest vibes in the sea of North Idaho backwoodsiness. Howdy!

Octopus here, live in NE Seattle,

Hello. Bradl in Cedar Hills (OR), working downtown 1st and Arthur. 50+ and lazy, trying to get used to my first bike in decades. It's slow going ... literally. Can scarcely make it to the top of Sylvan hill at this point. Once I can do that without gasping I'll start puzzling out if and how to make the rest of the journey. Wish they'd bored a bicycle tunnel next to the MAX tunnel :p

Grad student in Moscow (Idaho), that wonderful island of Pacific Northwest vibes in the sea of North Idaho backwoodsiness. Howdy!

I went to school there for a while, I feel bad for you.

Hello. Bradl in Cedar Hills (OR), working downtown 1st and Arthur. 50+ and lazy, trying to get used to my first bike in decades. It's slow going ... literally. Can scarcely make it to the top of Sylvan hill at this point. Once I can do that without gasping I'll start puzzling out if and how to make the rest of the journey. Wish they'd bored a bicycle tunnel next to the MAX tunnel :p

Bradl,

Hang in there. I got back into cycling after a decade and am 53! The first few months were tough but the more miles I logged the stronger I got.

You will come to notice after a time that you are getting stronger and faster especially if you ride the same routes week after week.

I had a goal which was the STP and so was very motivated to train as to not make a complete ass of myself. I had a great time on the STP and have found myself hooked on cycling.

Have fun, go easy on yourself, and be safe.

riversiderider

Hello. Bradl in Cedar Hills (OR), working downtown 1st and Arthur. 50+ and lazy, trying to get used to my first bike in decades. It's slow going ... literally. Can scarcely make it to the top of Sylvan hill at this point. Once I can do that without gasping I'll start puzzling out if and how to make the rest of the journey. Wish they'd bored a bicycle tunnel next to the MAX tunnel :p

I totally agree with your sentiments about the MAX tunnel. :) I ride from downtown to Cornell and Science park a few times a month for work meetings. I certainly use the MAX for that. Also, my city bike just wasn't made for the West Hills. But since you seem determined and it is part of your regular commute, just keep at it and you'll get good at it. Everyone I've talked to who makes the commute over the hills say it was hideous the first year.

Thanks for the encouragement riversiderider and donnamb. One day at a time...

Machias, WA (unincorporated Snohomish) checking in here. My favorite ride of late is around Lake Roesinger.

I went to school there for a while, I feel bad for you.

It could be worse; Moscow's got what I need to survive: a farmer's market in summer and a co-op year 'round, a cheap eccentric local video store, a decent coffee shop, a respectable local bookshop, multiple local bike shops, and pretty good cycling routes (once you find the paved roads!).

Hi, new here. I live in Bend, Oregon. Just starting to get back into bicycling. My current bike is a Specialized Allez Sport, vintage 2005, which I bought in 06 at a deep discount from Hutch's Bike Shop here in Bend. I've put maybe 10 miles on the thing, but starting next week I plan to start riding it to and from work and getting in some weekend rides. Today I'm taking it over to Hutch's to have a tune up and add some accessories to the bike (i.e. bottle cages w/bottles, toolkit and bag for under seat, spare tube, pump and cycling computer. I'll have it back Thursday/Friday, and plan to do a ride on Sunday. I'm hoping to be in good enough shape by late September/early October to do some nice Fall riding. By the way, can someone tell me what the name of that cycling organization is that publishes the booklet with all the bike events throughout the summer here in the Northwest? I picked up one in 05 but I forgot the name of the organization.

Flabulouso

http://www.oregoncycling.org/