Portland’s fantastic fall colors are a respite in anxious times

Riding through Ladds Addition is other-worldly at certain times of the day.
(Photos: Jonathan Maus/BikePortland)

You might be full of anxiety right now. And that’s OK! I am too. And I know many other BikePortlanders feel the same way.

But have you been outside lately? Have you felt the crisp air? Heard the comforting crunch of the leaves? Ridden through the branches of browns and oranges and reds and yellows that so many of our street trees are sharing with us right now?

I finally got out a bit yesterday after not leaving my neighborhood for a while (which I can blame on a knee injury, no meetings or events to cover, and a general malaise), and it was great to just cruise around with my camera looking for bicycle riders rolling through beautiful scenes. While I was sad to see so much of our city closed down and quiet, it was uplifting to know that nature is as loud as ever.

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Hang in there friends! We’ll get through this.

— Jonathan Maus: (503) 706-8804, @jonathan_maus on Twitter and jonathan@bikeportland.org
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Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, contact me via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a paying subscriber.

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Chelsea
Chelsea
4 years ago

I started a new job last week and now have a commute that is close to 14 miles round trip. The ride is one of my favorite parts of the day. The weather has been beautiful and I love checking out everyone’s halloween decorations. Riding is the best way to get out of the house these days.

Sam Peterson
Sam Peterson
4 years ago

…thumbs up…

Joe Adamski
Joe Adamski
4 years ago

The canopy in Ladds , along Willamette and through much of Portland gives so much to enjoy. And being able to lollygag and enjoy is a right ( and rite) best enjoyed from your bicycle or on foot.

Matt
Matt
4 years ago

Trying to get home northbound on the I-205 on a beautiful evening and was nearly knocked off my bike for simply riding too close to some piles of trash along the path. I respectfully tried not to ride too close to the tents on the other side of the path but alas this was a no win scenario and I was informed with not so gracious language that my presence on this public multi-use path was not only inappropriate but I should expect personal physical injury should I attempt to use this section of path again. Happy Trails!

Jason
Jason
4 years ago
Reply to  Matt

The grumpy about the homeless thread is two pages over. This is the nature is glorious so enjoy it thread.

Sam N
Sam N
4 years ago

I can empathize with Matt, even if volunteer moderators think the tone is misplaced. The 205 MUP is the closest off-road path near my residence. It has the potential to be the safest/calmest place I could ride with my kids, especially to see beautiful fall colors, but it’s not a place I choose to ride because of the threats I hear and the weapons I see when I ride it.

David Hampsten
David Hampsten
4 years ago

Has the city gotten better at cleaning leaves out of the gutter lanes on a more timely basis?