Topics

1

General Discussion / Oregon Hiker/Biker Rates go up Nov 1, 2017

« on: October 21, 2017, 12:19:53 pm »

Well, it was bound to happen. Oregon's cheap hiker/biker rates are going up. Come November 1st, it won't be as cheap as it used to be to bike camp at an Oregon State Park, but it still won't be expensive. The basic rate of $5 per person will go up to $7. There are a few coastal campgrounds with $6 rates like Cape Lookout, I don't know if they'll go up to just $7 or do the $2 hike to $8.

Here's a sheet with all the rate increases:
http://oregonstateparks.org/files/2017%20Rate%20Chart.pdf

2

Temporary ACA Route Road Closures / Sierra Cascades/Lewis&Clark in WA/OR: Columbia Gorge wildfires closure Sept 2017

« on: September 05, 2017, 06:13:43 pm »

@JMilyko sorry for not being super specific with map sections/panels, hope you can elaborate.

A massive and (probably) human caused wildfire has been raging in the Columbia River Gorge since Saturday afternoon. So far, it's burned 10,000 acres and is not only threatening several communities and homes, but many of the places that make this part of the world special.
http://www.oregonlive.com/wildfires/index.ssf/2017/09/eagle_creek_fire_rages_in_colu.html#incart_big-photo

Currently ODOT (Oregon Dept. of Transportation) has I-84 CLOSED between MP 17 in Troutdale to MP 62 in Hood River. Additionally, the Historic Columbia River Highway and Trail is closed east of Corbett.

Right now SR 14 on the Washington side is still open through the Gorge, but there is a wildfire close to Archer Mtn west of Bridge of the Gods that could close it.

My advice: Avoid this area entirely. The smoke is heavy and ash is falling in Portland, 30 some miles west. All recreational services are closed, and while communities like Cascade Locks, OR and Stevenson, WA are not evacuated yet, they could be.

3

Temporary ACA Route Road Closures / Lewis and Clark Trail #7: Closure Due to Fire near Multnomah Falls July 2017

« on: July 12, 2017, 01:12:56 pm »

For anyone travelling the L&C through the Columbia Gorge in Oregon: There is a wildfire burning near Oneonta Gorge:
http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2017/07/wildfire_burns_near_oneonta_fa.html#incart_river_home
ODOT (Oregon Dept of Transportation) has closed the Historic Columbia River Hwy (old US 30, part of the L & C) between Multnomah Falls and Ainsworth State Park.

You can detour around this area by using the shoulder of I-84. Please note that if you are heading west, you'll be stuck on the freeway from exit 35 to about exit 18 as there are a lack of exits. (You can get off at exit 22, but it's quite the climb up Corbett Hill Road). Going east, you can go to Corbett, bomb down Corbett Hill Road to exit 22. You'll get off at exit 35. Note that you'll miss Multnomah Falls no matter what direction you go.

Looks like Ainsworth State Park, just east of the fire, is still open for camping. However, since the park is downwind of the fire I wouldn't recommend camping there.

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Temporary ACA Route Road Closures / Lewis & Clark, #7, map 105: US 30 closed at Rowena Crest, May 2017

« on: May 10, 2017, 12:32:05 pm »

For anyone travelling the L&C through the Columbia Gorge in Oregon:
A large rockslide has closed a section of US 30, aka the Historic Columbia River Highway, at Rowena Crest (about 10 miles west of The Dalles.) This slide is going to take awhile to clear, so ODOT estimates two to three weeks of closure.

Here are the known detours:

• Use the shoulder of Interstate 84 between exit 69 (US 30/Mosier) and exit 76 (Rowena)
• Cross the Columbia River at The Dalles Bridge (US 197) and use Washington Route 14 between The Dalles and Stevenson (cross to Oregon side at Bridge of the Gods)
• Use Dry Creek and Sevenmile Hill Road between Mosier and The Dalles. It's got quite a climb, though. https://ridewithgps.com/routes/21029304

5

Routes / Ochco Divide Campground on Trans-Am (Oregon)

« on: July 15, 2015, 05:24:24 pm »

I'm doing some research for a tour through Eastern Oregon that I'll be riding later this summer. I'll be using the Trans-Am for parts of it. When checking out the website for the Ochoco Divide Campground on US 26 about 30 miles west of Prineville, I noticed that the PDF map indicates a "bike site" just to the right of site no. 25. This was the first I heard of this! I wanted to find out some more info, but the web page for the sites says nothing. I actually called Ochoco NF to find out more, but was a fruitless endeavor. (Which unfortunately happens frequently when I try to contact a national forest.)

So I'm asking you fine folks if you know anything about this bike site at Ochoco Divide, esp. if you've used it in the last couple years. What I'd like to know is:

• How much does the site cost? Is it a "per-person" fee like most hiker/biker sites?
• Is it a group site that would fit multiple cyclists, or is it only intended for one party?

Pertinent links:
The web page for Ochoco Divide CG: http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c4/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDfxMDT8MwRydLA1cj72BTJw8jAwjQL8h2VAQAzHJMsQ!!?ss=110601&ttype=recarea&recid=38724&actid=70&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&position=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&navid=110410000000000&pnavid=110000000000000&cid=null&pname=Ochoco+NF-Ochoco+West+-+Prineville+Area+-+Ochoco+Divide+Campground
map of the campsite: http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3829112.pdf

6

General Discussion / National Park Service proposes charges for the C & O Trail (incl. camp fees)

« on: January 12, 2015, 01:47:59 pm »

http://thekojonnamdishow.org/shows/2015-01-12/charging_for_the_c_o_canal_national_historical_park?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+WAMU885KojoNnamdi+%28The+Kojo+Nnamdi+Show+from+WAMU+88.5%29

http://www.candocanal.org/NPS.html

The biggest change proposed for touring cyclists is for the hiker/biker sites along the path. Currently they are free, NPS is proposing a charge of $20, which would be the same proposed fee as drive-in sites.

7

General Discussion / McKenzie Pass: open to bikes?

« on: May 05, 2014, 02:31:12 pm »

Looks like the reports show that they plowed that one lane on the McKenzie Pass Hwy (OR 242) so it's open to bicycles. The official open date for cars is Monday June 16. That's 1 1/2 months car-free!
http://www.columbian.com/news/2014/may/04/bike-ecstasy-on-mckenzie-pass-no-cars-open-road/

8

Classifieds / SOLD: Carradice, Carradice-esque, wool bike shorts, touring shoes, frame pum

« on: February 05, 2014, 05:04:16 pm »

UPDATE: Everything sold.

Carradice Pendle saddlebag. 30cm wide x 18cm high x 15cm deep, made of cotton duck. Full info on this model here:
http://www.carradice.co.uk/index.php?page_id=product&under=range&product_id=41
I've had this bag for six years, and it looks to be made in the 2000s. Shows obvious signs of wear and fading, but everything works and is structurally sound. There's small holes on the corner of the flap on the small pockets. Haven't had issues with water getting into the bag, but it wouldn't hurt to reproof/rewax the bag at some point. $60 UPDATE: Sold.

Ibex Duo wool/blend bike shorts, black, size XL. Classic looking wool bike shorts. Wore them maybe a half-dozen times, tops. Apparently Ibex doesn’t make these anymore, but full info can be found here:
http://www.rei.com/product/832127/ibex-duo-bike-shorts-mens
$60 NOW $50 UPDATE: Sold.

Exustar Touring Shoes, size 10.5 US/44 EUR. Classic looking black leather bike shoes, with the ability to work with clipless pedals, if that’s your thing. Wore them once and realize they are just too narrow for my wide feet. $40 NOW $35 UPDATE: Sold.

Topeak Road Master Blaster Frame Pump. Size Large, 530mm. Your traditional-style frame pump. The rubber is a bit chewed up near the head of the pump, otherwise functional. $10 UPDATE: Sold.

Origin 8 Classique Saddlebag. Measures 14"x8"x6". Very much looks like a Carradice Nelson saddlebag, and pretty much the same size as a Nelson (non-longflap), but made with lesser quality components/materials. The rings on the top flap (where one could put straps through for a rain cape or the like) are plastic. 80/20 synthetic blend (poly/nylon). Thinner leather than a Carradice. Made in China. Basically, get this bag if you want the look and function of a classic Carradice bag, but don’t want to pay the price. $15 UPDATE: Sold.

Funky saddlebag. I know absolutely nothing about who made this bag, as I picked it up secondhand. I’m guessing it was someone’s homebrew attempt at making a Carradice-like saddlebag. Appears to be waxed canvas, but thinner than what you’d find on a Carradice. Leather straps thinner, too. Wooden dowel is not attached to bag. Left side outside pocket flap sewn on backwards. Light brown in color. Measures 11“x9“x7“. $10 UPDATE: Sold.

9

Classifieds / SOLD: Domex Traveller 550 90/10 Down Sleeping Bag

« on: April 03, 2013, 09:10:22 pm »

For sale is a Domex Traveller 550 90/10 Down Sleeping Bag. Domex  is a New Zealand sleeping bag company.

The shape of the bag is "semi-rectangular", which is somewhere in between a more traditional rectangular bag and a modern mummy bag. The rough dimensions of the bag are 76 inches long and 28 inches at its widest near the top (head). It tapers down to 20 inches near the feet. Pretty standard size for average sized adults. It zips on the left size (or on your right side when you are in it).

The fill is 550g 90/10 duck down, the outer shell is nylon. I don't know the age but by the looks of it looks 90's vintage. I would consider this now a two-season bag for later spring and summer camping/touring.

Cosmetically the bag is in good shape with one caveat: there was a hole in the outer nylon shell that got patched...with a band aid. This was done by a previous owner. When I brought it by my local outdoor repair place a couple years ago when I obtained this bag, they advised me to leave it be. And it has held since then. It's on the bottom of the bag so you are not going to see it.

The sleeping bag's packed weight (packed into its storage sack) is 2 lbs, 9 ozs. The dimensions of the bag when packed are about 13" x 6" x 6", or 13 inches long with 23 inches of girth. The one great thing about this bag is it compresses really well: I used an 11L compression sack and had room to spare. (Compression sack not included.)

The price of the bag is $40 plus shipping. Local pickup in Portland, OR. It would probably fit into a medium sized Priority Mail flat rate box just fine. I'll ship it outside the US, but you probably are not going to want to pay for that shipping. Payment via paypal.





More photos here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/urbanadventureleaguepdx/sets/72157633146799538/

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Classifieds / SOLD: Various camp stoves/cookware

« on: March 14, 2013, 03:26:06 pm »

Update: Everything SOLD.

I’m “thinning the herd" of some of my bike touring stoves and cookware. All of the items below are still in good working condition, but most show signs of use and wear. (Bottoms of pots scratched and blemished, etc.) All items available for shipping in the US, shipping prices NOT included in prices quoted. (If you are out of the country, I could ship it to you, but you won't like the postage.) I'm willing to give discounts if you buy multiple items together, and obviously it will save you on shipping costs. Local pickup available in Portland, Oregon. All items currently available unless otherwise noted.

• Optimus Terra Kettle. Nice little lightweight camping teakettle. Anodized aluminum, 0.7 litre capacity, 5.4 ounce weight (sans liquid.) $10
• Clikstand S-2. This is a nice and nifty lightweight aluminum pot holder/"windscreen" designed to be used with a Trangia alcohol burner (though a pop can stove should also work.) Packs down small and light. While it works ok in light wind, you'll want a windscreen (either home made or the one Clikstand sells) if conditions are pretty breezy. Pots/pans should be fairly wide too. For example the teakettle will work but the GSI pot won't. Weight 3.3 oz. $15
• GSI Soloist nesting pot/bowl combo. The bowl (orange) nests inside the pot, along with a fuel canister (the green can, for example) and canister fuel stove (the Vargo). Pot is anodized aluminum with 1.0 litre capacity. Carrying bag included. $15
• MSR Flex Skillet. Aluminum pan with non-stick coating inside. 9 inch diameter, 1.5 litre capacity. Removable handle for easy storage. Note: a couple nicks on the non-stick surface but nothing major. $15
• Trangia alcohol burner. The Swedish original, and still the best (in my opinion). Trangia burners use either metyhl alcohol (HEET here in the States) or denatured alcohol. About 3 oz fuel capacity. To be used with a potholder like the Clikstand S-2. $5
• Vargo Titanium canister fuel stove. Lightweight and easy to use! To be used with an isobutane/propane type canister like the one pictured at top of post. (The canister is included with the stove for local pickup, but can't be shipped, sorry.) $15

For more detailed photos of all items, please go here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/urbanadventureleaguepdx/sets/72157632990969014/

11

Classifieds / SOLD: Pletscher Twin-Leg Kickstand, silver color

« on: October 06, 2012, 07:51:13 pm »

Pletscher Twin-Leg Kickstand in decent condition. This kickstand mounts like most single-leg kickstands do, to the chainstays between rear tire and seat tube. When at rest, this kickstand tucks up near the left chainstay, just like most single-leg kickstands do. The big difference is that the two legs cause the rear (or front, depending on how your load is balanced) wheel to come off the ground, meaning the bike stays more stable than a regular one-leg kickstand. Great for touring bikes.

SOLD!

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Classifieds / SOLD! North St. Bags "Route 7" Pannier Set

« on: March 04, 2012, 04:20:26 am »

These bags have already been sold, thanks!

I'm selling a set of North St. Bags Route 7 panniers. These panniers are hand-made here in Portland by Curtis Williams. They are basic touring panniers in an "Ortlieb" roll-top style. I have owned these panniers for about a year, and they served me well on my Cross-Con Tour. They are still in decent shape! (See below for pics.)

The official description and specs:
A simple, lightweight, waterproof pannier with a simple yet secure roll-top closure. The tapered shape allows for easier access, and a reduced change of heel-strike.

• waterproof liner
• d-ring tabs to add a shoulder strap
• reflectors and blinky loops for visibility

Most of the materials in the bags are manufactured in the USA.

Size (individual bag):
6″ x 9″ (15cm x 23 cm) at the base, it tapers up to 6″ x 12″ (15cm x 30cm)
Stands 15″ (38cm) tall (not including the roll top extension).
1080 cubic inches (around 17.7 liters)

There's nothing wrong with these panniers. I'm just purging them from my collection because I don't need this size of pannier right now.

Price: $65 USD for the set. I'm not interested in selling them individually at this point.
This price is less than a single one new!

Available for local pick-up in Portland, Oregon. Shipping cost to be determined on location.

13

Temporary ACA Route Road Closures / NT/GPN: The Glacier/Logan/Marias situation as it stands

« on: July 06, 2011, 05:22:44 pm »

Hello forum-arama from East Glacier Park, MT! Here's the scoop on crossing the Continental Divide in Glacier Park in Montana.

Currently, Logan Pass on Going-To-The-Sun Road is STILL closed. When we were at Avalanche campground two days ago, the word from a park employee is that it would probably be a week to 10 days before they can open it. Although it's closed to cars, you CAN ride for 11 miles east past the road closure at Avalanche to Bird Woman Falls Overlook, past The Loop. But there is no camping past Avalanche and shuttle buses are taking people between Avalanche and The Loop on 10 minute intervals during the day, so you'll have to dodge them. There was also a rumor that they would do some paving/construction on this segment of the road while it's still closed, so if that happens, there won't be any bicycle access as well.

So, if you want to cross the divide anytime soon, you would need to take US 2 over Marias Pass, which is what we mostly did yesterday. Notice that I said "mostly".

About 15-20 miles east of West Glacier, near Stanton, we encountered construction. It was a chip sealing operation. (Fun!) We were informed that there was a seven mile segment of fresh chip seal and all traffic was following a pilot car through the construction zone. We were also informed that the chip seal was still loose, and the pilot car speed was 25 m.p.h., a speed we could not reasonably maintain on a bike even in perfect conditions. When we asked what provisions there were for bicyclist in this situation, we were told there were none.

So what did we do? Rather than turn around or scream at the heavens (which all sounded appealing) we managed to snag a ride from someone with a truck.

And also on the east side of Marias, there was more construction, this time about 3 miles of grooved pavement. Looks like the construction on both sides of the passes will be going on for a bit.

My word of advice: WAIT, if you can, for Logan to finally open.

And here's the link to the status of Going-To-The-Sun Road:
http://home.nps.gov/applications/glac/roadstatus/roadstatus.cfm

14

Routes / Northern Tier across the North Cascades: Open but still a lot of snow!

« on: June 13, 2011, 03:04:55 am »

We just crossed Rainy and Washington Passes on Washington Route 20/North Cascades Highway on Saturday. The road has been plowed nicely and is clear. But there is still plenty of snow up there! We started to see snow around 3000 feet, by 4000 feet there was snow everywhere. And at Rainy Pass, elevation 4,855 feet the snow on the sides was a wall over three feet tall! It made a very handy bicycle stand.





Now if only Going To The Sun road will be plowed by the time we get there...

15

Routes / Northern Tier: SR20/North Cascades Hwy across the Cascades FINALLY OPENS!

« on: May 25, 2011, 04:47:41 pm »

Just got the "official" word:

WSDOT Alert

DATE/TIME: May 25, 2011, 12:05 p.m
DESCRIPTION: SR20, the North Cascades Highway, has been opened.
LOCATION: SR 20 from milepost 171 to milepost 148 North Cascades Highway
START: May 25, 2011, 12:05 p.m.
Est. END: Unknown
OTHER:
CONTACT: NCTMC  (509) 667-2802

Wednesday’s noon reopening of the North Cascades Highway marks the second latest since the highway opened 39 years ago.  The latest ever was June 14, 1974, and the next latest, surpassed by this year, was in 1976 when it reopened on May 21.