Trails, backroads and the charms of Vernonia

(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland)

One of the best things about bicycling in Portland isn’t even in Portland. It’s a small town called Vernonia. Situated a perfect day’s ride from Portland (about 50 miles, or less if you take MAX to HIllsboro), Vernonia is nestled in the woods at the end of about 20 miles of the smoothly paved Banks-Vernonia Trail.

This past weekend I packed up a few panniers and joined some friends for an overnight bike ride out to Vernonia. On the way out we rode through some great new trails and rural backroads through Washington County; and on the way back, we opted for logging roads and dirt trails that led us to Scappoose. Even under grey and wet skies all day Saturday, it was fantastic riding.

But what made this weekend so great wasn’t just the pedaling and the good company, it was the town of Vernonia itself. From the easy and comfortable camping at Anderson Park, to the hospitality of locals we experienced at Black Bear Coffee and the Cedar Side Inn.

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You’re not as visible on a bike at night as you think, new study shows

Bike Light Parade

Not as flashy as most
people think.
(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)

People who ride bikes at night consistently overestimate their visibility to other road users, a new study has found.

They also overlook a few tricks, like reflective strips around the ankles and knees, that can help the most.

The report, led by Joanne Wood of the Queensland University of Technology in Australia and published in next month’s issue of Accident Analysis & Prevention, asked both regular and occasional bike riders wearing black clothing, fluorescent or reflective vests, and vests with reflective strips to estimate the point at which an approaching driver would be able to spot them. Different lighting setups were used, too.

People wearing black clothing on their bike at night, or just a reflective vest, were far too optimistic. They thought drivers would see them from nearly twice the distance drivers actually tend to.

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At Employers Summit, tech CEO shares savings from low-car commuting

Employers Bike Summit

Regence hosted the Portland
Employer’s Bike Summit.
(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)

About 80 local business leaders and bike lovers packed the second annual Portland Employers Bike Summit Friday to swap advice and anecdotes exactly like Sam Blackman’s.

The award–winning young tech CEO spoke at one of the afternoon’s panels to show how his company, the fast-growing digital video startup Elemental Technologies, saves money and attracts top-notch employees by putting low-car commuting at the heart of its workplace culture.

Even before Blackman and his two co-founders started paying themselves, they were renting a workspace with bike parking and showers and buying a TriMet pass for every Elemental employee.

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Job: Bike mechanic – Clever Cycles

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Job Title
Bike mechanic

Company/Organization
Clever Cycles

Job Description
We’re seeking a full-time, non-seasonal mechanic with prior bike shop experience. Depth of experience and knowledge of shop specialties will affect compensation, but we will consider all proficiency levels if you exhibit excellent work habits, readiness to learn, customer service and communication skills.

How to Apply
Please send your resume with introductory note to info@clevercycles.com, or drop by with hardcopy.

The Monday Roundup

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Welcome to a new week of bike news. Before we get started, let’s look back at the noteworthy stories you might have missed last week…

— There was a big debate last week about people who break traffic laws while bicycling. It started with a post on The Atlantic Cities titled, “Cyclists Aren’t ‘Special,’ and They Shouldn’t Play by Their Own Rules” and spurred a response from Greater Greater Washington titled, “Cyclists are special and do have their own rules.”

— The NY Times weighed in on the “YIMBY versus NIMBY” debates about the launch of bike share in New York City.

— Is it time to lower the legal limit of alcohol intoxication for people operating vehicles? The National Transportation Safety Board thinks so.

— Did you see the great video profile of Portland’s Apex Bar? It explains beautifully why a business owner would go out of their way to appeal to people who ride bikes.

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Black Giant Revel 2 2012

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Year: 2012
Brand: Giant
Model: Revel 2
Color:Black
Size:26″ wheel
Serial: C12S5681
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152799557110214&set=pcb.10152799561915214&type=1&relevant_count=2
Stolen in Portland, OR 97210
Stolen:2013-05-18
Stolen From: Bike was stolen from a gated locked area in my apartment complex at 1920 NW 26th Ave which is the Historic Fairmont Apartments. The gated area is off of Upshur.
Neighborhood: Northwest District
Owner: Lance Reis
OwnerEmail: lancereis(replace with at sign)yahoo.com
Description: The right gear dial face is broken. Has a different seat from factory seat. Otherwise, it is in pristine condition. I had it for less than a year.
Police record with: Portland PD
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Gray/Orange Raleigh Cadent FT2 2012

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Year: 2012
Brand: Raleigh
Model: Cadent FT2
Color:Gray/Orange
Size:52cm
Serial: U121K03005
Photo: http://i.imgur.com/byrD8TJ.jpg
Stolen in Portland, OR 97202
Stolen:2013-05-19
Stolen From: SE 30th and Steele. Wimbledon Apartments. Ground floor balcony. Locked with U-lock to railing.
Neighborhood: Reed/Eastmoreland
Owner: Nicholas Kobel
OwnerEmail: nicholas.kobel( atsign )gmail.com
Reward: $200
Description: Gray 27-speed hybrid road bike with orange accents. Has mountain/raised handlebars. Accessories that could have been removed: shiny black fenders, headlamps and lights, flat black aluminum rack, flat black aluminum water bottle rack. Series of scratches on bottom rear side of seat tube/frame. Image is from date of purchase (without accessories).
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: 13-153106
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Blue Trek 7000 1989

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Year: 1989
Brand: Trek
Model: 7000
Color:Blue
Size:Large
Stolen in Portland, OR 97209
Stolen:2013-05-19
Stolen From: 14th and Kearney
Neighborhood: NW
Owner: Chris Lane
OwnerEmail: lanec@pacificu.edu
Reward: $250
Description: Large blue Trek 7000 Mountain bike, stolen in front of Urban grind coffee shop between 5:00 and 7:00 PM, May 19th, 2013. Someone cut the cable, so be careful out there. Race face cranks (175 CM), bar ends, orange Manitou forks. The bike stands out like a sore thumb, easy to spot!
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: 13-153105
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Flat Black w/ Red Logos Bianchi Cross Concept 2008

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Year: 2008
Brand: Bianchi
Model: Cross Concept
Color:Flat Black w/ Red Logos
Size:57cm
Photo: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QNi9XqfX0fo/UXf-8g_qY1I/AAAAAAAAC70/Sr4ED9wtRxw/w598-h800-no/photo+%25284%2529.jpg
Stolen in Portland, OR 97216
Stolen:2013-05-18
Stolen From: Stolen off the bike rack (cut the cables) on the back of my car in my driveway around the corner from SE 90th/Stark
Neighborhood: Montavilla
Owner: Cameron Daline
OwnerEmail: cameron.daline(A T)gmail.com
Reward: $100 + my eternal gratitude
Description: Flat black Bianchi with custom cut red and silver vinyl lettering and logos. Retroshift brake levers w/ integrated shifter, Paul components black touring canti brakes w/ Paul moon units, Paul comp front brake cable hanger, Nitto noodle handlebar, Sugino 44t front chainring, Shimano/Alex rims with Ritchey cross tires, red leather saddle.
Police record with: Portland Police
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

Blue Treck 2013

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Year: 2013
Brand: Treck
Color:Blue
Size:24 inches
Stolen in Portland, OR 0650
Stolen:2013-05-17
Stolen From: The Riva on the Park apartment building
0650 SW GAINES ST.
Neighborhood: Southwaterfront
Owner: Andy McLain
OwnerEmail: amclain9(at sign)comcast.net
Description: Mountain Bike
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Orange Mongoose Index 2.0 (BMX) 2013

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Year: 2013
Brand: Mongoose
Model: Index 2.0 (BMX)
Color:Orange
Size:20
Photo: http://img2.targetimg2.com/wcsstore/TargetSAS//img/p/14/23/14234550_120908023000_265x265_pad.jpg
Stolen in Portland, OR 97212
Stolen:2013-05-18
Stolen From: NE 14th Ave. & NE Broadway, on the side of 1410 NE Schuyler, half a block north of Broadway.
Neighborhood: Irvington
Owner: Christopher Arthur
OwnerEmail: chartimusprime@yahoo.com
Description: Day Glow Orange with Black trim and hardware, decals removed, one white sticker on front right fork, black and orange seat.
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: 13-40071
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

grey/yellow trek unknown 1990s

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Year: 1990s
Brand: trek
Model: unknown
Color:grey/yellow
Stolen in Portland, OR 97216
Stolen:2013-05-11
Stolen From: stolen from our drive way 5/11/13 4:47 am, two guys rode away but one guy did the actual trespassing to steal them
Neighborhood: se 121st and division
Owner: aura shepherd
OwnerEmail: auraherd(replace with at sign)yahoo.com
Reward: $30.00
Description: gray/ yellow stripes no fenders has a green hawaii registry sticker on it. sort of old bike, aluminum frame.
Police record with: no
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Latest Headlines

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From the Archives

With six kids and no car, this mom does it all by bike