poprad

I moved to Portland last Sep, and from everything I had read I figured I'd find some great cycling culture here, and a welcoming bike community. It has proved to be a great place to ride, but the cycle culture here leaves me mystified. Maybe it's the fact that there are so many of us here, and so many are struggling to define themselves (as in "I ride a fixie, I can't be seen nodding to, much less acknowledging someone on a cross bike wearing hi-vis yellow").

I ride on Skyline every other day, and always wave, nod, or otherwise attempt to engage other riders. In comparison to other places I have lived in the U.S. I get ignored more often here than anywhere (I've lived and ridden in PA, NC, GA and AZ). I don't know if it's just not "cool" to say hello or wave here, maybe I'm just not up on the local scene enough. I just found it surprising that the only people who say hi are the ones our group would categorize as "casual" cyclists.

On another note, and I suppose this is a function of how many riders there are here, so many cyclists here ride like complete morons. Busting lights (and I don't just mean the msgers; spandex clad warriors and commuters too), running stop signs, purposely blocking traffic on 2 lane roads, it's actually embarassing. I had 2 riders downtown block my car on Lovejoy at 10 pm after I politely "bipped" my horn to make sure they knew of my approach, then they flipped me off and screamed obscenities at me. I remember thinking " what planet am I on, is this really my tribe?"

I guess this turned into more of a rant than I intended, I love cycling here, the roads rock, and for the most part the drivers are much more polite than in other places. That said I think some of the riders in Portland are our own worst enemy. I have suggested cycling to some of my less athletic co-workers, and they responded with apall that I would suggest they join the riders that cut them off in traffic and scare their kids on sidewalks.

I guess that's my say, I don't want to alienate even more riders with this. I suppose I'll continue to wave or say hi as I lose oxygen coming up Thompson, but I'll always wonder what I'm missing here.

MillCreek

Part of this is the famous "Pacific Northwest reserve". Seattle is famous for it, too, and I say that as a Seattle native. People who move up here complain about how hard it is to meet people or make friends, and everyone seems so distant and standoffish.

The roadies not waving seems to be an endemic problem. They will wave or nod back if I am in full kit and on my titanium IF road bike but not if I am wearing casual cycling gear and on my MTBs or folder. I wave or nod at everyone, to be friendly, and maybe 50% of the people wave or nod back.

Red Rider

Keep doing what you're doing. You'll eventually meet people like you. I don't ride in a city so we don't have messengers; we do have folks ignoring traffic lines, lights and cues. Ooof. Makes us all look bad.

Hang in there and investigate local clubs. You'll find some like-minded folks, I'm sure. We're way more cool w/cycling here on the left coast than on the Atlantic coast (I grew up in NJ; horror stories by request). Relationships and fitting in take time, so exercise patience and maintain that open mind. It will serve you well.

East Hill

I get friendly reception from roadies if I'm on the Rodriguez (even without full kit), but rarely an acknowledgement if I'm on any of the vintage bikes.

I like to say hello to everyone (figure it can't hurt to have a friendly cyclist image), but not everyone says hello back. Can't please everyone .

Stick with it, don't let the snobs get you down. They still ride a bike, perhaps there's hope yet .

East Hill

FlowerBlossom

I was just going to say more or less what MillCreek said. I have hypothesized that everyone who runs lights, or doesn't wave, etc, is pretending to be in a race and thus they can't let you be in the lead or can't say 'hi' or 'passing left' or wave because, if they did, you would know they are there.

Whatever the real reason, it's annoying to me too. Hope that makes you feel better. I'm the one shaking her head while stopped at the (red) stoplight that the biker next to me decided to ride through. And, I always say hi. I figure it annoys the heck out of them.

donnamb 

I don't know if it makes you feel any better, poprad, but roadies rarely if ever acknowledge my existence anywhere I ride unless it is to sneer at me. There are always some exceptions, but that seems to be the way they are in Portland. I've learned to ignore them. Many cyclists of all types engage in the bad habit of running reds and blowing stop signs, and it's something I've just learned to deal with. Now, as for the horn thing: I'm not condoning their response, but you need to understand that it's not the custom here to use your horn at anyone riding a bike at all unless they're about to hit you or if you are trying to harass them. It doesn't matter how softly you do it - we only get that from motorists who want to scare us or express their anger that we are on the road at all. I know it can be different in other places, but that's how it is in Portland. I wouldn't have yelled or sworn at someone honking (though I'd have been pretty startled and slightly afraid), but I'm sure my hot-tempered brother would have reacted rather angrily.

Since you're fairly new to riding in Portland, I'd encourage you to start attending our Bicycle Master Plan rides. They're being held the first Tuesday of each month, and they focus on a different area of the city for each ride. This next one coming up will be all about SW Portland. I suggest these rides because you'll have a chance to meet our city's Bicycle Coordinator and some of his staff. He wants to hear your concerns and complaints. There is an off-duty Portland police bike patrol officer who has attended all the rides thus far, although he will be on his honeymoon the one coming up. The attendees are a wide cross-section of interested people - roadies, commuters, utility cyclists, mountain bikers, parents with kids in trailers, and even the occasional bike messenger. They're going to be happening for at least a year, and the feedback the Bicycle Coordinator gathers from them will be used to help write the next master plan that will carry the city through the next 20 years.

peregrine

I can identify with what you're saying, poprad. I mostly ride to commute and don't get on my road bike very often - you won't see me on Skyline that much but I'll definitely say hi I've been commuting for 2 years and a few months into it started avoiding greeting roadies when in my commuter gear. It doesn't really bother me that they prefer to ignore me, I ride for myself.

As for ignoring traffic laws, my impression is that lately cyclists have been more observant of them, at least compared to last year. My hopes are that, eventually, the majority of cyclists will see the light

Brian Ratliff

I think what you are describing is what naturally happens when cycling becomes popular. In most other places in the US, cyclists are a small and embattled group. Here, people feel less embattled and so have lost that "tribal" designation. It has to happen at some point. People ride for differing reasons, and when there are fewer threats to the cyclist lifestyle, it becomes a burden to maintain the tribal distinction.

I happen to wave at people when I ride, or at least nod. But I don't begrudge them if they don't respond. I view it as a good thing, that there are so many people riding bicycles that we can bond within shades of grey within the cycling community rather than just lumping all cyclists into one group. Instead of feeling the need to surpress our individuality for the "good of the group", we can express what we want to express without worry.

Brian Ratliff

And, just to add FWIW, we Portlanders don't use our horns much for anything compared to many other places in the US; that would explain the reaction of those cyclists who were holding you up. I have always considered "beeping" behind a cyclist to be bad form - even a little "beep" from a car horn is extremely startling and might even cause a novice rider to crash.

Part of the general acceptance of cycling here in Portland is that sometimes drivers must make concessions to the cyclists. Cyclists might take the lane on a two lane rural road for safety. In the city, a cyclist or two might occupy a full lane merely because the average speed in the downtown grid is only 15 mph.

And the red light or stopsign running behaviors are being cracked down on; it is also a natural situation brought on by an expanding population of cyclists. Behavior such as stopsign running, done within a very small group of cyclists might be overlooked by everyone. But when there are cyclists running stopsigns three times a minute at a certain intersection, then the laws must be enforced. If you look at bikeportland.org, you will see that enforcement stings by the police are on the rise, spurred by complaints.

LynnH

I always wave and speak, I think that is part of the fun.

donnamb 

I agree, Lynn, but I can't seem to do that anymore when there's about 30 of us waiting at a light during rush hour!

55/Rad

There is cycling in Portland and then there is Skyline Dr.

Skyline to the roadie, represents a rite of passage of sorts - a jumping off point as well as a destination for a lot of great hill climbs and descents.

What this means is you get a lot of the hardcores out to get a serious workout up there along with the newbie roadies who are just checking it out. The serious ones are often too focused to exchange pleasantries and the wannabes are just too pooped from climbing Thompson or Germantown or wherever and are wondering what their friends have in store for them next.

Don't take it personally. I ride up there all the time and find that the 'tude is a bit perplexing but I can assure you it doesn't represent the whole that is Portland.

55/Rad

Krink

I LOVE disappointment. I have to go to Portland on personal bidness. Tell me where to rent a bike and what I should bike past that will DISAPPOINT and DISILLUSION me.

I'm not against inspiration and awe either. Or beer and coffee. Bikes, beer, and coffee. Where should I go? Also, weird art thingies.

poprad

Wow, what a bunch of nice responses! I half expected a long list of "who the hell do you think you are bashing our town?" type posts this AM, but there you all are, basically not slamming me and treating me like a member of the crowd. Thanks for all the input, your comments make me feel as if I'm not nuts, and I'll continue to be the guy who says hi on Skyline, serious competitors be damned.

Maybe my over-enthusiasm for the natural beauty here after returning from Kabul has masked my ability to undestand and join in the more-reserved vibe. Thanks for the comments.

As an aside and shameless plug for a business I have no stake in, I got a loaf of the "Campagnolo" bread at Great Harvest today on Hawthorne....if you haven't tried it, it lives up to the name.

Oh, and if you like old bikes I have a few on my FLickr page under my screen name "mtypinski."



This is a pic of my Vanilla frame, awaiting paint and assembly. I can't freakin' wait!

Shifty

My guess is that you'll get some respect on the road when you get the Vanilla, you may be in the mood to snub a few of the roadies that are snubbing you now, but you're not that type, so.

Don't forget to show us the finished bike when you get it.

poprad

Hah! Yeah, but I hate the thought of "buying" street cred. That, and I do not now, nor do I ever intend to own, "team kit." I look like a fool in sponsor logos!

55/Rad

I hate you. Say hi to Sacha.

Do you ride a Poprad? The "Rad" in 55/Rad was for a Poprad I had a few years back.

pdxtex

^^^ what he said!! people in town are much more friendly, with the possible exception of the dirty hipster bike crowd. but seriously, dudes with crummy attitudes and full team kits are just a small iota of the total bike culture in this town, most of which is very approachable and accomodating. throw in a bunch of "tall bike" riders, bike jousters, zoo bombers, commuters, messengers, mountain riders, bmx kids, beer run bikes,...you get the message, bike culture in this town is diverse as it comes.

ollo_ollo

Portland is a much more bike friendly town now than in the 70s-80s when cyclists were few. I saw the same roadie behaviour in Olympia whether I'm on a newer bike or Vintage but if I watch closely, some of them give a thumbs up from the drops while hammering on their way.

velocity

Hola amigo! I have a suspicion that Rads take on this is pretty spot on. The area at which you ride is the area the most bike snobs work for their lil piece of glory. I ride everywhere around and feel good community with cyclist that don't look like they are doing it because their license got revoked because of DUI's. You know the half shaved fellows on a lil girls bike pulling a side-less trailer and picking put liter in garbage cans. Most of the time I have problems with the courier types of Hawthorn and what they do. they are the ones that make me nervous and I usually try and leave them behind. they have since gone deaf because of cars honking at them. Keep waving it will be me waving back specially if I get a good look at that Neilla
Velocity

donnamb 

Then again, some of those homeless looking guys pulling the trailers are pretty interesting characters, and a few of them are very kind. I'm a regular at Breakfast on the Bridge, and it's a great opportunity to mix with all facets of the cycling culture in Portland. I'll tell you something else - a lot of those guys know more about trailer construction and modification than anyone else around. If you get a chance to see some of their work close up, it's really amazing considering many of them don't have access to a complete range of tools and parts.

Working downtown has taught me a lot about bike messengers. I've learned to distinguish between them and the more hipster, "fakenger" cyclist, and that has helped me immensely. I still worry about the FG riders out there with poor handling skills, but not actual messengers. I find the best approach with them is to ride very predictably, signal my intentions, and keep a steady position in my lane. They'll do what they need to do and they won't involve me. Right or wrong, they're going to ride the way they feel is best to carry out their jobs, and arguing about it is a waste of time and breath. I've also seen them help new, inexperienced cyclists with small mechanical difficulties or stick up for one in a traffic dispute with a motorist. Considering how the inexperienced must drive them bonkers at times when they're trying to deliver something quickly, I'm impressed.

(Yes, I'm a great aficionado of gray areas. )

mazpr

I was on vacation for a few days and felt the same way. For me the City is a ghost town, there is not even a blend of culture, it seems disorganized and out of context.


I travel plenty because of my job and this city was unique even when I attended the Mazda GrandPrix during the Rose Fest. For me the way the city was built plays a big role as it does not have defined boundaries.

velocity

I dig what you are laying down but there is a huge community as you make your way out to SE via the Forty Mile Loop/Spring water trail. They hang out under the canopy of the trees near the crossing of Foster at about 105th and smoke and drink. They leave a huge mess of trash and a lot of the signs that you see on the sides of the highway while driving about "being homeless" and "god bless", "will work for bananas" are discarded there. Are they cyclists?
V

mazpr

Whats so special about that vanilla frame?

???

TLN

Who the f-ing hell are you to bash my town!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just kidding. When I lived in PDX I never felt "dissed" or anything like that. But then again I never rode skyline, just down by the water front and that was riding a fixed as well. Now that I am up in Tacoma (oh how I miss PDX!) its the same thing. Sometimes I get waved at, sometimes not. Sometimes I wave and sometimes not. I dont take it personally and you shouldnt either. I know sometimes I get in a trance when riding and probably missed a whole lot of riders and didnt wave back. Just enjoy the ride!