#three speed

Another bike joins the Decade Club. While I took receipt of the Raleigh Superbe after returning from the Eastern Oregon Tour in September 2015, it wasn’t until right before the March 2016 Three Speed Ride that I got the steed ridable with the help of Steve M So I celebrate that date as its “birthday” to me, though it left Raleigh’s Nottingham shops sometime in 1968, making it the only bike in the…

REMINDER: Three Speed Get-Together Monday June 10

Three Speed Camping: Day 1

I always like to go camping in April, and this year would be no exception! Even if it wouldn't get me a 3 Speed April merit badge this year.

I chose Manchester State Park several months ago for this excursion. Getting there requires two ferries, Seattle-to-Bremerton on the big car ferry, and Bremerton-to-Port Orchard on a foot ferry. Then, a 4.5 mile bike ride.

My morning started off with getting yelled at to "Get off the road" from a car window (I was in a bike lane, what more do you want from me). I made it downtown to the ferry terminal and discovered I had more than an hour til the next boat. So I went and had lunch and came back. The downside of towing a trailer is that I can't just chain my bike up and take it with me into places like I could a backpack. But I don't get a sweaty back so-

The rain finally cleared up and stopped, leaving party sunny skies to Bremerton, then on the second boat to Port Orchard. Then I got onto the beach road towards Manchester. The speed limit was low (35) but with 0 shoulder for most of it, it still made me nervous.

The Hiker/Biker spots were out of the way and relatively nice, with enormous picnic tables. Very close together, though. Later in the evening, a couple who definitely did not hike or bike in showed up with lots of stuff and took the spot just down from me.

I had brought my wetsuit and fin, so I went for a swim down at the swimming beach. Very cold! And not too much to see, unfortunately.

A Three Speed Ride to Willamette Falls, 11 April 2021

Camera: Minolta SR-T 101. Lens: MC Rokkor PG 50mm f/1.4 Film: Kodak Ektar 100 Sunday April 11 was the beginning of a full-on “pseudo-summer” week in Portland. Temperatures would hit the mid-70s F (23-25C) by weeks end. This Sunday was pleasant but cooler at 60F/16C. Still, a great day to ride! Right about now is when I’d do the springtime Three Speed Ride. I haven’t led any rides since pandemic…

My Raleigh Superbe at (almost) five years: A superb bike!

Taken with my Minolta Hi-Matic 7s 35mm film camera. (Film: Kodak Gold 200)

My Raleigh Superbe is soon to be a member of my Five Year Club, bikes that I’ve had for that time period. The Crested Butte and Schwinn Heavy Duti have passed those milestones, the Bantam will soon. I got my hands on the Superbe in September of 2015, though it wasn’t road worthy until the following spring. Since then,…