Tiny Helmets Big Bikes
Check us out!
  • Home
  • Us
  • Blog: We Ride
  • FAQ
  • Our Fleet
  • Adventures
  • Getting Started
  • Contact Us

First Day Of School

8/22/2016

0 Comments

 
Always good to start the school year off with a bike ride! Kiddos on their own Islabikes, even though jose was picking them up after school. No need for a minivan, Babe the Blue HaulaDay did a double bag-and-drag to take the bikes back home.
Picture
Picture
Don't let that silly face fool you, Little Brother was thrilled to be starting kindergarten
Picture
0 Comments

Portland infrastructure

8/17/2016

2 Comments

 
This summer has been spectacularly busy and yet, like always, we never quite get to everything we'd like to. After an awesome trip to the Columbia River Gorge with Adventure Cycling Association, an amazing two weeks in Portland at the United Bicycle Institute, and another wonderful Paul Bunyan tour (again with Adventure Cycling Association, I have to admit that I'm ready for school and work to start! 

I had a ton of fun exploring Portland's bike infrastructure, both the good and the not-so-good. Despite its status as one of the top bicycle-friendly cities in the US, there are many areas in which Portland still fails its bike riders. On the last day I was in town, a bike rider was killed by a car driver just a couple miles from where I was staying. I had a difficult time with the route Google suggested I take on my daily commute as it was fraught with impatient, aggressive drivers but I was able to find a better route after a couple days of stressful riding. In one of the more poorly designed separated bike stretches, we were almost creamed by a speeding and scary driver. Still, what they do have available is incredible compared to the typical US city, including Sacramento. 

I only had two weeks getting to know the routes and city, I'm sure people who have lived in Portland have many strong opinions about the bicycling culture and support. I welcome all to share their experiences as these are just a small sample of some of the things I got to explore in my PDX travels. 
Picture
One of the many stretches of bike trails and multi-use paths.
Picture
I loved the way-finding signs which made navigating the more bike-friendly routes much easier.
Picture
Bike box! Designed to give cyclists a head start at intersections. Often driven into by clueless (and/or jerky) drivers.
Picture
Lots of green paint spilled here.
Picture
Bike infrastructure tells me where to go and what to do. Stop being so demanding, infrastructure!
Picture
The dangerous conflict zone where I almost died along with a couple other riders.
Picture
Infrastructure works best when it's self-explanatory.
Picture
This is how you do a box turn.
Picture
Neighborhood greenways using permeable barriers to keep drivers out and let bike riders through.
Picture
"Do Not Enter, Except Bicycles"
Picture
Tilikum Crossing: Bike, ped, and light rail allowed. Also Segways apparently.
Picture
The only section of "mountain biking" in Portland. Still beautiful.
Picture
Picture
Tiny stretch of singletrack on an inappropriate bike is still better than nothing.
Picture
Nike sponsored Bike Town rolled out. Strong start from what I saw.
Picture
Picture
One of many street fairs I ran into. Looks pretty open to me!
Picture
Sunday Parkways was amazing to be a part of. So many families, people enjoying the car-free route with music and vendors along the way.
Picture
You bet I got my ice cream sandwich!
Picture
Twitter friends are best in real life! Thanks, Will!
Picture
Heading over to Washington, just to say I did. The path was narrow and the bridge was high but when else could I say I rode along Highway 5 and crossed the state boarder?
Picture
Picture
Rode over to Union Station to take Amtrak back home.
Picture
Picture
Oscar and I made it home!
Picture
Success!
2 Comments

    Author

    This is us. We're fun. 

    Picture

    Archives

    April 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012

    Categories

    All
    30 Day Challenge
    365 Days Of Biking
    Adventure Cycling
    Amtrak
    Big Brother
    Big Brother
    Bike Camping
    Bike Camping
    Bike Friday
    Bikes!
    Bikes!
    Bionx
    Breakfast Club
    Breezer
    Bullitt
    Car Freedom
    Car Freedom
    Carrying Kids
    Carrying Kids
    Carrying Loads
    Carrying Loads
    Cycle Truck
    Cyclofemme
    Daily Errands
    Diy
    Family Rides
    Family Rides
    Hauladay
    Isla Bike
    Kidical Mass
    Little Brother
    Little Brother
    May Is Bike Month
    Mobic
    Overnights
    Positivity
    Practical Cycle
    Sacramento River Parkway
    Safe Routes To School
    Safety
    School Commute
    Solo Kids
    Strider Bike
    Sun Shade
    The League
    Tour De Whine
    Weather
    Whimsical Cycle
    Yuba Mundo
    Yuba Mundo

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.