Today I set out to check out bicycles and learn some things. I went to two bike shops in town – Bike Gallery and River City Bicycles. I left both feeling overwhelmed and rather dejected.

I felt like my $500ish budget was HUGE, but obviously I don’t know jack about bicycles because that is what will buy you the cheapest bicycle at one of those shops, and not the kind that I want. The kinds I wanted (I think?) were closer to $1,000 and up. I mean the one I thought was awesome was over $4,000 and I could buy a new Vespa for that!

After pouting at home for a little while I decided to look on Craigslist. And then I nabbed this puppy:

For $180. 1973 Schwinn Suburban in java brown. It’s just been completely overhauled: new grease and bearings adjusted in wheels, headset and cranks, cables and cable housing replaced, brakes and derailleurs adjusted, new brake pads, new tires, chain cleaned and regreased, wheels trued.

And it’s exactly what I wanted.

I’ve named her Ramona, which is a fitting accompaniment to my scooter, Beezus. And if you are familiar with the Cleary series whose characters are the namesake of my bikes, you may know it is based in Portland. Aww so cute.

Ramona rides great, and is so lightweight. It’s a 10-gear but it shifts with levers, not a crank thingy on the handlebars. I like it bein all old school.

And here’s an awesome tip… on the Portland Online Transportation site you can download PDF maps of bike and walking paths to figure out a safe route. Or if you want to have a map with you when you go or just like paper maps like me, you can request them to mail you the maps. And they’re free – even the shipping.

I have been thinking for a long time about buying a bicycle, and with Portland as the most bike-friendly city in the US I want in!

I sold my old one in our yard sale (to Courtney!) because the reason I never rode it was because it was really heavy and inconvenient to ride. It is a mountain bike and I need a slim road bike with not a lot of gears.

Beyond that though I am 100% bike-challenged. I am prepared to drop a wad of moolah but I want it to be on a good bike for me that is comfy to ride and not too heavy, and is good for riding around town. There are a lot of bike shops here so I figure I will go into one and let them school me.

Another thing is that I don’t know much about bike etiquette and practices re: riding and parking. I know hand signals and I get that the bike lane is for biking but what’s the rule of thumb on riding by other riders? Who gets the right of way at intersections with cars? Can I chain my bike up at any ol pole if there isn’t a bike rack? What can I do to avoid these uber cyclists scoffing at me? I am a little intimidated!

Day Four: June 4, 2009
Boise, Idaho to Portland, Oregon.
Distance: 673 mi (~ 6 hrs)

Last day! We were super excited. The drive did not disappoint.

Much of it is along the Columbia River, on the other side of which is Washington State.

When we got to the Welcome to Oregon sign we wanted to pull over and get a photo with it. Unfortunately it sits on a bridge with no real place to stop, so we just got it passing by.

Counting down the miles, squee-ing at every xxx miles to Portland sign, finally made it:

We found our temporary dwelling with ease, and Peter returned the tow-dolly immediately. He got back, we unpacked the truck, and then got a big Portland rainshower welcome. Glad to have made it.

Day Three: June 3, 2009
Salt Lake City, Utah to Boise, Idaho.
Distance: 367 mi (~ 5 hrs)

Day three was the shortest day on the trip, so we took our time waking up and leaving Salt Lake City. SLC is a breathtaking place. I especially loved Park City which is right outside of Salt Lake. I definitely want to return for an extended visit.

Gassing up in Salt Lake:

Family photo on the auto-timer!

Beautiful countryside:

We bid hello to all the Potatoes you’ll be eating.

We kept seeing ‘Game Crossing’ signs, so of course I had to do this:

Day Two:  June 2, 2009
North Platte, Nebraska to Salt Lake City, Utah.
Distance: 657 mi (~ 9 hrs)

The night in Nebraska was our dog Lucy’s first time in a hotel and she didn’t know quite what to make of it! So many noises and smells I guess! We woke up mid-morning and it was still overcast and soggy but not raining too hard. Nebraska is really quite beautiful.

Lots of time to talk, or not talk..

Lots of time for napping

Nebraska highway stretches far and vast without a lot going on besides scenery. However there were some billboards, and they seemed to be largely dominated by ads for a place called Little America.

Truly a cute Asian boy eating a hot dog says America. These billboards hype Little America for miles. Not just a dozen miles, more like the length of the state. At least a hundred miles, if not more. And darn it we just HAD to stop at Little America when we go there. It’s a clean hotel and a nice rest stop, with couches in the bathroom lounge and everything. Haha. It was definitely the nicest pit stop on our trip, and we got Lucy a stuffed squirrel there.

As we climbed altitude we hit fog with VERY low visibility.

Saw lots and lots of wind turbines, which I have to admit kind of freak me out!

I mean, I get what they’re for and that I LOVE. But the spiky spokes and alarming presence on a serene countryside. I know I’m not the only one that feels this way.

Finally, more state lines crossed on Day 2:

That’s Utah, in case you can’t tell. With a Billboard toting an accomplishment from 7 years ago.