A couple weeks ago I met up with Jessica to help her utilize a bike of hers that had been sitting around. She moved to Portland a few years back from the midwest, and has realized that riding a bike around here could be a pretty handy way to commute to and from school.
After getting Jessica and her bike equipped with all the necessary items from the local bike shop, it was time to ride. The main problem is that she lives in the middle of the hustle and bustle of downtown. However, by taking things slowly and informing her of what to expect down the road, both of us made our way down the street with ease.
Before we attempted the route to her school, we took a detour towards the beautiful waterfront. Not only is it wonderful to see people enjoying the park at all hours, but it provides a casual atmosphere to work out the kinks on a first ride! It is amazing how much less stress we encounter when cars are not zipping by.
We took a breather at water level along the Eastbank Esplanade. It is always a beautiful view. After mastering the off-street paths, we decided it was time to master her commute.





