RockyMtnMerlin

For a different type vacation, we have rented a condo in downtown Portland Oregon for the last three weeks in October. Going to bring the Merlin along. Did a search and found some older threads about road biking in the area. Also have checked out the Portland Wheelman, Vancouver Cyling Club and the state of Oregon and city of Portland transportation web sites. Lots of good info there. Any other places recommended for reading about the riding possibilites? Any specfic recommended routes?

rickkko

But did you check the weather?

I grew up in Portland and remember jumping in mud puddles while walking to school in my yellow raincoat and gulashes everyday, September and October. It usually cleared up for a few days in May.

I guess you can hope for global warming.

Good luck!

ZachS

October will be beautiful, you'll have some 70+ degree days and drizzly 45 degree nights.

You'll have a blast here.

do a search for "zoobomb"

RockyMtnMerlin

Hmm not so sure about the zoobomb thing. Not really into the mooning But thanks for the lead anyway.

Marcello

For your online reading enjoyment, you may want to add to your list:

BikePortland.org - For information on non-ride bike events in Portland
Shift
Portland Velo
Oregon Randonneurs
Oregon Department of Transportation - Bike Maps of the Columbia River Gorge and of the Oregon Coast
Metro Bike There! - Bike Map of the Portland metro area

RockyMtnMerlin

Thanks Marcello! I'll check them out.

RockyMtnMerlin

I did check them out and they will prove to most usefull. Any others out there with tips to offer?

lhbernhardt

One of my fairly regular recurring Holidays consists of spending a few days on the Oregon Coast. I usually go in September or early October, since you can actually book a room at that time. I usually stay in Seaside (a beach resort kind of town with a very small amusement park and aquarium) and ride into Cannon Beach (a quaint, colorful Bohemian trendy upscale art colony kind of town) where I usually end up walking along the beach to Haystack Rock with my current girlfriend. There are also lots of nice roads to ride; I prefer the roads that go into the hills since the coast road tends to be a bit busy, even in September/October. However, it can get quite cool, and it does rain as you head into October. Lots of storm chasers come to the Oregon Coast at about this time to watch the wind and waves battering the shoreline.

Anyway, Seaside & Cannon Beach are not too far from Portland; probably worth a trip.

And btw, the Oregon microbreweries make the world's best India Pale Ale. If you like a really bitter, hoppy beer, try the Duckdive Pale Ale at Bill's Tavern & Brewhouse in Cannon Beach!

- L.

genec

Tend to agree with folks about the wet October. Went to a conference up in Portland every year for many years... On Hayden Island. It was always the 2nd or 3rd week in October, and it was always wet. Then one year it was moved up a week... I didn't know the sky was blue in Portland too until that year.

ZachS

As far as IPA's go, it's Terminal Gravity FTW...


But you'll want to try as many as you can

Sixtwo

I lived there for 25 years...September thru mid-October can be the nicest time of year there, especially at the coast...late October can go either way...

RockyMtnMerlin

Well, I'm spoiled. I have been riding for the last 12 years in Wyoming (average about 4,000 miles per year) and have not ridden in the rain once. So, Oregon in October could prove to be interesting. FWIW I am a beer fancier and will definitely check out the downtown beer scene!

Dogbait

BEER!!!

Dogbait