Bike Yourself!

Christina tryin' to love up on me at the top of Saltzman

Okay, so it really wasn’t romantic AND we actually headed out with Jeremy G and Jake – however it’s always a pleasure to ride with my favorite person. Christina and I split off from the others (being that we’re both pretty terrible climbers and not in the best shape) and we headed up Saltzman. Out on our ‘cross bikes, the trails were an easy task, albeit that the climbing wasn’t as fun with a 1×10 setup.

pain....

Christina putting down the hammer.

Saltzman, if you’re not familiar with it, is a rad climb that can be done multiple times for the advanced riders, and also leads into Firelane 5 and Leif Erickson trails for some more flat ‘cross riding. RIDE ON!

New Ultegra 6700 STIs I scored this week, and some TIME pedals I got cheap.

I’m such a bargain hunter, almost to a fault. It’s in my blood. My mom hurries on the aisle ends of stores looking for clearance items she never knew she needed. I do it too, I just do it with bike stuff normally. I buy good deals on parts or wheels, or many times on entire bikes. I keep some…a very small amount – while the rest normally go right back out the door no more than a week or two later. And no, I don’t normally make any money on the deals. I’m just….an addict, I guess, to “good deals”.

Well, I’ve been trying to break the habit and I really think it’s working. One catch is that I’m still buying stuff, but now it’s stuff I really want. Hell, I work hard, I deserve some cool stuff.

New Chris King BB I picked up....at retail...oooops.

The other catch is that all the stuff I “really want” is expensive and hard to come by at a deal. So I think in the grand scheme I’m actually spending more by not being a compulsive bargain hunter…makes sense, I suppose.

Waiting to buy some hot Castelli gear - loving the new Pearl Izumi threads until then.

I did manage to score a set of Ultegra 6700 STIs and some TIME ATAC pedals (with mild use) for really good deals. Which basically just offset paying full price for a new jersey, chamois, glasses and a Chris King BB (so damn hot!).

But it’s worth it. I’m worth it. I just gotta keep riding to make it pay off. If I can add years to my life on my bike, shoot, I’ll get the thing dipped in gold if I need to.

Sunset at Mt Tabor

Jake and I got out and riding tonight. We were hoping to meet-up with Jeremy G, Lorelei, and Abe for some ‘cross training on the gravel and run-ups, but nobody else showed. Neither Jake nor I have trained much on Tabor so we just found some trails, rode around and did a lot of running uphill. I’m worse running this year, but my legs on the bike were phenomenal. I guess that happens when you sit on em for a week with no riding, they just store up energy.

Some of the packed trails on Tabor

Riding tonight just got me even more excited. I can’t wait to hit some more rides later this week, and possibly ride around the winery this weekend. One of my recent dreams has been to host a ‘cross race at a winery – riding through the vines – struggling through ruts and thick mud – all just to cross that finish line and pour myself some Pinot. Ef beer, bikes are all about the holy Vino. Just ask the old pros.

Vintage Le Tour de France photo...guzzling some wine at a break.

Molly Cameron taking a SUPER win in the Elite field

For some this race signifies the forth-comming ‘cross season, for others this race just means deep down dirty fun. For Christina and I, it meant a nice day walking around Kruger’s farm with our pup, Godzilla. With both of us being recently sick and still kicking the bug a little, it seemed unwise to race….though the day of I must say I was terribly tempted.

Jake Tong totally blasted!

Sean Corey, gold prospector.

It turned out to be a great spectator race – our friends all came in after their races wearing what looked like terribly performed spray tans. Trusty Switchblade peeps all placed really well, and Molly took 1st in the Elite / Men’s A cat. Molly finished with a KILLER gap between her and the rest, they didn’t stand a chance – Molly was riding like a true champ.

Elites Podium

Some may call this the beginning of cyclocross season, but I hesitate. Cyclocross needs more mud, more shitty weather, and a whole lot more cowbell.

Godzilla enjoying a rest on my stomach.

Get riding – soon it will be race time.

I’m trying not to post this out of anger or frustration, but out of sympathy and a real desire to make things better for everybody. Maybe I’m not a street punk, but I’m also not a touchy-feely-can’t-we-all-just-get-along type either.

I’m a guy who rides bikes in Portland.
I ride them for fun, I ride them for exercise, I ride them to get places. I ride bikes a lot. And there’s one lesson I’ve learned about riding bikes a lot: shit happens. It happens when you’re 50 miles from home, it happens when you’re late for a meeting, it happens when you least and most expect it. My life goal isn’t to stop “shit happening” but to reduce it as much as possible.

All that said, let’s talk about this morning.
I woke up in a great mood, just a great mood. Got up, ate some yogurt and threw my pedals on my 29er to spin out to work. I was running late and decided to take MLK south. Yea, I know, it’s not a bike route. BUT with all the construction it stays a bit slower and I’m used to taking a lane and playing it safe. I’m not a bike-nazi, I don’t cut through cars and jump on and off sidewalks and expect cars to get out of the way. I’m just a regular dude, I respect everybody’s need to get places and I ride like that.

ENTER UPSET DRIVER
Some guy, totally inconvenienced by my riding in the 4-lane roadway ALL the way to the right, decides to honk repeatedly, hang a HARD right in front of me at 35mph – while honking for some reason – and yell something from his car. I stop on the shoulder, take a breath, and keep riding. It’s just some douche, it happens. This whole bike vs car dichotomy has made some douches in both sides. I brush it off. If I don’t I’ll find myself in handcuffs or a hospital probably. So I breath, and ride on.

ENTER PART-TIME BIKE COMMUTER
He’s sporting the tell-tale gear: 26″ hybrid, panniers, pant-leg-retention, but no helmet…I’ll never understand that exactly. This dude is no problem to me, besides his need to squeeze next to me at stoplights (which wouldn’t be a big deal if he actually wanted to converse or something).  But then he does something that sucks. He runs a light that we’re all waiting at, cuts across the 4 lanes as cars are now moving into, and up onto the sidewalk. I think, “weird”, just as he cuts back into the left lane basically sticking his ass in the cross-hairs of a large Cadillac. I cringe, but he makes it as the Cadillac makes room for him in the last minute. I can feel drivers getting angry at me, just witnessing what the other guy did. I imagine people thinking, “well that guy did that crazy shit, what’s THIS GUY gonna do?!”
It’s almost understandable how some drivers feel.

ENTER PRO RACER COMMUTER
I’m sitting at another light, waiting patiently with my automobile-d partners on our way to work. I’m basically taking up the entire right-hand lane that will quickly be merging into another lane as construction is happening to install street car tracks. I position myself ready to start merging as the light turns. I see green and start spinning, leaning to my left. “WHOOSH!” and I steer immediately to the right. A PRO road bike racer stuck in a commuter’s body has just barely missed me as I veered into him. I yell “I ALMOST RAN YOU OVER!” to which he does not reply. (To note: at 265lbs, riding a rather large 29er – I probably would have put that guy in the hospital)
I’m kind of taken aback and angered. This maneuver happens a lot more than I’d like. No warning, no “on your left”, no “heads up”, no bell, no horn, no spinning free-hub as a warning. Just a quick brush with injury.
So maybe I’m not cool or urban or street enough, maybe I’m a total fucking fraud, but can’t cyclist just yell “ON YOUR LEFT” for the love of god. You’re right if you think it’s dorky. It is. But so are helmets, and I won’t take mine off for any amount of cool.

SO WHATS WRONG?
What’s wrong is that I now have more negative experiences with other cyclists than I do with cars. I guess it’s a better problem than almost being run-over by cars all the time, but this really isn’t about better vs worse. It’s about making less “shit happen”.

SO WHATS THE ANSWER?
I don’t know.
It’s not bicycle licensing, or special laws, or stiffer regulations.
Maybe it just takes people, cool people, setting the standards and letting people know how and what to do on the road. Maybe it just takes people being nicer on their bikes, not tougher. Aren’t we riding bikes, hoping to pop the social bubbles that cars put us in?
I don’t know.

Just do me a couple favors: don’t act like an ass, let others know you’re there, and say “hey” at the stoplights.

We’re kind of in this together, whether you like it or not.

I picked up this 29er from a friend a couple weeks ago. Rode it around and was so excited. Rode it some more and realized that I really just want a full rigid 29er. So instead of cannibalizing a perfect Spot, I just figured that I could pass the great deal onto another lucky person.

Here’s the specs:

SPOT Longboard 9 – $900
Size: Medium – I’m 6’3″ and anyone else should be that or shorter
29er = 29″ wheels
1×9 gearing – only a single ring up front
Hydrolic disc brakes – recently adjusted rotor and replaced discbrake pads
All stock, except for tires and Firex cranks.
Saddle: Selle Italia Flite Trans Am (pictured below)
Pedals: SPD clipless

(the Arione saddle and PDX headlight pictured above are not included)

Photos:

Rad weekend winding down.

Some riding, some laughs, lots of reorganizing to accommodate the incredible amount of bicycles we host in our garage.

Lorelei got a flat that turned went south. The bike survived.

Christina and I had the pleasure of sharing brunch on Saturday morning with Lorelei (Draper). We intended on hitting Tin Shed for some legendary grub, but a flat tire turned into a rather greasy ordeal and we ended up finding some food at New Deal (not too shabby for the price).  I guess some derailleurs can flip completely around, creating a lot of confusion for people who aren’t mechanics; however a bit of relief when they find out they aren’t looking at $$$ to repair their baby.

On a related side note I just want to say that Lorelei is probably one of the coolest and nicest people I’ve met in Portland. She’s a sweetheart and can take a verbal beating from me with a smile. Sometimes I’m a total ass but she puts up with me. Thanks Lorelei, I know I rarely say it, but you’re pretty incredible.

Papa Tong showing some Italian love.

Which leads me to another righteous dude in my life, Jake Tong (aka Papa Tong). While Lorelei, Christina and I were regrouping at the house after from bike shopping, a USPS courier approached with a rather large box. I knew immediately that it was Jake’s new(used) Lombardi road frame that he’s been obsessively checking the mail for the past two weeks.

Jake was at the shop, slinging ink at Moment of Truth Tattoo, so we took the opportunity to wrap up the box like a Christmas present and bring it to him. The Christmas paper was appropriate as he reacted like a 8-year-old getting the LEGO Futuron Monorail.

It’s a hot hot hot frame, so keep an eye out for any sexy components you come across, and let me know.

Basket bikes are basically the best.

I threw a GIGANTIC old WALD basket, and I MEAN GIGANTIC, on the around-town fixed gear. Since the bike is ideally for work and the bar, it was a good fit, albeit I had to sacrifice my sweet bullhorns. Oddly, they work pretty great as porteur bars, wine corks and all.

We also fulfilled one of my bike dreams and picked up a super-nice Silca pump. Christina needed one on hand for her volunteer position at Bridge Pedal next weekend, and our old one was basically a pile of poop. It’s pretty great being in a serious relationship with someone who understands the needs of a bicycle addict, and at times may be an enabler.

To the victor goes the reward. A $2 hotdog combo from Ikea for riding my ass off out there.

A long weekend and a nice medium ride to round it out. I started around 2pm and just wanted to pull a quick loop through St Johns, out to Marine Dr, and back on 33rd. When I hit the 33rd interchange, I just decided the day was too nice and kept riding. I ran into Molly Cameron on the last leg of a century, and she gave me the bright idea of just riding over to Ikea and grabbing some hotdogs…I love me some hotdogs.

I just parked the bike in Ikea food court, grabbed some dogs, scarfed, and was off.

I rode back via some back-ways through NE industrial. It wasn’t as pretty as Marine Dr, but it had appeal with large tractors, junkyards, and the Air National Guard base.

Rad rad rad weekend.

Thanks friends, this life is living real well.

More fotos:

With an extra special thanks to Zac P, Papa Tong, and Sharky – I introduce the newest addition to my family. Just a fun little thang to lock-up in the sketchier places I go. Would hate to lockup my Rock Lobster or my Sutra and lose it to some low-lifes. It is a “beater bike” but it’s also pretty bad-ass. Phil rear wheel, KiloTT frame, and a mix of shitty modern and cool classic components.

Speaking of the rise in bike thieves, two fairly good friends of mine lost thier bikes to such bastards in the past couple weeks:

Will’s Gary Fisher Genesis 2
(although it’s actually called a Gary Fisher Wahoo Disc, it just only says “Genesis 2.0″ on it) – LINK TO BIKEPORTLAND

Abel’s Globe Vienna 2 XL
No stolen posting, but it’s pretty noticeable

If you see either of these bikes don’t hesitate to call the police or give me a text/email/call. I’m a pretty understanding guy, but these low-lifes stole two people main forms of transportation. That’s pretty effed.

Finally, a couple cool things I found sniffing around the interwebs:

• Pass & Stow Bicycle Racks – Christina was gonna buy me one, then didn’t.
• _blk label Cycling Shorts – Totally rad color…and even radder if they came in my size.
• Embrocation Team + Cinelli = awesomeness – Cool cockpit.
• Molly – Portland’s beloved.

Write-up on the wine country tour coming soon! I promise!

For iPhone users – View on YouTube

This last weekend I had the privilege of hitting the road with Christina, Jake, and Lorelei for some great times and a night at Oxbow Regional Park. Way back, last fall, Christina and I had talked about doing some bike camping and longer touring rides. She got a touring bike, I got a touring bike, and before we knew it we were knee deep in gear (after some last minute finds at Andy & Bax).

I love racing ‘cross, and I love riding around town, but bike camping and touring are different. It’s like a combination of backpacking and biking rolled into one. You carry what you need, and hopefully only what you need. Unless you’re Christina, then you carry whatever you think you might need plus extra, and maybe some for others even though you don’t normally offer said things to others anyway. But I digress. It’s fun, it fitness, and it’s a hell of a way to spend a weekend.

Beautiful site of Mt. Hood riding out on Springwater

Oxbow isn’t too far from Portland. We actually took the “long way” there as the campsite didn’t seem far enough to be challenging. Although we encountered some issues on the Springwater Corridor (see video), it was a gorgeous day. I soaked up all the great sun and just took in the clear day. In total, we rode over 60miles for the two days combined….not much to the Lances out there, but good ride for those of us who are out of shape. (Check out the Garmin data here)

It was a fun weekend and something I totally recommend, even to the casual riders. The hills are challenging, but not lethal, just be careful of drivers on the narrow roads. And what better reward to some summer-day riding than having the icy-cool Sandy river to dive into.

Lazy day on the Sandy river

Check out the photos or the awesomely overproduced video I put together.
(See all the photos at – http://www.flickr.com/photos/maxisnow)

If you’re gonna camp at Oxbow, don’t worry about anything. Just bring supplies for sleeping and eating. They are a fully stocked campsite with firepits, BBQs, nice bathrooms, and running water. The rangers will even deliver $5 firewood to your site if you rode there. Super friendly, super fun, and full of great Oregonians.

Ainsworth is next on my list. Who want’s to join us next trip?!

New bike sharrows on NE Tillamook

I don’t find myself writing about bike advocacy much anymore. It’s not that I don’t care, it’s just that this is Portland, Or.New York and LA have their scheduled Critical Mass(es) where cyclists gather to demonstrate their size as a group who needs a piece of the road … Portland has an afternoon commute. It’s not hard to be a bike advocate here, it’s actually hard to not be one. BTA dominates local government, Jonathan Maus spreads words like wildfire, and our Mayor Adams saddles up quite frequently.But even with all that in mind, I still get so excited when policy and advocacy have effects right on my doorstep.

Bike advocacy ranting aside, today I woke up to a city worker drying the fresh install of a bike “power-up” on our street.
EDIT: Joe informed me that these are called “sharrows”, which is a witty yet dumb name. I like “power-ups”

NE Tillamook is one of the main artery bikeways in the Rose Quarter area, and a big access point to N Williams from the rest of close-in NE. But even as such a huge path for cyclists, it’s a pretty car-heavy street. Aside from the expected neighborhood traffic, we get tow-trucks ripping through to their dispatch center a few block away, people test-driving cars from the Toyota and Kia dealerships, Trailblazer parking bloat from the games, and regular idiots zipping 40mph through to cut around traffic onto the I-5.

It can be a disaster, sometimes, riding on Tillamook and most drivers are totally unaware of the streets “bike route” status. Hopefully these symbols will heighten that awareness.

I started the night joining the back of a spandex-clad group heading north on Interstate. I figured they were headed to PIR. It was all carbon, spandex, and muscles. Not one fender, so I ate a bit of gravel and mud. It just felt like the Spring races I’ve never done, but seen photos of. Guys covered in road grime, loving every minute. I drafted off the back, but tried to give the rider in front of me enough room to breath. Sometimes I scare people in their draft…it’s understandable.

A wet 20 minutes later we arrived at PIR. The first races were starting and a small group near the registration table was swelling with our group and the others we picked up on the way. I snapped some photos and watched the Cat 4/5 race. It started pouring. The group near the OBRA registration grew every minute as racers and riders rolled in. The Cat 4/5 ended and they started to assemble the now massive group of riders.

I joined the rear of the line-up. David’s brother and friends gave a little direction, telling everyone to share David’s life in story and laughter, the way he would have wanted it, and to reflect silently after the last turn and across the line. I didn’t really speak to anyone. It just wasn’t my place to start gabbing people up about a guy I didn’t know that well. Others shared stories and short memories though, as we slowly made onto the race course. It rained still, but softly.

The riders laughed and talked and reflected on David. There were so many people I could barely make out the front of the group. I thought to myself about death and all the anxieties and worries I have. I thought about the close friends I’d lost in the past years. And reflected on those who meant so much to me.

We made the third turn and the rain lightened to a faint drizzle. To my left, I saw a colorful formation opening over the finish line. We made the fourth turn, silently back to the finish, and a large rainbow appeared in front of us. I was taken aback. It was beautiful, magnificent. Perfect timing, God, mother nature, “a plan”; call it what you will, but David’s lap was set to a finish under a sublime bow of color. All my thoughts and fears and tremblings about death silenced for a moment. I thought to myself, “a great person deserves a beautiful memory,” and that was all I could ask of myself, to be a great person so that I may also be remembered beautifully.

We finished out the lap, passing before David’s family silently. There was less sadness than there was hope and love among the riders and family.

I didn’t know David Oliphant. I think I’d met him in passing, but let’s face it, I wouldn’t have stopped him at the supermarket to chat about the weather, his summer plans or even racing this year. I didn’t know a lot about him until his passing. I knew he raced PIR and I knew that we knew the same people. I came to find, in his passing, that many people loved him dearly, and further that he was a noticeable voice of enthusiasm and pushed himself to excellence both in racing and as a friend. Seeing the waves of seriousness and sadness that wiped over others’ faces as they recalled his collapse last Tuesday spoke volumes about what he meant to so many. And in that meaningful presence he was, I saw the need to honor him. Thank you to his family, friends, and OBRA people for having such a lap in his memory.

Read about David Oliphant on BikePortland.org

Photos from David Oliphant’s Memorial Lap & Cat 4/5 races