Ok - so I have been told that, although my blog posts are interesting, I need some pictures - or a bit of eye candy!!! :) So - here is a picture of Sophia and friend (with my cute bike helmet) and another picture of Sophia.
Enjoy!! :)
Monday, May 31, 2010
What I have learned .....
Here is a list of things that I have learned this weekend:
And - now for some questions:
- I can't control the weather. (I suppose I already knew that ... but it was confirmed --- so I need to stop commenting on the heat and just search for better solutions!!)
- Even cute bike helmets look dorky - especially when trying to impress someone new.
- Carrying anything on my back makes me even more sweaty - so I am now looking for interesting bags to put on my bike. Perhaps a cute basket with flowers? Or this awesome bag/purse made by two women in Chicago (http://www.pocampo.com/)? What I really need is to get a back rack installed pronto!
- I sweat - a lot! Ok, I already knew that as well, since I sweat drying/curling/straightening my hair even with the A/C on in the summer. What I have decided is to call it sweat when I am working out --- but call it my "personal glow" when I am commuting - or socializing.
- Going for a bike ride with someone new is a great way to get to know each other. Even if I was nervous about my biking speed/ability/personal glow/hair/etc --- it can be super fun!
- Not everyone is going to embrace my life choices - but it is an interesting barometer for me when meeting new people.
- Guys on bikes are cool!! :)
And - now for some questions:
- How do I balance working out (training for an upcoming triathlon) with commuting?
- What are the basics I need to know about bike maintenance?
- What type of material/clothing is going to be best for commuting?
- How do I get rid of the flip flop tan line?!!? Ok - not really worried about that .... but it does send some sort of message that I am developing a clear tan line from my flip flops .... and it does look sort of odd when wearing a pair of heels! ;)
Saturday, May 29, 2010
The Journey is the Destination
I have a very close friend who has a tatoo of this symbol. I have always admired her - and others - who are truly able to live that way. Personally, I have always been about the destination. Although, Sophia might have something to teach me. I finally went back to Erik's today to fix the squeek. Turns out it was some rubber piece (not sure what it is called) near the center of the back wheel that just needed a bit of lube. I did have an enjoyable time riding over --- but it sure was HOT -- and I was super sweaty .... not promising given that I would like to show up places looking a bit more chic. (I did, however, get a nice compliment on my helmet from one of the guys at the shop!)
The ride back was a completely different story. I don't know if it was the 8am spinning class, the 4 mile walk I took to the Farmer's Market this morning, the heat or the wind --- but I found myself getting a bit cranky and tired. I just wanted the ride to be over. It was then I thought about needing to enjoy the journey. So -- I became more conscious of my surroundings and of how lucky I was to be able to ride (and just a little about the sculpted legs and butt I hope will be a nice by-product of this new way of life!!). And for a few minutes I was able to enjoy the journey, perhaps not as much as the A/C I knew was in my near future, but I was able to smile. This is certainly going to be a work in progress - but I am glad to be on the journey.
The ride back was a completely different story. I don't know if it was the 8am spinning class, the 4 mile walk I took to the Farmer's Market this morning, the heat or the wind --- but I found myself getting a bit cranky and tired. I just wanted the ride to be over. It was then I thought about needing to enjoy the journey. So -- I became more conscious of my surroundings and of how lucky I was to be able to ride (and just a little about the sculpted legs and butt I hope will be a nice by-product of this new way of life!!). And for a few minutes I was able to enjoy the journey, perhaps not as much as the A/C I knew was in my near future, but I was able to smile. This is certainly going to be a work in progress - but I am glad to be on the journey.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Cat litter and bike helmet
Fun stuff I first ..... my new bike helmet was waiting for me when I got home from Fargo!!! :) I actually wore it around the house for awhile - just for fun and because it made me think of the time my dear cousin, A, wore hers out running while training for a triathlon ..... but that is her story not mine, but it always makes me laugh!!! And, I wore it while riding Sophia this afternoon. What fun!!!
The other part of the day wasn't quite as fun --- carrying cat litter back from the store. I needed some groceries for myself and I walked the 5 blocks to the market. While I was there remembered that I also needed cat litter. It is not something that I always remember -- so I figured that was a sign that the cats were getting desperate. The food all fit in my backpack .... but carrying the litter was not super fun!! I was trying to think of ways around that in the future. Could I have strapped it to my bike? Or perhaps find a way to strap it to my back?!!? .... Ok, maybe not. I may have to plan a bit more into the future and when I am out shopping with one of my car-ed friends I will have to remember to get it. On the other hand - it was a good workout!!!
The other part of the day wasn't quite as fun --- carrying cat litter back from the store. I needed some groceries for myself and I walked the 5 blocks to the market. While I was there remembered that I also needed cat litter. It is not something that I always remember -- so I figured that was a sign that the cats were getting desperate. The food all fit in my backpack .... but carrying the litter was not super fun!! I was trying to think of ways around that in the future. Could I have strapped it to my bike? Or perhaps find a way to strap it to my back?!!? .... Ok, maybe not. I may have to plan a bit more into the future and when I am out shopping with one of my car-ed friends I will have to remember to get it. On the other hand - it was a good workout!!!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Today's Lessons
It was not as hot as I thought it was going to be in Fargo today --- so perfect day to bike to work!!! :) The first lesson that I learned it that the most direct route is not always the best route. I had read that in Chris Balish's book: How to Live Well without Owning a Car. I just didn't believe him .... well, I suppose I believed him as it made perfect sense, but, ok, I didn't believe him. Perhaps that is because I didn't want to believe him --- and only because I am TERRIBLE with directions and the way with the least amount of turns seems like it should be the best. However - I do stand corrected and will now find the way when bike commuting with wider lanes, slower and less traffic or perhaps scoping out a bike path. I don't think that I was ever in danger .... but the ride could have been a bit more relaxing and enjoyable.
The second lesson is that not every city is as bike friendly as St. Paul. Ok, again, I suppose I already knew this --- but it was confirmed when more than 3 times today I was told to get on the sidewalk. Now, I do really believe that Fargo is a friendly town .... but it certainly did not feel very bike friendly.
The third lesson - ok, confirmation -- is that bike commuting is super fun, easy and a great way to learn more about a city. I am so glad that I am on this journey and continue to be amazed at all of the support there is for finding alternate ways of transporation.
The second lesson is that not every city is as bike friendly as St. Paul. Ok, again, I suppose I already knew this --- but it was confirmed when more than 3 times today I was told to get on the sidewalk. Now, I do really believe that Fargo is a friendly town .... but it certainly did not feel very bike friendly.
The third lesson - ok, confirmation -- is that bike commuting is super fun, easy and a great way to learn more about a city. I am so glad that I am on this journey and continue to be amazed at all of the support there is for finding alternate ways of transporation.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Whootie Whoo!!! :)
Ok .... let me just start off by saying that I am really not that brave. I like trying new things - but as my sister will attest -- only if someone is there to try it out first ..... or at least with me to hold my hand. I have never been someone who ventures out on her own. I LOVE to travel --- and I have learned to do so without an itnerary --- but again, when someone is there with me. For goodness sakes --- the only time that I have ever taken the bus in St. Paul as an adult (or perhaps ever) was with my mom about 15 years ago .... and if I had my choice I would have someone along for my second trip!!!!!!
Having said all of that ... I found a bike shop in Fargo, rented a bike and just got back from a ride. I left my rental car at the shop -- so that I can bike to work tomorrow. Whootie Whoo!!! :) I feel so empowered. I know that to most people that sounds like such a small thing --- but to me it feels like this major accomplishment. Absolutely freeing!!!
The only crappy thing is that it is SOOOOOOOO HOT and HUMID!!!!!! I HATE the heat. I would take foggy, cool San Francisco (my favorite US city) over this anyday. I might even be tempted to say that I would rather bike in the snow than this ..... But I am holding my tongue - so I didn't actually say that out loud! ;) But .... I am super sweaty .... so we will see how the biking to work goes tomorrow. I will leave in plenty of time ---- but you can only bike so slow without tipping over!!!! (And, I do know that from my experience climbing hills outside of SF! Not that I ever actually fell over .... but almost!!)
What an amazing journey!
Having said all of that ... I found a bike shop in Fargo, rented a bike and just got back from a ride. I left my rental car at the shop -- so that I can bike to work tomorrow. Whootie Whoo!!! :) I feel so empowered. I know that to most people that sounds like such a small thing --- but to me it feels like this major accomplishment. Absolutely freeing!!!
The only crappy thing is that it is SOOOOOOOO HOT and HUMID!!!!!! I HATE the heat. I would take foggy, cool San Francisco (my favorite US city) over this anyday. I might even be tempted to say that I would rather bike in the snow than this ..... But I am holding my tongue - so I didn't actually say that out loud! ;) But .... I am super sweaty .... so we will see how the biking to work goes tomorrow. I will leave in plenty of time ---- but you can only bike so slow without tipping over!!!! (And, I do know that from my experience climbing hills outside of SF! Not that I ever actually fell over .... but almost!!)
What an amazing journey!
Missing Sophia and Lucy
So - here I am in Fargo without my bikes!!! I didn't think that I would miss them .... but (despite the wind) it would be a nice day for a bike ride. Plus, I got done with my project around 3pm (granted I left my house at 5:30am this morning to get here) - so I would have had plenty of time for a nice ride. Too bad I didn't see the comment from sota767 before heading up here .... I should have taken the train and then I could have had Sophia (or Lucy) here with me. Something to put into the file for next time! Now I have to wait until the end of the week to ride.
On the other hand, perhaps there is somewhere in Fargo to rent a bike for an hour or two --- or for a few days. I certainly could commute from my hotel ..... Oooooo .... this might be exciting! I am off to do some research and see what I can find!! :)
On the other hand, perhaps there is somewhere in Fargo to rent a bike for an hour or two --- or for a few days. I certainly could commute from my hotel ..... Oooooo .... this might be exciting! I am off to do some research and see what I can find!! :)
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