Riding in other cities can be fun
and fascinating -- like this ride in Baltimore.
(Photo © Elly Blue)

The holiday travel season is coming up. If you're leaving Portland, maybe you've thought about bringing your bike along for the trip this time.

A bike doesn't make sense for every trip or every destination. But if it does fit in with your plans, the experience of traveling with a bike comes highly recommended. A bike can give you independence, flexibility, adventure, and a surefire way to meet people wherever you go.

How you bring the bike, what kind of bike is best to bring, and how much it costs all depend on whether you're flying or taking the train. Here's the rundown: (more...)

Sam, Caleb, Finn, the Brompton, and me. (Photo by Sarah Armstrong)

I just wheeled the Brompton into the Publick Cup, a downtown New Haven coffeeshop, and found myself surrounded by a crowd of wide eyed young people.

"Is that a bike? It folds? It's a folding bike? Can you unfold it for us?" The kids were really excited. They raptly watched each step, asking smart questions about how all the parts work, and making guesses about what came next.

I folded the bike back up. "Can you do it again?" asked one. As I complied, several of the kids were ushered away, leaving only three. Their mom came over to see what was going on.

"Oh, look, it's from Clever Cycles!" she exclaimed -- "I'm ordering a Bakfiets from them!"
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Boxing up the Brompton was a team effort
(Photos by Elly Blue)

I'm beginning to realize a few things about traveling with a folding bike.

First of all, it's definitely a passport to general goodwill and friendliness. I had a great time chatting with a homeless guy and a college student on the L's blue line last night at 1am. It's hard to imagine the three of us in that circumstance getting into a friendly conversation without the Brompton.

It's also because of the Brompton that I met Marc and Sheri, Portlanders headed out on a month and a half long east coast train trip of their own. We soon found we had friends in common (Sheri worked with Sara Stout on the Share the Road mural that Jonathan covered back in 2006). They were excellent train companions. (more...)

Taking the Brompton to brunch at the Tin Shed.
(Photo: Amy Subach)

When I posted on Thursday that I'm headed out today for an east coast train and bike tour, Todd at Clever Cycles got in touch over Twitter right away with the offer of a bike loan.

That's how I came to spend the weekend riding around town in sun, rain, snow, and ice on a bright green, lovingly built-up Brompton folding bike and with a big smile on my face.

I'll be writing more about the Brompton as I travel (including photos) but after riding around all weekend, I have two things to say: (more...)