CLACKAMAS COUNTY, Ore. - A bike commuter said he was attacked by a group of nearly a dozen guys while riding at night on a popular Portland-area trail last week.

Dave Miller said the suspects stepped out of the darkness, robbing and punching him and even stomping on his face as he headed down the Springwater Corridor Wednesday evening.

At the time, he was riding to a metal fabrication plant, where he was supposed to work the graveyard shift. The trail was deserted except for him and his attackers, he said.

"They were saying, 'Don't mess with the 182' - I don't remember what the number was - some gang number," he said.

They stole his yellow Specialized Rockhopper mountain bike.

Dennis Wyman at the Bike Gallery said he was not deterred from using the trail after hearing of the attack.

He does think security on the corridor should be stronger.

"But I've never see a bicycle cop out there, and I ride it probably 10 times a week," Wyman said.

Dave Miller said he would like to see officers patrolling the trail - as well as lights.

Until he feels safer, he said he plans to find a different path to work.

"I don't want the same thing to happen again," he said. "The pain - I don't want to have to go through again if I don't have to. "

Portand police officials said officers patrol the trail in the Sellwood area. Most of the trail runs through Clackamas County and Milwaukie, however. Spokesmen for the police there did not know of any regular bike patrols.