Incredibly Steep

Portland Oregon bicyclists tackle hills in Tour de Flanders style in the Ronde van Portlandia. Two incredibly steep hills to suffer through - Brynwood and College Avenue in the Portland West Hills.

The ride was a nearly spontaneous undertaking that in the end attracted about a hundred riders willing to tackle the local hills. The rain only added to the Flanders effect - at least in my experience both places seem to attract the wet stuff.

I filmed the beginning scene and then handed the camera to my wife with some suggestions for locations. It was edited on a Mac with Final Cut. Music is done with SonicFire Pro and I felt captured the mood of the ride.

I don't know that it will become an annual ride, but the hills are there all the time for the undertaking.

James Thomas
www.flybynightpro.com

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• bicycle
• race
• hill
• climb
• Portland
• Oregon
• cyclist
• James
• Thomas

[1RadNomad]

It's funny reading posts calling these guys "pussies" etc and laughing at their gear ratios. They might not be tour champs but they're out there, in the rain, on steep inclines, challenging their limits and having a great time with friends. If you criticize that then you're a fool. Nice movie too.

[docvox]

@1RadNomad Thanks much. It's a great ride and I have continued to do it.

[climb20percents]

Where is this actually?

[docvox]

@climb20percents West Hills of Portland Oregon - the ridge above the downtown

[fordmustang51]

@echprelude if you didn't notice it's raining and the roads are all wet. it's very common to use fenders when the roads are wet. besides who are you to criticize these riders? lets see you do it

[MrSuperbizzle]

fucking gravity :(

[josmolly]

I live in Flanders. I had no idea that the "Ronde Van Vlaanderen" is also alive among riders on the other side of the ocean. Nice video. Loved the dramatic music. It goes so well with the feeling you get riding steep hills: drama... ;-)

[xmateinc]

Nice when I get out to Portland I'm gonna hit these! I'm riding my trek 520 across country and moving to Portland this summer! My SLX cassette would eat these hills, even with my bike fully loaded!

[MarsJohny]

have not 28T ? holyshit

[MrHifonics]

OOOHHH YEAHHHH! i would like to have a go on this hill, but going down hill! THUMBS UP!

[tipuppy2011]

@bffaris 34 -this 27? and still have trouble? Compacts are for pussies and a 27 on a road bike? WTF?

[dannyskater]

shimano mega range FTW

[markyboy28able99]

those pussies need to build up their quads.

[NewlandTiger75]

Cycling unites nationalities