Portland Logistics

[bikerHen]

My daughter and I are thinking about attending a convention in Portland the middle of October. Because we're on a VERY limited budget I'm thinking about hauling the tent trailer and camping on the outskirts of town and riding our bikes to the Convention Center. But I have questions . . .
Does the convention center have decent and secure bike parking?
Would we have better trails/roads to ride into town from the north or east?
Would a commute of ten miles, one way, get us far enough out of town to find a decent campground or RV park?

The last time I was in Portland I swore the next time I came to town I was bringing my bike. It would be such a thrill to be one of many bike commuters instead of my usual one of one!

Thanks in advanced, bikerHen

[ultraviolet]

I can't comment on the camping parts, but assuming you're talking about the Oregon Convention Center, you shouldn't have any problems finding a place to park your bike. There are lots of bike racks near most of the entrances to the building.

The last time I went to Portland for a conference, I took a bike with me on the train. Sadly, there was so much rain that I didn't do much riding other than between the convention center and my hotel downtown. But even that little bit was fun.

[radacrider]

I have not stayed at any of these, but here is a starting point (I did a search for campgrounds near 97209, which is one of the zips in downtown Portland).

http://www.columbiariverrv.com/

http://roamersrestrvpark.com/ This could be a little tricky for getting back into Portland from Tualatin.

http://www.jantzenbeachrv.com/

Gee, they are not exactly cheap, though.

Again, do a search based on the 97209 zip code and check them out. Once you find something interesting let us know and we can help with routes to your convention.

[jdubble]

The Convention Center has bike parking in the parking garage onsite, as well as racks on the sidewalk outside all the main entrances. If you use a good lock (ie. a U-lock), you'll be fine.

From what I undersand, there's no tent camping allowed inside city limits, so that may rule out camping at the RV campsites. I think Oxbow is the closest tent camping site to Portland, 20 miles east of inner Southeast Portland, though you can take the bus to within six miles of it.

Have you looked at hostels? The Hawthorne Hostel would be an easy bike trip to/from the Convention Center, as would the Northwest Portland Hostel. And since it's likely to be rainy in October, probably drier too

[jdubble]

oh wait! by tent trailer, do you mean a pop-up dealie? if that's the case, then i think the RV sites are fine. The Janzen Beach one would probably be the straightest shot to the Convention Center - you'd essentially take Union to MLK to Vancouver which would dump you at the Rose Center which is right next to the Convention Center. http://www.portlandonline.com/transp...39402&a=322271

But there are good routes to town from the east as well. http://www.portlandonline.com/transp...ex.cfm?c=39402 has links to all the area bike maps if you want to plan routes.

[LilBolt]

I don't have any experience camping in Portland. However, I do remember reading this by Willie Weir.
http://www.adventurecycling.org/reso...InPortland.pdf

[bikerHen]

Wow! Great information everyone. Just what I needed. Looks like the tent trailer, yes it's a pop-up, is a possible option. I'm still a little leary about parking the bikes at the Convention Center. I have a big (heavy) cable and even bigger lock, but I know cables are easily cut. Don't know if I want to invest in a U-Lock, I really don't like them all that much. Well first we have to see if my daughter can get that weekend off. Then we can start planning. Although we're all ready dreaming about Powell's and Voodoo donuts! And Fabric Depo! How could I forget about fabric Depo!!

[Grog]

Wow! Great information everyone. Just what I needed. Looks like the tent trailer, yes it's a pop-up, is a possible option. I'm still a little leary about parking the bikes at the Convention Center. I have a big (heavy) cable and even bigger lock, but I know cables are easily cut. Don't know if I want to invest in a U-Lock, I really don't like them all that much. Well first we have to see if my daughter can get that weekend off. Then we can start planning. Although we're all ready dreaming about Powell's and Voodoo donuts! And Fabric Depo! How could I forget about fabric Depo!!

I think that in an urban setting your cable has a zero chance of surviving more than a couple of days. I really would not recommend it. Especially not in front of a busy place like the Convention Center... You have a nice bike, I wouldn't risk it. Get a fat u-lock or find some indoor parking... (and even then, I'd get at least a moderate u-lock.)

I'm not a Portlander but Vancouver is not that different...

ETA: What you could consider though is a really heavy chain.

[Grog]

Tangentially, you might want to read this article about how a professional bike thief uses tools to defeat our protection:

http://thedependent.ca/news-and-opin...eft-vancouver/

[jdubble]

bike theft in portland is down, but i still wouldn't trust a cable lock in this town.

http://bikeportland.org/2011/08/09/b...-at-work-57459

what don't you like about u-locks, out of curiosity?

[bikerHen]

what don't you like about u-locks, out of curiosity?

I know a lot of riders use them, but I think they are too limited with how you can lock your bike. With my six foot cable I can go through both wheels, the frame and then wrap it around a sign post or tree or whatever is available. Or you can lock two bikes together. Can't do that with a U-lock.