Kimberly Hauze

When I originally registered for the EcoChallenge in the summer, I set out to challenge myself to increase the number of days I bike to work. At that time I said I would like to ride to work 2 days each week, however, in this case more IS better.

Since then I completed the BTA's Bike Commuter Challenge and rode to work all but one working day in September. That's my best year at 180 miles for work commuting only in September! Now my EcoChallenge goal is to keep up that momentum in the rain! My goal is to continue bike commuting to work and use my bike for as many transportation needs as I can every day.

My EcoChallenge Blog

October 17th, 2011

I topped off my final day of the EcoChallenge with a massive two-stop grocery shopping trip. I knew there were a lot of things on my list, so I brought a buddy to help carry the extra load. It might be time to get a trailer!

Thanks, NWEI, for motivating me to become an all-weather, consistent bike commuter. I'm having an awesome journey.

October 14th, 2011

My son is responsible for my success today. I was tired and feeling lazy this morning and I considered riding the bus. I asked him what he wanted to do--bus or bike. He wanted to ride. And so we did. It was a beautiful morning with pink-bottomed clouds from the sunrise.

October 13th, 2011

Today's commute was the opposite of yesterday's. I left the house at 6am. It was so early that I only encountered 8 other cyclists on the way in. At this early hour it was dark, quiet and desolate. On my bike boulevard I saw one runner, a couple taking a stroll wearing headlamps and a man walking a dog. The moon was still shining through gaps in the cloud cover. Crossing the bridge into downtown, the lit city skyline shone brightly. It was serene and lovely.

My last few blocks were a bit odd, however, as I came up Main Street through Occupy Portland. Hours earlier, the police had cleared the street of the protest blockades and Main Street was once again open to vehicle and bike traffic. I felt pretty exposed as I came up the block and stopped at the red light with no less than 100 police officers flanking both sides of one very short block. They watched me the entire way. It was very eerie.

October 12th, 2011

It was a later commute this morning. Wet, but no rain. A bit of sunshine pushed its way through the clouds. It's amazing how many more cars are on the road at 8:00 as opposed to 7:00.

October 11th, 2011

Earlier this year I enjoyed Ben Schott's NYT Op-Chart of pluvial terminology. I cut it out and taped it up by the front door.

As I rode home yesterday, I was reminded about this resource as a short downpour of large drops deluged me. These drops landed with heavy thuds against my rain gear. What to call this brief outburst from the sky?

Most of the rain I've encountered on bike has been a drow or a mizzle. Last night it platched. I enjoyed the pitter-patter of the drops on my head and shoulders. They echoed beautifully.

October 9th, 2011

My best EcoChallenge success this weekend was today's errand trip, where I carried home a 20-pound bag of cat litter, a case of cat food, a half gallon of milk and other assorted groceries by bike. I could really feel the burden of the extra ~30 pounds on my rack, but I still made it up the steep hill home. You can see the picture on NWEI's Facebook wall.

Rain is in the forecast for the next two days. I described to a friend today how the gray/rainy days of fall have such a different effect on my mood since I became a part of them by riding daily. Being a part of the rain, as opposed to feeling rained on is a striking contrast I am just beginning to appreciate.

October 7th, 2011

Fridays are my favorite day, not just because it's the lead-in to the weekend. I get to be the school mom on Fridays, which means I take my 10yo son to school. Last year it meant riding two public transit buses with him in the morning. However, this school year we ride our bikes downtown in the morning and park in my employer's bike cage. From there we ride the bus to his SW Portland school.

This morning we donned our rain gear and came downtown on our bikes. This was our first rainy ride this school year. We enjoyed a misty commute and he did a good job navigating the downtown detour around the Occupy Portland encampment.

Last Friday he and I rode our bikes from home all the way to school (a 10-mile one-way trip into hilly SW Portland) and back home again in the evening. Perhaps we'll do a repeat next Friday to celebrate the end of the EcoChallenge.

One motivation to continue riding in this weather is having a buddy to commute with. My favorite and most inspiring buddy is my son.

October 6th, 2011

I'm starting to happily embrace being an all-weather bike commuter. I put on my rain gear now at the first sign of rain drops. With a few rainy commutes under my belt I'm feeling more confident, too.

I also reflected that I made this transition without any major investment in new gear. Fortunately I already owned rain pants and had a waterproof jacket (although not a fancy yellow one that you so often see on cyclists in Portland). My bike has no fenders, yet I'm getting by without. Earlier this summer we purchased large waterproof panniers to help transport our CSA share home. I think the only investment I made for this endeavor was a new coffee mug to replace the one that was leaking in my bag.

This morning I rode to my early morning doctor's appointment, then to the office. After work I will run an errand, go home and then head off to evening activities with my son. It's a great feeling to do everything by bike.

October 5th, 2011

Another cool, dry ride this morning. There was even a bit of blue sky! A nice reprieve after heavy rain on the ride home and while running errands last night. I'm still learning when to pull over and put my rain pants on. Lesson from last night: even if it's a short ride, it's best to pull over and suit up. I'll get the hang of becoming an all-weather bike commuter with more time and practice!

October 4th, 2011

A mostly dry, but cool ride in this morning. The clouds were whipped into interesting layers of color and texture. I'm glad I stopped to snap a photo of the quickly changing colors of the morning sunrise behind me.

October 3rd, 2011

Day 3 Riding: To work in the rain. To workout in threat of rain. Home again in the rain.

Check out the photo of the bike parking at work. Looks more like a laundry room.

October 3rd, 2011

Eco Challenge Day 1: After dropping my son off for a playdate (by car), I was pleased to be able to do my few errands on foot in the afternoon. A great time to see the beauty in the neighborhood. I can't figured out how to post pictures here, so check out the NWEI Facebook wall for a picture. Eco Challenge Day 2: We needed a few items at the store, so I hopped on my bike and traveled the wet roads to get there. It started to sprinkle as I was chatting with a friend at the park. We hopped on our bikes, did our shopping and happily pedaled home with our wares. A very refreshing afternoon. EcoChallenge Day 3: the first work day of the EcoChallenge. I suited up in rain gear and hopped on my bike at normal time. It was a great ride and wasn't pouring. It's hard to feel like a rock star for riding five miles (mostly downhill) in the rain when you cross the bridge and see the folks doing a Boot Camp workout by Salmon Street Fountain. They were working so much harder than I was and THEY weren't waterproofed! Rock on in the rain, Portland!

Comments

From: Mike Mercer

Hi Kim, Thanks for stepping up so big during the challenge. Hey, the rain is fun. It is all about the gear and fenders. the latter being more important than the former.

From: Sonya Norris

Hi Kim! I just got your pledge info this morning but Gmail says the message is 8 days old. FYI. Sonya

From: Patricia Richardson

What a great self-challenge and achievement! I actually got on my bike yesterday, too! Good Luck!

From: Sylvia Bradley

I admire your accomplishments this year, in biking to work so often!

From: Donald Hauze

Sorry, we were a little late on this!

(back to list of individuals)

My EcoChallenge(s)

Alternative Transportation

My Fundraising Goal

$200

My Pledge Tally

$200

My Pledgers

• Sonya Norris
• Patricia Richardson
• Sylvia Bradley
• Ruth Miller
• Kimberly Hauze
• Donald Hauze