Women on Bikes Series: Katie Harris
Photo Credit: Camrin Dengel |
I first started riding
as a little kiddo, on the streets in my neighborhood in Wyoming. Knowing how
much I love bikes now, people are always surprised to hear that I didn’t take
my training wheels off until 5th grade! Being a late bloomer didn’t seem to get
in my way, though! Bike and I have been inseparable ever since.
What motivated you to
ride as much as you have over the years?
I grew up in Jackson,
Wyoming, a community that is very focused on the role active transportation can
have on the landscape and the citizens. There is infrastructure that supports
riding- separated bike pathways, striped bike lanes, signed bike routes through
town, and an extensive network of mountain bike trails. Cycling is about
transportation as much as it is about exercise or recreation. Having this
infrastructure, as well as local decision makers that prioritize active
transportation, has allowed our community to thrive in this regard. “Life by
bike” allows me to truly experience the world- at a pace my senses can absorb.
Have you competed in
events? If so, what were your reasons for competing?
Yes. In high school, I
competed one road stage race and a dozen local mountain bike races. My reasons
for competing were to be part of a community and have a reason to train.
What would be your
favorite competitive biking event?
I love that biking is such a wide realm of
things to different people. I really enjoy long distance cycling, so I would
enjoy a long distance race, like the Great Divide Mountain Bike Race, but I
also love advocacy, getting people on bikes for the first time, and getting
people more comfortable on bikes so that they are able to integrate cycling
into their everyday lives. For that reason, one of my favorite competitive
events is the “Slow Race”- who can stay balanced on their bike within a certain
area and ride the slowest from point
A to B? Sure, cycling is competitive in some realms, but it is also FUN, and
that is what is so great about it!
What kind of riding
is your favorite? (paved, gravel, mountain, etc.)
My favorite riding is
on separated bike trails, preferably paved and uninterrupted by roads. I enjoy
mountain biking as well, but I absolutely love traveling by bike and riding on
paved trails.
Do you remember how
you felt on your first mountain bike ride? (If not a mountain biker, how about
first commuter ride, paved trail ride, gravel, etc.) If you had
nervousness at all, what do you do or think to overcome it?
My nervousness when it
came to mountain biking was about being able to keep up. I was riding with a
more advanced (and fitter) group, and I was nervous that I would hold the group
back because I was still learning! I overcame it by not caring as much about
what others thought, and once I got on the trail (and started to get a hang of
things) I realized I had nothing to worry about.
Another thing that
really helped me when it came to my mountain biking was my high school mountain
bike coach, Janet Munro. She created an all-girls team that rode together one
day a week in the summer. She created a fun atmosphere where asking questions
and having fun were a priority! It wasn’t about riding the hardest terrain or
being the fastest, although we rode challenging trails, raced, and got a lot
faster by the end of the summer! Janet fostered my love of mountain biking and
served as a great role model for a bad-ass mountain bike chick!
Do you use clipless
pedals? If yes, what are some tips/suggestions for beginners that you would
share? If no, are you thinking of trying it out at all?
Yes, I have clipless
pedals on my road bike. Tips/suggestions: keep them on the loosest setting,
especially at the beginning. Always clip out with the same foot so that you
build muscle memory.
Photo Credit: Camrin Dengel |
One of the challenges
as a commuter is convincing myself to commute by bike everyday, especially in
bad weather, and especially when a car is a back-up option. I overcome these
challenges by having gear that meets my needs in all conditions, and reminding
myself how great I feel after my commutes- arriving to work with a clear head
and my blood moving, and arriving home with a clear head and a shifted mindset
from work life to home life. My commute by bike serves as part of my exercise
routine, but more importantly, serves as a transition time, to reflect on the
workday and leave it behind as I head home.
Do you commute even
if the weather isn’t ideal? Why or why not? If yes, what do you do to make it
more tolerable?
Yes, I do. Part of the
reason that I commute by bike every day, even when the weather isn’t ideal, is
that I don’t have a car as a back-up, and the bus from my house to work is
incredibly packed, especially on days of heavy rain. Whenever I decide to take
another mode of travel to work, I ALWAYS regret it, and spend the entire commute
thinking how much better it would be to be biking! To make it more tolerable, I
prioritize my gear, especially good rain gear. Also, give myself extra time in
the AM to arrive to work early enough to shed my gear and get into
“normal-people clothes” before work.
What are some suggestions that you would give for someone who wants to start commuting regularly? What are some of the things you thought were most helpful?
My main suggestion for someone who wants to start commuting is just start! It doesn’t have to be an “all-or-nothing” thing. A huge barrier to bike commuting is that the majority of people think it is only for the spandex-clad daredevils. That couldn’t be more wrong. Bike commuting can be for everyone. Try it one day a week.
Other suggestions: Map your route before you go. Give yourself enough time to ride at a pace that you feel comfortable. If someone in your office commutes by bike, strike up a conversation with them! You can worry about gear and equipment down the road. You don’t need it all just to ride to work. Start small.
Have you had a bike
biff? If so, how did you recover on a physical/mental/emotional level?
Of course I’ve had a
bike biff! (Who of us haven’t?) I was rounding a corner on a bike pathway in
the rain, and was going too fast and taking the corner too hard. I bruised my
hip and was on crutches for a week. I recovered physically by stretching and walking
for the months after my crash. I was able to run pain free about two months
out. I knew that the reason for my crash was my own fault, because I didn’t
factor in the rain in a situation that would have been fine in dry conditions.
Mentally, I recovered by not beating myself up about this, but recognizing that
I had to treat all situations differently on my bike. I ride differently now,
but since I’m not a racer, it is fine to ride less aggressively.
What do you love
about riding your bike?
I love the freedom that my bike gives me. I can escape
(physically and mentally) from daily life. I also love that riding my bike
connects me to my community and the environment around me. I can experience the
sights, sounds, smells, people at a pace that my senses can absorb. I get a
true sense of place when I ride my bike. I can access the things I need without
damaging the environment. I can keep my body healthy and my brain clear. The
list goes on!
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