A bike route around an entire country.

Welcome to the Bike Bulletin. It’s like fresh asphalt for your inbox.

Here’s what we have today.

• City of the week: Portland, Oregon, USA

• A 600-mile bike route around Taiwan.

• Stealth camping tips.

• Some stats for the nerds.

RIDER OF THE WEEK

James Osborne - San Diego, CA, USA

This week I’m featuring James Osborne. He’s originally from Ohio, and has lived all over the US. Be sure to check out the Challenged Athletes Foundation. They’re an organization providing people with adaptive sports equipment.

Fill out this form to be featured as Rider of the Week!

• Trusty steed. 2020 Specialized Roubaix Pro.

• Preferred terrain. Road/asphalt.

• Saddle story. In November 2021, I joined my friends for a ride in Death Valley. Day 1 (57 miles) ended with a LONG 16-mile descent into Furnace Creek. The weather was divine; we stopped for the obligatory "Below Sea Level" tourist pictures. Day 2 was a slog as we climbed, climbed, and climbed out of Death Valley (flat the first 40 miles, 3K feet of climbing the next 20 miles) on our return to Shoshone, CA. I reached the top of Funeral Peak in the afternoon. It was among the hardest climbs I've undertaken. Ben, a fellow rider and slightly ahead of me on the climb, rested at the top. We chatted, enjoying the scenery before heading down. Ben and I rode the rest of the way into Shoshone. Our shadows were long in the late afternoon sun. It was among the most peaceful moments of my life -- all was "right" in the world. Biking allows us to share a "job well done" in our own personal and group ways.

• Next adventure. I am riding 50 miles in all 50 states to celebrate turning 50. I've covered 12 states in just over a year (my goal was to have them done by 55...not sure that will happen). I dream about riding late at night in Alaska still in twilight; Hawaii and other states.

• Two-wheel tips. Drink more water than you think you need. Figure out what your belly needs for a long day in the saddle: it is a vital piece of information; as important as the mechanical condition of your bike.

• Join the ride. Follow James’ adventures on Instagram.

ROUTE ON MY RADAR

Huan Dao (Cycle Route One), Taiwan

Here’s what you’d be getting yourself into.

• 602 miles (968 km)

• Sleeping in hostels, hotels, B&Bs, or camping. You pick.

• Official Guide from the Taiwan Tourism Bureau - Link to PDF

• Taiwan cycling guide - youtube.com

In 2015, Taiwan built up a bike route around the entire country. At the same time, the culture was shifting to be more bike-friendly. People will say hi. Convenience shops are everywhere. The roads are smooth.

Thanks to Peter for sending me this route. Reply directly to this email to submit your own.

BIKE TRIP TIP

Stealth Camping

Stealth camping (also called Wild camping) is putting up a tent anywhere you’d like and not getting caught. It’s hidden enough that you’re not asked to leave, and comfortable enough that you can get a good night’s rest. It’s not as cushy as a campground, but it’s free and convenient. I’ve found four tiers of sites.

1. Nobody sees you.

2. Someone sees you and no one cares.

3. Someone sees you and cares but doesn’t care enough to ask you to leave.

4. Someone sees you, and you get asked to leave.

Level 1 is the best. You have peace and quiet with the convenience of being close to your route or next to civilization. Of the 25 stealth sites on my U.S. bike tour, most were just outside of towns in nature areas with tree coverage. Your first couple of times are going to be scary. That’s normal. You get more confident each time. The picture above was a great stealth site. We saw a trail outside a small town that would be quiet in the evenings. No one knew we were there and we slept great.

Here are some resources to get started with stealth camping.

• “Stealth camping” - bicyclehobo.com

• “Wild camping - how do you pick a spot” - reddit.com/biketouring

• “How to go stealth camping” - youtube.com

WHAT I’M WATCHING

Ride: A Short Film About Cycling

This film is a seven-minute feel-good journey. It’s about a local bike shop owner’s love of cycling. Ian wants to leave a legacy by creating a meeting space for the cycling community.

Watch on YouTube.

CITY

Portland, Oregon, USA

• Infrastructure. Portland has built 121 miles of bikeways since 2014.

• Cycling community. Portland is a bike-friendly culture. There are vibrant bike events, legislative backing, and a strong advocacy presence.

• Climate. You can ride year-round in Portland. Temperatures get down to 35°F (1.5°C) in the winter. It does rain a lot (160 days/year), but a little water is no match for rain pants and a fender.

• Safety. The League of American Bicyclists gave Portland a Platinum Award (their highest). The city has a great network of bike routes and safe drivers.

Stats for the Nerds

• 4.5 Terabytes. The amount of sensitive data stolen from Shimano in a ransom-wear attack. (road.cc)

• 26.2 Miles. The distance ridden by thousands of cyclists on the NYC Marathon course on the morning of the race. No cars, no stoplights, no worries. (New York Times)

• 96 Years. The age of Kelvin Chamier, an Australian man who cycles 100+ km per week. (theage.com.au)

• 85 Years. The age of “Granny Maeve”, a British woman who biked 1,000 miles around Scotland to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support in memory of her three children. (Men’s Journal)

• 100 kph. The wind speeds at the Dutch Headwind Championships. It was deemed too dangerous for participants and the event was canceled. (GCN)

• 1000+. The number of bikes donated by Portland Gear Hub in Portland, Maine in the past decade. (News Center Maine)

A Note From Sam

Feel free to reply directly to this email and share any feedback or ideas you have. I will reply to everyone.

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