A Pedal for your Thoughts

Federal Workers get reiumbursed for bike riding to work

2012-01-04T09:11:00.000-08:00

From The Washington Post:

Federal agencies boost bikes with subsidy for workers

President Obama wants federal workers to follow his two-wheeled lead. (JEWEL SAMAD - AFP/GETTY IMAGES)Too bad the federal government can’t meet its environmentally friendly goals by simply reducing the hot air coming from the mouths of politicians. But since that isn’t happening anytime soon (it is, after all, an election year) it’ll have to settle for subtler methods.

Like paying federal workers to bike to work.

The State Department today kicks off a plan to cut checks to employees to leave their cars at home. Workers can get up to $240 a year in the program to trade their gas-guzzling transportation modes for the self-propelled kind--so long as they’re riding “pedaled” bikes (no hogs or scooters, that is) and not enrolled in the agency’s other transportation subsidies, like the ones that subsidize their Metro trips or parking.

The money will cover bike repairs and “expenses,” the agency says.

“The purpose of the Bicycle Reimbursement Program is to reduce traffic congestion and pollution, as well as to promote wellness among federal employees,” says a memo circulated around the department.

The two-wheeled initiative (although the guidelines technically don’t exclude trikes or unicycles) doesn’t come out of the clean blue sky: federal agencies were directed in a 2010 executive order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and a 2008 law authorized agencies to offer a bike subsidy of up to $20 a month.

Although it seems a bit inauspicious that the program kicks off on one of the coldest mornings of the season--not exactly an incentive to hop on the old Schwinn for a bracing ride to work--there’s another enticement. It’s not a bad way to get started on that New Year’s resolution to drop a few pounds.

By Emily Heil | 12:44 PM ET, 01/03/2012

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From the Wall Street Journal...Couple makes their house around their bikes

2011-12-02T11:04:00.000-08:00

Yanno - I would love love love love LOVE to do something like this...I mean; I've already turned my dining room INTO a bike room (I live in a townhouse that unfortunately I'm upside down in and thus, have to stay in just a bit longer).
But something tells me that I could probably do this for a LOT LESS than what these people paid for...
Still though - if I had that much money to spare...
Oh who am i kidding..I would easily just go and travel to places WITH my bikes instead of spending that kind of money to accomodate.
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Email Print Save ↓ More .

.smaller Larger By NANCY KEATES

Portland, Ore.

Avid bicyclists who race nationally and internationally, Tim and Sue Butler began their new-home search looking for a place with a garage to store their bikes.

They ended up spending over a million dollars building a dramatic three-story wood-and-glass contemporary with a roof deck far above neighboring roofs, giving them a 360-degree view of the city. A separate 600-square-foot "garage" houses their 22 bikes plus many other extras a bike enthusiast might want, from a hot-water washing station for muddy bikes to a sauna, fitness room and fix-it station.

An avid bicyclist couple who race nationally and internationally began their new-home journey looking for a place to store their bikes and ended up building a new, three-story wood and glass contemporary house. Nancy Keates explains on Lunch Break.

."We realized we wanted something different, said Mr. Butler, 45, a financial analyst and master's-level bike racer. "But when we said different we never imagined this," added Ms. Butler, 40, a pro racer who has raced on the U.S. team in the Cyclo-cross World Championships.

Tall and narrow, reflecting the limitations of a skinny lot, the 2,800-square-foot two-bedroom, 2½-bathroom house looks like a mini, modern, wood-clad version of a high rise. Horizontal wood slats compensate for its verticalness, and a cedar wall that rings the house and garage creates the look of a compound. Exterior wood louvers slide across the windows to act as sun screens.

Interior materials are sturdy and simple. A white-oak-paneled kitchen opens to a dining room with a long, white-oak table with two benches (Mr. Butler's father calls it a "picnic table") that sit under 20-foot-high ceilings. There are radiant-heated concrete floors, concrete countertops, plaster walls that echo the look of the stucco outside and a central concrete column-shaped chimney that goes up through the middle of the house, serving fireplaces on all three floors.

View Slideshow

John Clark for The Wall Street Journal

The bike garage

.Floating wood stairs, suspended by stainless-steel rods, lead to a second floor, where a sparsely furnished living room and media room overlook the dining room below. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows make the small space feel larger. A second set of floating stairs under a narrow, 20-foot-long skylight go up to the loft-like third floor, where built-in shelves separate the office from the master bedroom. A sliding glass door opens to a covered sleeping porch.

It all began on a bike ride. Mr. Butler confessed to Corey Martin, a friend and designer, then at Path Architecture, that he and his wife were tired of lugging their bikes up to their third-story condo and keeping them in the dining room. Mr. Martin suggested the Butlers build their own space. Their desire to stay in their inner Southeast neighborhood—a middle-class area of one-story ranch houses and cottages that's a good bike commuting distance to Mr. Butler's office—limited their options. They ended up buying a narrow, 44-foot-wide, 100-foot-deep lot for $220,000 in 2008.

Mr. Martin expected the Butlers to reject his first sketch: a tall, skinny home much more ambitious in design, disproportionate in scale and costly to build than the surrounding homes in the area. To his surprise, they wanted him to go even further, requesting more costly sustainable materials. They hired a forklift to make sure they'd get good views by going up to the peak of the neighborhood's limit.

"Usually I go for the maximum and people end up cutting it in half. These guys went beyond the maximum," said Mr. Martin, now a principal at Portland-based THA Architecture. The entire project ended up costing about $1.5 million. A four-bedroom, one-story 1940s cottage a few blocks away is for sale for $429,000.

When they moved in, the Butlers had an open house "so that the neighbors wouldn't be so angry there was such a big house on their street," Ms. Butler said. Joann Henkel, who lives across the street, called the house "absolutely gorgeous," though her husband likes to joke that he needs to add a story to block their view.

As much as they're enjoying their new home, the Butlers' favorite feature is across their bluestone courtyard. Their three-room bicycle garage is made of the same materials, and has floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors in the fitness room that open to the same courtyard as the floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors in the main house's dining room. In addition to the hot-water station and sauna for after cold-weather rides, there's a washer and dryer and clothing cabinets for all their cycling gear.

One room resembles a bike shop. That's where the couple keeps their road, mountain, fixed gear and cyclo-cross bikes, a workbench and bins for a host of accessories. A fitness room has a rack of dumbbells, a trainer cycle and a large piece of equipment for squats, chin-ups and leg presses. The bathroom has a large glass shower.

"Officially it's called an 'accessory dwelling unit,' but actually the house is really the accessory," joked Mr. Butler.

Lessons Learned on my Trial Run of Six Gap

2011-09-17T20:44:00.000-07:00

The big day is next weekend.

Am I ready? Personally? I think absolutely not.

Mentally - YES ...Physically - it's going to be a bear.

I'm ok with that though.

The trial runs taught me that I am amazing with going downhill. The one thing my ride buddies were worried about was me, hitting those fast speeds and panicking and wiping out.

But if you

- Feather your Brakes

- Lean into your turns

- Watch for Gravel

- And just focus on the ride - all is well.

I did amazing on that.

Going uphill however?? Yea that was rough.

There is no ...middle ground on these mountains - I mean it is the start of the Smokey/Blue Ridge Mountains. The minute you go down hill, you better start pedaling as soon as you can to gain momentum for the climb. And some of those climbs, can take up to over an hour to do.

Your legs will hurt, you will be tired. You will feel like there isn't enough oxygen to breath and you WILL ASK YOURSELF WTF am I DOING THIS FOR.

And no - no gearing is ever low enough. Even on your LAST low gear, you WILL be wishing for just ONE MORE.

I did all of these things..and yet. I STILL want to do this..next weekend and next year.

I am going to do the best I can this year.

Where I live, does not have mountains (Central Florida). The closest thing to training I could get was doing a interlacing type idea going back and forth from the mainland to the inter-coastal/beach area and using those bridges. Also - heading up to Tallahassee for weekend bike adventures when I could.

I just made my ride time longer - mainly so my stamina would be up on the bike and I could determine what needed to be taken care of for long extensive riding. I'm good with that..my stamina and resistance to the bike is ready to roll. Just give me time to take breaks (and you're allowed) and I will be able to tackle this thing I think.

So - here goes for next weekend. :)

SIgns that Fall is coming

2011-09-13T04:17:00.001-07:00

You have to change your ride route so that the North wind is providing a nice resistance at the start and a nice push on your way home :)

Trial run of six gap

2011-09-06T09:02:00.001-07:00

Labor day weekend. Went up there to test out the hills. Holy hell talk about humbling.
But I loved it...so here are some photos

The Big Day - Courtesy of Biking Magazine

2011-08-29T14:50:00.000-07:00

Event Preparation

The Big Day

Photo: Mark Matcho

Npr news

2011-08-16T17:19:00.001-07:00

nprnews Yes, That Jerk Really Does Make More Than You (And Research Might Prove It) http://n.pr/p6487X 7:56 PM Aug 16th via twitterfeed http://twitter.com/nprnews/status/103616033054654464

Wear your damn helmet! > retweet

2011-08-16T15:49:00.001-07:00

BicyclingMag Road Rights: No, you don't legally need a helmet, but more than your health is at stake if you don't wear one http://ow.ly/64Jpq 2:49 PM Aug 16th via HootSuite http://twitter.com/BicyclingMag/status/103538918149980160

MINE!

2011-08-14T21:42:00.001-07:00

http://res.mobileweb.ebay.com/bsfImg?width=507&fillColor=fffffc&boxing=1&height=180&fsize=999000&format=jpg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fi.ebayimg.com%2F00%2F%24%28KGrHqYOKnUE49qmmmGhBORgPLiBHQ%7E%7E0_12.JPG%3Fset_id%3D880000500F

I've been bad about updating this blog this year

2011-08-08T04:21:00.000-07:00

When you're focused on training and work and living life..you rarely get time to actually sit in front of a computer when you're not doing everything.

Training is going well..I have been updating another blog with life stuff and silliness
http://bikingbettie.tumblr.com

But it's nowhere near as 'serious bike business' as I would like/want this one to be.
Six Gap is less than 50 days away..and I think I'm ready.
I'm also considering doing the Spaghetti 100 up in Tallahassee as well this year. Or at least going there for that weekend and taking photos.

Weekend you are almost here

2011-06-10T04:27:00.000-07:00

Cycling Schedule you are almost done being made up!!

According to the training schedule that I made, I should be doing 120-150 minutes of Endurance Miles on Saturday and the same for Sunday (or a group ride)

I'm trying to figure out how to make one or both of these into night rides. We'll see. The thought of cycling to my favorite restaurant tonight..hanging out with friends for a few hours and then doing the late night/endurance ride thing is crossing my mind again. We'll see.

Weather is stating 30-40% chance for rain both days. I just hope it doesn't do it when I want to ride.

Happy Weekend everyone!

This is great. Thanks to the friends that shared this with me this week

2011-06-10T04:23:00.001-07:00

Night Rides...

2011-06-06T05:27:00.000-07:00

I did two this weekend.

With my training buddy of course, as I wouldn't have done this route without him I don't think.

Too freaking scary/high traffic.

A friend of our's was having his bday party in Tampa at his apartment. I figured it would be a GREAT opportunity to ride at the perfect time here in the Tampa Bay Area. When it's dark (no sun exposure), cooler, and a bit less humid.

And yea, those factors were fine..and made the ride great.
However, the route on a Saturday night?? Was a bit terrifying in sections on the way to Tampa. Not so bad (interestingly enough) on the way back.
We left my house at 10pm (in Largo) and headed to the BaySide Bridge. That was ok. Bayside Bridge, the wind pushed it to our destination, which I am thankful for since the ride OVER the COURTNEY CAMPBELL CAUSEWAY was into a headwind, coming from the Southwest with gusts.
Lucky for us, there's a side road on a majority of that bridge, where people go to fish, enjoy the water, and on Saturday night meet up for motorcycle races on the actual bridge, and cars as well. It's basically a service road, but I learned it's a huge place for people to hang out with on a Saturday night. And why not? It's a pretty view of the Tampa Bay Area.
The Service Road was not the problem. We thought that leaving at 10pm would be the perfect lull time..and late enough where most people were at their destination for their drinking/Saturday night fun.
That was/is not the case. I completely forgot about the people that wait until 10pm to head to Tampa/Ybor for drinking.
Now, traffic doesn't bother us so much. We're used to that. However, the median to get over the two humps on the bridge, are no where near as big as the Gandy Bridge. So going over that hump with only oh..about 30 feet?? Or less, maybe a little more?? As a Median was terrifying. My ride buddy was worried as I usually am behind him and he couldn't tell where my headlight was and where the cars headlights were (checking on me as you do with a buddy system).
When that hump was over, we promptly got back on the service road..and battled the headwind, cursing it at this point. But at least we were in Tampa by then.

Tampa has provided a new service road called Bayfront or something. Which takes us to a small trail to avoid traffic and to get us to Memorial Drive. ..which worked out perfectly. Memorial we stayed on the sidewalk for all of a mile (maybe less) then turned to our friends house.

The party was great. No drinking, but who the hell needs to. And it was great to see everyone in Tampa as I hadn't seem them in a few months.

The ride back we were dreading. Bars get out here about 3am..so we knew we needed to get on the road before that, so as not to deal with more terrible traffic. It was agreed that we would stop if it got to be too much with the traffic..and just enjoy the view from the Causway of Tampa Bay.

We left the party in the hour of two (I think it was closer to three) and we were both dreading it.
We should not have.
It was the best ride I have been on in awhile.

We learned that the other side of Courtney Campbell's bridge (the side heading towards Pinellas)'s service road is actually longer, bigger, and easier to get to.
Traffic was practically nothing compared to everyone getting to Tampa earlier. We were able to cross the largest hump with little or not effort..and only about 3 cars passed us while we were doing so.
And the headwind we dealt with, became a tailwind. We were flying.

It was fun! It was enjoyable, it was nothing dreading about it.
Now, getting back on the Bayside Bridge was a little much for me. We had a headwind there as on the way there, we did not. My legs had had enough of tailwind, but at the same time I needed the training.

And the fact that we can cut through a neighborhood (as we can use the exit near my old job whereas it's harder to do that on the way to the party) helped immensely.
Got home about 4am, little or no traffic. Tired, but felt accomplished.
And got the milage for the day I needed to get done.
40 miles total for the ride.
I also figured out how to get myself to sleep in...by doing night rides obviously. Only downfall is that I missed out on Lenny's in the morning, woke up too late and it would have been too busy at that point in time. Went somewhere else for Brunch and it was still delicious of course, but I had my heart set on FRENCH TOAST. :D

But this has caused a new...craving in me.
I loved how I felt on the bike late at night, I loved how it looked outside, I loved how energized I felt and how I wanted to keep going ...that feeling that doesn't happen too often during the day as the heat, humidity and sun just get to you on the bike, and can make it brutal in this area.
So I think, I am going to start riding at night now...one night a weekend instead of focusing all my attention's to early morning rides.
And then, that will also enable me to sleep in on a weekend as well. :)

Six Gap Training Rides Started Today

2011-06-04T06:04:00.000-07:00

As well as better eating habits. I ate for the first time (well I'm making this one the first time since the actual first time ended in a wreck) before I ride today and ate as instructed by the Cycling Bible.
I'm tired..but it's been a bit since I've been on the bike and actually didn't just do a fun ride (went to Tarpon two weekends ago).
It was hot(er) than usual for an early ride. I think this summer is going to be brutal.
Started at 6am and done about 8:30ish..did the intervals like the training stated ..
Man I'm hungry..and need food.
Another ride tomorrow morning. Yea..this feels good.

June 1st Goal: Eat Better

2011-06-01T04:54:00.000-07:00

Not saying that I eat..BAD now..but I don't make a point of it to go 'Oh ok, I rode..xyz yesterday, I should probably eat some...(fill in the blank here, carbs, protien, etc).

I have always seen working out and even riding the bike at times as a happy medium. Meaning..that because of all that activity, I can successfully eat when I want and whatever I want. But I do think I need to focus and act better with this, cause if you keep putting 'junk' in the 'gas tank', you're not going to be at your best performance level at say... SIX GAP.

Soooo..I started when I started riding early. Actually, it was the day I got in the accident (oh yea, guess I need to do a post about that too, ok that will follow here with photos). I actually ate something (a small breakfast of yogurt, a mini Cliff Bar and a banana) before I jumped on the bike to do my hour ride that morning. That was the first time I have ever ate..anything before a super early bike ride.
I would love to say it helped me feel better, but..I have no clue as I don't remember due to the accident and concussion that occured that morning while on my ride.
But the 50 miles to Tarpon and eating something beforehand did. :)
So it's a start, but I need to continue, and also continue into the other meals of the day ...

I'm also reading the time crunched cyclist and it's broached the subject as well, so I have that as a guide.
And maybe I'll attempt that whole..learning to cook deal as well ;)....we'll see.

Training

2011-05-06T04:17:00.000-07:00

Based on the information brought to me by this book

I will be training in the 11 week program it has scheduled out for me for Six Gap.

Which puts my actual nut up or shut up date the week of July 11th.

Now, I will continue to work on my training from now until then...but that is my absolute I better be ready to MOVE it date.

So in the meantime, I will work and attempt different times to wake up, schedules, and riding as much as I can, when I can.
Gas prices have made this a bit easier. I have put forth the effort of if it is 5 miles or less from the house, I will bike it. I have pannier bags and a messenger bag, and I have carried groceries in those bags and on the bike before. Yes it means more trips as I can't carry AS many things, but...I also plan on doing a monthly jaunt to the grocery store, Target (I can't carry litter on my bike), and the recycling facility. So that drive is the drive that I'll get all the bigger items I need that I can't carry on the bike.

Six Gap will be accomplished this year!

Thoughts from a wise wise man....

2011-05-04T10:33:00.000-07:00

"I just had the epiphany that when V brakes ruled there was peace and prosperity. The era of disc brakes brought about everything from Bush to Hipsters. This can only lead to the logical conclusion that disc brakes are evil" and V brakes are the answer to serenity."

- BEBE Shaker

People should recognize the power of the bike

2011-04-26T05:36:00.000-07:00

How bicycling will save the economy (if we let it) 81

BY ELLY BLUE

28 FEB 2011 3:08 PM

This is the first column in a series focusing on the economics of bicycling.

Imagine getting a $3,000 to $12,000 tax rebate this year. Now imagine it coming again and again. Every year it grows by around a thousand dollars.

Imagine how this would change your daily life.

Sounds like a teabagger's wet dream, but it's actually a conservative estimate of how much you'd save by ditching your car, or even just one of your cars -- and getting on a bicycle instead.

Car-centric conditions don't always make it easy to choose the bicycle. Communities designed exclusively for motor vehicles impose a major financial penalty on those who are compelled to take on the expense of driving. But if you're one of those who lives in a bike-friendlier place, you'll be doing your local business community a good turn and padding Uncle Sam's pockets as well as your own if you trade four wheels for two.

In the many North American cities where two-wheeled transportation is taking off, a new bicycle economy is emerging. It's amazing how much money can stay in your community when it isn't being pumped into the gas tank, big insurance, and the auto market.

What will this new bicycle economy look like?

We don't have to guess. It's already emerging along urban, low-traffic bikeway networks nationwide. One thing is guaranteed: it includes a lot of new bike shops like this one on a bikeway in Baltimore -- one of five new bike shops to have opened in the last two years in that city. A 2008 study in Portland clocked bicycle-related industry alone as contributing $90 million to the local economy every year. Bicycle tourism is another huge boon to regions that can attract it -- in 2010, Wisconsin bragged of a yearly $1.5 billion bike economy [PDF].

Less obvious synergies abound as well. People who ride, just like people who drive, buy groceries, visit the doctor, need a new shirt sometimes, and enjoy dinner and a movie. They work. Their kids attend school. Despite the media attention given to mega-mileage supercommuters, for most people who depend on bikes for transportation, life works best with all these necessities in reasonable biking distance -- say, less than five miles -- from their home. Preferably along routes that don't include riding on highways or having to zip anxiously across them.

Bicycle parking is the indicator species of this new economy, with a business's enthusiasm for its two-wheeled clientele being easy to gauge by the quantity of bike racks out front. In Portland, businesses impatiently line up to replace their car parking with on-street bike racks. One local grocery store recently opened a location with more parking for bicycles than for cars.

Then there's the food cart boom that's overtaken Portland -- every previously vacant alley and parking lot, many along major bike routes, seems to have spawned a semi-permanent pod of them. As a business model, it's a natural response to a population that craves cheap lunch, prefers not to travel far, and doesn't need a 7' x 20' piece of real estate to park on.

There are many more local benefits of the bike economy, from lowering families' health care costs to reducing a business's need to invest in costly parking spaces for staff and customers. And you can't place a monetary value on happiness.

But as long as our local governments keep hearing strident resistance to rather than support for safe, bikeable and walkable streets, the bicycle economy will continue to be reined in -- by inadequate infrastructure, terrible zoning, and giant road expansion projects of the sort that tie up all transportation funding for decades to come.

The bicycle economy, unlike its fancier cousin transit-oriented development, is not about new development or raising property values. It's about bettering our existing communities. It's about making cities and suburbs that are built on an automotive scale navigable, instead, by human power. It's about providing the basics to everyone, in their neighborhood, now -- and along with that the choice to opt for that $3,000 to $12,000 yearly rebate.

There aren't very many economic scenarios in this country where everyone wins. But if you had to choose one single thing that could pull our neighborhoods, towns, and cities out of this murky pit of a recession, you'd do well to bet on the humble bicycle.

Click for a larger version.Infographic: Mgmt Design, courtesy of the National Building Museum

Next: "Tearing down urban freeways to make room for a new bicycle economy."

50/50

2011-02-08T05:19:00.000-08:00

My tube on the front of my PedalForce (Road Bike). Is considered my 'lucky tube'.
I have had that tube for 3 years now..and never a flat.
However, with the new wheels, the valve is super hard to reach when I need to inflate the tire. Usually Dimitrios does it for me...
He is not here...
So this morning, I tried to inflate the tire..it needed it - riding on it would definitely have caused a flat.
There was not enough length in the tube for me to inflate...so when I put the pump on the valve, it deflated my entire tire. And now I can't get it pulled far enough out to inflate.

Soooo...I'm going to have to bite the bullet and change out the tube, no big deal.
Except I don't have any tubes. Dimitrios is king of the flat tires...and he has used all of our tubes..and I had a spare, but this morning I just could not find it.

Soooo..no dang bike riding for me today.
Wah
Did Yoga Instead. Will buy tubes at lunch. I find this kinda a 50/50. As I will get in the ability to change out a tube again and I need the practice.

Fell off Track on typing, but not biking.

2011-01-14T04:57:00.000-08:00

I've been hardcore riding, and hitting the gym, starting up my ballroom dancing and just all around kicking ass, taking names and doing my life instead of doing my life via computer.

But..I have found a new love/obsession in the biking world...

Meet my new baby...

Gary Fisher Marlin GS - WSD - 13.5 for ME!

That's right - I am in LOVE/LUST with mountain biking. Granted, I am in Central FL - so there is not very many areas around here to fully appreciate the love of Mountain Biking..BUT...

I have a car, and I have friends in places that have those...so - I will be staying with them, using their house as a homebase and riding the HELL out of this bike!

Today's Goal

2010-11-28T08:16:00.001-08:00

<p>&amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/fl/-saint-petersburg/400129096032625224"&amp;amp;gt;Angelica&amp;amp;amp;#039;s House&amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;br/&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.mapmyride.com/find-ride/united-states/fl/-saint-petersburg"&amp;amp;gt;Find more Bike Rides in &amp;amp;amp;nbsp;Saint Petersburg, Florida&amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;gt;</p>

Night ride

2010-11-28T04:26:00.001-08:00

You notice the crisp air - and how it has gotten cooler since you last left.
You note the wind direction
The Moon and how the clouds are.
The Pretty Christmas lights on the houses you pass ...and you actually get to look and enjoy them instead of blinking and they disappear (like a car).
You notice the nurse, heading to her car at 11:30 to make the midnight shift at her job (at least you conclude she's a nurse because she's in scrubs), and how she doesn't seem to notice you passing her and waving with a smile.
You miss your turn in the neighborhood and have to go through it a little longer, but you don't mind on your bike. There's more Christmas lights to see up ahead and more of the night sky and the night air.
The lesser traffic.
The sound of the bike while you pedal through a neighborhood...it's familiar rattles and spins.
The thoughts of the day pass through your head.
The thoughts of how pretty crisp and cool the night is goes through your head.
And when you finally get to your destination - you ALMOST consider continuing on your bike path as the night rides are so much better than the day rides.
Through the street lights, your speed appears faster and the asphalt does a spinning pattern in your eyes.
You bike. You smile. You relish everything your vision gives you on this ride.
And you become thankful for the little things, and for the ability to ride on this night and get home safely.

And this is why you ride your bike. Because everything just looks different when you're not in a car perspective..and when you're in a 'RIGHT NOW' perspective.
Such as RIGHT NOW when you are on your bike.

Wow what a gap...

2010-11-25T07:17:00.000-08:00

I hate gaps.
I also hate getting the plague.
Six Gap was a no go due to illness.
October has no choice but to be my whole 'month off' as I'm usually busy with conventions and Halloween.
And still the plague prevailed.
Last week got a chest x-ray...found out I had walking pneumonia
This week - got the all clear from the doc after a follow up from five days worth of antibiotics that probably ended up making me sterile. But I'm ok with that as long as I get over this hump.
Today - was bike day...
2 hours was a good breaking back in/getting back in the saddle.
Tomorrow will be the same
Saturday will be longer.
Sunday will be Yoga.
I am done with this stagnant shite! :D

Totally Unrelated to Biking

2010-10-21T05:04:00.000-07:00

But I just had to show off my Halloween Costume for this year (as all that know me well know that I am a costume fanatic).
Miss Argentina - from Beetlejuice...

A new perspective

2010-10-19T09:46:00.000-07:00

In searching for a new job - I have concluded that there are none (sadly) within the 5 miles radius from my house that I wanted and hoped to get (where I could ride to work) and b) I need to re-vamp my biking schedule.

Starting tomorrow - I am going to be leaving my car at work - riding home in the afternoons and then riding into work in the mornings, so I may drive home Thursday.

This will give me a garantee'd 26 miles a day on the days that I decide to do this (4 days out of the week is the goal) and then my weekends won't be such a struggle to make up the extra miles (goal is 150 miles a week - to slowly increase each month by 50 miles give or take).

This will also enable me to - should I pursue a job with another company in the same area be able to store my bike (regardless of if they have a place in the building) on the days I ride in that I know the bike will be safe regardless.

So - goals are updated and changed. Here's hoping

Tampa Bay

2010-10-05T05:29:00.000-07:00

I love my morning rides into work. I especially love them this time of year when the weather is perfect all day and cool at night and first thing in the morning. It always feels good to ride. Makes me almost want to not stop at work and just keep going and see how far I can go until I can't take it anymore.

Training mode is back. In full force. :D

Six Gap

2010-10-03T04:36:00.000-07:00

My training was going really really good with Six Gap - I felt pumped and I felt ready. I still was unsure how I would do on the mountains/hills, but still - it would be worth it.

Until I got the plague the week beforehand.
Someone at work determined she no longer needed to call off when she was sick. She came into work, and thus, infected a LOT of other people. I got that bug. I got it on the 17th of September.
The Tuesday before Six Gap it seemed as if it was going away, for good.
Wednesday morning, I woke up and it was like something happened overnight that made it 3x worse.
I was miserable....
Thursday involved an Urgent Care visit and the doc telling me I have sinusitis (sinus infection), laryngitis and acute bronchitis (meaning that due to the sickness, I have this). Was loaded up with drugs and told to NOT do the race.
I went to Six Gap anyways.
We drove Friday night to Tallahassee and then Saturday to Gainesville, GA to stay in our hotel.
Woke up at 5am the next morning and got ready to head to the race.
The the rain started.
Torrential downpour right when we got there. Then come to find out that the rain was going to stop for about 3 hours but then it would start right back up, if not worse than what it was, right about the time you get to 'Hogpin' gap. Which would make that mountain more brutal than it already is.
B-Man said 'Nope, not doing it - too hard and too evil with the rain.' ..he's been riding for years if he states he doesn't want to be miserable, then it's probably with reason.
I thought about it and decided it would not be in MY best interest to ride either. It was cold up there in the Blue Ridge, and I had only been on 4 days worth of antibiotics..I still had the worst cough known to man and still didn't feel fully like..ME.
So - NO SIZ GAP THIS YEAR :(
Just means that next year I have to do ALL 100 miles, and not just 50.
My antibiotics end tomorrow. And I will be back in training mode for it then.

SIGH - WTF Tampa...Really?

2010-10-01T06:43:00.000-07:00

Another cyclist was killed today, this morning..right by my work area (Spruce Street)

This makes the fifth fatality in the Tampa Bay Area for cyclists in a month's time.

This is so..embarrassing..and also motivation that I need to get the HELL out of this area as soon as possible.

But ..>Tampa isn't going to do anything about it. NO no, there's 'nothing they can do' I'm sure /end sarcasm.

I drive and I cycle. I am aware of the rules of the road for BOTH aspects of transportation and know when and how to change them accordingly. I know that is is not my RIGHT to drive, it is a privilege that is given to me by the state I live in based on me following the rules of the road and taking a competency test to show I do know and can obey these rules. Everyone around us thinks that they are ENTITLED to drive and that is not the case AT ALL. It can be taken away from you ...(well, it seems not in Florida since that jackass Congressman who has 5 DUI's got the ok from our State to re-apply for your license AFTER YOU'VE HAD 5 DUI"s) but it is not in the Constitution or anything else that you HAVE to drive - and it is your RIGHT to drive. NO, it is a privilege and it is your RESPONSIBITLY to drive safely and responsibly. PERIOD.

That goes for cycling too. There are rules of the road for cyclists as well (I even have them tagged in here on one of my entries per state should you want to read them). And cyclists need to follow those as well. Don't be dicks, don't be rude, just ride and enjoy it. I know there are a TON of people who don't follow the rules, I have rode with them on occasion and it has made me feel uneasy and thus, I stopped riding with them. You need LIGHTS if you are out at night - you need to go WITH traffic (and not against) and if you do use the sidewalk, you need to understand that NOBODY sees you on the road OR SIDEWALK and do not assume that ANYONE sees you EVER...be on alert, be on lookout and be SAFE. Please.

I know that this just gives me more incentive to move out of this State and get to a better place. One that recognizes and acknowledges that bikes are around and bikes are here to stay and ...they are good for the environment, society and everyone as a whole and they CAN be in a community with cars just as easily. I hope one day very soon to get there. For now, I'm starting to wonder if the Tampa Bay Area is ..well for lack of a better terms..just FUCKED in this aspect.

Tallahassee

2010-09-12T04:48:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we went up to Tallahassee

so I could work on my hill training for Six/Three Gap.
It was a blast. We rode for three days - I hung on the last/third day of the ride and stayed with the group we had and basically learned how to spin the pain out of my legs and to take it easy and not kill myself.

It was so nice up there - the weather would get hot by the time we were back at Brendan's from the rides in the morning. But the mornings were perfect and the canopy roads are oh so pretty.
It really made me miss it up there ... and miss the ability to live in a city that I could pretty much ...BIKE anytime during the day if I wanted to. Unlike here, where I live now - and if I wake up late in the mornings, the opportunity to ride in peace with less traffic and less jerhks is just impossible (unless I bike to St. Pete. Which I don't mind doing - but the first 5-7 miles to get to St. Pete are just hell).
And the weather down here - still is humid and gross. I am SO.READY. for the fall months to get here. I think everyone is.

Morning Catch Up

2010-08-29T05:25:00.000-07:00

Instead of biking this morning - I have decided to drink some coffee, catch up on my internets/posts and milage updates then do my hair, finish laundry and have a wonderful Sunday afternoon.

Team Skinny has been slacking :(. I didn't mean for it to happen, but the weather has been nothing but rainy the past week - both morning and afternoon and I dislike doing the trainer..so - the dislike took over the 'need' to do it....there it is.

We're considering the summer months our 'off season' anyways (per The Greek) since most of the time it's just too hot and too unbearable...

However, I have been riding most of the time, both days on the weekends..and taking some pretty neat photos while on my journeys...

Taking photos while on my rides really makes me apprciate the bike riding even more...and gives me a small mini break to nom and drink water moreso than I do while riding.

I think I'll be ready for Six Gap in 30 days..ACK! Training and better eating habits start this week. No more eating out constantly. We're going to dinner tonight with a group of friends, but that is mainly for a person's bday and I'm going to attempt to just order something small.

In other news - I <3 my new bike! It's so light and fluffy ;)..ok it's not fluffy - but you can see it in most of the photos posted above. It's comfy - I'm really really happy with it. Best decision I ever made was to go Carbon :)

Conclusion of miles rode will be in the next post.

D had knee surgery a week and four days ago ..he's actually feeling a lot better and is actually looking forward to doing Six Gap as well. he's been slowly getting on the bike and riding slow when he can to get his knee in shape/physical therapy and him and I have also started doing upper body working out.

I've learned what moleskin in for blisters and areas that rub your feet. Why did I not hear of this stuff before?? Holy crap it is a godsend, especially with my freak feet. The big toe constantly rubs the sides of my shoes which hurts like ungodly hell. I thought that seamless socks would be the answer, but then realized it's also my cycle shoes and the stitching on them from the velcro. Double wrapped the big toe in moleskin yesterday on my ride..and BAM no pain. Amazing stuff. And no, it's not REAL moleskin..maybe it was back in the day, but now it's just a tightly woven cotton fabric with padding.

I think for the most part, I am ready for Six Gap ....I think.

Fingers crossed.

2010-08-20T10:58:00.000-07:00

Life has been busy I have been biking and I have pictures to share of my adventures...so be prepared.

Sunday - Sunday will have a supa dupa post for you...about ..you guessed it - MORE CYCLING..

And some life stuff that's going on as well :)

THIS PAGE HAS BEEN BLOCKED BY YOUR PROVIDER

2010-08-13T18:02:00.000-07:00

So while I can't read my blogs at work anymore (BOO cause that's what I did at lunch) I can read them before work...well I can read them..but not make posts..
Meaning that updates probably won't happen unless I actually get up and type in the mornings (Like I'm doing now)...
Anyways
I'm depressed. It hit around my birthday and no I don't know why. Because of it - I have not been so ept at getting on the bike, even though it is a new bike (I've only gone on it three times in one week...wah). I was hoping to knock that out today with the weather being nice, but that didn't happen. So training is going to start again TOMORROW and I will be biking both days this weekend to make up for it. It will pass eventually like it always does when it hits...and I have been DYING to take a PTO day and be depressed, but I really just don't have time right now.

I committed to doing Six Gap, meaning I registered for it - so I've GOT TO DO THIS TRAINING NOW.

Sharon is moving out today :(...it's bittersweet. I am going to miss having one of my BFF's right across the hall (D doesn't get the talky talky thing as often as her and I do after work on the weekdays, etc ) but at the same time - I'm GETTING MY OLD ROOM BACK and can start SEWING AGAIN. So like I said - bitter sweet. The kitties are also going to miss having her stuff to des---- I mean sleep on :P.a
Dimitrios is having a guys night tonight. I get the house COMPLETELY TO MYSELF tonight for a few hours. I have not had that in ...well 8 months for sure ..I should do something crazy like drink a bottle of wine and run around naked, but instead I am going to crash out no later than 10 so I get my ass up in the morning for a ride. Like I said - gotta go back to the TEAM SKINNY DEDICATION.

Hope everyone else is swimming along ok.

Six Gap, Georgia - End of September

2010-08-09T06:28:00.000-07:00

http://www.cyclenorthgeorgia.com/

I have decided that I am going to commit to doing this.

Which means I definitely need to start training for this.

Weather is not fully agreeing with me on this - but I will start as soon as I don't hear rain in the morning when I wake up with the riding. Including having to ride on Saturdays if I have to. Those were supposed to be my off days, but with this coming up rapidly - I think I'm going to need to do that for the next two months..

Along with the other things I got going on (sewing for costumes, etc).

I will only be doing Three-Gap (or at least that is the one I am signing up for)...depending on how I feel after three gap, I will then determine if I can keep going or just stay back and enjoy myself/wait for B-Man and D and take photos while I'm waiting...

Fingers crossed I accomplish this...

New Frame

2010-08-05T04:35:00.000-07:00

The frame when we pulled it out of the box (note the box and the old bike in the background. 980grams. Meow

Saying goodbye to the aluminum frame - putting it on the rack to move parts over

When we hit the speedbumps. Needed a new stem, and seatpost with a new seat clamp.
All the snafu's have been adjusted now and I rode the bike today. Man, they weren't kidding when they said that carbon is the way to go. It was lighter, and felt so easy/less struggle. I loved it.
I'm still a little over-extended on the bike, so I think I'll need a shorter stem or just to simply move my seat up just a bit. But other than that - she rides like a dream. :D
And Sean Connery and I rode over the bridge again this morning. I'll give you more details on that later.
Also - will make better photos of the bike this weekend with the 'real' camera.

All I got ..since I failed at waking up this morning.

2010-08-04T09:29:00.001-07:00

Goodbye Trek

2010-08-03T06:16:00.000-07:00

Sold the Trek Alumunium frame (and fork and seatpost, which were carbon, and seatpost clamp) yesterday for 120.00 via Craig's List.

It actually went to a cycling buddy of D's who found it on there and is making the bike up for his girlfriend.

So it's getting a good home :).

Tomorrow I ride the carbon frame for the first time ever. Going to take it out tonight when I get home to make sure everything fits just right.

Back on Track for Team Skinny!

P.S. It's AUGUST now - and while I am shocked that the year is flying by - I am also glad as it makes it closer to cooler/better weather for us here in sweltering Florida.

Sorry for the delay in post

2010-07-28T07:55:00.000-07:00

The week after my birthday always seems to be full of craziness..and most of it having nothing to do with Team Skinny. Boo

New bike came in and D started working on it on Saturday, hoping that everything would transfer over with minimal damage/problems. And it did - with the exception of two things.

The problem with transferring stuff from one bike to the next?! Neither are good if you hit road-blocks...and the fact that you don't want to break everything off/down to put on the former bike until the parts get here is also it.

So I'm not doing any riding this week - and this weekend I will be doing leisurely rides to compensate for the non-riding (meaning I will be on my Miyata cruising around).

I did think of riding the Miyata to work..and I might still do that on Friday - but that bike is a heavy bike..although very comfy for riding - that's for sure.

Plus - I really just want to ride the sweet new carbon bike...;)

Yesterday morning

2010-07-21T12:39:00.000-07:00

On my ride in - I got to 'pace' a pelican while on the bridge.

He was slowly flying..(well about 15mph actually) and i was able to ride up right next to him while he scanned the water underneath for fish; thinking he was 'clear' of the cars/bridge/people on the bridge.

When he realized I was there (I sped up 1mph more to try and get a better look at his face) - he flapped away, surprised that I had snuck up on him and broke the 'allowable space' he had created between him, the cars and the bridge.

I could hear his wings through the air when he moved over a bit to get the space back.

THAT is what makes riding so awesome :)

Movin' on Up

2010-07-19T06:40:00.000-07:00

Last night I became the proud owner of a PedalForce RS2 Carbon Frame...

Thanks to Ebay (and my wonderful boyfriend, who watches for these things like a hawk) I got it at a pretty sweet deal.

If you want to check out more info on the frame, click here...

I am moving up in the cycling world. The cool thing?! I already have wheels, and other parts from my trek that we will just move over to this frame that I am 100% happy with (the frame on the Trek was the only thing that was holding me back so to speak)

This new frame is also a 49er...my Trek is a 47. Which is, in all honesty, a little too small for me (WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT)..but it did put me in a more aggressive position for riding..and while that can be nice when you're racing, I have yet to get the urge to do any major races (Crit's for example) - I already dropped and busted my elbow/got stitches..but we'll see that could change as everything else seems to be changing as I ride the bike more day by day.

So the new dishwasher for my birthday lost to this...hell it's my birthday - who wants to buy RESPONSIBLE toys then?!

Sunday Ride

2010-07-18T14:47:00.000-07:00

I <3 my Sunday Rides

Hadda crash day on Wednesday

2010-07-16T06:53:00.000-07:00

It was a day of doing absolutely nothing - no yoga - no biking...just sleep.

Body wasn't 100% used to the whole new workout regime, so it was telling me to QUIT/RELAX for a day.

I'm back on the bike and back to doing the yoga now and I plan to keep going.

I'm 11 miles short of my goal this week - so that means tomorrow I will have to ride at some point in time. My friend Christina is participating in an art show with her jewelry in DT St. Pete (which is about 11 miles from my house) so I think - depending on when I wake up - I shall ride to see her tomorrow and ride back. That will put me above and beyond the mile goal for this week.

Add the standing Yoga poses for the weekend (all this past week I have been doing the back poses/stretches with the assistance of Senor) and I should be good to go.

Tonight is hanging with one of my favoritist's, going to dinner at a place I've never been to and then hitting up 'Da Club (ok this place is really nothing like "DA CLUB as it's the CASTLE in Ybor) and the heading home to relax with the bestest man in the world. Watching what I drink tonight won't be a problem at all.

It's going to be a great/awesome weekend!

Why I Run Red Lights

2010-07-15T06:59:00.000-07:00

Why I Run Red Lights

Great

2010-07-12T09:48:00.000-07:00

I am now considering venturing into mountain biking....

Yoga Day

2010-07-12T05:58:00.000-07:00

Had to change the schedule around a bit - after going almost 40 miles on the bike yesterday, my body needed sleep more than anything (no I did not take a nap yesterday..yes I am surprised).

I crashed out by about 9:15 and then woke up about 6 - too late to jump on the bike/get ready (it takes me about 20 minutes) so I decided today will be my yoga day and tomorrow will be bike day. Not that big of a deal/change and still totally doable and on track.

I'm thinking I will keep up the Team Skinny Regime until Screamfest/Spooky Empire (October 8-11th). That weekend will be my complete - OFF weekend as a reward. If I can keep it up that long (3 months) then I think I am deserving of a three day weekend off from exercise. I will however, be selling special effects makeup all weekend...

Oh and What is UP with Lance crashing three times yesterday?! Yowzas..wonder how much that pissed him off mentally...as I know it would me...

Week 2 - Team Skinny is still on board

2010-07-11T13:57:00.000-07:00

This is seriously the first time I have ever been this motivated to do this in the two and a half years I have been riding. I don't know what has gotten into me, but I hope I can keep the momemtum up.

The past week I have ridden over 50 miles...rode 5 days out of the week and one day for two hours.

This week is already starting off great - as I 'graduated' in the cycling passion.

How you ask?!

For the first time ever, I woke up this morning, got on the bike and had ...NO IDEA of where I was really going (with the exception of having to stop by a friend's house between 8:30am-9am to pick up something).

I just got on the bike and rode ...which ended me up at Coffee Pot Park, and I found other little trails through St. Pete, which I thought was pretty freaking cool.

I met up with other cyclists while on my ride. It felt nice - everyone smiled and waved as I rode past and said 'Morning!" :) Very Good Morning it was indeed.

This week looks like I will be riding to work on Wed/Thurs due to weather.

And me incorporating Yoga into the Team Skinny Goals.

Thanks to two totally awesome ladies who let me borrow a beginner Yoga DVD for a bit, I am getting a great start today with this goal as well.

I only did 10 minutes, but holy crap did I learn a lot in 10 minutes. Such as

I AM NOT FLEXIBLE AT ALL...

But the Yoga will def work that and I'm looking forward to it.

I shall be doing this on my 'off days' from the bike on the weeks and also one extra 'freebie' day when I feel like I could use a good stretch and centering.

If I keep this up - I might actually end up going to Six Gap this year with Brendan and Dimitros..AND participating.

OFF DAY

2010-07-09T06:18:00.001-07:00

I had all intentions of waking up and going riding to work this morning (and back of course) - the weather was perfect for it today.
However, since I have kept up with my ride regime for a week now, and was pretty exhausted..my body said NO and I SLEPT through my alarm...
Ah well - today will be my off day and I'll just jump on the bike this weekend. No worries.
I rode for 27 miles yesterday (2 hours) so today should not be abused/taken for granted. And this is the first month of getting back into it - the schedule should be normal by August.
And I made a cycling friend while on the bridge yesterday (another fellow cyclist). Awesome.

P.S. THOR HUSHOVD = MY TEAM

2010-07-08T07:32:00.001-07:00

Yea, I'll take him please...

It's July - and the temp this morning was 73 degrees..with 47% humidity

2010-07-08T06:40:00.000-07:00

That is a blessing to us Floridians on days like this.

Even if it gets up to 90 degrees later today (it's actually going to get up to 96), the fact that the humidity is down and there was a slight 'chill' in the air when I was on the bike is just heaven when you're used to sweltering humidity and sun/heat.

The fact that this area is nothing but a concrete jungle only increases the heat when you're own black asphalt. I seriously think I have felt my skin start to burn off my legs when I'm at a red light just WAITING for the light to turn green again.

The bike ride this morning in was nice - the water was peaceful and the chill in the air made for little if no sweating, except where my heart-rate monitor was of course. It felt damn good to be on my bike and not be in my car.

This afternoon will be brutal - the weatherman stated it's going to climb today and fast. The humidity will still stay low (for this time of year) but it's still not going to be a fun day on the bridge over. It never is. I cannot wait for October and the cool days all day long. Will definitely make me want to ride more to work than just once or twice a week - that's for sure :)

Progress of Team Skinny is going well. It's been four days of me waking up at 5am (even my off day I woke up to get used to the schedule). My legs are starting to have muscle soreness from the riding schedule and my brain is starting to become confused due to the sleep schedule and me taking control of it.

The plan was to take Saturday as my next 'Off' day, but that might change due to the weather. Might just not take it off at all. We'll see.

Bicycling Info.org site

2010-07-07T06:49:00.001-07:00

(Title is also link to article) - See Below:

This web-site is a bicycling/commuting site that gives you lots of info on, not only the benefits of cycling but how you can get started as well.

Team Skinny Day #3

2010-07-07T03:45:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was my 'off day' for the week.
Weather does not look to be very promising for the next couple of days (something about a cold front...or maybe a hurricane...whatever, it's Florida).
Humidity is terrible right now. If I just STOP on the bike to take a breather, it envelopes me and thus makes it where the sweat doesn't dry up.
Meh.
Luckily, Dimitrios bought us a trainer last year...

One of the best trainers on the market actually.
So he set that up for me last night - in front of the computer.
I can happily watch Hulu now in the mornings and catch up on my TV programs I like to watch while getting my hour in the morning.
And 30 minutes in the afternoons.

American Tour Dreams Ruined due to Cracked Ribs

2010-07-06T07:31:00.000-07:00

Click on title for more info :(.

And check out cyclingnews.com for more info as well on the tour, etc.

P.S. Just learned from D that we do have Versus on the Basic Cable Channels after all. KICK ASS. We can now watch the races :D

Team Skinny Take 1

2010-07-06T06:53:00.000-07:00

I did good this past weekend. I had plans to start on a training schedule and was worried that going out of town (I had planned to start it on Monday) would screw with my schedule (meaning I would be lazy and not get my @$$ up and ride the bike that I dragged all the way to Jacksonville/Orange Park). But luckily, my aunt has Banty Roosters who decided that 4:15 was the appointed time to start crowing at the sun (that wasn't out yet) and since I'm not used to them, it woke me up. I could be annoyed/pissed at this, but I actually saw it as a 'Thank you', as I got up and did my hour and a half ride..and got to see the sunrise on my ride (one of my favorite parts of my biking)

Today is my 'off day' but for the rest of the week I have to be on the bike for at least an hour to reach this goal I am attempting. The weather here in Florida, has..for lack of a better term, sucked monkey balls this past week and it sounds like it is going to continue to do so (it's been like Portland down here...meh). So I am going to set up the trainer tonight so I can at least ride in the morning should it be icky/unacceptable...
I am also going to seriously look into doing yoga. Stretching is good, and would probably benefit me by a lot.

Orange park for the weekend..biking for a day?

2010-07-02T08:06:00.000-07:00

This fourth of July weekend I'll be visiting my aunt in Orange Park. The original plan was for us to visit both her and some friends of our's in Jacksonville - however, they are out of town and thus, it's just going to be me hanging with her from Saturday-Monday.

I am excited for this trip as I love hanging out with my aunt.
BUT - I did determine that this week would be the week to start biking (as fitting in with The Tour De France)...
So I created a route to go to from my aunt's house...it's nothing fancy - and it's only about 11 miles..I'm concluding that if I see something while on the ride that peaks my interest, I'll veer in that direction and see where it takes me. So a simple 11 mile ride could potentially turn into a 21-30 mile ride as well.
I'm pretty excited as this is one of the few rides where I have just hopped on the bike to ride, and not 100% know where the adventure will take me. Usually I feel more..accomplished if I have an endgoal..but all I have with this ride is the determination to wake up about 7am and be on the bike and back at her house no later than 10-11am to enjoy the pool for the rest of the day.

Sometimes breaking up is hard to do

2010-07-01T13:10:00.001-07:00

Click on title for more.

Today is July 1st - Which means on July 3rd...

2010-07-01T06:30:00.000-07:00

Yep - and I will be putting updates of the tour when and at every moment I can.
It's so funny to me. I have never been a big 'watching sports on TV' type person. Except for swimming, and I only get to really watch that when the Olympics are going on (I was a swimmer for years..so there's the reason for that).
Kinda wish that I didn't get rid of the premium channels at my house now - as D and I would have Vs on daily to watch the races.
I wonder if I could get them put on for just a month...hummm...

Link to the page - is here..

How to Drive Around Cyclists.

2010-06-24T07:39:00.000-07:00

http://www.bicycling.com/news/advocacy/how-drive-around-cyclists

'I guess you have a death wish or something'

2010-06-24T05:26:00.000-07:00

Why do I hear this statement 75% of the time that I tell people I ride my bike around here?
Do you want my personal opinion of your snide comment after you get done stating this?
I don't think you do...
Do you want me to rail off stats that show that it's safer to be on a bicycle than it is in a car?
Or that I'm the same amount of safe as you getting into your car and joining the lemmings on the road with other 2-3 ton metal vehicles? In case you hadn't noticed, there are safety precautions to a car in order to protect you - A SEATBELT for example....
Shall I point out the crap that you do that would seem you have more of a death wish than I do? Such as SMOKING, or drinking enough soda and junk food while sitting at your desk your diabetic coma is just bound to sneak up on you as you age?
Maybe I'll just point out the fact that you go out in the sun and increase your chances of skin cancer daily here in our lovely sunny state of Florida.

Would you like that? To be critiqued over your decisions in life?
I don't think so. So don't critique or judge mine please. If you have a comment to say about my biking that you think is in any way, shape or form NEGATIVE.
SHUT YOUR PIE-HOLE, GET YOUR COFFEE AND DON'T TALK TO ME NEGATIVELY ABOUT SOMETHING I OBVIOUSLY ENJOY.

Thank you

Goals...

2010-06-21T08:14:00.000-07:00

The problem with making goals - is that if you don't meet them, it can be a little disenchanting.
The problem with my goal, is that I don't want to 100% do what I have to do in order to get there:

I would kill for those legs..and that body.
However, that takes training. Hardcore training. Like, change my diet entirely and my schedule and don't even consider including photography or dancing as a past-time training (ok I might be able to do those a little bit, but not how I do them now).
It's not a matter of not being able to do it. I could totally do it. And did do it by about 90% complete-ness when I was younger and was a swimmer (the only thing I refused to give up was chocolate back then). It's a matter of getting rid of a lot of good things (that are bad for you) in order to get there.

Then again, maybe I could also see it as a 2011 New Year's goal...

Happy Father's Day

2010-06-20T07:33:00.001-07:00

Shamed

2010-06-16T12:09:00.000-07:00

Thunder and lightening over here have made me chicken out and decide against riding my bike home this afternoon.
I have called my backup driver (The Greek) and he is on the way to pick me up.
It's that and the freaking ear pain I'm having right now is like..WOAH (see, possible ear infection)

But for now, I am

Mass Traffic

2010-06-16T04:16:00.000-07:00

I am not the person to discuss new car/traffic construction with. Sadly, I noted this yesterday when my house-mate unfortunately brought up the new overpass off of Bryan Dairy that is currently being created even as we speak.
I had seen the monstrosity on the couple of occasions I have driven to the Interstate, I just honestly choose to ignore it for the most part.
Currently - from what I hear; Exit 30 on I-275 will include a new overpass that will take people right to Bryan Dairy instead of having them drive on Roosevelt.
Sure, it's great for cars commuters; but it's horrible for other method of transportation. And that's what infuriates me.

Why can't this area, instead of creating a gazillion overpasses to accomodate the sprawl - DO SOMETHING about the sprawl?? And if they can't - then why can't they look into more efficient methods of transportation...say Mass Transit or a Railway or something.
This entire AREA has become nothing but 8 lane roads (that don't need to be 8 lanes..I'm sorry, but if they had just looked into making more options to mass commute people across the bridge to Tampa, then they wouldn't have to make Ulmerton (for example), from 4 to 8 lanes. have you been on that road after rush hour? It's DEAD - hardly any of that 8 lane is fully used EXCEPT for at rush hour time).
It's bad enough that in order for me to get home SAFELY, I have to drive my car to an area PAST three entrance and exit routes of interstate. Every single road in this area people think is a freeway/highway...even when it's not. We've got four lane roads going through NEIGHBORHOODS. With kids playing in the area.
It's just not smart. We're talking over and over about the oil spill here and how we need to find alternative energy sources, yet we're still condoning that everyone in this area HAVE A CAR in order to survive..it seems almost like a wasted effort.
You wanna talk about being less dependent on gas? Then shut up and get on a bicycle. Or take a walk to the store that's 1.5 miles from your house. Sure it'll be hot - sure it'll be uncomfortable..but your body will adjust. You think I ENJOY being a hot sweaty mess when I come into work and all the cleanup I have to do when I get there so as not to offend? No I don't really. But it's SO worth it to be more fit, enjoy my time on the bike, have an alternative method of transportation, and be one less car on the road.
So no; talking to me about how cool an overpass isn't really a good idea.
The only thing I see that overpass as being right now for me?! Is a reminder - that I need to move out of this area and to more cycle friendly areas that WANT to embrace alternative options for transit.
/end soapbox.

Has nothing to do with biking, but I really want to share my favorite kinks song

2010-06-13T10:01:00.000-07:00

Awesome

2010-06-10T06:34:00.000-07:00

There's definitely something to be said for having the wind at your back, pushing you across the bridge in the afternoons.

Made it over the bridge in 45minutes thanks to that. God Bless TailWinds :)

40% chance of rain tomorrow - I think it'll still be good to ride in again...

A view of my ride in and back home everyday for those that were curious

2010-06-09T04:53:00.001-07:00

Click on the view larger map link below to see the whole she-bang...you can also click the title of the entry as well to re-direct.

View Larger Map

HONK!! HONK!!

2010-06-09T04:29:00.001-07:00

I don't know who determined it was ok for people to HONK at cyclists on the road, but seriously, it's not doing your case any good. I'm a cyclist..in the road, not swerving. I am aware of my surroundings. You don't think I can't HEAR you car coming up behind me? You don't think I can tell how fast you're going or which lane you're in. My job is to be on GUARD at all times so as not to get clobbered by a car. YOUR JOB IS TO PASS ME - GIVING ME THREE FEET OF SPACE BY MOVING OVER (Required by law) and to not disrupt my ride. Honking your horn while passing, only STARTLES THE CYCLISTS and thus MIGHT cause them to weave. OR definitely/for sure make them your worst enemy for giving them that scare.

Now I on the other hand, have taken a different approach - just so you jackholes don't ruin my day. I have decided that instead of honking to just either a) let me know that you're there (even though I CAN HEAR YOU COMING FROM 5 MILES BACK) or b) cause you're upset that you have to move that steering wheel over just so to give me room...I have determined that you are my cheering squad. So if you hear me yelling WOOOO YEAAAAAA GO TEAM MEEEEE!!! when you HONK and pass me - sorry if that's not what you wanted, but I'm not going to let stupidity ruin my day.

I am on top of the world when I am cycling, there is nothing you can do that can ruin how good cycling makes me feel.

When are you people going to chill the eff out?

2010-06-03T09:43:00.001-07:00

Two cyclists stabbed after holiday ride; one in critical condition

A driver confronted a group after one yelled at him.

Posted: May 31, 2010 - 12:14pm

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3939 Roosevelt Boulevard, Jacksonville, Florida

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By Matt Galnor

An annual Memorial Day bicycle ride landed three men in the hospital — two cyclists who were stabbed and the suspect who’ll be charged in the attack.

One of the cyclists was in critical condition Monday at Shands Jacksonville, said Sgt. Robert Hurst of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. Police did not identify any of the three men Monday.

Hurst said police have varying accounts of what happened just before 11 a.m. in the parking lot of Florida State College at Jacksonville’s Kent Campus.

Jim Wright of Orange Park was among about 25 riders in the front group and said everything started when the cyclists finished their 60-mile route and pulled onto the service road leading into the college — the starting and finishing point for the ride.

A man driving a pickup truck brushed up against one of the cyclists and another rider started yelling at the driver, Wright said.

The driver followed the group into the parking lot, got out of his truck and moved toward one of the cyclists, Wright said.

When the driver, whom Hurst said was in his late teens or early 20s, bumped his chest against the cyclist, another rider punched the driver in the face.

The driver then stabbed the cyclist who punched, and slashed another rider who tried to break it up, Wright said.

None of the witnesses who spoke with the Times-Union saw the knife and Hurst said it was not recovered.

The man then got in his truck and took off. Robert Brown, another cyclist, chased after the truck and yelled the license plate number to someone else in the group, who saved it in his phone and called police.

Wright grabbed a spare tube for a bike tire and wrapped it around the first cyclist’s wounds to try to stop the bleeding until rescue units arrived.

“You can fix anything with a tube and a spoke,” Wright said.

The driver called his father, who went to the scene and told police where to find his son, Hurst said. He was hospitalized with injuries to his face and will be charged with aggravated battery, Hurst said.

The driver is cooperating with police and told his father he was jumped by a group of cyclists, Hurst said.

The two cyclists were among more than 100 riders in an annual Memorial Day ride sponsored by the North Florida Bicycle Club, ride director John McDowell said.

Most of the cyclists who gathered after the ride have their own horror stories about being flipped the bird or getting ice tossed on them by motorists, but that’s usually as far as it goes, McDowell said.

“We’ve had threats like that before,” McDowell said, “but never anything like this.”

Tampa Biking Events :)

2010-05-20T11:53:00.000-07:00

Dear Tampa BayCycle Supporter,

We are pleased to announce that our campaign won the Florida Bicycle Association’s Program of the Year award last week at their annual statewide conference. And our own Jim Shirk won their Volunteer of the Year award. Kudos to all those involved (pat yourself on the back at this time).

National Bike Month is wrapping up but we still have several activities planned. Check the website for full details. Here is a quick list:

· Friday 5/21 National Bike to Work Day - rides into downtown Tampa and USF campus

· Saturday 5/22 Hands on basic bike maintenance clinic from 9:30 – 11:30am, RSVP to www.citybiketampa.com. $25/person includes toolkit

· Saturday 5/22 Hub Grub Bicycle Ride, 3-6pm visiting various restaurants in Seminole Heights, sponsored by the Seminole Heights Bike Club.

· Tuesday 5/25 Hands on basic bike maintenance clinic from 5-7pm, RSVP to www.citybiketampa.com. $25/person includes toolkit

· Thursday 5/27 Urban Restaurant Ride, sponsored by CityBike Tampa

· Wednesday 6/2 Ambassador party at Splitsville. RSVP required.

We hope to see you at one of these activities. Thank you for helping to make the Bay Area a great place to ride.

SALE

2010-05-19T06:44:00.001-07:00

Nashbar Sweatstopper Headband
WAS $12.99
$4.99

Bellwether Impact Glove
WAS $29.99
$9.99

Bellwether Women's Supreme Glove
WAS $19.99
$4.99

Nashbar Essential Glove
WAS $19.99
$7.49

Sugoi Neo Jersey
WAS $54.99
$24.99

Ascent Transit
Jersey
WAS $49.99
$19.99

Louis Garneau Women's Citizen Jersey
WAS $44.99
$19.99

Bellwether Titan Ultralite Vest
WAS $54.99
$14.99

Nashbar Gel Ride
Bib Short
WAS $59.99
$39.99

Pearl Izumi Ultra Attack Short
WAS $90.00
$64.99

Nashbar Women's
Gel Ride Short
WAS $49.99
$29.99

Bellwether Women's Velocity Vest
WAS $44.99
$14.99

Cannondale Simple Style Sock
WAS $9.99
$2.49

Shimano Women's WF21 Indoor Cycling/ Fitness Shoe
WAS $89.99
$29.99

Nashbar Sport II
Road Shoe
WAS $69.99
$49.99

Lake CX 125 Road/Touring Shoe
WAS $99.99
$49.99

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13.6 vs 21.9

2010-05-18T04:30:00.001-07:00

Tried another alternative today. I parked my car at a shopping plaza 6 miles away from the house (A Publix, off of MLK/9th and Roosevelt if any of you know the area), kinda of a ..middle ground for the ride. Dimitrios was a bit adamant on me doing this - as me going down Roosevelt during 5pm traffic and near the I-275 Interstates during that time makes him a little nervous. I still have yet to fully experience it, but I can see why it would be sketchy just riding through it on the few mornings that I have. Even with hardly any traffic, cars are coming off that exit at a pretty fast pace (rightly so - they just got off the Interstate), so yea. This might be the best alternative that I found so far.

Parking the car and then riding the rest of the way is still going to save a good bit on gas so I'm ok with it. Anything at this point. Also another reason why I'm looking at bus routes as well. One of these days I'll get the courage to do that. Maybe during the summer.
It's not so much the 'courage'. I guess that's the wrong word. It's more of the anxiety of 'IF' I miss the bus, I have to wait for the other, which will in fact, put me 30 minutes late. And I hate being late...to anything. Anxiety issues that happened from a young age, what can I say. Unfortunately, I can't even 'test run' the bus route on the weekends as the routes that go over to Tampa DON'T RUN ON THE WEEKENDS (yes, our Mass transit is retarded).
There's also the fear of someone jacking my bike. I know this is probably HIGHLY unlikely, as the bus driver will hopefully be paying attention on who's bike is who -but still - you never know. Again, I know I can just keep an eye on it from the bus, but there's still that...anxiety of it happening.
But I'm sure I WILL have to take the bus one of these days over. Even if it's just one way home in the afternoon.

I still love the mornings here in the Tampa Bay Area. Riding over the water is so relaxing compared to being in the car. It makes me like where I live again. And able to tolerate it for just a bit longer.
Cyclist's aren't joking when they state "The World looks better on a bike".

Rain Rain - All Week and Today

2010-05-17T04:18:00.000-07:00

Forecast actually told the truth for once this week.
I am currently listening to rain pelting my tin roof of my porch enclosure.

Looks like ..the only good riding will be tomorrow (which is the usual day I plan on riding in)...so we'll see.

Rain for the rest of the week....even going into Saturday.

Guess the rainy season is upon us.
Now to just accommodate the biking schedule for it...or just ride the Miyata for the next few weeks and not give a damn if I get wet or not.

Winds ESE at 18mph...

2010-05-12T05:33:00.000-07:00

Gusting to 23mph....I weigh roughly 123-125...the wind will only pick up when I get on the bridge where there's no resistance (ie. trees, buildings, etc) to protect me. .....I think it was a good decision to turn around and drive in today. Stupid Wind...

Tomorrow is another day..and I will cross the Gandy Bridge this week via bicycle like I have the past three weeks...dammit.

Sometimes..the Cyclists Wins

2010-05-10T12:05:00.000-07:00

Click the title for more info :)

Mark your Calendar

2010-05-05T09:54:00.000-07:00

Mark your calendar! The Florida Department of Transportation is holding regional workshops around the state to obtain public and partner input on the future of transportation in Florida as part of development of the 2060 Florida Transportation Plan. Tampa - Monday, June 7, 2:30 - 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time FDOT District 7 Auditorium 11201 N. McKinley Drive Contact: Lee Royal 813-975-6427 lee.royal@dot.state.fl.us

Then there's the pleasure of the early morning ride...

2010-05-04T08:00:00.000-07:00

I rode into work...
Nobody bothers me on this long ride. I have yet to be honked at - bitched at, yelled at or even buzzed.
I thought that Tampa and the Gandy Bridge would be horrid - especially since traffic over in Tampa always seems to be just so..Bad...

However, this is the second day I have rode in and had..nothing.
And it made me feel a lot better about stuff...in general.

NEW RULE: Instead of being mopey pants - MUST.GET.ON.BIKE.WHEN.FEELING.BAD.TO.TURN.THAT.FROWN.UPSIDE.DOWN.

:D

Only catch is - when you're feeling mopey - the bike sometimes is not as inviting as it could/should be ya know? The couch seems to call your name a LOT more when you're depressed.
But man does it feel good to be on that bike.
This afternoon however, when I'm riding back over the bridge - I WILL be cursing the wind AND the sun today. LOL...just like I did last week as well. :D

Green Stats

2010-05-04T04:51:00.000-07:00

Green Stats
Total Workout Days: 260
Distance Traveled: 2,885.90 mi.
Gas Saved: 160.33 gallons
Money Saved: $557.94
Carbon Offset: 3,104.0 lbs. of CO2

Two of the routes I've done in the past month

2010-05-04T04:48:00.000-07:00

Daytona Beach (from our hotel on our vacation on)
http://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/fl/south%20daytona/798127297297522715

My Route to work
http://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/fl/tampa/largo%2c%20fl/528127297335144637

Apologies

2010-04-30T09:52:00.000-07:00

My life has been a little hectic as of late:
- I finished school and will be graduating in two weeks
- I acquired a heart-rate monitor and can thus track my training a lot better. Got ready to make training goals and then:
- I was laid off from my job (which was only 5 miles from my home)
- I had to put off cycling for about 4-5 weeks while job searching (save for some small trips here and there to enjoy myself)
- I did a cycling adventure vacation up in Jacksonville with The Greek and had a great time
- I acquired work four weeks after being laid off over in Tampa
- Which makes for a 21 mile ride to work, ONE WAY
- AND I WILL BE DOING THIS 2x a week and commuting BACK over the Gandy Bridge every week (Weather permitting of course)

I already sucessfully did the commute one day this week. Dimitrios rode with me as he had mapped out the way for me through Tampa. The ride in? Kick ass - it was nice and cool super early in the morning (takes about an hour and a half to ride to work), and the water being on both sides was great. Hell, we were even passed by another cyclist who was booking it while we were going 23mph.
The ride home? HELL (LOL). We went from having the wind at our backs to fighting the wind, and being in the direct sunlight while going over the bridge. The wind was up to 20mph and we were going 11mph just fighting it.

It was still worth it though - and still awesome.
And so much worth riding and waking up 2 hours earlier than normal jsut to be on the bike and do soemthing that I love so much.

So I will be updating more here in the future. After my graduation ceremony in two weeks - expect weekly updates, status and comments on my trip over the Gandy and my commute as well as reports on my Project: Buff this year.

Ciao! for Niao!

2010 - New Year New Motivations

2010-01-19T04:35:00.000-08:00

I have one more week of school - ONE.MORE.WEEK - - after that - training is going to be in full force with the biking, dancing, and every other thing that has been compromised while in school.

Got new shifters for the Trek - I have now moved up in the world to Shimano Tiagra's, which also meant a new cassette on the bike as well, so the Trek is now a 9 speed on the back. Woohoo - I got's more gears. That, I never really get to use since we live in FLATLAND (meh) but that will probably change here soon as I have requested that we make the trek out to San Antonio, FL to ride on hills so I can get acclimated to them for when/if we move out of state. If that does happen, it's going to start happening pretty fast.

The biking schedule has increased even though my mapmyride for the last two months hasn't shown it - just stopped logging it and I can't remember what I rode for certain - memory is being retained right now for school stuff and my finals this week. But I'm riding more to work and for errands and driving less and it feels pretty great!

In the market for a heart-rate monitor now. If I want to train and I want to train right, those are key to learning while training. Will update when I have one of those as well.

Need to get my schedule back on track - super cold weather didn't stop me from riding (yes I was riding to work in 35 degree weather - what of it?) but the dance schedule has. Along with my ballroom dancing I am now taking up belly-dance as well and those classes are on certain nights that mess up my early night for bed so I can do my before dawn/work bike ride. I've been waking up late and that's not good. So I think I need to change my schedule around to do the before dawn bike ride on Mondays, Fridays and every other Thursday. We'll see if that works.

This week's ride schedule will be M, W, TH, F - Ballroom is usually on Wednesdays, but I haven't heard anything from Joe/My Instructor...so I'm actually starting to get a little worried.

Welcome to 2010!

Updates

2009-12-01T03:54:00.000-08:00

Dimitrios and I have been biking a lot more now that the weather is pleasant. We took our steel frame/commuter bikes this Sunday and rode to Target and got items we needed (put them in our pannier set), had a nice lunch and then rode back. About a 10 mile ride for the day. Dimitrios is also riding for everything now. His car has not been moved from the parking space since November 7th, when we got back from our Atlanta/The Jesus Lizard trip. It's been pretty cool. And it's not like the miles are going on my car, cause my car has pretty much been parked with the exception of the usual 1-2 days a week I drive into work.

We also rode to his mom's house for Thanksgiving dinner. That was really nice too. Ended up getting a night ride in (as it was about 11pm when we left her house), and the roads were dead. Very different and very odd for a Thursday night in Largo; but very beneficial for us as we weren't bothered by any motorists. People driving that did pass us didn't even seem to be in a rush, which is a nice change.

Rode the commuter bike to work as it was Monday and I didn't want to work up a huge sweat. D then suggested we go to his mom's for Turkey Soup (which was delicious). I suggested he meet me at work and so we rode from my work to his mom's - had a nice dinner and left about 8pm, we headed home and a mile away from the house, my pulley broke on the derailer, causing no inertia/pull. D went back to get the pieces and then pushed me the mile left that we had home! Got home and ordered the part - thank goodness only a 4 dollar part. So, my commuter bike is out of commission for a bit - no big deal. Should be back in working order by this weekend.

Been riding three weeks now two days a week an hour before I am expected to go into work. It's been nice. I think next week I might bump it up to 3 days a week. Mondays are just going to be commute only days; as I can't get my @$$ up to save my life on Mondays.
And I came up with an 'epiphany' this past weekend while staring at my car parked in the parking spot. I think on the days/weeks I have appointments I'm just going to drive the car into work on Monday mornings and keep the car in the parking garage at work all week and just bike to and from work. I mean...why not?? That way on my lunch appointments I can drive to them and make it - and IF it rains, then at least the car is here for me to use and I don't have to try and find another alternate route/plan (even though 75% of the time I just ride in the rain cause I like to). Then on Friday, just drive the car back home. Easy Peasy. And I will still be able to get most of my riding in during the week.
So that's the update ...I'll get better at posting on this now that I'm riding more often. And I'll be sure to post my stats as well soon as I haven't done that in awhile either

Discoveries

2009-11-18T05:44:00.000-08:00

I'm not as young as I used to be. I need sleep - and a decent amount of it in order to function. The days of drinking and being retarded, crashing out and then getting only 4 hours of sleep to wake up the next morning and go to work are done/over. I'm 30 - it doesn't work that way anymore.

Also - setting any...WORKOUT goal on a Monday morning (or a biking goal for that matter) ain't gonna happen for a bit. I wanted to start riding in the mornings before I head to work - at least an hour before -- twice a week for starters. I THOUGHT Mondays would be perfect for that, but they're not, as I want to sleep in until I absolutely HAVE to get up and get my butt on that bike.

I went to bed at 10pm last night. It was kinda hard as I usually want to fight to stay up as late as possible (EFF THE MAN), I had to use two glasses of champagne in order to just make me sleepy - crashed...and amazingly - woke up on my own at 4:52am (alarm was set for 5:15). I laid there...kinda surprised by all the noise that goes on outside my window/in the parking lot of my complex (I had no idea that many people went to work at that time) until the alarm went off, then got up - started a load of laundry and got ready for the bike ride before work.

Headed out of the house @ 6am -- rode until 6:50 in the neighborhood behind my work, and then headed into work at 7am.
So I now know that:
a) I HAVE to go to bed by 10pm if I'm going to get up for this ride by 6am
b) I CANNOT DRINK the night before a ride day. Or..really ever again for that matter. I'm sure I will have certain weekends that I will drink but that whole hangover shit?! yea, not happening anymore.
c) The 6am ride is awesome. There's hardly anyone on the road and the people that are?? Leave you the hell alone. Plus seeing the sun come up in the morning and all the colors over the horizon - ah-MAZ-ing! I'm going to have to get my handheld back from Chris and take a photo one morning while I'm riding. :D
d) The awesome thing about being short is that you can take legwarmers that are supa-cheap at Target and use them as arm warmers as well and nobody is the wiser. My total warm gear on my bike (without my coat as I felt it would make me too hot)....about 5 dollars (the sets of legwarmers were 2.50 each last year). And they just look like sleeves...awesome.
e) Bike riding makes me feel better - so I need to not let it fall astray and continue it.

Those are my discoveries for the week - well - that and the Jesus/Gun Truck I mentioned earlier today

Sited while doing my hour ride before work...

2009-11-18T04:18:00.000-08:00

A Ford F-150 that has a sticker of the Head of Christ on it (with thorns) and then gun shot stickers all around the Jesus Sticker and the truck. What kind of symbolism is that?! I want to Shoot Christ? I've been shot for liking Chirst? I'm just a retard?! WHICH ONE?!

Link for test

2009-10-28T05:06:00.000-07:00

Dear White SUV Lexas:

2009-10-22T04:53:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry that YOU thought you needed to go on the complete opposite side of the street and impede passing traffic...100 FEET BEFORE A STOP SIGN that you and I are coming up to while I'm on my bike. It's not my fault you're a complete MORON and can't just WAIT YOUR TURN AT A STOP SIGN LIKE EVERYONE ELSE.
If you had just COASTED and stayed behind me to begin with - you wouldn't have that problem, or have pissed off the other driver.

Stay classy, jackass."

SHOOOOM!

2009-10-19T08:15:00.000-07:00

Cold Weather
New Wheels
New WheelSet (thanks to Dimitrios - happy birthday to me! The Hubs finally came in and he made my wheelset all last week and this weekend) :D

Makes for a faster/happier ride into work
This weekend - starts the weekend rides again and the training. I'm excited!

"Cold Front" Starts here tomorrow

2009-10-15T09:59:00.000-07:00

Which means the biking starts back up to and from work during the work week.
And maybe some group rides with the Skirts, as I do miss them.

Hell - YES

Stay tuned for more on this - breaking news...

2009-10-12T14:58:00.001-07:00

Thanks to velonews.com:

California road-rage case heads for court

By Patrick Brady

Published: Oct. 12, 2009

A California emergency-room physician faces trial this week on multiple felony charges stemming from a 2008 road-rage case that left two cyclists seriously injured.

Dr. Christopher T. Thompson allegedly braked suddenly in front of Ron Peterson and Christian Stoehr after he and Peterson exchanged words as they descended Mandeville Canyon Road on July 4, 2008.

The road, a two-lane, dead-end street in the Los Angeles suburb of Brentwood, is a popular destination for local cyclists who want a climb with relatively little traffic.

Peterson and Stoehr had taken part in a Fourth of July group ride and were descending behind the rest of the group after assisting another cyclist who had fallen and waiting for paramedics to arrive.

Thompson, an ER physician and owner of a medical-records company who lives on Mandeville Canyon Road, is said to have approached the duo at speed in a late-model burgundy Infiniti sedan and honked at them before pulling alongside and telling them to ride single file. After a brief exchange of words, the cyclists say, Thompson pulled ahead of them and then stopped short.

Stoehr hit the back of the car and vaulted into the oncoming traffic lane. His injuries included a grade-three shoulder separation and road rash. Peterson went through the rear window of the car; the impact broke his nose, nearly severing it from his face, and shattered several of his teeth. More than 90 stitches were required to reattach his nose.

Thompson was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon; he was later released on $30,000 bail. In December 2008, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Amy. D. Hogue ordered that Thompson stand trial after a preliminary hearing in which Los Angeles police Officer Robert Rodriguez testified that Thompson complained that cyclists frequently traveled the canyon road and that he was “tired of them.” Thompson allegedly also told police that he stopped in front of the cyclists to “teach them a lesson.”

Also testifying were two other cyclists who claimed to have had an earlier run-in with the doctor on Mandeville Canyon Road. Patrick Watson and Josh Crosby say they were descending the road in March 2008 when a motorist sped ahead of them and hit his brakes. Watson bunny-hopped a curb and rode onto a lawn while Crosby dodged into oncoming traffic.

Watson says the motorist made a second attempt to hit them and then sped away. He used his cell phone to record the vehicle’s vanity plate, TCH MDX; that plate was also on the back of a burgundy Infiniti driven by Thompson in the July 4 incident involving Peterson and Stoehr. Thompson’s medical records company is called Touch Medix.

The Los Angeles Police Department investigated the March incident, but Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley declined to file charges against Thompson, saying the case wasn’t “a winner.” Since then, the case against Thompson has been amended to include a single count of misdemeanor reckless driving causing injury, reflecting the allegations made by Watson and Crosby.

Thompson pleaded not guilty to the charges against him on January 15. Final pre-trial motions will take place on Tuesday. A jury is to be selected on Wednesday, with opening arguments scheduled for Thursday.

Six Gap

2009-10-02T12:47:00.000-07:00

Dimitrios did well last Sunday.

105 miles in 6 1/2 hours. He did all of Six Gap...and his legs felt like spaghetti to prove it.

I started looking today for photos of him on flickr - and came across the ones I posted. Thanks to x376 User on Flickr for posting them and this set

I'll be posting more as I find them!

Oh and the guy in that last photo -- with the black/white helmet right in the front?! That's my BFF Brendan... :D

Biking and Six Gap

2009-09-25T10:31:00.001-07:00

I've started biking into work again. I missed it - two times these past two weeks. that's pretty good - next week I'm going to strive for three weeks - my body has totally missed it so it's definitely something I'm going to get back to. The afternoon showers after work are hitting me as I drive home, but that's ok. Makes the drive less humid/gross feeling.

Going to Tallahassee tonight to drop Dimitrios off with Brendan for the ride up in Six Gap I was going to participate in this, but something has come up with my grandfather, so I'm using the weekend as a weekend to visit him and possibly do some riding around the Tallahassee area for a bit. And do homework. It'll be a quiet/private weekend for me and it's something that's definitely needed for me.

At some point I'm going to start attempting to go back to the weekly ride with The Skirts Sadly with the way it's looking, it might not be until I'm 100% done with school, and then I'll only be riding with them until we move out of state in May :(. I miss seeing them though.

Going to also start on a training schedule for the rider with little time (see book below). Plans for that are to be in October that I start doing that.

And Im getting a new bike soon. Details to follow on that when I get it.

Well this is sad (Click Title for story)

2009-09-16T06:38:00.001-07:00

Washington's Bike Messenger's are in decline :(...

Hiatus is almost over

2009-09-08T12:07:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry, but the heat and humidity for the month of August pretty much killed any ambition I had to ride to and from work - or even just to go and get the mail.

We went to Colorado for a week - it was..AMAZING!!! D did some mountain biking and had a good time.
Just got back from an Atlanta/Tallahassee visit this Labor Day. That was fun, and the Silver Comet Trail in Atlanta is really a nice trail that we enjoyed. Shaded, nice - and EVERYONE KNEW HOW THE HELL TO RIDE, walk, and jog on the trail (unlike here in the 'Burg, where the Pinellas trail is filled with morons and walkers who take up the entire trail....Sigh).
D went with Brendan up in Tallahassee to a Chaires ride...i bailed on riding as my rear is sore from the ride on the Silver Comet. Mainly because I haven't rode in over a month and my booty's gotta get used to my seat again.
I have come across a conclusion however....

My bike is too small for me. It's something I didn't...WANT to admit - but let's face facts...I have a stem on it that's ridiculous (150-200), I have spacers to get the stem up where I need it in order to fit me correctly (about 4 or 5 spacers...which is a LOT). its' just too small. It's a 47cm, and I probably need one up - (49 or 50). so I'm biting the bullet and looking for a bike now. When I get it - I'll sell my Trek and that will be the hardest thing. Since it was my baby - my first REAL bike and her and I have shared many memories.
W
I've got time and like I said - The Trek fits for now..but it does still hurt sometimes...so bigger would be better as I can't really keep stretching it out when it's gone as far as it can go.
So that's the plan with that...

As for the biking - the plan right now - depending on the weather - will be to ride into work tomorrow. Here's hoping it's not disgusting - as one month without biking is like going north to sound on my arm with a razor blade!

It's all about 'Performance'

2009-08-11T16:18:00.000-07:00

Bike Ride = Sweat Ride in Tampa Bay this time of year

2009-07-29T05:53:00.000-07:00

Rode the bike into work.
Rode last week as well, but the heat is making me (and the Greek) pretty lethargic lately.
I haven't done the group ride in forever, I need to ...I miss it and the Ladies.
Work and school have pretty much consumed me.
Work is lessening and school is a new quarter this week, so I'm trying to get back in the swing of things.
Got this book via the paperbackswap . I'm hoping it will give me some ideas on how or what to do to make cycling more of interest to me in this time crunched time of my life. Six hours a week isn't much, but I think I can focus on that and incorporate my daily commute into the plan. I hope anyways.
The Tour is over as well. Yes we were watching it. Dimitrios and I miss it already. There's NOTHING good on television now. I watch all my shows via Hulu so...

On my bike ride in today I was considering what life would be like as a bike messenger. Wondering how people get into that job up in NYC (or Chicago, or any other city that has them) and also wishing that I lived in a city that embraced mass transit and commuting via bike or pedestrain instead of thinking people are insane for having/owning a car. I dislike this area so much because of it.
I think the plan to move to Portland by December 2010 needs to come into play. Or the West Coast. I just gotta figure out how.

We'll be in Denver in two weeks as of today. Not taking the bikes, but I'm sure Dimitrios is going to go with B-Man somewhere while out there.