Lehigh Valley Coming Soon....

Some random pictures from biking in Atlanta in the last year....

Time flies by! The bikes are packed up in the trailer that we are towing behind us to Pennsylvania in a couple weeks. All 6 of them are making the move, I never could decide which to sell and which to keep, so I kept them all. I am putting my notice in at work on Monday- Yippee! I can't wait to get up north. From my web searches it looks like there is some decent mountain biking in the Lehigh Valley. I am looking forward to that. I also need to get a mountain bike, and looking forward to that too. Should be interesting!

Allentown, PA here we come!

Germeeee

Man I was in looove when this all happened. I was so excited to get this bike. He even bought a bike rack to transport it all the way back from PA for me. Now that is love.

Unfortunately, the beautiful, shiny bike in the craigslist pictures wasn't exactly how it looked from the bouncy seat. I took it for a test spin after laying a big ol kiss on the man when he got home with it and immediately I noticed a few things that wasn't evident in the pictures:

-the front tire was wobbly, took it off and put it back on and it's better

-The skirt guard is a little ragged and has a hole, purely cosmetic issue

-The back tire has big nail in it, but it is holding air

-none of my tools fit the nut to get the tires off to fix the nail

-It also doesn't fit me that great. It is waay on the small side, I am 5'4" and I think it would be great for 5'2" or shorter. See....

But it is fun to ride a bike where I could easily lounge with my feet on the ground when stopped.

She definitely has some great features like:

-the self generator lights in front and back

-super cool rack that has a springing holding thing

-fenders

-a bell

-3 speed hub that I figured out you can't pedal while shifting

-coaster brake and hand brake, not sure why both

-chainguard and kickstand
-don't ya love the quirky, girlie paint job??

I am really struggling with this one. I mean the man bought it for me out of pure, wonderful love. That is sentimental! But it really isn't practical for me for more than a little jaunt up to the movie house or out to dinner or such. I really want a bike just like this, but a little bigger. Man, I'm picky.

Goosey

Mongoose Crossway
Purchased at Performance Bicycles, $420 included a free new helmet, May 26, 2008.

Rocky wasn't making the 14 mile commuter trip too good for me. I started dreaming about the perfect bike. I wanted something reliable, comfortable but kinda aggressive like a mountain bike and with disc brakes. I was obsessed with having disc brakes! (I am rolling my eyes still) I shopped, and shopped and annoyed every bike shop in town looking for the perfect bike. My list of wants was long and in the end I was broke. I sold my Trek 1000 road bike for $450 and that was the money I had to spend.

The Mongoose kinda looked like the Gary Fisher Kaitai I wanted, kinda. But since it was $250 less I got the 'Goose, and they threw in a free helmet, sweeet!

I was happy. The bike seemed happy.

We rode many a miles together. I was a full time commuter.

With full time commuter problems...

We had fun on long 5+ hour rides through the Atlanta streets. Everything was going great. I was feeling fit and having a lot of fun just riding. I was racking up miles with 100 mile weeks. I was faster than I was on Rocky, but leisurely enough still to really just enjoy the town and riding with friends.

Then the disc brakes started squeaking...is this something I am causing to happen? The LBS said I need to just clean them more often. So I did. Then the cables stretched. So I adjusted them. They loosened up again almost immediately. I took it back to the LBS, they adjusted them, they were great for about two days then got loose again. I took it back, they said it's because I have crappy, cheap brakes and that I was going to have to adjust and clean them every couple rides. Are you kidding me? I thought a bicycle was supposed to be low maintenance. Daily adjustments is high maintenance in my book.

Then the boyfriend (who was gone all summer) complained that I was too slow on Goosey and needed a road bike again for him to enjoy riding with me. I took the seat (which I find incredibly comfortable) off Goosey and put it on the Allez so I could be faster on rides with the man. The front brake is still really loose as I grew sick and tired of adjusting it and just gave up.

She is sitting 'seatless' in the storage room right now. I put her down there last month. I couldn't look at her anymore. I felt so let down. Everything was so good for awhile....

Rocky

Purchased: March 2007 on Craigslist for $25

The guy was recently divorced, selling most all his possessions and moving to Peru to backpack until he didn't want to anymore. He delivered the bike to my house, he was asking $45 for it. He said the bike had been left by his sister years ago and he rode it to the store once in awhile.

The seat was torn up and it was dirty and had cobwebs all over it. I offered him $25 and he took it with a big smile, cause he was leaving the 'normal' life and going to backpack in Peru.


I had sold all my 'nice bikes' a few months prior in a fit of desperation since I was at a low paying temp job, and I was feeling stupid for the way I so frivolously spent my money when I had a great job. To save money I was going to ride my bike to the bus station and ride the bus to my temp job as a construction site receptionist 20 miles outside of the city.

I gave the old bike a bath and shined her up with some Bike Lust Polish, added some stickers and did a cheap fix up job on the ripped up seat with some hot pink electrical tape I found in the toolbox. Then I found this giant basket on craigslist for $20. I looked for a used rack to no avail, so ended up spending another $45 at the LBS for this gem.

I named her Rocky, because at the time we were commuting to "Rockdale" together.
We went places together Rocky and I...

I rediscovered the fun of riding a bike with no 'goals'. It didn't matter how many miles we did, or how fast. I wore whatever I was going to wear that day, no special clothing or shoes were required with Rocky. We were just out there doing whatever we wanted...

taking fun pictures...

sitting and watching the sun rise in the early mornings together.

She had a kickstand so she would stand while I would sit.

To save money on gas, she even became the hauler of our ENTIRE household sustenance.

She was my only bike for three months. We had a lot of fun.

Her poor frame started feeling like a soft noodle with the 40 pound loads.

Then her chain started jumping off and getting stuck like every mile.

Then the brakes were crazy SQUEAKY loud!!! I used to joke that the brakes were like a bell to alert people I was coming.

I tried to replace the pads myself (another $20) as the LBS said it wasn't worth their time on the old beater. The brakes have never been the same since. Like I said I really suck at the maintenance.

I wish she had a chainguard too, but I have never found one.

I got a new bike when I changed jobs and was only 7 miles from my office. Rocky wasn't very comfortable to ride 14 miles a day.

So I have since banned myself from riding her more than a 3 mile distance. See how watching miles ruins things??

She is sitting in our storage room with no front brake now and a really loud SQUEAKY back brake. But she shifts good and the tires are good too.

I miss riding her. I just need to get the brakes fixed....

Pondering Still

Sometimes I guess you just need a break. Life has been crazy, we are moving in 7 weeks 1000 miles away over Christmas. Work has been crazy, so I took up a second job to make it crazier. So I decided to take a break from riding.

I know, I know- What?!? Why?! Why NOW?!

I think I said this previously. I really suck at bike fixing. And all my bikes, yes all 6 are currently in various states of disrepair. I'm so overwhelmed I'm not even sure which one to take to the LBS to have someone else fix!

The three current favorites are still snuggly next to our bed. Begging to go out and be rode. I still have my list of need to do's before the next ride.

I am still pondering

"Do I need to ship all 6 of our bikes to Pennsylvania or should I sell a couple here?"

"If so which ones?"

"What bike(s) will I need/want in Allentown?"

I don't know.

So instead of riding to and from the job that I can't wait to quit- I'm walking and taking MARTA. It was really weird the first time to ride all by myself. Before I always had a bike with me, or my boyfriend. I felt so alone.

Jinx

I think I jinxed myself by starting this blog specifically about biking. September turned out to be not a great mileage month especially with the injured shoulder/chest muscle. So it is time to move forward on what I want to do and not fret so much about what I didn't do.

But a quick update first:

The shoulder/chest muscle is 100% better! Now I know that if I do too many pushups I will hurt myself badly and it will take about 9 days to heal 100%.

This weekend I started riding my new (old) stead- the Specialized Allez 10-speed. It's pretty rockin for an oldie but goodie. I put my favorite saddle from my Mongoose commuter on her, and with a new adjustable stem she turned out to be pretty dang comfortable. She is super light compared to all my other beasts. As I haven't been on a road bike in about a year. I feel comfortable commuting in the morning when the traffic is light, but haven't ventured the afternoon traffic so we've been taking the train the majority of the route home. She is a 10-speed with the shifters on the downtube, and only like 3 gears actually work. Meaning when she is in the other 7 they slip. The chain is really loose and needs replaced I suspect. Also she has these ancient clip/flat pedals that I'm still getting used to. Matt yanked on them for a good 30 minutes this weekend and could only get 1 off. So she needs some more TLC from a professional, maybe next week I'll take her in for some help.

I'm still waddling in my quest to thin out the stable and haven't made any decisions yet. But put several downstairs in our storage area, leaving just 3 bikes in the house to see how I feel about that.

In retrospect (I know I said I was moving forward, but hang on...) I think I was doing too much of the same thing in August and September and burned myself out. I was doing the same routes, at the same times, on the same bike. I think in my older age I'm realizing that 'cross-training' has more value than I've given it credit for. Moving forward I'm going to mix up the routes, intensities and use various bikes along with adding in some weights and maybe a little running here and there. My goal is to be in great (for me) shape by spring. Also I'd like to have the bikes that I need nailed down and the ones I don't going to new homes. I have lost my umph to the commuting. As Jill said the other day, driving to and from work is soooo easy compared to biking. I hate that I've realized that these last couple weeks. But I know I feel better when I ride and the ride home is always sweet even if it is just that 2 miles from the train station. My car is getting still less use than ever before. In fact it had cobwebs in the corners when I was driving last week!

Gas Stories

Atlanta is in the middle of a gas shortage. It was created by panic and over consumption from the panic. It is scheduled to go on for another couple weeks.

Earlier conservation today in my office's kitchen as I filled up my water bottle.

Co-worker that lives in my same neighborhood is getting coffee. He is in his early twenties and addicted to driving. We live four blocks apart and he can never remember this.

He says, 'is there any gas around here?'

I reply, 'Citgo and Shell on Peachtree. They both had lines this morning.'

"How much?" he asks after I explain in detail where the two stations are. *Apparently he lives off Peachtree, our office is on Peachtree. He never drives on Peachtree, instead he takes the highway.*

"I don't think they are even posting prices anymore." I tell him. "How close are you to the MARTA station?"

"Like right there, its hardly a walk" he replies with a smirk as he pours his coffee.

"Why don't you take MARTA? It's only $1.75 each way. The Buckhead station is just a block from the office. Round trip it is cheaper than a gallon of gas." I feel like the alternative transportation committee.

"Is that what you do?" I tell him I ride my bike to work, again. He asks me where I live, again.

"Oh yeah, we've had this conversation a hundred times huh" he seems amused.

"Yes we have, I live right by you. You should try MARTA, it'll save you money and gas for more important things like going out on the weekends." It's my last ditch effort to show him benefits that apply to him.

There were a few more details like his excuses for not knowing his schedule at work well enough and his exclamation that riding a bike THAT far is crazy. I tell him that MARTA runs all day and night. It's only 8 miles each way for me and it takes just 25 minutes I told him. I also explained how I 'do it' you know, using the building's gym and all and my exact time schedules which he was fascinated by for some reason. He couldn't believe it takes me less time on my bike than for him to drive on the highway in traffic.

"Hmmm. That's pretty cool. That is a good solution." He rubbed his chin like he was deep in thought about my bike commuting solution to the gas shortage. I didn't bother to tell him that the gas shortage has not caused my bike commuting. But whatever, it seemed to light a little spark in him. Maybe he'll at least try public transportation during this crisis.

**on a side note: I'm not riding for a couple more days, and I missed a ride planed this weekend. I strained a chest muscle (hurts like hell to breathe deeply) last Thursday and am nursing it back to normal. Don't want to push it riding right now. Luckily I drive so little my half tank of gas is sure to last through the 'shortage'.

Cruisin Around Thoughts

Like I mentioned in my ramblings I am downsizing the stable and going with just two (for now):

1. Long Touring Road Bike
2. Commuter/Daily Errands/Nights Out on the town Cruiser

Let's look at my needs here.

My daily commute now is in Atlanta which has perfect weather. Currently that ride is only 16 miles round trip. There are some inclines to consider, however....this commute will soon be transferred to a new location all together so a fancy commuter is overkill. Specifically I will be commuting in Allentown, Pennsylvania in a couple months. That's right I'm moving.... soon. Well we all are- The Biskit, me and the dogs. And the bikes, of course. That really is beside the point- I'm going to be going back to college is the actual point here. I'm not familiar with the terrain up there either, which is posing a real problem in my decision making process.

I'm told the town/area has mountains, as opposed to all the hills here in Atlanta. But I can't imagine the campus(es) having mountains, and the pictures look flat so I'm betting for traditional campus terrain.

Now, this Daily-Commuter-Cruiser-Errand bike has some specific needs as I have visions of what I will be doing with it:

• Riding around campus with books. Potentially LOTS of books and a laptop
• Picking up groceries and dog food
• Hauling other misc stuff
• Going out on the town with the Biskit
• All in just regular daily clothes Chic Cyclist like (please see sidebar link)

Which leads to my wish list:

• Simple, low maintenance (i.e internal hub and coaster brake) I'm so tired of always working on my bikes just to ride them each day- I mean I really suck at the mechanics!
• Rack/basket options
• Easy step thru design
• Kinda fashionable color (i.e. not Turquoise or Purple)
• Chainguard is a MUST
• Fenders also a MUST
• Cushy, Ballooney tires would be fun

Here is the Gary Fisher Simple City 8. I really like the 8 speed internal hub, the internal wiring for a clean-er look, and the basket with stabilizer spring is pretty smart. The step thru design is elegant without looking odd, the leather grips and saddle are sweet too. The double kickstand is a nice touch for loading goods and it has fenders already.

Downside, the chainguard isn't a full cover which concerns me as I'm also sick of grease stains. I'd rather not have any wires and wish it had a light hub too. The tires are 700x32, but they are puncture resistant. The frame is aluminum, which I know makes it lighter, but with the step thru design I have found aluminum feels like a wet noodle with 40 pound loads of dog food. Also the color(s) don't jazz me up, and it's more than I would want to pay at $960 MSRP.

Looking at more affordable options. This blue classic Nancy Schwinn runs an MSRP of $350 and sports a 3 speed internal hub. It has the back rack ready for a basket and fenders over it's "Smooth Rolling Crusier" tires.

Again I like the saddle and grips in the (probably faux) leather and I really like the clean no-wire look as it sports a coaster brake. The color is a nice, blend in-don't stand out classic blue- I can totally picture it in a bike rack can't you?

But it seems to be pretty simple for the money...seems like it'd be in the $200 range to me.

Trek has this adorable cruiser- the Calypso 7 speed. Obviously not an internal hub, as one can see from the out-of-place looking derailleur hanging out under the chainguard like a hairy pair of....never mind. But really doesn't it look out of place? The chainguard is cool in the retro beach style, the paint job is cute with the pink sidewalls.

But the wires and the hairy balls- opps I mean hairy gearing just looks wrong. I can't stop staring at it! And why would they make all the wiring SO obvious too? Trek really shoulda made the wires at least pink or creme to match. That mess looks like headgear from a bad 80's flashback. This would be a cool bike if it had the internal gearing and coaster brake, I would pay $400 for it if it did. But it doesn't and retails for $410.

I haven't really warmed up to the Trek Lime, I know it's out there. I have seen a cool retrofit of it here. I, however, don't believe I have the talent or skills to do that. Now if they sold it like that....

Basically I'm still looking and figuring. I'm open for ANY suggestions at this point.

**Gosh, now that I re-read this I've got some more looking around to do. Where is Consumer Reports when I need them?

Random Thoughts

I know I've been sporadic at best at bloggin these days. My rhythm has been all off, I'm afraid I don't expect it back til Spring either. Alot has been going on, so I'm going to just rattle some things off:

-Last week my computer fell off my bike in the middle of an intersection. I pulled over hoping to maybe retrieve it at the red light. Unfortunately I stood there staring at my little favorite mileage recorder and watched it get ran over by a bus, half dozen cars and then....another bus! Since it was in one piece I had hopes it would survive. It didn't...it was all in one piece but it was dead. I still don't know how it came off. It just sorta jumped off- and I'm sure it was on all the way because I had looked at my mph.

Anyways, I miss it. I haven't been logging my miles since. I feel like I'm riding fruitlessly now with no tracking. Sure I could map my rides online, but I've been too lazy and busy to do it. I've got a rough guesstimate. It's sad each day to ride and see the empty spot of my cateye 8. Everything is all wired up, but I don't know how fast I'm going....

-I took my bike into the shop last week. My disc brakes have been giving me lots of problems. They seem to slip- as is they are so loose, even with weekly adjustments. And they squeak like freakin CRAZINESS!!! I have been cleaning with them with alcohol, but two days later they are back to squeakin crazy. I knew it was a cheap bike with the cheapest disc brakes available so I wasn't expecting much, but it's getting ridiculous. The shop had them working good....for a day! Then they are loose again, too much play in the front. I don't have time to do daily adjustments and cleaning.

-I have started shopping for the 'one' again. I want something that I can do long distances on, faster than the commuter, but more comfortable than my old Trek 1000. This one is going to me my weekend and long ride ride. I'll do regular short commutes on the 'goose.

I think I'm over the whole 'I need disc brakes' thing, I haven't had much better luck with cantilever, so I'm thinking side pull.

Touring frame seems logical, but I rode a Bianchi Velope that was amazingly comfortable.I am sure I want steel, I just like the feel. Which leaves me at - cyclocross or touring?

I've also never purchased a bike without riding it first, so I'm hesitant to just buy. Any suggestions there?

Additionally I've been stuck on Surly. Thanks to Doug for that...

The Cross Check seems so versatile and everyone that has one seems to rave about it. I like that it can morph into a fixie, SS, geared and the tire options.

But I've also heard great things about the LHT...and I like the set up, it looks like what I'm looking for comfort wise.

My price range is around $1000

-I also have been thinking about downsizing the stable. I will post some pictures later and start on this in the next couple we. Decisions to be made....

-It looks like snow might be in my near future. The 'biskit got some good news last week. The moving boxes will be making a showing soon in our living room.

-I'm torn about the Lance debacle. The BIG press conference is starting in a couple hours. I am excited for him to be coming back of course. I am a true lancenite and have defended him in many arguments, I believe in him. And I'm glad that it will bring the excitement of the American (non) cycling fans back to le tour. BUT...BUT I was totally content without him. I had JUST gotten over him and was just this year EXCITED again about the young prospects! Christian and Andy just blew me away this last year, and the Garmin and Columbia boys were inspiring and fun to follow along with. I was feeling like a happy fan again- I had left my disgruntlement back in 2007 where it belonged. I felt as an American fan I had a future again! Then the announcement came. I didn't know how to feel about it. I was happy with Leadville and the brief encounters out there. He wasn't. So he is coming back.

It seems to me only logical that if this is truly for Cancer Awareness, which I believe is 95% of it, then the ONLY logical step is for him to buy Astana and have his own Livestrong Team. I'm with Fatty on this one.

Poor Contador...and Levi...and Christian...This was going to be their year. And because I take the tour personally, and I align myself unwavering with my favorite cyclists I....I hope...I hope that Frank crushes Lance! And then Christian can take the oppertunity to swing around and win it all!

There, I said it. That is my fantasy. I do love Lance, I do believe in Lance- 100%. I don't believe he ever doped. I think he is the most amazing cyclist in history. If anyone can come back and do this, it is Lance. His focus is awe inspiring and jawdropping. In the words of Matthew McConaughey- "Cancer picked the wrong guy to fuck with!"

I also hope that after Lance loses the tour this year that he does it gracefully with honor and a BIG old smile. Then he can go on to WIN the battle against cancer, which if anyone can do, it is Lance.

But of course if he wins the tour, that's cool too. Because I think it's going to be the hardest one ever. I think the pack is going to try to kill him. It will be fun to watch that is for sure. He might get beat up, and he might be on top. I predict it to be up and down....But knowing Lance, I think in the end he could squeak it out with some of his unbelievable inner Supermanpower. Maybe that's the confidence boost he needs to run for President in order to kill cancer.

-I think I need to get a new computer. I feel so lost without my miles counted accurately.

-I'm real glad it's fall. It was 59* this morning on the ride in. I wore long sleeves and shorts. I can't wait to need long pants and a hat. I also need to shop for full gloves.

-Despite the bike issues, it's been a really great week of commuting. Weather is PEEERRRFECT! Gotta love the ATL for that!

Visions in Atlanta

There is some serious city block construction going on in Atlanta right now- the Midtown Mile hasn't started, yet and the Streets of Buckhead in underway.

"Soon to be unveiled, The Streets of Buckhead is the southern address for European style, in the heart of Atlanta's cosmopolitan Buckhead neighborhood."

They both claim to be premier walking and shopping-live-work-communities...Is it just me or is something missing??? Lush wide sidewalks (check)... crosswalks (check)...tree lined window shopping (check)... million dollar highrise condos (check)...bike racks (check)...bike lanes....

Oh that's right...BIKE LANES!!! Since the bikes and bike racks made the vision- you would think they'd have a bike lane on those skinney streets in their renderings! Wouldn't you??

Chastain Park...Classic

9.5 miles each way...not a long ride, but ambitious in that we had not done any part of the route, it was through a neighborhood we did not know with lots of turns, and it would be dark on the way home, and it was a Saturday night. All of that combined, along with us planning to drink a bottle of wine meant we were in no hurry and needed to plan to go SLOW.

It turned into a great night! We left the house at 5:10 in broad daylight and directions partly from one of Jett's bikely.com routes and part from my daily commute. I had written a cue sheet, and didn't think we needed a map. Although we have drove to Chastain for concerts at least a half dozen times, we wanted to allow plenty of time for potential lost sections and to just have a good time. The show started at 8 and we were planning to have dinner nearby.

The weather was fabulous! Sunny, but cool and just a slight breeze. The ride ended up being great too! That Jett sure knows his way around Atlanta on the bike! His routes are always bike friendly! Again I was impressed with the low traffic and surprise bike lanes, also the nice views of the mansions in the elegant neighborhood.

We got to Chastain at 6- ahead of schedule. Before we left the house I did a quick search on nearby resturants, and there was only one. The House Radish, it looked pretty casual on the website so I didn't think anything of showing up with helmet hair, shorts and a tank top on. The customers seemed pretty country-club like, but since it is right down the street from Chastain I figured they were pretty used to people like us popping in. The staff was EXCELLENT! They were super cool, friendly and didn't bat an eye at our clothes and we never felt out of place. The food turned out to be TOP NOTCH! Expensive, but totally worth it (and I never say that)! I highly, highly recommend Horse Radish as a must-do of Atlanta cusine. I look forward to their brunch one Sunday as well. Combined with a nice ride through the area of course.

After a wonderful dinner, we rode our bikes up to Chastain Ampitheater by passing all the chaotic traffic funneling in. Chastain is always an experience, and bringing in your own food and drinks always adds to the festivities! We parked our bikes right by the front door on a handrail that was out of the way. I had my bike bag filled with two bottles of wine, cups, wine key and fresh sugar cookies I made the day before for a late night snack.

Our seats were great, center orchestra...the house pretty much filled up. After the amazing show, we lingered around finishing our wine and waiting for the drunk (soon to be) drivers to clear out. We finally got pretty much kicked out by the staff at 11:00 and unlocked our bikes. We weaved through the drunkest of the partiers who were flagging down cabs and made our way along the North Fulton Golf Course along the sidewalk. With the (probably) drunk drivers and us being a bit tipsy we went super slow on the sidewalk, and then meandered through the dark neighborhood streets back to Peachtree. Again the neighborhood was the perfect bike route, there was very, VERY little traffic and the streets were all in great shape and had relatively adaquate lighting. We actually made it back reading our cue sheet backwards and then again decided for the sidewalks the rest of the way home. It was a very fun, relaxing and SAFE saturday night!

Fixin to...

I have had some bad luck since I started this new blog. It just seems like it's always something that is making it difficult to ride, alot. Now the parents are gone, so I thought I'd be back to my daily routine of commuting. I was excited to start to add some additional miles now that it is getting cooler. After taking most of the last two weeks off my body has recovered nicely from the summer's miles. I feel strong and ready to push to the next level (aka more miles).

It started with a creak, then a slight squeak. Now it's a rough sounding creaking and a really loud squeaking! I will be the first to admit my mechanic skills are challenged at best. Often I feel overwhelmed with all my constant tinkering just to stay riding. Goosey (my daily commuter) needs more TLC than I am able to give right now, I just don't have the skills. Just a few weeks ago I took the wheels off and cleaned every surface I could get to. Afterwards she rode great for about three days. Then the little noises came back even worse and dang-nabit I can't figure out what they are! My favorite local shop closed a couple months ago. I have an appointment this afternoon to drop off at a new (to me) shop by my work. Yes, that unfortunately means I am driving this week**. I'm scheduled for a full tune-up. Hopefully she comes out great and we'll have happy fall and winter months ahead of us!

**this should be another post all in itself...between solbiskit and I we have 6 bikes, yet only 2 are fit for daily riding. Another is ok for small jaunts under 2 miles and without load, the other three are in pieces with lots of parts lying around. On the bright side I think it says alot about our relationship to have bike parts surrounding our bed.

The Good and The Bad

Something bad has happened in the middle of some good it seems. My parents are visiting from Alaska, that is the good. I've been driving, that is the bad.

I offer no explanation other than lack of planning and not wanting to be sweaty when I arrive at the hotel to hang out with them (and shopping with my mother). Is that really bad? It feels bad. Although it feels good to not be sweaty or worry about being smelly in public, fancy places- like smancy restaurants and Bloomingdales. I knew this week would be weird with them in town.

Luckily my car miles are still ahead of my bike miles for the summer, but only just. I am driving to meet them in the next state (Alabama) this weekend. That will add on an additional 250 miles to the vehicle, and 0 for the bike. Which means I'm going to have to rack up some miles here next week on the ol' two wheeler fun machine!

Man I'm itchy to get back riding! Especially since I need to sort out all this craziness and figure out how I feel about it all in my head, alone, on my bike. I'm very mixed about my stance right now.

I will get back to my regularly scheduled riding and posting next week. Til then my friends.......

The Walking Reflector

Miles: 14.66
Time: 1.08
Avg: 12.9mph
Max: 32.7mph
Temp: 74* & 68%

Today was my first day commuting to work in the dark AND home in the dark. I have a TON of work to get done before I take three days off for my parents coming into town next week. The temps are super cool right now, this morning it was 68* when I headed out and I thought the first mile about turning around and getting my sleeves as I wasn't warm. I figure at 64* I'll wear sleeves. Anything above that I think I can tough it out! After the first mile I warmed up and felt really good in the temp. I added a bunch of reflectors to the bike, helmet and a couple extra taillights. A co-worker this morning saw me coming in the building and commented that I looked like a walking reflector. That's the idea!



This 'police station' is watching the intersection, I always get a kick out of checking myself out at the stop light....


I'm feeling pretty bright and easy to see. If I could I'd wrap myself in Christmas lights! I'm shopping for a new REAL headlight, but with the wide range of options out there (not to mention price range) I want to do all my comparison due diligence. I don't even understand the differences between LED, HID and NiCD....I know I have to make a choice soon so I'm reading everything I can and really thinking hard about what lines up with my needs the most.

Kind of like the big race that is going on right now!

Easy and Quiet

Miles: 15.29

Time: 1.15

Avg. 12.2mph

Temp: 84*, 60%, cloudy=NICE!

It was good day, and unexpected good day on the bike. After I begged Solbiskit to forgive for my acting up yesterday my soul needed an easy and quiet day. I was expecting it to be hard today, I was expecting to be achey as I crawled out of bed. But it was quite the opposite in fact. I woke up easily and felt...fine. No soreness and I felt refreshed.

The whole way in this morning I was thinking 'oh man that 1 long hill is going to kill me!' I was half way up before I remembered that it was supposed to hurt. Then as I was on the last quarter mile I realized I forgot my lock! I had taken it off for the Labor Day ride...I actually thought about turning around and going back- I felt that fresh! Then I remembered that this happened once before when I first started commuting and I left my bike at the gym, the front desk people watched it all day for me. They did it again today no problem, it's a good back up. I'm lucky to have the gym right in the basement of my building at work.

These two pictures show my mecca bike lane. The bike lane that appears out of no where (as most do) and ends 1 block before my building. It's my cool down lane in the mornings to let my heart rate come down. I know it's false security, but it's comfortable.

Share the Road

Miles: 69.46

Time: 5.31
Max: 34.4
Avg: 12.5
Temp/Humidity: 86*/83%

Cloudy, few sprinkles, few drops of sun- warm but not too hot & WINDY

My First (Metric) Century Ride
hosted by Atlanta Bicycling Campaign

Yesterday I thought I had everything all ready for this morning. Flat repair kit packed, food packed, clothes laid out, bike in top shape....All I had to do this morning was get up, eat and air up my tires. Nothing turned out as planned....as usual.

First we ended up going to bed later than I wanted, and then I kept dreaming that I was waking up all night as I was thinking about the big ride. This was my first big organized ride with a big group of people. I was excited hoping to meet some new cyclists and see all the set ups, then I was nervous too. Did I have the miles under me to finish without bonking? What if I get flats or have a mechanical disaster- will I be able to deal? I actually got nervous like before a running race or my first couple triathlons. I only had a couple goals:

1. Don't Bonk


2. Have Fun

Physically I felt pretty good that morning, other than being nervous which caused me to start acting all pissed off which is how I deal with nervous. Solbiskit unfortunately for him was along for this ride, which meant he got the brunt of my crap as he usually does being the Boyfriend and all. That isn't the point of this right now...back to my story.

I woke up 20 minutes late, as I didn't actually set my alarm only changed the time- classic. When I woke him up he said he wasn't planning to get up for another 10 minutes. So I got ready in a huff, and tried to get last minute stuff together. Isn't it funny how you think your all ready, then it's like- oh, my helmet, where's my gloves, oh I need a sweatshirt just in case...oh damn it, I should bring a rain/wind jacket too just in case...do I have my patch kit packed? Oh, I should bring my debit card and ID too- where is it? Then I went through this with Solbiskits' stuff too. Next thing I know we were carrying arm fulls of stuff that we might need out to the truck.

We also forgot to hang up his bike shorts, they were still wet in the washer- so we put them in the dryer. I was in the kitchen fidgeting because I couldn't figure out what to eat. My normal daily routine is wake up, drink water, bike 8 miles to work, shower/dress, then eat a big breakfast. So naturally my stomach wasn't hungry yet, but I knew that I'd be STARVING 10 miles in if I didn't eat something good that would burn slow and easy. Oatmeal? Fruit? Tuna? Granola Bars? Eggs? Yes- eggs and toast, total last minute. I cooked up the eggs perfectly because I stared at them to hurry up while they cooked, that seems to help. I ate while Solbiskit loaded up the bikes. He came back in and asked me what exits were closed downtown for all the construction. I had forgot about that and realized at that moment that we were TOTALLY going to be late and I suddenly panicked. FU*&! We grabbed our stuff and headed out already the tension thick with my nerves high strung. Normally he drives slow and steady, taking his time, looking around sipping his tea...that morning he hauled ass! I was holding the door arm as we stopped and took corners on two wheels! I kept looking back waiting to see the bikes fly off the rack! As we were almost there and I commented that I didn't know he had this kind of driving in him, he told me about his 18 speeding tickets in 18 different states. The things you learn about your significant other in the heat of the moment!

We pulled into the parking lot, safe and sound at 8:20- the guy with the flag told us to go to the right and go back to the other parking lot down the street because they were out of parking. Solbiskit lurched forward in the truck into the crowded parking lot and said 'get all the stuff out and then I'll go park'- I of course argued that we had waaay too much stuff and No! I'll ride back too with him just get us out of that parking lot. As the steam came out his nose, he navigated us back out and down the street, again speeding. We missed the turn into the parking lot... he was frustrated and a little mad. Whipping a U-ey we finally made it to the parking lot. Other late arrivers were there too, getting their bikes together so I calmed a little bit, none of them looked worried. As we mounted our machines and head back to the starting area the crowd was heading out right at 8:30. We hadn't even checked in yet. I was pretty upset at this point realizing that we were about to do this in the back pack or mostly alone. After checking in and getting our tee shirts we headed out with our maps. The first direction guy said 'yeah, it's all marked' when I asked. I told Solbiskit he didn't have to ride with me and to just go ahead. I'm not going to go into more detail, but lets just say that at the end of the day I apologized to Solbiskit for my terrible mood. I was in a funk! I've never rode so far and not been able to shake off a bad mood. I think it actually got worse the first 25 miles.

My legs kicked in and felt good around mile 10. At the turn around I thought if I am having fun I'll tell Solbiskit I'm going to do the 75 loop. He was trying to make me feel better, I complained at all the stops that it was lonely out there since we, I mean I was the very last one out there. After the 10 mile (20 mile turn around) stop at the QT the few (stragglers) people from the parking lot turned around and I was left alone. He waited at the first couple stops for me, we'd head out together I'd get irritated because I could tell he was riding really slow just for me...

It was pretty obvious. He rode about 5 miles sitting up like this. We haven't conquered the riding together thing. He never rides NEXT to me, apparently I talk alot. I ride to socialize and sightsee, he rides to work out. We haven't figured out how to merge these well.

Finally after some sharp words about me not needing a babysitter, he took off. And I was alone....
It got lonely, but I kept myself busy with my camera and the rural houses and horses. I just couldn't shake the funk. But I'd look around and was glad I was riding. My body was holding up well.

I hydrated plenty, and ate a few granola bars on the bike. All in all I felt really good. Surprisingly good in fact. I got lost once taking a wrong turn, the cue sheet said a left, but there was no left so I went right- luckily it was a loop. Apparently Solbiskit took a wrong turn somewhere too.


Looking back at it all some very important lessons were learnt.

1. Always communicate to your partner what time you need to be there.


2. Plan ahead, go over everything your bringing three times. I read that somewhere for triathlons.


3. Getting to the start early will make it more enjoyable. Trust me!


4. Ask about route markers. We didn't even know to ask, but turned out every turn was marked with a white 6 on the pavement with the top of the 6 pointing in the direction of the turn. Good to know!


5. If your late, it really isn't the end of the world. Just make the best of it, unlike I did.

Looking back I wish I would have just smiled Usually that works and changes my mood. Next time...

My New Blog

This is my new blog dedicated to bikes. You might have guessed that by the name huh? I started bloggin back in Nov 2007 and have found it rather enjoyable as well as addicting. My inspiration came from Jill, then I found Doug, then Fatty ...for whatever reason I was hooked.

Well, actually I do know the reasons:

• Jill is a great writer and I love her pictures, they make me homesick. She also has a really great blogroll which I use daily!
• Doug inspires me to challenge what I always believed biking to be about. I can carry almost anything and go anywhere on a bike, he's helped me a lot in that continuous journey and to just do it, just ride.
• Fatty just plain cracks me up. Hilarious is all I have to say- and definitely bike humor, non-bike people probably won't get it! With all that he has going on his life, he is also an inspiration to take it all one joke at a time and live to be on the bike!

It's pretty cool to find a community of likeminded souls here in the blogosphere. I've decided to take up permanent residency and keep the vacation property too, it's pretty cheap real estate all in all. I look forward to getting to know the neighbors, exploring the 'hood and adding my little garden to the block.

My other blog
It has been more a ramble and hasn't had much focus, I'm going to use it to just blog away and continue to ramble. It started as a kind of journal/diary of me living in Atlanta, then became my dog walkin blog, then just a way to keep in touch with family and friends and post pictures. Then as my blogroll grew and other people found me out on the web- soon I realized that my blog was really lacking in the focus department. My friends and family have been commenting of late that my blog has a lot of posts about my bike- they say this with a roll of the eyes. I'm not sure how often I'll keep up the posts, maybe just weekly or whenever I feel like it. I plan to keep that blog to post pictures of my dogs and flowers and Christmas presents- you know, stuff that isn't bike-related but that enriches my life and I want to remember. If the Christmas presents are bike-related I'll probably link the two blogs together, that seems to make sense. But we'll figure that out when we get there....

About life via bike
I started full time bike commuting only 3 months ago, but it is the most natural thing in the world to me. I've always rode and drooled over bike porn and had dreams about bikes and rides and epic adventures. It's like I found myself by parking my car. I just can't imagine ever going back to being a slave of the automobile. I have always hated driving. Check back with me in a few years, we'll see where I am then. I have an inkling that I'll still be riding my bike full time. That's where this blog comes into play... I wanted a place to write, and reflect about my bike life out in the open. This is my putting my bike lust out there in the public for all to witness my strange obsession of two wheels. Well, this is me and my life.... via bike.