June 3rd & 4th Rides

Title: Springwater Corridor Trail
When: 2006/06/03 10:00AM - 12:00PM
Where: Gresham Main City Park off of Powell in Gresham. OR.
Description: The trail has easy access from the park. This is an easy ride on flat terrain. Check Ride Details for a map, and a complete description of the trail.

Title: Banks/Vernonia Trail
When: 2006/06/04 10:00AM - 2:00PM
Where: The Vernonia Trail Head at Anderson Park, Vernonia, OR.
Located south of downtown Vernonia at the south end of Adams and Jefferson Avenues.
Description: The Banks/Vernonia trail is a premier ‘'Rails toTrails'’ trail in Oregon. The ride will include a ride around Vernonia Lake which is accessible to all our riders both in distance and terrain. Some riders will want to continue on to the Washington County line. This trail is great to revisit year round. Check Ride Details for a map, driving directions and a complete description of the trail.

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It was a Dark and Gloomy Night - The tale of a handcycle upgrade

Actually, not at all. It was a light spring rain. I completed the first hill on the Hagg Lake loop and the endorphins had kicked in. The second hill was going well and a couple of spandex bikers cheered me on as they passed. The new wide cranks I got from Mike were transforming me and my vintage FreedomRyder to the next level! I reached the crest and chased the spandex clad peloton down the hill. No wobble? Ah ha! The harder grommets Mike sold me worked. I had upgraded my bike and was compensated with performance close to equal the investment I could not afford and kept some features that I really liked. It doesn’t get much better on a good day.

On the third hill things got tougher. 5.2 miles around the loop - that is about half way – the cranks seized. Was it bearings? What-ever. I had an hour to think in the light spring rain while my wife and grandson went ahead to retrieve the rescue vehicle.

Did you know that while grandmothers huff and puff up steep hills, grandchildren sing? Rain, Rain go away…………… No etiquette!

The short of it is that the problem was not major. The lack of knowledge and tools on the road was. The problem should not have happened. A lock bolt was not tightened and unthreaded a portion of the crank housing against the crank.

Later.....

Ethan had the tool to adjust the housing and applied waterproof grease to the crank internals and dust covers on each side of the crank. He recommends this since the dust covers don’t really seal the bearings.

Also, if you do this upgrade, get the Rapid Fire Shifter so your hands don’t leave the cranks while shifting. It is difficult to recapture the grips while shifting up hills. If you want to upgrade your vintage FredomRyder I recommend you get the wide cranks, harder grommets, and do it yourself if able, just so you know how it goes together.

May 20th Ride

Title: Columbia River
When: 2006/05/20 10:00AM - 12:00PM
Where: Marine Drive at Broughton Park. We will meet in the parking lot across the street from Broughton Park.
Description: This path has a lot of scenic beauty situated right next to Portland's airport (PDX). From 33rd Drive, the path is on the city side of Marine Drive, passing by the very end of the PDX runway until it crosses over Marine Drive at Broughton Park. It then descends below the road level and is next to the Columbia River, where you get very nice views of river activity. Government Island then comes into view, you'll pass the Sea Scout Base, and the path ends at I-205. Check Riding Details for a map, driving directions and a complete description of the trail.