Reason To Ride Salem #2: True Colors

It’s showtime in the Willamette Valley. Anywhere you look right now, you’ll see intense bursts of brilliant colors popping up against a backdrop of lush green vegetation. Fields of flowers, local orchards, and native varieties are all starting to strut their stuff like proud peacocks. As you ride by them on your bike, you’ll occasionally feel a warm breeze and then be overcome by the sight and scent of plants that pack a big punch.

Folks in this area understand the value of flower power: Woodburn’s Tulip Festival just ended, and Keizer is only a few days from opening their Iris Festival. Go ahead and chuckle if you’d like, but these events generate big crowds, lots of business, and big dollars.

You can also get away from the “newly introduced” agricultural plants if you pedal out of town a bit more, where farms and fields give way to wetlands and forests. Then you’ll notice more of the ancient native varieties of grasses, sedges, and wildflowers that have largely disappeared from this area over time. Note: wildflowers may just have the powerful effect of slowing your pedals down, maybe even stopping you and your bike for a while. If you look at them for too long they can produce feelings of immense pleasure, even euphoria. Gawk at them at your own risk!

Showtime goes on for months without an intermission. The valley’s colors will change almost weekly as spring turns to summer, and then to fall. Its greenery will continue to grow for the next few months until they get downright shaggy, then start their transformation as the warm days begin to cool and then crisp. They will offer up the golds, yellows, and reds that make late summer and early fall another feast for the eyes. In the fall the evergreens are upstaged by the magnificent colors of the plentiful oak, alder, and maple trees. Then, as their leaves turn and fall, they bring down the final curtain on the valley’s perennial show of colors.

Don’t worry, this year’s season has just opened. There’s really not a bad seat in the house.

Reason to Ride Salem #3: Small Towns

If you’re going to ride a substantial distance in the Salem area, you’re going to encounter some of the smaller neighboring mid-valley towns. They are a big part of the Mid-Valley’s allure for cyclists.

Urban cycling definitely has its appeal, but it’s not for everybody. I think most folks would say that their favorite kind of riding is when you can wind it out on the open road, and find some fun smaller towns along the way. The Mid-Valley is perfect for that kind of riding. It takes very little time to traverse Salem and get out to some great rural scenery, where little towns are positioned every few miles.

For most small town businesses, mere survival requires some creativity and lots of determination. When Steve-O and I rolled through Independence a while back (see pictures), we noticed the front window for a pizza place. It’s also where you can get your computer repaired. In Amity, you’ll find a fun little spot that offers groceries and espresso drinks...and antiques. This can-do ingenuity makes me want to walk into the local coffee shops when I’m on a ride, plop down my buck fifty on the counter, take my fresh cup o’joe, and feel like I helped stimulate the local economy. Coffee can be a stimulus, you know.

Of course, each small town has its own personality, which has developed over the past century and a half or so, when the great westward push arrived and someone said, "hey everybody, let's start a small town!" Places like Aumsville and Rickreall, Turner and Jefferson, Mt. Angel and Silverton, and others--each has an important role in the agricultural lifeblood here. Yes, that means that you might share the two-lane roads with occasional tractors and livestock trailers. It’s not like there’s ever a ton of traffic, however. Sometimes on warm summer days you can roll past a farm and almost get knocked over by the “eau d’cow” in the heavy air. Keep mooving....it usually passes in a minute or two. (Was that one bad pun, or two?)

The low, flat, straight roads on the Valley floor will treat you to some wide sweeping views of neatly ordered farms, vineyards and orchards. You’ll come to a bend or a rise in the road, and each time your view completely changes. It’s like turning a new slide on the viewmaster and you just want to keep looking deeper at the picture. On your ride, you'll eventually encounter a sign pointing the way to a small town just a few miles down the road. Whether you roll right on through it or stop for a quick break, you will know that you've arrived in the heart of the Valley.

Reason to Ride Salem #4: Downtown.

I was wrong, Salem, and you deserve my apology. When our family moved from Portland to come here for my job, I was sure I was coming to cycling purgatory. I didn't give you much of a chance. I imagined all kinds of problems with your city streets and how cars interact with bikes, and I pictured that I would just avoid riding your downtown core as much as possible. I was wrong to think that way about you. I mean, we all know what kind of attention Portland gets when it comes to city riding, right? Not so for Salem. But it’s only because folks don’t know what they don’t know. Well, I am among the reformed. Those of us who have learned your streets from the handlebars have reason to love it here. We have all got to start saying it loudly on your behalf, Salem. For that reason, today, I stand before you and all 19 of my readers to proclaim: Salem, you ARE a bike town!

You’ve got good signage for bike routes, your lanes are well marked, and things are very accessible to cyclists. Your bike shops are really quite amazing, especially the people who work in them. Sure, on weekdays the traffic can get congested, so yeah, that’s an area where you could improve. Weekends here? Wow. Cyclists should feel like royalty. I rode your downtown streets a couple of times this weekend, and both times were great!

On Saturday I took the road bike for a spin, and after a morning meeting I took a squiggly route back home. I had a few minutes to poke around downtown before the return trip, so I just took random rights and lefts until I ended up at Saturday Market. It’s only April, so there’s not much produce being sold there yet, but lots of folks were out enjoying the first almost-warmish day together. I met some nice people just visiting here from Louisiana. They say it’s already hot there and getting hotter. We’re spoiled in this corner of the country when it comes to the weather. I continued on my ride through town and got to snap off a few pics of the Willamette University campus in its springtime color. The students there looked especially happy to have the sunshine.



Today Mrs. C and I had a delightful Sunday. After an early church service we zipped home and changed, then spent the next few hours ambling around town on our bikes. We kept a pace that was comfortable for both of us, and criss-crossed around the downtown area with ease. I took the blue beast so we could pack a few things along with us; Mrs. C's hybrid bike is a perfect match for city riding and it made me happy to see her happy. There are so few cars downtown on Sunday morning, you have your pick of lanes for blocks in either direction. That made the riding more casual and fun for both of us. We did indeed ride bikes and then drink coffee! Found a coffee shop and a little patch of sunshine on the corner of State and Commercial. Across the street were some spandex-donned cyclists doing the very same thing at another coffee establishment. I’m tellin’ ya, bikes and coffee pair very well together here in Oregon!

Cyclists, whether you’re passing through or stopping to enjoy what the center of Salem has to offer, don’t just ride the edges of this town. Go through the middle.

Don't Just Take My Word For It....

Happy Friday, Everyone!

Some great news about cycling in Oregon just came across the optic fiber highway this morning! Bicycling.com announced the top 50 bike-friendly cities in the U.S. 3 cities in Oregon are in the top 20! They are:
...drum roll, please....
Portland (2), Eugene (5), and Salem (19)!!!
Then they list the best small cities (population under 100,000) and there's Corvallis!
The results were based on things such as dedicated bike lanes and boulevards in town, a bike culture, and savvy bike shops.

I concur.

Bravo!

Reason To Ride Salem #5: Refuge.

Liberty Road lived up to its name yesterday. Heading south from Salem, every mile was liberating me with the chance to roll on some country roads. This kind of ride is my favorite: long, winding two-lane roads with little traffic and generous scenery. The views in this part of Oregon stack up pretty well against any other place in the Pacific Northwest. This is a destination ride that is worth your time to get here and experience it for yourself.

In exchange for a tiny bit of climbing on Liberty Road, you're at the top; prepare yourself for a view that astounds you. At that point the road takes a long, easy descent down to the valley floor. Right now you'll see a combination of lush green textures dotting the whole area. Wetlands, farmlands, vineyards, large stands of oaks, maples, pines, and firs. Just beyond are the foothills of the Cascade and Coast Ranges, each with a new coating of spring snow that will help keep this basin green through the summer months. One of the most important aspects of this part of the valley is the role it has in supporting the wildlife that migrate in and through this area.

At the bottom of Liberty Road you’ll be at the edge of the Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge. It’s one of three protected areas in what is called the Willamette Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex, which hosts all kinds of critters, some who live here all year, and others who are just passing through. Today I was one of the vagabond critters, just visiting, before making the rest of my journey. Just like the other travelers that belong to the animal kingdom, I will return here. This place is indeed...a refuge.

Reason To Ride Salem #6: The Thrill Rides!

If you picture Salem as a town that sits on the “floor” of the valley you don’t have the complete picture. Do a mental tour to downtown Salem, somewhere near the capitol building with the golden statue guy (does anybody else see an uncanny resemblance to Phil Knight?). Now that you’re in the middle of town, start out in any direction except maybe North. In minutes, you’ll find out you’re not in Kansas anymore! If you’ve made the effort to come and ride in the Salem area, you owe it to yourself to try some of these golden little hills that surround town. The climbs will not only reward you with the satisfaction of a good effort, but also provide some beautiful views across the valley. And the downhills...pure adrenaline!

Before we start out on our hilly adventures, let’s do a reality check...we all know about hills, right?

They can hurt you.

If you’re on a fast bike on a steep drop, you will be up over 35 mph in a blink. Steering and braking become much more limited the faster you go. Remember that you’re not in a car! Tight curves can sneak up on you, and can easily kick you out into the oncoming lane if your approach is too fast. Lots of folks find out too late that they can’t turn at all, and their rides usually end badly with that realization. Do us all a favor and judiciously squeeze that little lever next to the handlebar. It’s the brake, and it could save you an ambulance ride. Anticipate the contours of the road and give yourself room to make a turn. Bottom line, after a good descent you still want to have all your teeth.

Following are a few routes well known to the Salem crowd, some of whom were kind enough to share some of their favorite hilly routes. Now, onto our pedals, folks. It's climb time.

Croisan Creek
Start at Sprague High School, on Kuebler Road. Turn right on Kuebler Road and enjoy 2 miles of gentle, uninterrupted, easy riding. You’ll end up on River Road; turn right and head toward town. Stop in at Minto-Brown Island Park and drink in a little shot of environmental happiness. Here’s a little movie I made holding a camera while I rode my bike down Croisan Creek. Kinda goofy, but I enjoyed putting it together.

Gibson
After an 800-foot elevation gain over four miles up Orchard Heights and Eagle Crest, enjoy the fast descent down Gibson. For the next two miles you’ll be a kid again. Why? Because you just wet your pants!
For an ill-advised variation on this ride, with a death-wish steep descent, go straight on Eagle Crest down to Zena Road. Good luck with that one!

Perrydale Hills
Want a little longer West Salem ride? Here’s a 40-miler that expands on the Gibson ride. Bring an energy bar.

Orchard Heights
Speaking of Orchard Heights, here’s a fun one. Starting out from Wallace Marine Park you’ll head out west on Salem-Dallas Highway to North Oak Grove Road. From there, get up onto Orchard Heights. It’s the unofficial home of orchards...and heights.

Doaks Ferry
Nice rollers. Unfortunately the steep drops end with abrupt, major intersections. Still worth the effort, however!

Turner/Summit Loop
This combination of hills and flat sections is...enchanting. :)

Ankeny
I’ve not ridden in this part of the valley yet, but I’ve driven this road a few times and I see why it’s such a popular route. The views are breathtaking. And the hills will take your breath, too!

Reason to Ride Salem #8: The Q.I. Factor

When you're riding in a new place, you tend to look for those unique spots that make your visit memorable. For that very reason, I bring you Salem’s Q.I., aka “Quirky Intersections.”

Single street names around here are no more unusual than any other city, but the combination of two streets, well, that’s an entirely different story! Salem rises to the top of the “are you kidding me?” list. Bring your camera along, and post a picture of yourself at some of these unforgettable places in Salem:

Where else could you possibly be seen standing at the intersection of Church and State? And yes, this real-life intersection is flanked by a church on one corner, and state buildings on two other corners.

You could send your accountant a picture of you standing at the corner of Capitol and Gaines.

Or your attorney might like one at High and Court.

For any Divas out there: it’s true--you can take Front and Center (ironically, it’s under a bridge).

Do you run a home business? How about Cottage and Trade?

Evangelists, be seen at Church and Mission. Televangelists, you can go to Church and Market.

There are more, but I think you get the idea...have some fun with our street map and snap off some pics while you’re here.

Other quirky factoids and possible photo-ops in the Cherry City:

Did you know Salem is the home of the official state dirt? That reddish clay that’s the pride of all the wineries...yep, that’s “the” dirt! (By the way, my neighbor happened to be in the legislative sessions when the various dirt interests had heated debates over it all. I guess some people behaved like real clods.)

I'm not sure what to make of this: a major crop on our north side is hops, while on the south, it's grapes. Hmmm...

Take a quick spin down the only dedicated Soap Box track on the west coast! Here in Salem we love our soap boxes. :)

You could have your picture taken in front of world’s largest collection of carousel horses. Please, for your own sake, remove your helmet first.

You could go to Willamette Mission Park and find the world's largest living cottonwood tree. Of course, there are other trees around town that are more poplar.

Go to the corner of Summer and Union and get your picture taken in front of Waldo Park, the world’s second smallest. Don’t worry Portland, you have the smallest, in case you were about to become jealous.

Top 10 Reasons Why Cyclists Should Ride Salem #10: The Union Street Bridge

Hey, Portlanders! Pay attention! You’re about to read why you want to pack up the bike and head on down I-5 to one of the best places in Oregon for riding...Salem!
Not convinced? Skeptical? Read on.


Salem desperately needs another pair of bridges over the Willamette River. No duh. Just ask the folks who get stuck in West Salem every morning. No fast passes here. Only two bridges--one going in each direction--serve this entire area, and even on a good day that’s a bad thing. Oh, and just go deep into hiding somewhere when there’s a crisis--recently somebody threatened to jump off and end their life. Law enforcement got involved and shut the bridge down, causing traffic to seize up for over eight hours. Gridlock set in for literally miles in every direction, livid motorists had nowhere to go, and the political fallout went viral for months afterward. The squeeze that's put on these bridges is an ugly reality here, and is punctuated by the fact that there’s no relief in sight.

The bridge shortage is precisely what makes this such a remarkable story: one bridge goes east, and one bridge goes west. But there’s also one entire bridge that is dedicated to non-motorists over this stretch of the Willamette. Two to one--that’s a pretty amazing ratio, really. Admit it, Portlanders...you’re impressed!

The Union Street Bridge was originally built in 1913 for rail traffic between Salem and western parts of the Willamette Valley. Trains stopped rolling across it in the 1990’s. After the city bought it from Union Pacific in 2004 for one dollar a whole bunch of groups, including ODOT and Cycle Oregon got together to repurpose the span. In April 2009 it opened as a multi-use path serving a whole community of walkers and riders. When federal stimulus dollars became available, it closed again for painting and repairs that would have been years from happening otherwise. When the Union Street Bridge reopens in May--just about eight weeks from right now---it will connect to two parks (Wallace Marine and Riverfront ) and an infinite amount of rides on either side.


Until the repairs are completed, you can cross over the Willamette River via the Marion Street Bridge. Riding that span feels similar to the Sellwood Bridge in Portland: you can cross it if you must, but you really would rather not have to come across a pedestrian or another rider.

In May all the repairs become a distant memory, water under the bridge.

Yes, we will all be able to cross that bridge when we come to it.

Let's Go To The Movies!

"And the Oscar goes to"...well, certainly not to me! However, in the spirit of the Academy Awards night, I hereby submit my first attempt at movie-making. Why should my kids have all the fun with iMovie?

Yesterday was another fantastic almost-spring morning. I got out on the bike and went back to Croisan Creek Road in South Salem, this time I brought along my camera. I put it on the "movie" setting and started recording from the top of the hill and kept it going the whole way down. I held the camera down by the handlebars (since steering is a non-negotiable), and tried to stabilize it and keep it pointed forward. I wasn't always successful, but I suppose that makes it look more "authentic." :)

I wanted to capture that sensation you get when you're on a bicycle, rolling forward, moving through space. Honestly it's no different to me now than riding a two-wheeler for the first time...just a lot faster.

Enjoy the ride!

Leisure Ride: Minto-Brown Island Park

Mrs. C, Nat, and I took a leisurely bike ride together on Sunday afternoon down on the paths at Minto-Brown Island Park in Salem. This is a 900-acre nature park you’ve got to enjoy at least four times a year, once for every season. It’s a bit early to see much evidence of spring just yet, but it won’t be long before the green shoots and buds begin to fill in all the open spaces. The multi-use paths get lots of users on Sunday afternoons, and folks on bikes need to be respectful of that. Not really a place to wind it out unless you’re on some of the open, less traveled paths.

It wasn’t a breathtakingly beautiful day, but it wasn’t raining either! It was just nice to roll with my peeps, although it’s a different kind of riding than what I’m accustomed to most of the time. Mrs. C’s new bike was a great find and she’s super happy with it. That makes me happy! Nat has left no doubt that she's now a full-fledged teenager, as evidenced by the earphones and ipod wired to her head while she was riding with us.

“are you listening to your ipod, Nat?”
“huh?”
“I’ll take that as a yes.”

Ahh, nature.

Coffee Stop: "French Press," Salem, OR

The Northwest is wired with coffee places that have unique personality and charm. In this corner of the country, just about every city and town has a passel of ‘em. Cool little bustling spots that open before all the other businesses, serving up coffee creations and pungent aromas that delight you even before stepping inside the door. Interesting, odd little places that used to be banks or country stores or whatever, and now they’re filled with the sounds of espresso machines, funky music, and cheap little tables just large enough for cups, elbows, and conversation. Ready for a change of pace or scenery? No problem here in Oregon. Try the next place a half-block away...their pastries are to die for! For me, this is part of what sets Oregon apart from other parts of the country. My theory is that this is probably why your relatives come out here from Delaware and don’t want to leave. They don’t have cool coffee shops--I’m not making this up--they actually boast about the Dunkin Donuts coffee there. Sorry, Delaware, we win...but you can visit us anytime!


When you visit me in Salem, I might take you to a cool little spot that’s fairly new in town. It’s called “French Press.” I like this place very much, and I recently met up with my family there at the end of my bike ride (living up to the title of the blog, I suppose). Situated on South Commercial just before the Liberty split, its outside appearance draws you inside to see what you might find. Walking through the door convinces you to stay to partake of the food and atmosphere. A bit of french inspiration in this place is the result of some intentional decor, wall art, and the fare on the menu. Of course you’ll never really imagine you’re sitting inside a Paris cafe, but it’s got its own kind of charm and energy worth enjoying. Tables are situated near a fireplace, facing an open kitchen with an energetic crew that prepares every dish just the way you like it. Outside seating is available, but it’s kind of noisy because it’s so close to Commercial Street.




Here at French Press the specialty is the crepe. Since I’m not an egg guy (severely allergic actually), I can’t really comment on the crepes other than to say that a whole lot of folks look really happy when they’re eating them here, and the restaurant is really proud of them. Mrs. C and Nat had crepes while we were there, and they looked pretty yummy. Enough so that I took pictures. My egg-free option was a bagel loaded with veggies and stuff. It was good too. So yay for the food.










In my opinion, what takes this spot from good to great is the quality of the coffee. Whether you buy the house coffee or order a french press, you will enjoy an unmistakably bold and fresh cup and you’ll want more. They are proud to let you know that they use fair trade coffee for their on-site roasting process, and they’ve got the whole presentation thing figured out. Even the cup is shaped to mold right into your hands so that you lean across the table and wish you knew how to say something exquisitely French to your sweetie. But be careful. When I tried this move, I leaned forward and got a cramp in my leg from just having gotten off of the bike. Whatever I said out loud to Mrs. C probably didn’t really sound all that French...just really foreign. Still, the whole experience was magnifique!

First Signs of Spring in Salem

Last weekend gave us Oregonians a great little espresso-like shot of sunshine, and boy did we all take full advantage in big ways! Sunday there seemed to be an unusually high number of smiling people who were just glad to see a break from the gray even if for a little while. It actually felt warm enough to not really need coats and jackets. The afternoon air remained so still it was almost unreal, like that moment between breathing out and breathing in. On such exquisite days in the Willamette Valley, when clouds and wind take the day off, there are magnificent views of Jefferson, Hood, St. Helens, and Adams. They gleam brighter and appear closer than ever when the air is this pure. And on this kind of a day, down below on the valley floor, thousands of folks like me go spinning on our bikes in sheer, goofy pleasure.

Months after the move I’m learning Salem all over again on my bike. It’s been more than thirty years since I used to live here as a kid. Now it's almost impossible to call up memories from my bike rides from that long ago. No matter, I'm checking out the whole town and charting out the places I want to ride like it's brand new to me. Sunday afternoon I took a few minutes to roll through Bush Park, down past Willamette University, and the State Capitol. I slowed my pace enough to take notice of the early bloomers, the handful of shrubs and trees that could not wait any longer to bust out a bit of color and fragrance. Couldn't resist snapping a few pics since I'm blogging and all.


Blooms in front of Oregon's Capitol Building, Salem



Historic Bush House in Bush's Pasture Park, Salem

My work requires me to drive a lot in and around Salem and Keizer. Normally I'm in my car anywhere from Orchard Heights in the west to Cordon Road on the east, and from Chemawa to Sunnyside north to south. I’ve tried to take mental notes about where the bike lanes, hills, and scenery are located for upcoming rides. Sunday’s ride gave me one such opportunity...soaring down Croisan Creek. Uninterrupted downhill joy on two wheels, for sure. The posted speed limit there is 30... :)