banerjek

In my town, we receive a regular newsletter from the city that keeps us informed about what is going on in the local community. It always begins with a column from the mayor.

I couldn't help but notice in the last issue that among other things it said, "Walk, bike, or drive to Main Street and see what it has to offer you." Observe that driving got third billing.

I consider the town very bike friendly -- I can't say I've EVER been buzzed, yelled at, or even passed at an unsafe distance within city limits despite literally thousands of trips over the years. But then again, it's a small town.

DevilsGT2

You know, it just occured to me that I've never heard of or seen anything bad ever come out of Oregon. The two times I had to drive through it, the scenery was top notch. The people I know from there, well worth knowing. I think I should move there.

CB HI

They do have a mandatory use bike lane law, that some cops enforce.
The scenery is nice.
The rain, not so nice.

Winter76

I'll have to carry my camera around more to get some pictures but we have bike cops here that patrol our downtown and the streets that are closed to cars on Sundays. It's cool to see them out and about and for me it's interesting to see that they break just as many laws as I do while riding.

banerjek

The rain's no biggie once you come to terms with getting wet. Just think of it as taking an extra shower.....

Cops at the parade today were riding bikes. When I went shopping, there were no places on the rack for my bike -- obviously a number of people thought biking was a good idea. That's not a problem since I can just hitch to a support or exterior fixture.

None of the other bikes were locked, but I use a combination cable lock if I'm going to be in for more than a minute or two to deter joyriders since my equipment draws attention.

Blue Order

World Naked Bike Ride was last month.

banerjek

Damn! Now you tell me....

CB HI

Are you saying you were checking banerjek out.

CB HI

The shower part is fine, it is all the road grime that goes with it.

randya

if your bike is too sensitive for a little dirt maybe you need a different bike

zeytoun

Rain in Oregon varies from about 10-20 inches/year in some parts, to up to 200 inches in other parts. About 36 inches a year in Portland.

Rain in Hawaii varies from about 10-20 inches/year in some parts to over 300 inches in other parts (486 inches in one area, the record for planet Earth).

randya

Portland gets less annual rain than many if not most other US cities. Leaf season, which coincides with the beginning of the wet season, is actually the worst time of year for cyclists in Portland.

CB HI

If you guys like the wear from the road grime that occurs on ALL bikes, fine.

joejack951

Rain doesn't bother me, but I do enjoy the many days of sunshine we get here, along with the changing of seasons. I could deal without all the humidity sometimes but I've learned to deal with it. I imagine Portlanders learn to deal with the lack of sunny days and rain and enjoy the mild climate and lack of need for sunscreen. At worst, lots of rain means you need to change chains more often and repack hubs a few extra times during their lifetime. By far, the worst thing for bikes is road salt that they put down here after it snows, with a close second being salty water from riding near the ocean when it's wet out.

GreenGrasshoppr

I did, in a Dead Kennedys "song" titled Night of the Living Rednecks

banerjek

This is true, but on a "normal" rainy day, accumulation is frequently 1/4" or less. Total amount of rainfall is low, but number of rainy days is relatively high.

When I first moved out here, I laughed at what people called heavy rain and thunderstorms -- the sky just spits on you 9 months of the year to remind you of your place in the grand scheme of things.

I ride different bikes on rainy days than I do on dry ones. The grime on wet days trashes chains, eats rims, and does not play well with nice racing equipment. The wet roads lubricate glass chips, metal fragments, etc to help them penetrate your tires. If you ride unfaired bents, water accumulates on your chest.

My rainy day equipment holds up well under such abuse, but it slows me down significantly. I guess I like it all when you get down to it, but you need nice weather for some bikes.

Boss Moniker

Portland has its problems, but not moreso than any other major city.

Oregon has 4 or 5 of the top 10 most bike-friendly cities according to some reports.

donnamb 

The Portland dating scene is abyssmal. If you move here, move with a significant other.

randya

aw, come on, it can't be all that bad! bikes are sexy! bikers are sexy!





Zoobomb Summer of Sexuality

zeytoun

Yes it's a terrible hardship
I don't know why anyone would even consider cycling in a rainy climate

Teddy bear.

banerjek

The most fun guys won't be found on the dating scene because they're when they're looking for a good time, they're hoping to find the route with the best roads rather than the babe with the biggest boobs....

sbhikes

A guy from Hawaii is complaining there's too much rain in Portland? Hey bud, why don't you move to Florida?

Brian Ratliff

See! It's because of advice like this that the dating scene is abyssmal.

I'd date ya, but, you see, I followed your advice so I can't...

Blue Order

Too bad, she's really cute!

CB HI

Diane, where did I mention Portland in this thread?
The OP understood the comment about the rain in coastal OR and WA, which I have experienced, having lived in the Puget Sound area.
I did live in Florida too.
So what is your point?