Four of us are thinking of driving up to check out Portland on Monday 18th, to Thursday 21st and I hope we can bring our bikes. We're looking for a place to stay that is clean, centrally located to the heart of the city (downtown i guess??) and fairly cheap (about $100/night). Any suggestions would be great.

Also, any cool coffee shops, bars, bookstores, historical sites, thrift stores, bike shops?

there was a similar thread about someone moving to portland a few weeks ago. as far as places to stay, i believe there's a hostel or two that are pretty cheap.

ps. this is alex, I didn't know you were on here. we missed you at our fixed ride two weeks ago. Too bad you aren't going to be there a day longer. I'm going to be there the 22nd.

Thanks Alex. I just checked out that thread. I can't believe that you were the one person to reply to my post . The internet is pretty small.

Sorry about the fixed ride the other night. I had planned on going and got sick that day. I was in bed by the time you guys were probably leaving the mission. When's the next one?....I'm graduating and moving to Santa Barbara.

I just moved here last thursday. What a welcome! https://shift2bikes.org/pedalpalooza/pp2007.php#106

Pedalpalooza kicks of the day i arrive. Check out the event calander. A two week long event packed with tons of activities. Meeting lots of cool people and having a blast. I love this place.

Any one is welcome to hit me up and lets go out and ride.

i miss portland pretty frequently...i might give it another go, someday.

the hostel scene is dicey, you have to plan way in advance to get in at one.

there are some "pay by the hour" type motels on interstate that are, like, 48 dollars a night or so. the palms, the royal crown hotel, etc...you know the type.

couchsurfing

you're comin to the right town for coffee shops and book stores... Powells is claimed to be the largest in the world: NW 10th & Burnside... right across from Rocco's Pizza (also worth checking out). Coffee Shops: Stumptown if you want to check out the "cool" crowd on SW 3rd and a few blocks south of Burnside. As for hotels, you're not going to find much downtown for under $100. Cross over the broadway bridge to the East side and there are a string of hotels near the convention center (look for 2 steeples made of glass) and the Rose Arena (where the Blazers play) that are anywhere from $79-$129 / night. You missed the naked bike ride lastnight... but you may catch pedal-palooza. Happy hunting and enjoy PDX.

-Drew

don't hate us cuz you ain't us! anyways, there's a good reason stumptown is the messenger hangout of choice - transerv is a good block away and most people get there start there in pdx, so you're liable to see a lot of nice track bikes / mess work bikes.

I visited a couple weeks ago. Probably not moving there, but nice place. Stumptown has OK coffee and lots of emo kids. When I was there they did this weird pomo performance art dealy. It was tres-wtf.

If you like to ride your bike, ride out along the columbia river highway. Its pretty nice. A good century there and back.

I had fun playing polo with the kids in NE.

When I was there, I was put up at the Days Inn on SW 6th. I think it cost $85 per night or something like that. Not especially atmospheric, but I didn't pay for it.

I liked going to the Doug Fir for breakie when I was out there last year.

Go to Atlas Tatttoo and get some ink from them. My friend Dan is one of the owners.