Tag Archives: Oregon

HJ Andrews Experimental Forest

Posted on June 28, 2012 | Leave a comment

Last year in my Environmental Science Class at Chemeketa Community College our professor took us to H.J Andrews for a field trip. Angel did the same trip the year before with her sister when they took the class. Since then both Angel and I have wanted to go back together and explore. This past weekend, we got our chance.

H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest is located in the Cascade mountains just west of Blue River, Oregon. Covering 15,800acres (24.68mi²), the forest is administered cooperatively by the USDA Forest Service’s Pacific Northwest Research Station, Oregon State University, and the Willamette National Forest. The forest is used for research, including long term research, as well as education, but the public are welcome to come visit and hike select trails. There is some information you should know before tromping through the forest though. (Visitor Info) I don’t believe many people come out here to hike. Most people I talk to about it have never even heard of it, with longer and more extensive trails to bike in more well known parts of the Willamette National Forest just a couple miles down the road. At HJ there are two public use trails to hike. Lookout Creek Old-Growth Trail(3.5mi one way) goes along Look Out Creek through beautiful old-growth forest. Your other option is the Carpenter Mountain Lookout Trail (1.6mi), which is a short hike, that consists of stunning views of the forests of the Cascade Mountains and Wolf Rock. There is a lot going on at HJ Andrews, if you are interested in finding out more please checkout their site and read about the wonderful and interesting research that is going on there, along with all the other interesting information. andrewsforest.oregonstate.edu/ More links at the bottom of the page.

Angel and I hiked some of the lower Lookout Creek Old-Growth Trail, and I was able to try out my new camera mount for my GoPro that I made out of $12 worth of 7 feet of threaded PVC pipe. It helped to allow me to get higher and farther reaching camera views without unnecessarily crushing vegetation, in out of reach spots and in the water without freezing my hands off like I am used to. It worked out pretty well, I can’t wait to use it more on future adventures, hopefully more with clear water.

Here are the photos I took from our hike.

Here are some other links about HJ Andrews Experimental Forest:
Visitors, 2
Students and Teachers
Old Growth Virtual Tour
Creative Writers Collaboration
Forest Map Collection
PDF: HJ Andrews brochure
PDF: HJ Andrews Map, Backside
PDF: Lookout Creek Old-Growth Trail brochure
PDF: Max G. Geier, (1948-2000) Necessary Work: Discovering Old Forests, New Outlooks, and Community on the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest

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Posted in OTHER, Trips, Video

Tagged Bend, camera, Environmental Science, Environmental Study, eugene, flower, forest, GoPro, hike, HJ Andrews, lichen, National Forest, Oregon, video, wildlife, Willamette National Forest, woods

A Prairie Home Companion in Eugene

Posted on June 18, 2012 | Leave a comment

A Prairie Home Companion came to the Cuthbert Amphitheater in Eugene this weekend (Saturday June 6th). If you don’t know what PHC is, it’s an old time radio show hosted by Garrison Keillor. The show features funny segments like The News From Lake Wobegon (Keillor’s fictional home town), stories of Guy Noir (private detective), other great stories, live music, and guests. This weekend’s show featured guest musicians Elvin Bishop and Sam Bush, along with the Portland Cello Project. It was a great show with clear 82° weather; we got a lot of sun.

There were some cycling related jokes in this episode. It turns out Guy Noir is called to Eugene to help organize a “Naked Motorcade” to show that motorists are vulnerable too.
Here is the script, and MP3 of this segment.

You can listen to the full episode right here, MP3, show details here.

Here are some photos from our day.

Also here are some videos from the episode.

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Posted in BIKE, Event, Events, NPR, OTHER

Tagged A Prairie Home Companion, bicycle, bike, Cuthbert Amphitheater, eugene, Garrison Keillor, npr, OPB, Oregon, radio

100th Post, Here’s Some Flowers

Posted on June 12, 2012 | Leave a comment

It’s my 100th post on this blog. I wanted to do something a little more exciting for this post, but I think this will do for now. Angel and I have been in Eugene for 11 months now. We find new places to go, and things to do everyday. Here is a link to my first post from right after we moved here and rode the Fern Ridge Bike Path all the way out for the first time. Since then we have found so many more places to ride, but Fern Ridge is still one of the nicest places we like to ride here in Eugene. Our last adventure didn’t include the FRBP, but instead one of our favorite places to gets treats, Sweet Life Patisserie. Angel loves their chocolate tortes and pies, and I always get an oven-warmed cinnamon roll.

The other day we went to the Owen Rose Garden, and here are some photos I took there. I’m not a big fan of roses, so I tend to take photos of all the other pretty flowers at the garden. I did take one photo of a wild rose though, but they look nothing like a cultivated rose.

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Posted in BIKE, Day Ride, FOOD, OTHER, Trips

Tagged bicycle, bike, bike commute, bike tour, eugene, food, Oregon, vegan, vegetarian

Bike Music Fest

Posted on June 3, 2012 | Leave a comment

Yesterday, June 2nd, was the Bike Music Fest, put on by the University of Oregon Bike Program. It was an entirely pedal-powered music festival. I was only there for the last couple hours, but it was a fun time, here are some photos and a nice little video.

Here is a simple video I made, sorry it is a little shaky, I was generating power on a bike at the time.

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Posted in BIKE, Events, Video, Videos

Tagged bicycle, bike, bike commute, bike tour, camera, eugene, Oregon, video

Biking McKenzie Pass

Posted on May 30, 2012 | 2 comments

On Memorial Day, Monday the 29th, I got the chance to ride Scenic McKenzie Pass (Highway 242) for the first time. Being my first year in Eugene, I really wanted to do this ride. I had seen a lot of photos of other cyclists on the ride before, with the high packed snow walls; it just seem incredible. Also, last October, Angel and I had a chance to drive it while going to the OHBS in Bend, it made me really want spend more time there and revisit the Pass.

They close off Hwy 242 during the winter months due to snow. They open it back up in May for a couple weeks only to cyclists, which is a great time to venture out, because you have no fear of cars coming up the hill behind you. The pass is about 4o miles from the turnoff at 126 to Sisters, OR. I chose only to ride up to the Dee Wright Observatory, (22miles) the summit of 5325 feet elevation. 3600 feet of climbing with great views throughout of the Willamette Nation Forest, Mount Washington Wilderness Area, Three Sisters Wilderness Area, and into the Deschutes National Forest (if you continue or start in Sisters). Up towards the top there are amazing lava fields, it’s kind of crazy to think about the lava fields, and how much volcanic activity Oregon had just a couple thousand years ago. At the top, like I mentioned, is the Dee Wright Observatory where you can look out at all the amazing mountain and land formations.

It was a super fun ride. I tend to ride a little slow, taking about 4 or 5 hours on my way up, but that includes a lot of stops for photos, food, making a couple snowmen, and just enjoying the view. It then only took about 45mins to get back down to the bottom. An incredible descent after riding that same route up. I totally recommend this ride for anyone who ever gets a chance. Just be prepared to climb a lot. Here are my photos from the ride.

Along the way I decided to made a couple snow men just for fun. I thought other cyclists would like the encouragement while going up and down the pass. The one in the road has 2 faces. I had to climb the snow wall to get his features, but that was really cool itself.

360 Degree View along Highway 242

360 Degree View from atop Dee Wright Observatory

Here is a 360 Degree View from atop Dee Wright Observatory from the first time Angel and I drove the pass last October on our way to Bend for the OHBS. We took a lot of photos that day. I’m really glad I got a chance to ride the pass, hopefully I get to do it again.

History of McKenzie Pass – HERE

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Posted in BIKE, Day Ride

Tagged Bend, bicycle, bike, bike tour, eugene, LHT, Long Haul Trucker, Oregon, Surly

Eugene’s Ride Of Silence 2012

Posted on May 17, 2012 | Leave a comment

The Ride Of Silence was last night, May 16th in Eugene. If you don’t know what the Ride Of Silence is it a ride to remember cyclist killed or injured on the road. The ride has been going on for 10 years now, and is held on the third Wednesday of May, at 7 p.m local time all across the world.

Here is what the route looked like.

Other Coverage:
KMTR

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Posted in BIKE, Events, News

Tagged bike, bike commute, bike tour, eugene, news, Oregon, photo, PSA

My Surly LHT Turns 2 Years Old

Posted on May 10, 2012 | 3 comments

I have had my Surly Long Haul Trucker for 2 years now, and I have never doubted myself for choosing it over a different bike. The love story between me and the LHT began long before I got her. For years I knew I wanted the bike. I would try out other bikes at shops and never be happy with how they felt or how they were set up. I knew I wanted to do long rides and touring so why not go with a full out touring bike such as the LHT? The one thing was I already had a decent amount of bikes and not a lot of money. Also, I didn’t like the colors it was offered in for a couple years. They were dull colors: Utility Blue, Olive Green, Truckaccino Tan, I wanted something brighter, and then they showed off the new color at Interbike in October 09, Blue Velvet (also known as Hill Street Blue) and I knew I really wanted it.

I moved to Oregon in late March of 2010. A month later, on April 25th, I bought my Surly Long Haul Trucker. I was so happy that day, finally getting a super comfortable bicycle to ride for a long time.

This year on April 25th I happily was able to do a nice 20mile ride with a friend in the morning. Then after he left to go home I kept going, ending up riding just over a metric century that day, 67.58miles in total.

Last year on Surly’s birthday I got him the Surly Rear Nice Rack, and this year I got him the Surly Front Nice Rack to Match. This rack is massive, and will certainly see a lot of use. Now I just need to get myself a set of Ortlieb Front-Roller Panniers to match my Back-Roller.

Happy Birthday Surly!!!

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Posted in BIKE, Day Ride, Events, News, Reviews

Tagged bicycle, bike, bike commute, bike tour, eugene, LHT, Long Haul Trucker, Oregon, photo, Surly

Moonlight Mash

Posted on April 7, 2012 | 3 comments

Last night was the Moonlight Mash ride around Eugene. There were a lot of great people, music, dancing, and bike riding. Starting at Kesey Square, then onto the rest of downtown, river paths, the university, and ending at Falling Sky Brewery. Hopefully there will be more rides like this in the future. Due to the fact that it was night time, I didn’t get any photos of the ride.

360 of the pre-ride roundup

Moon over the Willamette from Autzen Footbridge

Bikes outside Falling Sky Brewing

Falling Sky’s Blueberry Carrot Ginger and Blueberry Pomegranate Orange Sodas

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Posted in BIKE, Day Ride, Events, FOOD

Tagged bicycle, bike, eugene, food, moon, Moonlight Mash, Oregon, photo

Velo Cult, Pedal Nation, & Great Portland Food

Posted on March 26, 2012 | 7 comments

Yesterday Angel and I got a chance to hang out in Portland after taking her sister back from a visit. We started out the day by going to the newly opened Velo Cult Bicycle Shop. Started in 2006, the shop originally is from San Diego, but decided to move the entire shop to Portland, employees and all. We visited them Sunday, on the morning after their Grand Opening Party. (They were still cleaning up after it). The shop caters to commuters, tourers, randonneur riders, and other subcultures of cycling with refurbished and new bicycles, but this is not just a place to sell and service bikes, but a place where all “bicycle culture” gets to meet. There is a large and open floor plan. They have some amazing mechanic work stations, with benches for customers to talk with their mechanic right in front of them; a bar offering local beer and food, a photo booth (which sadly was shut down when we were there), and even an authentic castle drawbridge (which doubles as a stage) in the shop!! I believe the drawbridge is from Canteburry Castle, after it was demolished in 2009. This is a really cool shop and you should check it out if you have a chance. They plan on hosting shows, and screening movies there in the future, as well as putting on other fun events for cyclists.

Also while at Velo Cult I got the chance to check out the Complete Surly Troll. I wouldn’t mind getting one of these as my first mountain bike. I also think it would make a great touring bike for Angel. It would be a good companion to my LHT. If only the Troll came in some color other than orange (her least favorite).

Before we went to Pedal Nation, we stopped by the Off The Griddle food cart. With super nice staff, they offer amazing veggie burgers from their solar-powered cart. Angel went with Vegan Cheeseburger, and I went with O.T.G Burger (no lettuce, tomato) just grilled onions and added BBQ sauce; I like my burgers simple. It’s always fun waiting for your food to come out while you read through some Trivial Pursuit games.

After we arrived to Pedal Nation, I spent a lot of time talking with different people about their products and learning whatever I could. There were a lot of cool things there. The spectrum of booths was across the board, with everything from wooden helmets, a fat tire recumbent, to an upcoming indoor mountain bike park (The Lumberyard) and other great cycling groups. Full list of exhibitors HERE. One thing I thought was really cool is that Nutcase is coming out with 4 bell designs based off of their helmets, which will be available for purchase in the near future (possibly June), along with a new visors to attach to their helmets and even cycling jerseys to match the helmets. Those should all be great. I’m sure Angel will want a watermelon jersey.

Before leaving Portland we had to get our favorite pizza at Sizzle Pie. I went with 2 slices of cheese, and Angel got a rabbit salad. There was no Spiral Tap in the case, (our favorite) so we got one to go that we could eat at home. It was a super great idea. Angel wanted the pins, and I thought I might put the patch on my safety vest. This is truly good pizza.

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Posted in BIKE, Events, FOOD, News, OTHER, Reviews, Reviews, Trips, Videos

Tagged bicycle, bike, bike commute, bike tour, food, mountain bike, news, Oregon, photo, Portland, Surly, vegan, vegetarian, VeloCult

Leatherman Factory Tour, Hot Lips Pizza, and Black Star Bags

Posted on March 21, 2012 | Leave a comment

Last week some friends and I went to the Leatherman Tool factory for a tour. All Leatherman tools are made in Portland, Oregon in this factory, and they are proud of it. Sadly, on the tour they do not allow photos to be taken. It was really cool to see how the tools are made from big steel rolls. Then they’re punched, bent, polished, and assembled into a finished product. (Parts that are forged do not get made here). I have been carrying a Leatherman Wave for the past years and use it everyday. Leatherman has this video tour on the site to make up for no photos in the factory, and it is really nice because you can see things closer up than what we got to see some of the time.

After the tour we went off to the retail store not far away. It had a case that contained the first prototype of the multi-tool from Tim Leatherman, along with a really old, giant, multi-tool made of hundreds of pieces of the tools. I picked up a new knife for Angel, and for my dad. If you ever have a chance to take a tour of the factory, it’s pretty cool, more info about that HERE.

Hot Lips Pizza
After the tour, we ate some lunch at Hot Lips Pizza. It was the first time I ate their pizza and I thought it was great. I have had their sodas. It is great soda made with fruit from the Pacific Northwest. You can find it bottled all over the place out here. I had a Black Raspberry along with a nice simple slice of cheese pizza, and garlic bread sticks. It was all really great, and I can’t wait to have at all again the next time I make it up to Portland.

Black Star Bags
Right Down the street from Hot Lips on Hawthorn is Black Star Bags, which moved into that location a year ago. The company has been around for the past 5 years, offering great handmade and costume backpacks, messenger bags, panniers, and accessories. David Stoops (Owner/Designer) has great skills, and is capable of making all your bag dreams come true, along with his amazing freestyle embroidery skills on his machines, you can get a piece of art on the bags. Be sure to check out Black Star Bags and stop into the shop if you are looking for a new bag.
My friend who was with me in the shop was getting the design and features of his backpack worked out with David. With David & Black Star, my friend was able to get everything he wanted for his bag, and in a couple weeks he will have his own custom bag that is perfect for him. I can’t wait to see my friend’s backpack after it is finished.