Sunday Parkways = 36,000 Cyclists, Peds, Others

I think we are finally in summer, though we are still a bit below average temperatures. I'll take the partly, mostly, all sunny days and certainly will take the dry days. I am definitely in the rhythm of commuting, not bike commuting does not even cross my mind anymore. The morning commute continues to be my favorite time as I tend to head in earlier than the rush hour riders, which gives me time along the Esplanade to slow the pace, enjoy the quiet and settle the mind before I cross the Steel Bridge and into work.

I have started a new habit now. As I pass or others pass me I give them a verbal greeting like, "Good morning." What a difference, though I am still amazed at how many do not know how to respond. For those coming toward me, I think I sometimes see a look of "she is crazy or something" from them. But, hey, who cares, right?

We seem to continue to have our psycho weather. Would you believe the two pictures above are from the same day? The sunny left is the morning, the mega-cloudy right the afternoon. Each has their beauty, and the whole day was comfortably warm.

All the confused weather cleared away for the weekend's Sunday Parkways North Portland on Sunday, though. Amazingly, happy sunny day all day. Their estimated count is 36,000 people were out! It definitely felt it, too. Near the parks and some intersections the pace slowed to, basically, walking or inching rather. But that was cool, I so enjoyed seeing the all walks of life people out enjoying the day and the mostly car free streets for 8 miles.

Intersection Hero - Sunday Parkways, North Portland 2011 from Paula Funatake on Vimeo.

One fun highlight was watching this person direct traffic through this offset intersection. She was having fun, increasing the fun of those coming through. I am glad I biked from home (18 miles roundtrip) as it would have been a challenge trying to find somewhere to park. Hopefully we will have great weather for the next parkways, but regardless, I'll be there.

So far this week we are in clouds, but that is better than the initial chance of rain/drizzle that was predicted. I have to now figure out the clothing combo for warm and drizzle/rain conditions. Homeward is less important than going into work.

Wow, 2 Weeks Since Last Post, Really?

I must be rolling along in zombie commuter mode or time has just sped up and the moment I stop to catch my breath it has been about 2 weeks since my last entry. I prefer to think it is the latter, of course.

We (Portland) are starting to dry out and our river levels are a bit lower, at least the Willamette River is low enough that our floating section of the Eastbank Esplanade is re-open. Gee, I really missed riding along this section. Of course, coming up with detours has also been nice for breaking up riding the exact same route day in and day out. Perhaps there is a subtle hint there.

The drier weather has also given me the incentive to bring the road bike (Bridgestone RADAC) out again, and that has been fun. I mean, being 10 pounds lighter, it is sweet riding. I have found, though, the ride feeling is pretty close between my two bikes now and that has me pretty pleased. I can easily go from bike to bike with very little adjusting.

I'm so so with the Power Grips pedals on the SUB. They are nice in that I can ride any shoe and has some level of attachment to the bike. I went with them because I got tired of struggling to adjust the cleats on my Keen shoes, not to mention I was starting to have some minor knee pain. So I took a break and enjoyed infinite adjustment while riding to get my feet in the "right" place on the pedals. I think it is also the fact the pressure is spread across the pedals rather than in the tiny spot where the SPD cleat is attached. The downside is getting my left foot back in from a stop takes more time.

Not to be outdone, the RADAC now sports Time ATAC XS carbon pedals. I have ridden them all thhis week (hahaha 2 days) and so far really like them. The cleats strictly align the fore-aft position on the pedals. Rotational float is handled by the pedals themselves, which is nice. I also like that the shoe actually contacts the sides of the pedals spreading the pressure points across a broader area. I am using my carbon bike shoes so that also means carrying an extra pair of walk around shoes for work. But, since I am not carrying extra rain gear, it is okay.

Tomorrow, I'm testing the pedals on the SUB and see how I like them on that bike. If good, then I'll get another pair of ATAC pedals.

When the clouds really clear out and there is nothing but blue sky, everyone seems to be in such better moods - especially given how grey we have been. I have also been enjoying stopping just before getting to work at the Breakfast on the Bridges (one at the Steel Bridge and one at the Hawthorne Bridge). Last friday was great and everyone was so happy because it was sunny and warm, plus the hosts are always happy and pleasant.

Today, as if to celebrate the official start of summer, a fireboat was out and entertaining everyone with its huge spray from the water guns. Definitely, everyone seems to be in a summery frame of mind. Of course, if it stays mostly nice we will start saying how hot it is or humid or too dry - funny we humans is.

Work commuters have been cool and we pretty much have a full main bike storage room. We even created a bicyclist email group so we could all share our accomplishments and other bike related information with each other. For me, I just use our first overflow area as my primary, saves moving around once I am at work. It is nice to see the new commuters especially since our Bike to Work day event. It's cool.

A Week Without Rain - Commuting Still Challenging Route-wise

Never grow tired of watching the wild life along the Willamette on my commutes. They break up the large expanse of water and architectural squareness around me. These Canada Geese were a few of a larger group going south up river, I suspect in search of breakfast, which must be a challenge with our water levels so high there is not much bank for them.

We actually had a full week without significant rain and actually had a couple of pretty awesome sunny days. What a joy to not be all bundled up or sweating in waterproof gear!

What do you think of this access to our bike overflow area? Good thing I was not rolling with panniers. These two trucks could have actually backed in a bit further, but I suppose they are not sure of where the rear of their vehicles are so they stopped short, actually sticking out. Given the space arrangement, this also means they narrow down the approach. Those bars on my bike are only 390mm if that gives you an idea. But, hey, I figure if anyone scratches their vehicles by accident, that's the risk of choosing to park there and not pulling as far into their respective spaces as they can. <chuckles>

This week is also our Rose Festival's Fleet Week where several Navy ships arrive in Portland. Of course with all the fears these days, it also means increased security and closing off areas along our Waterfront Park, making getting in and around across the Willamette a bit challenging. Of course given spring and summer are also Portland's heavy construction times, this just adds to commuting by bike challenges. There are sections of the Eastbank Esplanade and Springwater Corridor that are currently closed (high water and construction, respectively), Morrison Bridge is closed to bike traffic for construction work, parts of the Esplanade are closed due to other construction, Waterfront park is closed to ped/bike traffic, a few portions of ped/bike path are closed on the west side of the Willamette due to high water. Quite challenging to say the least to get in and out of downtown.

Oh, speaking of security, they have a huge floating boom that apparently is marking a no approach zone around the ships, appears to be basically half-way across the river. But more amazing, to me, is seeing the coast guard patrol boats with machine guns cruising up and down the river.

Wow, I had not realized we were in such a hot zone before. I wonder just what would happen if they had to use that thing? Could they control it enough to not actually hit all the hundreds of civilians milling about?

Other than all of that, this week was a good riding week, as I said, because it was spring like temp-wise. The bonus of the week was I actually rode the road bike, which the last time was back in early April. I stopped because the wet grit of commuting was taking a major toll and I would rather use the SUB in crappy weather stuff. I must have the SUB dialed in pretty well because outside of the difference in geometry, the two bikes feel nearly the same ride wise. I am sure the road bike is faster since I am pushing 10 pounds less weigh and all, but, still, to have them feel similar is pretty nice.

I am going to swap the road bike's pedals and try some Time ATAC XS pedals which have a slightly different MTB cleat so I can still use my expensive carbon MTB shoes. I will see if they adjust a bit easier and ride any better than the SPD's I've been using for so long. I think I'll stick to the Power Grip pedals on the SUB, since they allow a broader range of shoes and practicality for the SUB.

The rides with Evan this week were fun and I love watching him ride. He's got a nice fast cadence, I think he is spinning faster than I am. I commented on his good cadence and he said it was probably back when he was learning and forgot to shift. Cute. Today on the last just under a mile stretch he wanted to sprint home, so I said okay and shifted to my big ring (okay, not so big 48T) and we took off. Since I got the jump I actually stayed ahead, though the  last 3 blocks I was significantly running out of air! Any longer of a distance and he would have had me, I was not that far ahead.

Hope everyone else had a good week and got some good riding in.

Miss My Commute Along the Esplanade

Tuesday afternoon (5/31) the floating section of the Eastbank Esplanade was closed until the Willamette recedes some. The approach ramp is so much higher than the approach section that it was causing many to either get off their bike and walk or they crashed attempting to ride up the ramp. Fortunately, I was able to pass through in the morning as you can see by the picture above. I actually rode up that thing!

I guess it was inevitable since the Willamette has been relatively high all through the winter and spring, so the extra rain and snow melt had to have an affect. Notice how high the water is to the lower deck of the Steel Bridge? Even the smallest of water craft force the lower section to be raised.

Here's a closer look at the river level. You can just about reach out and touch it as you cross the lower section.

We had a little bit of every kind of weather again this week - cloudy, some downpours, partly sunny. Then, Friday came and was just about as awesome as it could get, and it seems a very long time coming. This makes, what?, like only the 4th or 5th really nice day all year?

Portland really came alive Friday! We walked out for lunch and it was people, people everywhere. Simply a gorgeous day!

Oh, I also stopped at Breakfast on the Bridges, again, to enjoy a free, fresh made donut.

What a great way to end the week on a high note. Forecast calls for rain Monday, of course. Hope you all had a great weekend and got out to savor that big golden globe.