From Georgia to Seattle: A diagonal transition
Before joining our staff in June 2012, Ellison Fidler worked, lived and biked in Athens, GA. Since making the diagonal transition from Georgia to the Pacific Northwest over a year ago, Ellison has had to adapt to Seattle, its hills and its weather, and that hasn't always come easy. She recently wrote about her lessons, discoveries and two-wheeled experiences for the BikeAthens newsletter.
"Rain
Embracing rain is something I’ve had to learn. I’ve still got a long ways to go if I’m ever going to be a ‘real Seattleite,' but I’ve made strides in the right direction. What immediately struck me is that so many people hop on their bike and just ride to work. To them, it really is that simple...I’m a much bigger wimp so it’s taken some getting used to. There are 5 things that have made a huge difference though: fenders, rain pants, glasses, a waterproof backpack, and a change of clothes. When their powers combine I feel pretty invincible!...Dirt
One of the things I’ve missed is mountain biking. I moved to a place known for its epic trails and I’ve only gotten out on some dirt 3 times in the last year. While there are some really neat places to ride there aren’t that many within riding distance...Seattle is a much bigger place so getting out to some of the great spots can take over an hour if traffic is bad. It requires directions, bike racks, and planning. Don’t get me wrong, the trails are beautiful it’s just the simplicity of accessing a trail in your neighborhood that I miss...Faux Pas
Have you ever seen someone trying to navigate chopsticks for the first time in a restaurant that doesn’t serve the food with a fork? First they look for the familiar fork, next they approach the utensils provided, then they look around to see how other people are making use of the tool, and finally they give it a shot and try not to look like a fool. This is how I felt navigating a variety of bicycle infrastructure I’ve come across in Seattle...Topography
On my first day to work I googled the shortest way to the office. I thought it was going to be a leisurely 6 mile ride and would take me no time at all. It turns out some bicycle hating glaciers carved out several very deep grooves across Seattle and turned my leisurely commute into hill repeats with about 400 feet of elevation gain. Never in Athens did I ever fully appreciate the smallest gears on by bike and never have I spent so much time pedaling in them... "
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