Date: October 2, 2024
Time: 9:12 am
Temp: 51° F / 11° C - Humidity: 91%
Weather forecast: Rain and patchy fog early, then showers for the afternoon. High 63F. Winds NE at 6 mph. Chance of rain 100%. (So, basically, it's bring-a-sponge-for-your-face weather.)
Employee Name: Evan
Role: Digital Marketplace Manager
What did you wear to work today?
Cloudburst Hoodie
Timberline Pants
Rogue Pants (for the office)
Cross Point Knit Waterproof Gloves: Sport Touchscreen
Party Shirt International (it's Funky Shirt Friday!)
Five Ten Freerider Pro
Why did you choose these items?
Comfort, style, and balance. Fall rain in Portland, Oregon, is usually gentle, but when it picks up and puddles become mini-lakes, I gear up head-to-toe like I'm going deep-sea fishing. And I've got a change of pants and my party shirt with me for the office because who wants to sit in wet gear all day?
I like to start my rides cool because I run warm. The Cloudburst jacket and Timberline pants have plenty of vents I can open as I ride to stay thermoregulated. Also, did I mention it's Funky Shirt Friday?
There's a common saying around Showers Pass: "The Cloudburst Hoodie is the staff favorite jacket." It's true- I think it's perfect for bike commuting, running, and those moments when you feel like you're in a slow-paced documentary—gliding through the rain on your way to a coffee shop, with a soothing voiceover narrating your journey. It's also an exceptional travel jacket that's seen me through plenty of adventures, always ready for surprise downpours and questionable scenic routes.
What distance is your commute? How long does it take?
My commute is ~5 miles and usually takes ~20 minutes or more, depending on detours.
What kind of streets and bike infrastructure are on your route?
I feel so fortunate to live and bike in Portland. In the southeast quadrant of our city, we have numerous neighborhood greenways and an extinct volcano park called Mount Tabor. There are very few bike lanes on my routes, and the grid of neighborhood streets connects Portland's busy areas in a very accessible way. Busy crossings have dedicated traffic signals and under-street bike sensors that detect riders waiting to cross. I pass dozens of fellow cyclists as I ride.
How comfortable were you on your commute this morning? Would you change anything?
Very. My outfit felt perfect for today's conditions. I start cold, but I can fully or partially climb Mount Tabor and then race downhill to the office. I chose to climb to the top but did have to change quickly after arriving at the office—riding warm and wet means being ready for a wardrobe change.
What else did you bring with you? How did you carry it?
Lunch and bike accessories, including lights, a multi-tool, a patch kit, and a tire pump.
Tell us about your bike!
Bikes! Yay, bikes! Okay, I have to pick just one bike to talk about? Fine. I can do this. Our CEO, Kyle, started an e-bike company, VVolt, a few years ago, and I have one of the first production models: the VVolt Alpha. It's decked out with Portland Design Works fenders, Surly Corner Bars, and a 24-pack Rack with a Porteur House Bag—a regular bike bag wasn't enough for my impulsive grocery shopping style.
I chose a two-tone black-and-white color scheme and named her Bessie because her coloring reminds me of a cow. Fun fact: did you know cows can run up to 25 miles per hour?
