June 2008 Archives
I've somehow managed to survive almost 12 years in Portland without riding a bicycle. I guess I've always been a bit scared of city riding, having grown up in carefree suburbia (okay, it was technically a gated community, with no streetlights nor sidewalks). I loved my BMX bike as a kid, doing minimal stunts that my little body could pull off. However, using a bike for legitimate transportation was never something I seriously considered until recently.
It all started with my new job, which is quite close to where I live. Close, yet just far enough to be kind of an annoying walk twice a day. With the weather getting warmer, the gas prices rising, and the $600 economic stimulus check in my lap it ended up being a pretty natural decision.
I started my journey by buying a bike from a co-worker, which I had for about a week before it was stolen from in front of my apartment building. I was pretty annoyed but I didn't give in just yet, I couldn't not ride now, because I had also equipped myself with this sweet new green helmet which Emily helped me turn into a turtle shell.
My week of bike riding taught me quite a bit about what I wanted and needed from a bicycle. Gears were strange and seemingly unnecessary to me, forgetting to roll up my pant leg proved potentially problematic, and I obviously hadn't figured out proper locking techniques. I set out to find the ideal bike for myself, and well, I feel like I found it:
I love the single speed, the low-profile design, the lightweight frame, the handlebars, the chain guard, the photos on Trek's web site showing a dude riding it in Portland, and the price wasn't bad (just a bit over my stimulus check with the accessories). With my fancier lock and my hardened perspective I am definitely better prepared to hold onto this one. Oh, and Nathan and Rachel at The Bike Gallery on Sandy Blvd. were real friendly and helpful. I'd even met Nathan 7 or so years ago back at Rip City.
Portland, I finally gave in to your bike loving culture, so let's be bike friends, okay?
