Age: 51 and 13
Occupation: volunteer
Hometown: Mercer Island
Wheels: Klein rain bike, Seven Axiom, Cannondale tandem
Kristin Jamerson’s idea of a Northwest lifestyle is admirable, even enviable, to anyone interested in positive social change.
Weekdays, you may find Kristin cycling across the I-90 bridge to volunteer for The Bush School or the Olympic Sculpture Park where she’s a docent. Once a week, she volunteers for the Christian Science Church. Plus, each month, Kristin participates in a community activity with her daughter, Isabel. Together, they support causes like the Ronald McDonald House and the YWCA. This fall they’ll plant trees for the Mountains To Sound Greenway.
June through August, Isabel contributes to the Mercer Island Summer Volunteer Program (SVP), coordinated by Parks & Recreation. SVP community activities include working with the elderly, disabled, homeless, animals, the environment, and community events.
Participants complete a minimum of four projects during the summer, and can choose from up to eight projects available each week. This summer, Isabel removed invasive ivy and blackberries, and supported regional youth programs.
Fifteen years ago, Kristin persuaded her husband to move from Florida back to her Pacific Northwest roots, to reclaim her exemplary lifestyle and to enjoy a more temperate climate.
She joined Cascade Bicycle Club to support the Club’s advocacy and youth education efforts, like the new Major Taylor youth program. She enjoyed reading the Cyclist of the Month profiles (started by Denise Chan). Kristin also used the Classic Hill Climbs column (by Steve Evans and Lee Stevens, 2004-2007) to create self-guided training rides.
Since joining the Club, Kristin has ridden Chilly Hilly, RSVP, STP, and the Ride Around Washington. Passing through the Okanogan and five mountain passes during RAW remains Kristin’s most memorable cycling moments. She has completed several Cycle Oregon’s and the Redmond Cycling Club’s RAMROD, but she prefers the smaller 200-rider RAW.
Isabel used to play soccer and swim. Then, in the summer of 2007, she finished the 12-mile bike relay of the Escape From The Rock triathlon on Mercer Island. By 2009, Isabel had finished the same triathlon solo. Today, Isabel prefers nothing better than bicycling while sporting fun socks. “You can bike whenever you want, and you can go places, and see more scenery.” The family is trying to find a way to transport Isabel’s heavy backpack, so that she can ride to and from The Bush School.
Kristin’s latest long-distance ride wasn’t just for fun. Kristin and Isabel raised $5,850 from 53 donors for The Climate Ride, an event that combined Kristin’s passion for cycling and climate issues. The five-day tour raised funds for three environmental charities: Clean Air-Cool Planet, Focus the Nation, and Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.
The Jamersons rode from New York City through New Jersey Amish country to Washington, DC – where 190 Climate Riders rallied at the Capitol Building to raise awareness for climate issues. During the ride, they were interviewed by Josh Dorfman, star of The Lazy Environmentalist on the Sundance Channel. They also shared dinner with Colin Bevan – No Impact Man.
The mother-daughter team also learned how to ride their new tandem bicycle – improving their cornering and hill climbing abilities through better driver-stoker synchronicity.
Kristin recognizes the importance of trail networks in solving civic, environmental, and transportation issues. During the Climate Ride, the Denmark Ambassador to the US reported that 45% of Copenhagen citizens bicycle commute.
She donates to Cascade because she wants the Burke-Gilman Trail completed through Ballard. “Advocacy is needed to make cycling more accessible.”
Kristin looks forward to the day Isabel can fill her favorite pair of Sidi shoes. And, if she’s anything like her mother, Isabel will walk her talk too.
For more information about the Mercer Island Summer Volunteer Program, contact Joan, SVP Coordinator, at 275-7756 or joan.jankowski@mercergov.org.
The next Climate Ride is May 15 – 19, 2010 in California. Visit ClimateRide.org for more details.
Scott Marlow was marketing director for Cascade Bicycle Club from 2001-2005. The Club record-holder for the shortest commute (under six seconds), Marlow works from his home office in West Seattle.
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