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#21
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Well, I'm not sure how much the climate would be to your liking, but
Portland, Oregon is almost rediculously bike-friendly. There are bike lanes/trails throughout the metro area, bike racks on the buses and commuter trains, non-profit repair and resale collectives, (as well as dozens of excellent "regular" shops) and an extremely active bike culture. Also, you're within a day-ride of the coast, Mt. Hood, the central Willamette Valley wine country, etc., etc. The only real downside is that we get rain for at least half the year. Win some, lose some, I guess. |
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#22
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"bryanska" wrote in message ups.com... I am SHOCKED nobody from Minneapolis/St. Paul has spoken up. This is an outstanding bike town. First, the cities and their suburbs spend MILLIONS on bike paths. Some shared, and some gloriously bike-only. Almost all of the famous sparkling lakes are ringed with both, and the people-watching is second to none. Minnesota has been turning old railroad beds into bike paths for years, so you can go to many towns on these gorgeous, tree-canopied crowned roads. The downtowns have lanes everywhere, much respect, and a healthy messenger culture. Surly bikes is based in Minneapolis. Second, the metro area here is fairly tiny. Ten minutes' drive puts you in the burbs, and twenty minutes' drive lands you smack dab in gently-hilly farm country. Small towns dot the landscape. You can ride to Duluth, rural Wisconsin, North Dakota, and all around the metro on paved paths. Third, winter riding is immensely popular here, even among sporadic riders. College kids and city commuters ride bikes year-round. Surly Bikes even has a new frame, the Pugsley, specially designed for snow and ice riding. (Think huge tires and a fork like a Texas rider's stance.) With all the frozen creek beds, a good ice bike can take you anywhere. And the best part is, you're not alone - it doesn't seem half as cold if five other people are out there on the lake at midnight too. Fourth, a practical and left-leaning culture in the Twin Cities fosters a bike-friendly lifestyle. The city buses have bike racks. There are shops everywhere. And if you've ever seen a northern city's populace decide to "wake up" all at once on the first warm day, you know they don't sleep until December: rollerbladers, pedestrians, coffee-shop junkies, bicyclists, sand-castle freaks, kayakers, joggers, yoga and Tai Chi nuts in the park... This city is so beautiful for outdoors activities. It's the cold that keeps the assholes out. Well you know I thought about that area, but then I thought about the weather AKA the extreme cold! |
#23
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"rcoder" wrote in message oups.com... Well, I'm not sure how much the climate would be to your liking, but Portland, Oregon is almost rediculously bike-friendly. There are bike lanes/trails throughout the metro area, bike racks on the buses and commuter trains, non-profit repair and resale collectives, (as well as dozens of excellent "regular" shops) and an extremely active bike culture. Also, you're within a day-ride of the coast, Mt. Hood, the central Willamette Valley wine country, etc., etc. The only real downside is that we get rain for at least half the year. Win some, lose some, I guess. I have heard all of those things about Portland, and it has the mountains as a nice backdrop. slightly on the damp side with above average rainfall, or so I have read. |
#24
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In article ,
"Ken Marcet" writes: "rcoder" wrote in message oups.com... Well, I'm not sure how much the climate would be to your liking, but Portland, Oregon is almost rediculously bike-friendly. There are bike lanes/trails throughout the metro area, bike racks on the buses and commuter trains, non-profit repair and resale collectives, (as well as dozens of excellent "regular" shops) and an extremely active bike culture. Also, you're within a day-ride of the coast, Mt. Hood, the central Willamette Valley wine country, etc., etc. The only real downside is that we get rain for at least half the year. Win some, lose some, I guess. I have heard all of those things about Portland, and it has the mountains as a nice backdrop. slightly on the damp side with above average rainfall, or so I have read. I find rain a heck of a lot easier to deal with than snow & ice. And in the warmer months, it can be downright refreshing. Rain by itself is certainly no obstacle. cheers, Tom -- -- Nothing is safe from me. Above address is just a spam midden. I'm really at: tkeats [curlicue] vcn [point] bc [point] ca |
#25
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rcoder wrote:
...The only real downside is that we get rain for at least half the year. Win some, lose some, I guess. Rain?? What's that? I live on the Oregon coast and haven't seen the stuff for weeks. It's been like summer, only warmer and less windy. Normally, we get about 6 feet of the stuff here from mid-October through mid-June and maybe 1/4 inch from mid-June through mid-October. I lived in Albuquerque for about 15 years, and for about 2 of those years I got around exclusively on a bicycle. I cycle commuted year-round while I lived there. I think it's a great place for cycling. Sure, it just spreads and spreads up to the north and west, but the climate is very well suited for year-around riding. There's a critical mass (no, not the activist group) of cyclists, thanks mainly to the University, and the town has a pretty solid racing heritage. Kent Bostick and John Frey, both national-caliber competitors, were local guys. Bike paths have been built along several of the arroyos, so there is a good car-free recreational path network in town. I also lived and cycle-commuted in Salt Lake City. It might be mecca if you like to ski untracked snow, but it's definitely not a cycle-friendly town. There wre a grand total of two safe cross-town (East-West) routes while I lived there, A couple of measly bike paths down along the Jordan River, and lots of really wide roads that, unfortunately, are totally unsafe to ride on. On the other hand, the most cycle-friendly place I've ever been is Eugene, OR. I live 90 miles from there. This past Saturday, I packed my bike, drove over and spent about 3 hours cycling around town just to get a dose of what's possible with a little foresight, planning, and an engaged community. The bike route, lane, and trail system is superb, the population is bike aware and friendly, and although it does rain a lot in winter, the climate is mild. |
#26
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Peter,
I am from NYC and I do ride year round except when there is ice and snow on the road although I don't have the clothing for temps below 25 degrees. I just want a warmer climate. Peter Cole wrote: Ken wrote: JoeD wrote in news:lJ0Zd.2668$qf2.2314 : I live in NYC and am thinking of moving out of this area in the future. I am starting to look now for any city that would be bicycle friendly. To me, "bike friendly" means you can ride every day of the year. That rules out the snow belt. Not really, lot's of people ride year 'round in nothern climates. It's just a matter of having the right clothes and equipment. |
#27
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I mention bike paths in my post because that implies a bicycle friendly
government. I actual don't like them either. In NYC they attracted parked cars and peds waiting for the light to turn green. I ususally take my chances with the regular traffic. wrote: Matt O'Toole wrote: To me, this is much more important than bike paths or bike lanes - both of which I tend to dislike. Put such a town about 30 miles from a larger city, and I think it's about perfect. |
#28
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I was also thinking about Eugene Or. but couldn't get enough info on
their precipitation. For me the statistic can be missing leading. I not as concerned about the amount of rain but rather how many days a year in rains. I also wouldn't mind riding occasionally in the rain, if it's 80+ degree and not a downpour. I would probably be refreshing. Gnarlito wrote: rcoder wrote: ...The only real downside is that we get rain for at least half the year. Win some, lose some, I guess. Rain?? What's that? I live on the Oregon coast and haven't seen the stuff for weeks. It's been like summer, only warmer and less windy. Normally, we get about 6 feet of the stuff here from mid-October through mid-June and maybe 1/4 inch from mid-June through mid-October. I lived in Albuquerque for about 15 years, and for about 2 of those years I got around exclusively on a bicycle. I cycle commuted year-round while I lived there. I think it's a great place for cycling. Sure, it just spreads and spreads up to the north and west, but the climate is very well suited for year-around riding. There's a critical mass (no, not the activist group) of cyclists, thanks mainly to the University, and the town has a pretty solid racing heritage. Kent Bostick and John Frey, both national-caliber competitors, were local guys. Bike paths have been built along several of the arroyos, so there is a good car-free recreational path network in town. I also lived and cycle-commuted in Salt Lake City. It might be mecca if you like to ski untracked snow, but it's definitely not a cycle-friendly town. There wre a grand total of two safe cross-town (East-West) routes while I lived there, A couple of measly bike paths down along the Jordan River, and lots of really wide roads that, unfortunately, are totally unsafe to ride on. On the other hand, the most cycle-friendly place I've ever been is Eugene, OR. I live 90 miles from there. This past Saturday, I packed my bike, drove over and spent about 3 hours cycling around town just to get a dose of what's possible with a little foresight, planning, and an engaged community. The bike route, lane, and trail system is superb, the population is bike aware and friendly, and although it does rain a lot in winter, the climate is mild. |
#29
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JoeD wrote:
I live in NYC and am thinking of moving out of this area in the future. I am starting to look now for any city that would be bicycle friendly. I am leaning towards the Southwest of the country like NM, with its warmer climate and cheaper health insurance but I am open to any suggestions.... Someone's posted another "where to live" query (perhaps on these same two NG), but he's looking for a place near Atlanta. I wouldn't bother with a location having lots of bike paths and lanes. The ones I've ridden in Eugene are aggravating--too much patronizing separation from motor traffic coupled with goofy reactions from drivers. "Why aren't you in the bike lane? We spent all kinds of tax dollars on you to give you a bike lane, why don't you use it??" Because I'm turning left. You might want to check the websites and sources I suggested to that other poster. And do some googling for local bicycle sites and groups. I stumbled across a site that's a tribute to those who've been involved in cycling crashes in Austin, and was appalled. (Don't have it right here, sorry. It's easy to find.) Ironically, Austin regularly wins awards from BuyCycling for its "bike friendliness." Another award to avoid is the one from L.A.W./B. They hand it out to places with bike paths and bicycle planners, but don't measure cycling culture or motorist hostility or any other variables. Also look up cycling clubs and tours. Places with lots of cyclists would be preferable to the other kind. I already bragged in that other thread, so I'll skip it here. --Karen M. |
#30
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Gnarlito wrote: I also lived and cycle-commuted in Salt Lake City. It might be mecca if you like to ski untracked snow, but it's definitely not a cycle-friendly town. There wre a grand total of two safe cross-town (East-West) routes while I lived there, A couple of measly bike paths down along the Jordan River, and lots of really wide roads that, unfortunately, are totally unsafe to ride on. Out of curiosity, what was it about those "really wide roads" that made them totally unsafe? In general, a reasonably wide road is all I need. No, let me rephrase that. A road is all I need. But a reasonably wide one is more pleasant. |
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