I probably shouldn’t admit this, but it’s been years since I’ve ridden my bike. It’s not because of laziness, or some deep-seeded aversion to riding a bike. The chain is rusty, the seat ripped, and quite frankly, I don’t even know if the brakes work.
This month, however, there is more incentive to get that ol’ bike fixed and road-worthy. Why? May is Bike Month, and we just published a new bike map featuring bike-friendly paths and trails throughout Washington County.
Another incentive to fix up my bike is to ride the Banks-Vernonia State Trail, Oregon’s first rails-to-trails project, which is open to cyclists, hikers and equestrians. While I may not complete the entire 21-mile (one-way!) trail, I will be able to cover more ground on two wheels than by foot.
But who am I kidding? I am the queen of procrastination, and I probably won’t get my bike fixed, or even buy a new one. Instead, I may just rent some wheels and head off into the wild, green yonder that is Oregon’s Washington County.

