So I got an email from an executive vice president at Washington Federal a couple of weeks ago saying they did not have anything for me at this time, but they may in the next few months. It was kind of disappointing, as that was my best job lead. I had been applying since Christmas and had not heard back from any one yet. Yesterday I got a phone call from Umpqua Bank about a job I applied to last week. I have an interview scheduled for next Tuesday for a Data Analyst position at the bank headquarters in Roseburg, OR. I feel good after getting an interview for the first job I applied to that I could say that I have a masters degree instead of I will have a masters by this date. I'm sure that that helps.
Today I biked up past Coburg. It was damp but not raining and about 50 degrees. I had never biked up there before and thought that it would be fun. There is a lot of pretty scenery out that direction and made the ride really pleasant. Coburg is a really small town and only took about a minute to bike through. I went a little ways past Coburg and enjoyed the fresh air and beautiful countryside. When it was all done I went about 22 miles this morning. Not too bad since I have not really ridden since I finished school a couple of weeks ago.
When I started this blog a couple few months ago I wanted to do a post about some of my bike gear. Having spent two winters biking nearly every day in Oregon I have figured out how to stay warm and dry during the cold and wet days. I'll admit, the first winter was not that enjoyable but I did correct all of the problems I had. So here's what I use to keep me warm and dry .
I never take it easy when I'm cycling. So I learned that there is more than one way to get wet: rain and sweat. So what I wear tries to keep the rain out, keep me warm, and still be breathable enough so that I'm not bathed in sweat. In Oregon the rainiest months are also the coldest. This means protecting yourself from the rain and the cold at the same time. Since I ride a road bike and am in a bent over position as opposed to an upright position when riding, I find it necessary to use clothing made for cycling. The shirts and jackets are longer in the back so that you are still completely covered in the riding position. So here are 10 thing that I think are needed to get through the wet Oregon winter if you are going to bike frequently. They're what I use and have found to be helpful. At the bottom is a slide show of some of the stuff.
1. Water-proof jacket
The first purchase I made when I moved here was a jacket. It was water resistant not water proof. It worked but was not great. Some parts of my upper body stayed dry during heavy rain but thats it. This year I got the same jacket but in the water proof version. It works perfectly. I'm very confident that it will keep me completely dry even on long rainy rides. It is just a light jacket. It provides no warmth. This means I can where it any time it rains, mid winter or late spring when it warms up.
2. Thermal bike jersey
Since my jacket does not provide warmth I add the warmth underneath. I'll pack the shirt I'm wearing for the day and wear either my thermal long sleeve bike jersey or thermal base layer paired with a bike jersey depending on how cold it is. The first year I just wore a long sleeve shirt of various thickness depending on the cold. This resulted in two problems. First they were too short in the back and my lower back would be exposed and cold. Second, bike clothing is designed to wick away sweat and control your body temperature. Regular clothing does not. When I used to where normal clothes I had two options: freeze my butt of the first half of the ride and be somewhat comfortable the second half or be warm the first half and sweet like a pig the second half and be covered in sweat when I got to school. Getting some thermal bike clothing takes care of both of those problems.
3. Waterproof winter gloves
Absolutely necessary. Cold wet hands make any ride unbearable. If you plan on going on some cold wet ride you have to have these.
4. Rain pants
They make some that are specific for cycling and even water proof bike tights. I just have some basic waterproof rain pants. Though if they are not specific to cycling you may need a strap or something to keep the pant leg from getting caught in the chain.
5. Shoe covers
I use these on really wet days to keep rain water and the little bit of spray that my fenders don't catch that still comes off the front tire off of my shoes.
6. Hat
I use a cap that is designed for cyclists. It keeps me warm, dry, and thin enough that I don't need to adjust my helmet when I were it.
7. Fenders
Without fenders there is a ton of spray coming off the front tire that will soak my shoes. Also there would be spray coming of of the back tire that would hit my back. I did not have fenders last year. It was messy and my shoes would fill up with water.
8. Bike rack and water-proof panniers
If you need transport something waterproof panniers will keep the water out well enough that I felt 100% comfortable transporting important homeworks and exams I was grading through the rain. I bought these when I thought I would not have funding for my last quarter and would need to carry all of my school books and stuff through the rain everyday. Luckily, I did receive funding and got to keep my office.
9. Lights
Good lights are essential to staying visible in the rain and dark. Staying visible is essential to your safety.
10. A love of the rain
Once you can ensure that you are warm and dry riding in the rain can be a lot of fun. I looked forward to the rain a lot this year, partly because I was anxious to try out my new rain gear, but also because I enjoy the rain. I can remember when I was a kid going out in a rain storm and riding around on my bike just for fun in only a t-shirt. Granted, it was during the summer and the rain was not cold and I did not care if I came home soaked, though my mom probably did. It kind of takes me back to the good old days when I was a kid and didn't really have any worries in life. To me, riding my bike is very relaxing mentally though it is generally physically stressful. And I have more than enough mental stress (especially during the first year in the Ph.D. program) and not enough physical stress, as I'm sure a lot of people in the world today do.
Today I biked up past Coburg. It was damp but not raining and about 50 degrees. I had never biked up there before and thought that it would be fun. There is a lot of pretty scenery out that direction and made the ride really pleasant. Coburg is a really small town and only took about a minute to bike through. I went a little ways past Coburg and enjoyed the fresh air and beautiful countryside. When it was all done I went about 22 miles this morning. Not too bad since I have not really ridden since I finished school a couple of weeks ago.
When I started this blog a couple few months ago I wanted to do a post about some of my bike gear. Having spent two winters biking nearly every day in Oregon I have figured out how to stay warm and dry during the cold and wet days. I'll admit, the first winter was not that enjoyable but I did correct all of the problems I had. So here's what I use to keep me warm and dry .
I never take it easy when I'm cycling. So I learned that there is more than one way to get wet: rain and sweat. So what I wear tries to keep the rain out, keep me warm, and still be breathable enough so that I'm not bathed in sweat. In Oregon the rainiest months are also the coldest. This means protecting yourself from the rain and the cold at the same time. Since I ride a road bike and am in a bent over position as opposed to an upright position when riding, I find it necessary to use clothing made for cycling. The shirts and jackets are longer in the back so that you are still completely covered in the riding position. So here are 10 thing that I think are needed to get through the wet Oregon winter if you are going to bike frequently. They're what I use and have found to be helpful. At the bottom is a slide show of some of the stuff.
1. Water-proof jacket
The first purchase I made when I moved here was a jacket. It was water resistant not water proof. It worked but was not great. Some parts of my upper body stayed dry during heavy rain but thats it. This year I got the same jacket but in the water proof version. It works perfectly. I'm very confident that it will keep me completely dry even on long rainy rides. It is just a light jacket. It provides no warmth. This means I can where it any time it rains, mid winter or late spring when it warms up.
2. Thermal bike jersey
Since my jacket does not provide warmth I add the warmth underneath. I'll pack the shirt I'm wearing for the day and wear either my thermal long sleeve bike jersey or thermal base layer paired with a bike jersey depending on how cold it is. The first year I just wore a long sleeve shirt of various thickness depending on the cold. This resulted in two problems. First they were too short in the back and my lower back would be exposed and cold. Second, bike clothing is designed to wick away sweat and control your body temperature. Regular clothing does not. When I used to where normal clothes I had two options: freeze my butt of the first half of the ride and be somewhat comfortable the second half or be warm the first half and sweet like a pig the second half and be covered in sweat when I got to school. Getting some thermal bike clothing takes care of both of those problems.
3. Waterproof winter gloves
Absolutely necessary. Cold wet hands make any ride unbearable. If you plan on going on some cold wet ride you have to have these.
4. Rain pants
They make some that are specific for cycling and even water proof bike tights. I just have some basic waterproof rain pants. Though if they are not specific to cycling you may need a strap or something to keep the pant leg from getting caught in the chain.
5. Shoe covers
I use these on really wet days to keep rain water and the little bit of spray that my fenders don't catch that still comes off the front tire off of my shoes.
6. Hat
I use a cap that is designed for cyclists. It keeps me warm, dry, and thin enough that I don't need to adjust my helmet when I were it.
7. Fenders
Without fenders there is a ton of spray coming off the front tire that will soak my shoes. Also there would be spray coming of of the back tire that would hit my back. I did not have fenders last year. It was messy and my shoes would fill up with water.
8. Bike rack and water-proof panniers
If you need transport something waterproof panniers will keep the water out well enough that I felt 100% comfortable transporting important homeworks and exams I was grading through the rain. I bought these when I thought I would not have funding for my last quarter and would need to carry all of my school books and stuff through the rain everyday. Luckily, I did receive funding and got to keep my office.
9. Lights
Good lights are essential to staying visible in the rain and dark. Staying visible is essential to your safety.
10. A love of the rain
Once you can ensure that you are warm and dry riding in the rain can be a lot of fun. I looked forward to the rain a lot this year, partly because I was anxious to try out my new rain gear, but also because I enjoy the rain. I can remember when I was a kid going out in a rain storm and riding around on my bike just for fun in only a t-shirt. Granted, it was during the summer and the rain was not cold and I did not care if I came home soaked, though my mom probably did. It kind of takes me back to the good old days when I was a kid and didn't really have any worries in life. To me, riding my bike is very relaxing mentally though it is generally physically stressful. And I have more than enough mental stress (especially during the first year in the Ph.D. program) and not enough physical stress, as I'm sure a lot of people in the world today do.
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