I’ve had it on my calendar for a while. September 17, Bicycle day. Today my sole mode of transportation is my bike. It’s not a fancy bike, I bought it used from Sellwood Cycle a number of years ago (a side note, I won’t buy from them again…but that’s another story). My first mission today was to try to find a rack for my bike (it had one before I bought it… and Sellwood obviously removed it before selling it to me… so I want one again).

I rode from my home near 39th down to the Bicycle Repair Collective. They informed me that my bicycle doesn’t have the eyelets for a rack. From there I cycled up to the Hollywood district to Hollywood Cycling on 41st and Halsey who sent me to Hollywood Cycling on 52nd and Sandy. With a less than ideal solution I decided to ‘go across the street’ and stop in to Bike Gallery where a service guy basically said ‘you’re screwed’…

I rode back to 41st and rewarded myself with a green smoothie at Trader Joes and picked up a few groceries for home… I was dangerously low on peanut butter and I have 3 kids…. not good.

A nice ride home and I’ve stopped to plot my next stop. Using ByCycle I’ve plotted the best bike course to tonight’s OurPDX meet up at The Chesterfield which is on 11th and Burnside.

Depending on the time I may grab a bite at Red & Black Cafe or The Hungry Tiger. After that I’ll be cycling cross town to SE 48th where my local neighborhood tea monk Paul Rosenberg (owner of Sacred Tea) is doing a rare tea tasting tonight!

The journey will end later tonight as I ride (tea drunk) home. A modest 10 or so miles ridder.

After moving from the SW suburbs where you take you life in your hands It’s an absolute thrill to easily and safely ride to everywhere I need to go! I love NE!