Rich Clark

I'm jealous and I'm not afraid to admit it!

I've never bothered taking pictures of my commute because who would want to look at frame after frame of grey concrete, rowhouses, factories, auto graveyards, sanitation plants, litter, dense traffic, a bajillion traffic lights and stop signs?

Count your blessings!

RichC

gonesh9

It's about 8 miles ea. way, from the east side of Mt. Tabor to NW downtown.

I think what you are referring to are the speed bumps...

Guest

Damn!

I misread.... assumed the pic was of you.

Subtract one for the estrogen... we're falling behind. I'll have to find some cycling girlfriends and get them to join!

Ceiliazul

Concerning the road markings in the first pic:

I live nearby in a fast growing neighborhood (even faster than most Portland 'burbs) and the markings are arrows that point toward the curb. Notice that the bump does not extend all the way to the curb. The newspaper in Vancouver, WA had an article about the new neighborhoods using bumps with this feature, and called it the new "Emergency Vehicle Safety Bump." I guess the fire trucks can put one wheel in that flat space and not have to worry so much about the bump at high speed.

That's the story, you have to decide for yourself. What actually happens is that teenagers in their Acuras use the gap a lot more than emergency vehicles do, and it makes the whole bump pretty useless. Also people can park right next to them (as in Gonesh9's pic), cutting the chance of any benefit for emergency vehicles.

The next convolution to this innane idea is cropping up in the newest devopments in the Portland area now: bumps with angles. instead of nice rolling "hill," the new bumps are created like a very shallow pyramid. The reasoning? I guess it costs more to build, so it helps the economy. (I'm sure there's a sound civil engineering idea buried under that pyramid, but good luck finding out what it is)

That's the story on the mystery markings. At least, according to the local paper. (The Columbian article was circa summer 2001)

Resident

Here in Halifax, speed bumps are for parking lots!!

Beautiful commute, gonesh9!!

detrieux

Nice ride to work. Do you suffer from much traffic on some of those hills? Thanks for posting the pictures.

Pete Clark

Sooooooo beautiful!



Uh, I meant the commute!

lateralus

I've been thinking about moving to Portland for some time maybe next year. Thanks for putting those pics up, looks really nice. You've inspired me to take a few photos of my commute when I go out today- neat idea. Anyway, gotta go ride...

(BTW, Koffee- I'm a girl to!!!)

Guest

All right! Rack up that point for the estrogen!

Whooooooooo lateralus!!!!

Koff

Anders K

WOW, beautiful commute! Almost makes me jealous . I love these threads, to see others commutes or trails. To see the beauty from different places of the world. I wish I had a digital camera

AndrewP

The first pic looked a bit like the UK with the cars on the left, but the road is too straight for the UK.

nathank

hey, great photos gonesh9!!

i recognize almost all of those views -- ok the individual streets on the east side i don't know - i lived and worked in NW portland...

but, oh yes, brings back great memories for me - especially the shots along the waterfront. by the way is the bike trail on the east side of the waterfront finally complete? i know they've been working on it like 2 years and it was planned when i left in 2000...

and i love how you can spot Mt Hood or St Helens from various places in the city (when there are no clouds that is). my girlfriend worked in one of the high-rises in downtown and the view from the windows there looked like the backdrop you see on a TV program -- too cool to be real!

some day here i'll remember to bring the digital camera on my commute and take photos of my commute here in Munich. i only have one view of the moutains (and it wouldn't show up in a photo) but i do have an interesting mix of bike paths, European streets and even a few nice trails in the parks (longer ride and optional, but more scenic) -- and you guys wouldn't believe how many other cyclists there are!! i thought Portland had a lot of cyclists! (well, ok if you've been to Holland you'd believe it - that was amazing)

Portland is so beautiful! (but, munich is too)

gonesh9

Yes, it hooks into Springwater Corridor, and goes from the east side of downtown along the water past the Sellwood bridge, then heads east from there for many many miles. I just rode it on Sunday, and only made it to Powell Butte and back, but it was very beautiful... The area it goes through includes giant wildlife nature preserves, wetlands, and forests.
Anyways, I hope to see your commute of Munich soon.

georgeupstairs

I can assure you that we have several straight roads in the UK (and loads of twisty ones!). I'm in the middle of getting some pics of my commute so in a few days I'll show you one.