Introductions - New list member

Hello everyone. I've just joined the Bike Forum list, and KB asked that I provide a little background info. Well, I'm a 53-year-old geezer in the Portland OR area. Used to do a lot of biking in my younger days, but pretty much gave it up after totaling 3 bikes in five different traffic accidents in the San Jose area. [Just for the record, I ride carefully -- stop at signs, wear helmet and lights, ... ]

Anyway, I started up again about a year ago, mostly riding to work. It's a 36-mile round trip which I do 3-4 times a week when the weather's good, though I've promised my wife I won't ride in the rain AND the dark. I did ride a local century back in May -- first time in over 30 years.

I ride a Trek 520, which serves me well, since I weigh about 215 and carry another 20lbs of gear back & forth.

I've already posted a mechanical query and gotten back some quick, helpful replies.

American legs -- not foreign oil!

Regards,
Michael

welcome to the forums, Michael! I have friends in Portland and keep telling them that Portland is always talked about as one of America's best cities for biking; I haven't converted them yet....Liz

Well, your friends are probably aware of the two cyclists killed, and another hospitalized, by a drunk driver in the last few weeks. It can happen anywhere, of course, but it's still frightening.

Although I do most of my commuting on the SW side of town, and mostly on country roads, I do believe that this area is LOTS friendlier to cyclists than Silicon Valley, but, as I implied, that area is pretty dangerous.

If your friends like to cycle at all, encourage them to check out the Providence Bridge Pedal on Aug. 10. Six of the major bridges that cross the Willamette downtown will be closed that morning to all but bicycles. This is a really cool annual event. Tell them to look for me: I always wear a yellow reflective vest w/ a sign on the back, "American Legs Not Foreign Oil."

Regards,
Michael

Thanks for the route tip for my friends. they bought a tandem when they lived in San Diego and used to ride all the time (great bike paths there), but have not dusted it off since moving to OR. I'll have them scan the crowd for you; wouldn't that be something if they found you...small world! Liz

Welcome Micheal from a fellow Northwesterner. Congrats on the century.