Thanks Janine … I will definitely check that trail out. And do some shopping in Portland too!

I will look into that emailing problem. I also have Firefox, so I guess I can just see if I can email myself :)

We like Portland a lot – there is a ride in the Gorge (about 1 hour from Portland) that you and your family might like. It is a human-powered trail only between Hood River and Mosier above the Gorge – smooth, flat pavement, even some tunnels. It does have a slope, but we normally see lots of kids and families on it, and it’s not as steep as say, the 10th Ave hill to UBC. Can’t find a map talking specifically about it, but this shows it: http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/HCRH/images/HCRHbikemap.pdf?ga=t Note that it is only the shorter section that I’m talking about that is closed to traffic and suitable for families…the rest they show on this map wouldn’t be IMHO. There’s also no sales tax in Portland, which is a bonus! :-)

Re the emailing, not sure what the problem was. I filled in the form, including the cap text, submitted and it came back “Your email was not sent” or something like that. Tried it a couple of times, same problem. Now, I’m using Firefox and use some ad-blocking apps, so that could be it…sorry I don’t have more details!

I don’t mind any day except all but the most heinously wet days!

Thanks Alex! It was a pretty exciting event in my life. They make a really big fuss about it. And the hotel was cool!

I googled the award and was able to find and read the entry. Wow congrats!

Yep, it was the Chateau Laurier – very swish. We didn’t pay for it – I won the CBC Dalton Camp literary award, and the CBC paid for my wife and I to fly to Ottawa and stay at the Chateau Laurier; very, very nice :)

Chateau Laurier? Nice! Maybe you stayed in the same room previously used by some important visiting dignitary?

Thanks Alex for the link. When we were in Ottawa we stayed at a downtown hotel next to the Parliament buildings, and it did not feel bike-friendly at all – although I did see a lot of cyclists. Next time I will go more prepared. I am looking forward to going once Mayor Watson puts in place some of his cycling friendly plans :)

Hi Janine, great to hear from you again :) . I am concerned that you could not send me an email through the website – I thought my Contact Me was working. Could you please tell me what goes wrong, so I can get it fixed?

Thanks for the link. I am really interested in getting to Portland and doing some cycling there. I am amazed that such short horizontal distances make such a difference in air quality. I think I will have to do a post about it. That information should be more widely known, as it is yet another argument for separate bike lanes – not just for cyclists’ health, but also for pedestrians.

I had a great ride home, thanks – despite just a little rain. It’s always interesting to me that when I am at work I look out and see dark skies and rain, and I dread biking home – and then as soon as I am out in it and peddling along, it is fun and exhilirating!

Hi Ryan. I agree that being bike friendly draws tourists from other countries – we are planning to visit London to use their BIXI system. It also draws tourists from the same country too. I have been to Ottawa once, and loved it. I would be back like a shot if it had dedicated bike lanes and tourist-friendly bike rentals – such as BIXIs. I remember the only thing that disappointed me in Ottawa was that I didn’t feel very encouraged to bike ride.

Thanks again for your blog. Glad to hear that Ottawa is going to improve things as when I was there last summer I thought about taking my travel bike, but decided not to when I looked at the bike infrastructure.

Not really directly relevant, but couldn’t send you an email through the website…Saw this article today and thought you might be interested…http://bikeportland.org/2010/10/28/study-cycle-tracks-mean-better-air-quality-for-bikers-walkers-41754.

I was surprised that the air quality was that statistically different. Glad I don’t normally bike along major roads for much of my commute!

Enjoy your ride home…looks like the rain may hold off.

Janine