fishyfishy123

I used to run a lot for exercise (9 marathons - fastest few in the 3:30s - nothing blazing), but I've been getting into cycling more as I get older. I enjoy that I can do some hard rides 5 days in a row without getting so many different sore/body aches if I were to do a similar effort running - the activities are definitely complementary though, and I'm not abandoning running. My timing getting into cycling is bad though as my second daughter was just born a few weeks ago - not a lot of time for long rides, but maybe this summer I can get in on some group rides and have some help figuring out my local long routes.
I currently have a old Viscount frankenbike (not original fork, don't worry), a fun and versatile 2018 Breezer Doppler Team, and Trek Electra cruiser for chilling with the family.

xiaoman1 

FF123,
Welcome to the forums. There are a lot of folks here that share your interests, I think you will find a very welcoming group to chat cycling with. If you choose there is a sub-forum devoted to TRI's.
All the best, Ben

fishyfishy123

Thanks! I might check it out, though I'm a super slow swimmer.

fooferdoggie 

tons of roads to ride on so its easy to avoid traffic. one fun route is over the Bellwood bridge and through the big cemetery a nice long climb

fishyfishy123

Oh yes, I'm very familiar with that! One of the few ways to that links up SW PDX with the rest of the city, so I climb it quite often. I keep hearing that there are great farm road routes - I might join Portland Velo this summer and go for a few rides to see what they do. Unless I'm going to some sort of trail/gravel road, I generally like to start my road bikes from home to maximize the time spent cycling when I'm away from the family. So I guess what I really want to do is figure out better rides from my doorstep, and that involves linking SW Portland to those farm road areas. I know it can be done, but I just have no clue what those roads are like and what intersections to avoid on a 30-50 mile route.

downtube42

Welcome. I ride mostly in the gorge area since I live that way. Interesting, my personal heatmap shows SW is pretty blank. I guess it's a little hard to get there.

Cheers

fishyfishy123

I haven't checked out the cool-looking Gorge Trail since it opened up, but I definitely want to. All my longer rides have been on the east side, too. Need to figure out my own backyard better.

steelywheelie

Welcome I’m new too.

fooferdoggie 

I get on google and find places to go then map it out. I am in se and only ride a bike so I have to ride everywhere. farm land on this side is always rolling hills but usually fairly steep up and down. lots of drops down to the sandy and Clacamas river.

fishyfishy123

I don't trust Google's bike route planner - it's tried to take me routes I know to be pretty crappy. Since I'm biking for exercise now, I'd rather bike a few more miles than go through dangerous intersections w/ no shoulder and semitrucks passing me at 40mph. When I rented in SE I bike commuted - it was great! Fond memories. 15%+ inclines on the daycare route means I'm stuck driving for foreseeable future.

fooferdoggie 

I use ride by gps to actually make the map. I just find locations on google then make a map.15%? thats nothing try this.

fishyfishy123

Nice! I definitely wouldn't try to drag myself up that w/ my four year old in a trailer either ;-)

fooferdoggie 

ya I have a mid drive e bike and even with that I have to do about 500 watts and full power to get up it. found another like it across from Oregon city wife and I just made it up it on our mid drive tandem and it almost took us out.

lacorota

Welcome to all. I'm curious where that image is. I Googled "steepest bike rides Portland" a few times and something resembling that popped up in the West Hills. Is that the one? If so, it exceeds 20% gradient if I remember.

fooferdoggie 

I need to ride it with my new karoo gps to get its grade. my garmin could not get it by the time I got to the top. I may do it this weekend. is only a mile and a half from my house but I don't go that way much. is like a 1.7 mile ride with about 1500 feet of climbing by the time your at the top 14 to 16% grades to get it it.
here is a house right there.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/10...4d-122.5499616

Chuck M 

Hello and welcome

Thatkid

Hey, I'm in Oregon to! Well If you are ever in the market for a $6800 Ritchey bike full fillet brazed by Tom him self. Let me know, lol. Anyways, welcome!