While we were do to ride along the pacific coast for just a few days, we had to reroute due to fires outside of the central valley and unhealthy breathing conditions. Upon our arrival in Arcata CA, it was noted that even driving in the direction we had planned was inadvisable. We were told that drivers we advised to keep windows closed and use their recycled air. No way were we about to ride through that!
Our hosts in Arcata helped us with some route planning and onward down the coast we went. Although very hilly, this route was beautiful, allowing us to ride through redwood forest's Avenue of the Giants and along coastal roads with a unique mixture of eucalyptus lined roads, farmland, plummeting cliffs and seashore coves guaranteed to lure in the curious at heart.
Because of having to abandon our original route, hosts and volunteer opps, we had to start from scratch, recreating these opportunities along the coast.
So... we have some catching up to do with our blog! Commence catch-up:
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Friday, August 8, 2008
Vay-cay on the coast
We've finally reached the Oregon coast! After days of travelling near the coast, and wondering how many lakes coastal Oregon can possibly have, we finally got a chance to fish around in some tidepools and slip and slide on seaweed fields yesterday at Sunset Bay.
On our way into Bandon we rode Seven Devils Road, which consisted of quite a few more than seven hills, as well as seven more major hills which had been labelled "devils" by some "helpful" passerby, with additional encouragement like "#6--I think?! (cartoon figure scratching its head)".
Upon reaching Bandon we conjoined with several cyclists we'd met along the way and had dinner before parting ways. They have ridden diagonally from Key West to Seattle, and are now riding down the coast. The two of them had even met one of our other cycling acquaintances while riding thru Colorado, what a coincidence!
The view here is incredible, one our hosts lives directly above the sea in a beautiful concrete bunker sort of house. By "the sea" I don't mean just waves crashing, but also cliffs, huge island-sized stones protruding from the surf, beachgrass, and so on. Our other host is just up the road with his housemates.
Today is our rest day before moving on to Gold Beach and on down the coast to California, where we have more work that we are excited to do!
Ride well!
-RGBG
On our way into Bandon we rode Seven Devils Road, which consisted of quite a few more than seven hills, as well as seven more major hills which had been labelled "devils" by some "helpful" passerby, with additional encouragement like "#6--I think?! (cartoon figure scratching its head)".
Upon reaching Bandon we conjoined with several cyclists we'd met along the way and had dinner before parting ways. They have ridden diagonally from Key West to Seattle, and are now riding down the coast. The two of them had even met one of our other cycling acquaintances while riding thru Colorado, what a coincidence!
The view here is incredible, one our hosts lives directly above the sea in a beautiful concrete bunker sort of house. By "the sea" I don't mean just waves crashing, but also cliffs, huge island-sized stones protruding from the surf, beachgrass, and so on. Our other host is just up the road with his housemates.
Today is our rest day before moving on to Gold Beach and on down the coast to California, where we have more work that we are excited to do!
Ride well!
-RGBG
Friday, August 1, 2008
Longview to Olson Woods
There is some contention amongst the group as to which part of the journey has been the most harrowing, the trip over the border from Washington to Oregon on the bridge over the Columbia, or the approximately 10 mile stretch we rode on I-5 past Fort Lewis.
After crossing the bridge we applauded our ability to fight the wind and steer past the many debris successfully and without finding our way into traffic, under one of the many "wide load" trucks that passed at high speed.
Travelling along Highway 30 in the morning hours the temperature stayed cool and the skies sprinkled light rain intermittently. We passed a small wildfire that still smoldered, ground charred and still smoking, tree trunks blackened--all undergrowth burned away. There were light delays, but we rode past pretty quickly on the shoulder, and were only slowed by a few minutes' wait.
Upon reaching Portland we stopped at a pub for minimal refreshment and then carried on to the REI for a few bike and camping related sundries, then wandered around looking for the light rail. At Union Station we came across a pedi-cabber, who, after letting Laura and Liz ferry him about in his pedi-cab for a bit around the median, was happy to lead us to the Old Town light rail station.
Departing at Beaverton Transit Center we rode out, following the instructions our host had given us, and saw an amazing sight on the horizon: a series of rainbows in ever brighter shades, the array numbering approximately six or seven iterations, as well as a single twin further off to the side.
Twisting and turning along the multi-use path, we finally came to a softball lot, where our host met us and led us on to their household. On arrival we were greeted with a late meal of pasta and lots of fresh fruit and conversation. Exhausted, we finally retired so we could get up early to tour and work at a local site.
At the Watershed, a senior housing project in Hillsdale created by CPAH (Community Partners for Affordable Housing), we sat in on a meeting where some of the builders and management discussed the various green aspects of the building in relation to their residents, as well as other aspects of daily life including plans for health awareness days and so forth.
After the meeting we toured the building, a beautiful LEEDS-certified project which includes dual flush toilets, a heat recovery system, a grey-water system, native plant landscaping, roof-top gardening, passive solar, use of recycled and low-VOC materials, day-lighting, and an entirely non-smoking facility. The building is built on a former brownfield that had existed in disuse since the childhood of one of the board members.
At Olson Woods we ate a quick lunch and did an interview with a reporter before touring one of the apartments and then getting down to work mulching one of the walking paths with recycled tree clippings.
Olson Woods is a multi-family cottage-style development in Tigard (near Portland). We have seen several cottage-style deveopments, and like them more and more the more we see! Cottage-style means that there is a central parking area, then the houses are all clustered around a central area where residents can congregate. Olson Woods was vital, with children playing, volunteers milling about spending time with them, and residents coming and going thru the community center (yes, community center!) for various programs including a food bank program.
At Olson Woods we saw how they had re-structured an existing non-functional wetland into a functional one that now absorbs stormwater and has also become a revitalized habitat for many local species. Other use of green building techniques included minimal carpeting, perveous pavers, hardi-plank siding, and they also treat residents to complimentary green cleaning products, as well as recipes to make green cleaning solutions of their own.
Residences are close to numerous commercial businesses where many of the common working force are employed, thus reducing need for car commuting and enabling bus, bike, and other non-car transit options.
Something different about this development from the H4H developments we have toured previously is that CPAH retains ownership of the units, and tenants rent, rather than own. Thus CPAH is able to seek investors, who are looking to take a loss on the investment to offset gains made thru other investments, thus resulting in a tax break.
We were really thankful for the hospitality of our hosts in Beaverton, the Fink family, who opened their home to us and even hosted a CPAH "happy hour" event so we could meet and talk with many local community members.
You can visit CPAH at: www.cpahinc.org
Hope you are riding safe and enjoying your summer!
-Nova, RGBG
After crossing the bridge we applauded our ability to fight the wind and steer past the many debris successfully and without finding our way into traffic, under one of the many "wide load" trucks that passed at high speed.
Travelling along Highway 30 in the morning hours the temperature stayed cool and the skies sprinkled light rain intermittently. We passed a small wildfire that still smoldered, ground charred and still smoking, tree trunks blackened--all undergrowth burned away. There were light delays, but we rode past pretty quickly on the shoulder, and were only slowed by a few minutes' wait.
Upon reaching Portland we stopped at a pub for minimal refreshment and then carried on to the REI for a few bike and camping related sundries, then wandered around looking for the light rail. At Union Station we came across a pedi-cabber, who, after letting Laura and Liz ferry him about in his pedi-cab for a bit around the median, was happy to lead us to the Old Town light rail station.
Departing at Beaverton Transit Center we rode out, following the instructions our host had given us, and saw an amazing sight on the horizon: a series of rainbows in ever brighter shades, the array numbering approximately six or seven iterations, as well as a single twin further off to the side.
Twisting and turning along the multi-use path, we finally came to a softball lot, where our host met us and led us on to their household. On arrival we were greeted with a late meal of pasta and lots of fresh fruit and conversation. Exhausted, we finally retired so we could get up early to tour and work at a local site.
At the Watershed, a senior housing project in Hillsdale created by CPAH (Community Partners for Affordable Housing), we sat in on a meeting where some of the builders and management discussed the various green aspects of the building in relation to their residents, as well as other aspects of daily life including plans for health awareness days and so forth.
After the meeting we toured the building, a beautiful LEEDS-certified project which includes dual flush toilets, a heat recovery system, a grey-water system, native plant landscaping, roof-top gardening, passive solar, use of recycled and low-VOC materials, day-lighting, and an entirely non-smoking facility. The building is built on a former brownfield that had existed in disuse since the childhood of one of the board members.
At Olson Woods we ate a quick lunch and did an interview with a reporter before touring one of the apartments and then getting down to work mulching one of the walking paths with recycled tree clippings.
Olson Woods is a multi-family cottage-style development in Tigard (near Portland). We have seen several cottage-style deveopments, and like them more and more the more we see! Cottage-style means that there is a central parking area, then the houses are all clustered around a central area where residents can congregate. Olson Woods was vital, with children playing, volunteers milling about spending time with them, and residents coming and going thru the community center (yes, community center!) for various programs including a food bank program.
At Olson Woods we saw how they had re-structured an existing non-functional wetland into a functional one that now absorbs stormwater and has also become a revitalized habitat for many local species. Other use of green building techniques included minimal carpeting, perveous pavers, hardi-plank siding, and they also treat residents to complimentary green cleaning products, as well as recipes to make green cleaning solutions of their own.
Residences are close to numerous commercial businesses where many of the common working force are employed, thus reducing need for car commuting and enabling bus, bike, and other non-car transit options.
Something different about this development from the H4H developments we have toured previously is that CPAH retains ownership of the units, and tenants rent, rather than own. Thus CPAH is able to seek investors, who are looking to take a loss on the investment to offset gains made thru other investments, thus resulting in a tax break.
We were really thankful for the hospitality of our hosts in Beaverton, the Fink family, who opened their home to us and even hosted a CPAH "happy hour" event so we could meet and talk with many local community members.
You can visit CPAH at: www.cpahinc.org
Hope you are riding safe and enjoying your summer!
-Nova, RGBG
Monday, July 28, 2008
3 days bikes + 1 day volunteering = happy
Today marked our first day off our bikes and onto the jobsite. Now in Longview, we worked on one of the local affiliate's houses which is pretty near complete. Within the next two months, the house will be ready for move in, due to the huge dedication and will of local volunteers. Usually, to accomodate for work schedules and the like, the volunteer days happen on Saturdays, however they opened up the project for us today so that we could help out. Our main tasks included texturing the primed drywall surfaces, and building outdoor deck space. Much to the amusement of others, Nova and Liz ended up completely covered in spackle, and fortunately enough for Nova and Liz, it came right off.
The local affiliate remains relatively small at this point, with the hopes of growing larger. They build about two houses a year, in a town of 35,000. Len, the local director, said that it's been a real challenge to get people interested in green building methods, but they're doing their best with green appliances and fixtures, insulation methods, and offering a $1000 "bonus package" to the homeowner, that allows them to select particular features.
So far, we've been fortunate enough to encounter fantastic hospitality and generosity from the people who've hosted us. Longview has been absolutely delightful because of this. Tonight, at Len's house, we even made some turtle friends.
Liz
The local affiliate remains relatively small at this point, with the hopes of growing larger. They build about two houses a year, in a town of 35,000. Len, the local director, said that it's been a real challenge to get people interested in green building methods, but they're doing their best with green appliances and fixtures, insulation methods, and offering a $1000 "bonus package" to the homeowner, that allows them to select particular features.
So far, we've been fortunate enough to encounter fantastic hospitality and generosity from the people who've hosted us. Longview has been absolutely delightful because of this. Tonight, at Len's house, we even made some turtle friends.
Liz
Saturday, July 26, 2008
leg 2: from olympia to chehalis, staring clipless newbies, buffalo jerky and some whimpy hills
ahhh man. what a day. i think we were all actually pleasantly surprised to hop on our bikes this morning and actually feel comfortable. we were in pretty good spirits, after our incredible hosts last night. they really took care of us. we arrived only to be greeted with pizza, beer, air mattresses, a swimming pool, outdoor WARM shower, pool table, shuffle board, ping pong table, awesome dog name Emma, cat, salad... the list goes on. totally unexpected and marvelous! Gary and Penny were excited about our green affordable housing mission and had all sorts of ideas for next years RGBG tour. 2 days in and we're gaining momentum!
At todays end, after stuffing our face with a large assortment of food (we're burning about 1,500 calories a day) we're all settling into St. John's Lutherans. Yet another cushy accommodation this evening. we're sleeping in a nursery. next to the box of lincoln logs. The Safeway down the street was having it's grand opening. What does this mean? samples. lots and lots of samples. As Mike was checking out he won and Ipod! It was pretty ridiculous-- upon returning to the church to cook up our stir fried rice, Nova pulled all the groceries out of the bags........ "um, where's the rice?" They look on her face was priceless.
Mike agreed to ride back and pick-up the main ingredient for dinner.
Alex, the volunteer coordinator from HFH Olympia, gave us a tour of some green affordable homes. Some highlights: pervious pavement, cottage style layout, on demand water heaters and radiant floor heating (which we actually found out HFH OLY was not such a fan of, as if they break, they are very costly to fix-- not such an awesome thing for a low income family-- or for anyone for that matter!), low VOC interior paints, hearty plank siding, minimal carpeting to minimize off-gas, insulated concrete forms, bio soils and native wild landscaping, recycled tiles,
to name a few!
Alex hooked us up with powerbars and gatoraide, gave us a tour of the ReStore and sent us on our way!
Actually, we detoured to the farmers market. got some amazing beef jerky trail mix! (we're burning about 1,500 calories a day.) We've unofficially named the tour Ride, Eat, Build Green. We just can't stop stuffing our faces!
Nova got a flat. She counted six holes in her tube. It rained on us a bit too. One big thick mist of WET! Not too pleasant (especially for those riding behind riders that got laxidazical about fender instalation.)
Overall today was a really great ride-- about 42 miles through some beutiful country side.
At todays end, after stuffing our face with a large assortment of food (we're burning about 1,500 calories a day) we're all settling into St. John's Lutherans. Yet another cushy accommodation this evening. we're sleeping in a nursery. next to the box of lincoln logs. The Safeway down the street was having it's grand opening. What does this mean? samples. lots and lots of samples. As Mike was checking out he won and Ipod! It was pretty ridiculous-- upon returning to the church to cook up our stir fried rice, Nova pulled all the groceries out of the bags........ "um, where's the rice?" They look on her face was priceless.
Mike agreed to ride back and pick-up the main ingredient for dinner.
Alex, the volunteer coordinator from HFH Olympia, gave us a tour of some green affordable homes. Some highlights: pervious pavement, cottage style layout, on demand water heaters and radiant floor heating (which we actually found out HFH OLY was not such a fan of, as if they break, they are very costly to fix-- not such an awesome thing for a low income family-- or for anyone for that matter!), low VOC interior paints, hearty plank siding, minimal carpeting to minimize off-gas, insulated concrete forms, bio soils and native wild landscaping, recycled tiles,
to name a few!
Alex hooked us up with powerbars and gatoraide, gave us a tour of the ReStore and sent us on our way!
Actually, we detoured to the farmers market. got some amazing beef jerky trail mix! (we're burning about 1,500 calories a day.) We've unofficially named the tour Ride, Eat, Build Green. We just can't stop stuffing our faces!
Nova got a flat. She counted six holes in her tube. It rained on us a bit too. One big thick mist of WET! Not too pleasant (especially for those riding behind riders that got laxidazical about fender instalation.)
Overall today was a really great ride-- about 42 miles through some beutiful country side.
Friday, July 25, 2008
First Day!
Most of the riders, except for Nova (who joined everyone in South Seattle, closer to her home), gathered near the Montlake Bridge this morning to depart. Elise had some gear/chain trouble which we managed to fix thanks to a chain tool. There is always a hitch, and Jesse reports that mechanical troubles continued through the day, but everyone arrived safely!
The riders arrived in Olympia this evening to reportedly great hosting from the family of Eric, a friend of Liz's. Food, drink, and restful sleep awaits!
Here are a few photos of the preparations this morning. As I have not yet joined everyone (I am taking the train to Eugene next Saturday) I hope that they will be able to post their own thoughts as they journey through Washington and northern Oregon.
-Erica
The riders arrived in Olympia this evening to reportedly great hosting from the family of Eric, a friend of Liz's. Food, drink, and restful sleep awaits!
Here are a few photos of the preparations this morning. As I have not yet joined everyone (I am taking the train to Eugene next Saturday) I hope that they will be able to post their own thoughts as they journey through Washington and northern Oregon.
-Erica
Monday, July 21, 2008
Departure on Friday!
Ride Green Build Green is leaving Seattle on Friday morning! We have seven riders. If you would like to ride with us for a portion of the trip, please get in touch! We are still fundraising and still looking for funds for rider support (food, etc.).
The first few days of our schedule are as follows:
7/25 Seattle - Olympia
7/26 Olympia (Habitat for Humanity tour) - Centralia/Chehalis
7/27 Centralia/Chehalis - Longview-Kelso
7/28 Volunteer at Cowlitz County Habitat for Humanity
7/29 Longview-Kelso - Portland/Beaverton
7/30 Tour Olson Woods Community Partners for Affordable Housing
7/31 Tour Portland's Habitat for Humanity LEED Development
8/1 Portland/Beaverton - Salem
8/2 Salem - Eugene
8/2 Eugene (looking for volunteer opportunities or community events in this town! we would love to set up an impromptu potluck or other event to talk with people about green affordable housing!)
8/3 Eugene (see above)
8/4 Eugene - Florence
If you live along this route, particularly in Olympia, Salem, or Florence and have room for us to sleep in your backyard or inside your house (or on your church property, or any other place!), or would like to organize an event for your local community group and us to chat (non-profits, schools, summer camps) please let us know!
We are also available to speak with representatives of the media about our cause and our journey.
The first few days of our schedule are as follows:
7/25 Seattle - Olympia
7/26 Olympia (Habitat for Humanity tour) - Centralia/Chehalis
7/27 Centralia/Chehalis - Longview-Kelso
7/28 Volunteer at Cowlitz County Habitat for Humanity
7/29 Longview-Kelso - Portland/Beaverton
7/30 Tour Olson Woods Community Partners for Affordable Housing
7/31 Tour Portland's Habitat for Humanity LEED Development
8/1 Portland/Beaverton - Salem
8/2 Salem - Eugene
8/2 Eugene (looking for volunteer opportunities or community events in this town! we would love to set up an impromptu potluck or other event to talk with people about green affordable housing!)
8/3 Eugene (see above)
8/4 Eugene - Florence
If you live along this route, particularly in Olympia, Salem, or Florence and have room for us to sleep in your backyard or inside your house (or on your church property, or any other place!), or would like to organize an event for your local community group and us to chat (non-profits, schools, summer camps) please let us know!
We are also available to speak with representatives of the media about our cause and our journey.
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