Portland Logistics

[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.

[jdubble]

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.

good point about the versatility of the cable! that makes sense. and if you don't live somewhere where bike theft is rampant, buying a u-lock just for one trip doesn't sound appealing. there should be a lock rental program for visitors here i wonder if Waterfront Bikes would rent just a lock for a few days? Might be worth an inquiry?

around here, there's *usually* a bike rack or sign available to lock to, and i'm mostly concerned about my frame (though obviously loss of wheels would suck). if i'm leaving it somewhere for a long time, or somewhere questionable, or know that i have to lock up my son's bike too, i do have a kryptonite cable that i can bring with me to run through the wheels and his bike.

[Grog]

With a u-lock I lock my front wheel and frame to the rack. You don't want to leave much space there (to make it more difficult to break the lock). The back wheel doesn't have a quick release on my commuter bike. If I was to leave my fancier bike locked up, I'd probably get a locking rear-wheel skewer instead of the hex-screw skewer...

I agree that you may be able to borrow/rent a lock from Rivercity Bikes... it's worth giving them a call anyway.