Elaine, the super cycle-commuter
I have a friend, who cycle-commutes regularly, from SE Portland all the way out to Beaverton, and she’s always wearing the cutest outfits. I’ve often wondered how she pulls it off, riding her bike on a daily basis, and not damaging her wardrobe. She’ll show up for downtown events, meetings or lunch, and always looks great. Elaine sat down with me and gave me a few tips for new urban riders.
Elaine says it’s better to be safe than sorry. She always takes her raingear with her, even if the weather report has her geared up for sunshine. With Portland’s many different microclimates, Elaine recommends layering your clothes, choosing items that can be easily added or shed, as the temperature dictates. Don’t be afraid to ride in street clothes; at the same time, she cautions that a chain guard for your bike, to protect your clothes, is essential. Since you’re using your bike as a transportation alternative, you don’t have to treat it as a workout — if you don’t want to. Keep to a relaxing pace, enjoy the scenery, and you’ll arrive at your destination fresh and dry. In the winter months, good bike lights are essential for your safety.
From Hawthorne, cycle-communters should aim for Madison Street to cross the Hawthorne Bridge, leading to downtown and Max. Hawthorne is busy, so it’s best to take side streets where there is less traffic. Follow the Metro green signs for the best routes and pick up a “Bike There” map for ideas. If your destination is further west, Elaine suggests riding all the way to Goose Hollow; it’s faster that sitting through all the downtown light rail stops.
A great space saver, the folding bike, from Coventry Cycleworks.
To get used to Max, try it once on a weekend to get the hang of it. Look for the cars with blue handicapped stickers in the window; their doors open to street level, enabling you to simply roll on your bike. And these cars have bike hooks inside. The hooks are easy to use: just pull your front wheel up and slide it over an available hook.
For fun rides, head over to Ladd’s addition and hook up with Market Street, which will lead you to OMSI. From there, you can take the Esplanade loop along the edge of the Willamette River. Head south from that same point, and you can ride to Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge and connect to the Springwater Corridor, as well as other parts of the 40-Mile Loop recreational trail system.
Now for what to ride: Elaine’s choice is a low maintenance “city bike”, with an upright riding position, comfy seat and easy step-through frame design. But there are many other options out there, and Hawthorne has three great specialty bike shops that can fit you to almost any style. Coventry Cycle Works, at 20th, specializes in folding, recumbent, tricycles, cargo bikes and many more models. Clever Cycles, at 9th, features city bikes, folding, cargo, family and kid’s bikes. And Veloce Bicycles, at 32nd, specializes in road bikes. With their own racing team, Veloce Bicycles is known for its custom-fitting service and custom-built bikes. All three shops carry helmets and accessories to outfit you and your bike, as well as keep
it maintained.
Marilyn of Coventry Cycles and the unfolded bike.
A folding bike is a great idea for commuters who want the ease of keeping their bike inside their home and office. One of the best models is the “Tikit”, made in Eugene, by Bike Friday. You can carry it just about anywhere, and it folds down small enough to fit inside a small closet or even under your desk.