He fell about 20 feet and after the attack

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Jay Hamlin was just wrapping up a 3-hour bike ride on July 11 and was nearly back to his Gresham home when things took a sudden turn.

He noticed two guys near SE 128th and Ellis on the Springwater Corridor.

“They didn’t look like a threat,” Hamlin said. “The next thing I know, I’m flying headfirst into a patch of blackberry bushes down this little ravine.”

Jay Hamlin said he was pushed off his bike and fell 20 feet into blackberry bushes on the Springwater Corridor. (KOIN)

He was pushed off his bike but his foot got trapped in the frame, so the suspects started pulling.

Jay Hamlin’s bike was stolen after he was attacked on the Springwater Corridor. (Courtesy of Jay Hamlin)

“And every time they tug, it hurts more,” he said. “It hurts more and they tug, and pull and tug and yell.”

Hamlin fell about 20 feet and frantically called 911 — but the suspects got away. They took off with his custom-made bike worth thousands of dollars.

The Colnago C-60 is likely the only one like it in Portland.

“It stands out pretty well,” Hamlin said. “It’s a special bike.”

Someone caught one of the suspects on video riding Hamlin’s bike near SE 86th and Powell on Wednesday, July 18.

Hamlin hopes he’ll get his “baby” back soon and despite his sprained neck and fractured ankle, be able to get back to his hobby and the freedom he loves so much.

“It’s been my life for so long, I know I’ll get back into it eventually,” he said. “I’ve been on too many adventures now to stop.”

Hamlin said the Springwater Corridor is the “wild west” and more needs to be done to keep people safe.

If you have any information about the attack or bike, contact police at 503.823.3333.