Fall is Here - The Perfect Riding Time

The work load of my thesis has had me home-bound quite a bit these days, so when I have the opportunity to get out, I try very hard to really enjoy it. Last night, I longingly watched as Sam went out the door after work to meet up with a group of people to go for a ride. "I want to go," I whined." To which I received the reply, "Then come along."

Fall is approaching - some trees are still green, but the shrubbery and weeds are definitely turning

I stared briefly at the Hillborne (which was conveniently sitting a few feet away from me), but I really couldn't afford the time that would be lost, and because I'm quite easily distracted, I knew I had to stay focused on the task at hand. While it may have only been an hour and a half away from my work, it would turn into a 3+ hour deviation. I know me, and I will somehow find a way to lose more time than necessary.

I swear, this was all the greenest-green just a couple of weeks ago

This morning I woke up and thought it was such a beautiful morning that nothing was keeping me from going on a ride, even if it wasn't for very long. I generally enjoy the 'by myself' rides anyway because I can stop and look at things that interest me and not worry about others. As I rode along this morning, I realized that fall is in fact upon us, and there's no denying it. The trees are changing to the autumn yellows and oranges, and the green scenery that used to completely surround me just a few short weeks ago around town is now straw colored. When did this happen? Before I know it, we'll be singing 'Jingle Bells.'

Man, I love this bike... and just being outside!

As usual, it was wonderful to be out in the fresh air and just absorbing from all the senses. It's easy to forget that 'me' time is still important when work seems overwhelming, but even if I can't get out for hours at a time, an hour is perfectly acceptable (and necessary, at times). What kinds of changes have you noticed as the season is changing? Do you find yourself riding more or less often?

Night Riders: Bookman Bike Headlight and Taillight Initial Review

As our sun hours minimize here in the northern hemisphere, it's easy to get caught off guard somewhere on our bicycles, and not have lights available. For those with dynamo or other lighting permanently affixed to their ride, lights are generally not something we spend a lot of time thinking about, but for those of us who don't, we begin to realize around this time of year that lights are quickly becoming a necessity.

Bookman headlight mounted on handlebar
*Image from Bookman

Bike lights seem to be an interesting and surprisingly debated subject, and while I'm not here to argue for or against a specific lighting system, I recently stumbled upon a set of bike lights from Bookman. Quite frankly, I'd never heard of them prior to seeing these lights last week, but they were so small and seemingly easy to operate and install, that I was fascinated to learn more about them. As I picked up the package, I was surprised at how small they are. I half laughed to myself and thought, "What in the world would these be good for? They cannot possibly emit a descent amount of light."

Bookman's head and tail light for bikes
*Please note that none of the photos posted show the color as it actually is. It is more of an apple green color*

Before I get into my personal opinion, let me first provide a bit of information about the lights. First, the company that makes these is based out of Stockholm, and just had their first release of bike lights during the summer of 2011. The lights, per their website, are a first release edition, so I don't know what sort of changes may be in store for future iterations. They currently come in four color choices: blue, green, black or yellow, and they are purchased as a set, not individually (I find this both good and bad, but will detail that out in a moment). The headlight is a 1 LED white light, and the rear is a 1 LED red light. Each light has three modes of operation: slow flashing, fast flashing, and steady, and they each require 2-CR2032 batteries to operate. No information is provided on length of battery operation life.

These are the actual instructions found on the packaging for installation
*Image from Bookman

The above image is a duplicate of the instructions provided with the lights on the exterior packaging, and admittedly, it really is that simple to install the lights. Not being at all mechanically inclined, I often struggle with my current light set from another manufacturer because I never seem to be able to find the on/off button, and sometimes struggle even removing the lights from their permanently affixed connection bracket. These lights caused me no problem at all. What I enjoy most is that if you need to adjust the angle, you simply tilt to the proper location and reattach. Easy-peazy. I, personally, struggled a bit more with the taillight because I have a saddle bag on the back of my bike. Since this design is more appropriate for installation on a handlebar or seat post, it was challenging to find a spot to put the light. I ended up wrapping the light around a loop on my saddle bag, which wasn't the most effective place for the light.

As you can see, this caused the light to be pointed downward, though it was still visible from the rear. I decided not to ride with this light alone, even though we were only traveling a few blocks to return a movie, and instead opted to throw an additional taillight on the back.

Doubled up on taillight action

While my riding partner said he was definitely blinded every time he looked at the back of the bike, he believes it had more to do with the other taillight than the Bookman, but because we didn't try it out alone, it's difficult to say how well the Bookman taillight would actually work on its own. Personally, I didn't feel comfortable riding with that light alone because I had no place to attach it so that it was affixed properly to be seen.

Bookman headlight mounted to handlebars

As for the Bookman headlight, it seems to provide as much illumination on the quite dark roads as my other headlight of much more substantial size. I wouldn't say that it "lit up the night" necessarily, but it was certainly functional to do what I needed it to do. Of course, I do recommend slowing down on very dark roads simply because it is much more difficult to see potential hazards. As with the taillight, the front light also has the three speed options: slow flashing, fast flashing, or steady.

These lights really are small!

Of course,one of my favorite parts about these lights is their size. They are so small that there really is no excuse for not having them along with you. They stow away easily anywhere, even in the smallest of saddle bags. Both headlight and taillight turn on/off with the push of that large button in the center of the light. I see a potential problem with this if you carry these in a bag in which they roll around a lot. There isn't any sort of mechanism to prevent the lights from turning on in your bag, and then potentially having no juice left to light your dark ride home. I will say that I did ride around with them in my saddlebag during several day rides, and they have not accidentally popped on, but I still believe it's a minor design flaw. I think I'd prefer that the user have to depress the button for 3 seconds steady in order to get them on.

One of the things that I find a little different about these Bookman lights is that they are sold as a packaged set. While it's certainly nice to be able to purchase both headlight and taillight together, what happens if one breaks, or if you happen to be an individual who needs only one piece of the set (I know people who ride only with taillights, for example, or they prefer a different kind of head/taillight)? I paid $30 + tax retail for these lights, and I wouldn't want to have to pay that for just one. Perhaps this is something that Bookman is working out and in the future they will have individual availability.

I would also like to see other color options. Personally, I would've liked just a plain white color, but that was not available, and I'm sure there are others who would like to see brighter colors, or maybe even fun designs on the light covers. I don't mind the solid block look, as these are not permanently affixed to my bike, but are rather taken on and off easily when they are needed. The ease of putting them on and taking them off means that there's no reason for them to ever be stolen when your bike is locked up outside. The block design is also a little different from most of what you see saturating the market, so I think it definitely distinguishes Bookman from other lights.

One other minor item that bothers me about these lights is that they are not marked as headlight and taillight respectively, so it is very easy to confuse which one is which if you aren't careful when attaching them. I suppose the light could simply be turned on to make that determination, but a simple marking would make it much easier.

Overall, I would recommend these lights if you need a small design that still works well to be seen in the dark, and you appreciate or even require the ease of attachment and removal of your bike lights. If you're looking for the absolute brightest of the bright, this probably isn't your answer, but for a clumsy gal like myself, I found my way home safe and sound, so I'm sure these could work well for anyone.

{Edited in October to add} I received a press release from Bookman stating that these head and tail lights are now coming in white and red, so if buyers are looking for one of these color options, they should soon be available in your local bike shops.

Fun Bicycle Fabrics

I'm in the midst of working on my thesis painting project, and while I find many excuses not to be working on the things I should be doing, this is relevant to both my "work" at the moment, and bicycles, so I thought I'd quickly share. My thesis project has me working on non-traditional canvas, and I'm instead working with various printed fabrics. I went on a hunt to find some bike fabric and found a ton of wonderful options.

I ended up purchasing only two of them because I don't need much, and I needed some fairly specific qualities out of the fabric, but if anyone out there is in search of bike fabrics for various projects or crafts, Etsy seems to have a plethora of choices at the moment. I also couldn't help but notice that one of the fabrics I selected is quite similar to some of the Po Campo fabrics I've seen recently.

The coloring is a bit different on each of them, but I couldn't help but think, "I've seen this somewhere before." While I'm not a particularly crafty person, I know there are a lot of people who do some really beautiful and creative things with fabrics and other items. Has anyone had the opportunity to see any fun bicycle "stuff" recently, or made anything you're proud of?

Visiting The Mindful Bike

Today, I had the great pleasure of visiting the The Mindful Bike. After discovering their newly opened shop that sells city and cargo bikes, I was chomping at the bit to be able to have a look for myself. Fortunately, I didn't have to wait too long, and I definitely wasn't disappointed.

Linus and Abici bikes line the front window

The shop is immediately welcoming (especially to a crazed, bicycle shopper like myself), and we were warmly greeted by one of the owners, Jason, who was happy to show us around the shop and let us play with all the little fun things sitting on the shelves. I even had the opportunity to see Yakkay helmets in person for the first time (they are as cute as they seem in pictures, but the smalls in stock were definitely not the appropriate size for my large noggin - though one young girl shopping with her mom looked adorable in the smaller size).

The store stocks all sorts of fun items from the helmets above, to Basil panniers, Po Campo bags, head/tail lights by Knog and others, baskets, bells, fenders and more. They even have bike baby seats in stock, which I thought were adorable, but (and as you can tell, I obviously don't have children) they seemed incredibly small. I had to ask, "Are babies really that small?!" No, I don't live under a rock, but I guess I don't spend a ton of time around small babies.

Then, of course, it was time to wander through all the bikes in stock on the floor. I was disappointed to see that there wasn't a single ladies Velorbis in stock (though I was told they will be ordering more of these), so I was unable to test ride it, but there were several Linus, Abici, and Bobbin bikes in stock. On this visit, I didn't take a test ride of any of the lovely models, as I was on a mission for other items today, but I have every intention to return for test riding purposes in the future.

Bobbin Bicycles with a diamond frame Velorbis behind - all were quite fun!

I am still so excited to have such a shop within the vicinity, and it seems like they are well on their way to a long-term successful business. The shop seemed to have at least a handful of people in the shop almost the entire time we were there, so I would say they are definitely filling a niche that was needed locally.

The shop also has a full service/repair shop inside, and I was even able to pick up a chain for the recently broken one on the Hillborne (that wasn't a pretty incident)... and speaking of the Hillborne, there was actually a Rivendell Quickbeam in the store (it wasn't for sale, and they don't sell Riv's, but I was interested to see it nonetheless - I'm guessing it was either in for a repair or belongs to someone working in the shop).

If you are in the area, and are in the market for a new city bike, or even need a new basket, bag or some lights as the daylight time shrinks in on us, I'd definitely recommend stopping in for a visit. A really fun shop!

New Home for the J7

I swore up and down, promised myself enumerable times, and flat out said, "hell no," to selling any more bicycles online to long-distance buyers. After the disaster with Sam's Surly LHT, and a similar situation with the departure of the Pashley Poppy for me in early summer (which still isn't resolved, actually), I repeatedly proclaimed that no longer would UPS, FedEx or any other carrier have the opportunity to break, ding, or damage any other perfectly good bicycle.

And then, I gave in. {sigh}

I had the Public Bikes J7 up on Craigslist for about a month with absolutely no contact (other than spammers, of course) regarding the bike. I am a realist (sometimes), and understand that northern Colorado isn't exactly a mecca of city bike riders, and I knew going into it that it would require a special person, but I just didn't want to deal with shipping yet another bike and waiting for what would inevitably be some sort of damage to the bike in shipment. However, I recently discussed how the particular model of Public bike I chose just wasn't working for me as I'd hoped, and while I do want a city bike, and still think Public makes some really awesome and easy to ride bikes, this particular one just wasn't working for me at this juncture in my bike life cycle. As I've said before, if you aren't going to ride it, there's no point in keeping it sitting in the garage or locked to a bike rack (or, as in our case, in a bike shed).

I am pleased to report that the Public Bike purchaser received the ride relatively unscathed (sans a missing leg for the front basket that slipped through a hole that formed during shipment), and the new owner is now happily riding the J7 in Arizona. Her bicycle was recently stolen, and it made me quite happy to hear that she was excited about her "new" bike and loving the ride. It just goes to show that just because a bike doesn't work for one person, doesn't mean that it isn't a perfect fit for someone else. Happy riding! Hope it's a beautiful weekend wherever you are in the world.

Bicycle vs Car: Potential Earning Power Discussion

Before I get into one of my rambling sessions, I'll pose my question here at the start: If given the option, would you rather make low wages and be able to walk or bike to work, or would you give up bike commuting to bring home a more reasonable income?

Although I don't necessarily agree that riding a bike will make a person thin, it does require energy to move, unlike a car
*Image source here

As some may know, I went back to school a few years ago because I wanted the opportunity to pursue something that was fairly discouraged, or at minimum I'll say was certainly not supported when I was going through my first round of college right after high school. My early pursuits, vocation-wise, surrounded things like public relations, insurance and human resources. Though I somewhat enjoyed a couple of the jobs I held, as a whole, I wasn't finding fulfillment. Art was not something I believed I could make a living doing, but I decided to go back to school anyway, if for no other reason than to prove to myself and the doubters that I could in fact be successful - at least in an educational setting.

My time in school is coming to and end, and as I realize that I don't have much longer to be on this somewhat freely-adjustable schedule, I've also become increasingly aware that I will have to go back to a job that I likely won't like - and soon. There are days when this makes me sad, as I had envisioned becoming a hippy artist, wearing my paint-stained clothing to conduct business about town, and adopting some sort of anything goes kind of attitude about life. The reality is that nothing is as simple as I would've imagined it.

For starters, I will have a fairly sizable school loan to repay at the end of this return-to-school journey, and while I'm aware that they can't get blood from a turnip (as my grandfather would've said), at some point, the government will expect me to begin repaying this debt. I knew this going into my education, but I also believed that I would have a new career avenue in front of me as payment for that time and money. As I've pursued this avenue, I've realized how unlikely it is that this will take place. There aren't a ton of options for fine art painters in the corporate world (not that I would want that anyway), which leaves me to the skills I gained prior to my return to college (which are, of course, now outdated). It's not quite so black and white and I do realize that there is always a possibility that something in between the two extremes exists, but something else has begun to enter my mind in regard to potential employment opportunities:  transportation.

I've started asking myself what I am willing to give up when the time comes. Our city isn't exactly a roaring metropolis, and job prospects generally are minimum wage (or fairly low wage) jobs unless one works in technology, management, or perhaps construction. I've realized that in order to make a decent living, more than likely, I will be a good 20-30+ miles from my future employer - not likely a regular, bike-able commute. So, I've been asking myself the very question posed at the start of this: Would I rather make $7-8/hour and work locally, or would I be better off giving up the bike ride to work in exchange for a more budget-comfortable wage?

It's not an easy question to answer, but I think it's one that more people are thinking about. I know that I ponder being able to give up a car (and payment on that car, insurance, gas spent to fill it up constantly, repairs, etc) and realize what a cost savings it could be, but then find myself wondering if it's truly the most efficient choice. The decision is of course complicated further by the idea that locally there are simply fewer jobs available, and it could take significantly longer to find employment by narrowing the search to places within say, a 15-20 mile radius from home.

I realize that there are potentially other options (such as public transportation, car/van pooling/share-a-rides, etc), but I'm curious if anyone out there has had a similar decision to make and what you did. If you haven't had to make this decision, what do you think you would do? There are many aspects that could be debated here, such as how much money does a person really need, or living in a two-income household, is it necessary to make a ton of money, or any number of other possible questions that could be asked and debated. Ultimately though, I know I do have some time, and things could change significantly before I reach the end of this little section of life's journey. But, I would love to hear what others think about this potential dilemma and/or your own personal experiences.

Bike Stickers: for the 5 Year Old in All of Us

Anyone who knows me is tuned into the idea that I {heart} stickers. I have no idea why I love them so much, and I'm aware that it's quite juvenile, but I seem to be drawn to them wherever I go. My toolboxes of art supplies are loaded up with them (mostly bike-related), and while I've refrained from putting them on my bikes for fear of damaging the paint, it doesn't seem to stop the excitement when I find a fun bike-relevant sticker.

I got the above stickers online from World's Best Bike Stickers. They're based out of Tuscon, and the shop is an independent printing location. They do buttons, t-shirts, and (drum roll please) stickers! After realizing that I could get a grab bag of stickers for a very low price, how could I resist? One of the nicest things about the shop is that if you have an idea for a sticker, t-shirt, etc, you can contact them to do customized prints. There are many places on the web that do customized print work, but it was nice to find a spot that specializes in bike-relevant paraphernalia.

Since I have some extras to spread around now (how many stickers can one person use after all?), I think I'll take them with me to the next bike valet and give them out to interested people, or maybe just give them out randomly on the street? Who knows. I love finding new-to-me places for fun stuff though! Any exciting bike related items you've found out in the world lately? Feel free to share.

The Mindful Bike: City and Cargo Bike Shop in Denver

FINALLY... a city bike shop in Denver. What? City and cargo bikes available in Denver? And not off of Craigslist, or eBay, or some other online site. Apparently, it's true! I was a bit shocked to discover that there is a new bike shop in town: The Mindful Bike. I should first disclose that I have yet to visit the shop (though believe me, I will), but I was so ecstatic to see a Colorado shop that is focused on and carrying brands such as Pashley, Abici, Velorbis, Pilen, and Larry vs Harry that I had to share the news for any others who might not have been aware that this shop is open. After all, I have wanted to test ride the Velorbis Scrap Deluxe for a couple of years now and to know that there's a shop in Colorado... well, I just about fainted.

*Image from velorbis.com

How I missed the grand opening in late July remains a bit of a mystery, but I suppose since I don't live in the belly of the beast, it's a bit more of a challenge to notice a new shop popping up in town. In addition to city and cargo bicycles, The Mindful Bike is also carrying a slew of accessories from Basil, Brooks, Po Campo, and Portland Design Works, just to name a few.

I'm truly beside myself at the moment as I sit here giddy and wanting to go for a visit - today... but sadly, the shop is closed Monday and Tuesday each week. However, regular hours (as posted on their website) have them open Wednesday through Sunday, so, if like me you're interested in taking a look for yourself, you can find them at 3509 E. 12th Ave in Denver. Maybe I should just go and camp outside the door until Wednesday morning - or maybe not, but I will be there soon for a visit.

Has anyone local been to this shop yet? I feel like a little girl on Christmas day discovering something so exciting.

Changing a Would-Be Cyclists' Opinion of Riding

As a sort of follow up to talking about change within the bicycle industry and infrastructure, I was thinking about a little chat I had with one of my neighbors recently. I found out that she had purchased an older upright bike from another neighbors' garage sale a few weeks ago and was following up with her to see if she was enjoying the new ride. Here's how the conversation played out...

G.E.- So, how's the new bicycle?
Neighbor - Oh, I was so excited to get it - and for only $10!! That never happens.
G.E. - Wow! That is a great deal, especially for a bike that's ride-able right now. I saw it sitting over there and was tempted to buy it, but I'm glad you got it and can use it because it would probably just sit in the bike area if I'd purchased it. I have a problem.{giggles}
Neighbor -  I see you riding all the time, and, yes, I was very surprised to find an inexpensive bicycle. I was happy to get it.
G.E. - Are you enjoying riding it?
Neighbor - I actually have another bike, too. It's a fixed-gear bike. {long pause} Uh, yes. Well, yes, I like the new bike.
G.E. - {sensing some trepidation on neighbors' part}
Neighbor - Well, it's really difficult for me to ride here. In Savannah, there were tons of bike lanes and I felt comfortable riding my bike everywhere. But here, I get honked at, or yelled at every time I try to ride. I just don't feel safe or comfortable riding on these streets.

We shared a few horror stories of poorly behaving drivers, and then went on to other matters. I have to say though, I was in a bit of shock hearing her say this. While I have also experienced some not-so-nice drivers on the road, I can't say that I've personally felt unsafe as a general rule while riding on our city streets. Living so close to Boulder (the often referenced bicycle utopia of the state) I feel as though our city is a kind of mini-version of Boulder. Perhaps it's not as wholly liberal, and I would agree that there aren't nearly as many bike lanes, and sure, there are times when I think drivers need to check themselves, but I haven't thought that I couldn't or wouldn't ride my bicycle because it is unsafe.

It reminded me that there is still a long way to go, but it also caused me to stop and think about the potential intimidation factors even in a city that isn't very large and generally has a fairly cooperative group of drivers on the road. Although I cannot make the infrastructure changes on my own, my goal is to change the perspective of our neighbor so that she feels safe riding on our streets.

I would love to get my neighbor to come with me on at least a couple of rides. Since we're often home at the same time of day, it should be easy to invite her to come along with me. First, I think she'll see that there is safety in numbers, so having an extra person along will perhaps help her feel safer. I don't view myself as a super-cyclist, so I guess in my head I think that if I can do this, anyone can. Also, I can talk with her about areas of the city that I take the time to double and triple check for traffic and drivers who aren't paying attention. If I show through example that it really isn't so bad, perhaps she will feel confident to get out on the road by herself at some point down the line - or at least that is the hope. We actually do have quite a few bike lanes throughout the city, but knowing where they are can sometimes be tricky. Directing her to the city website might be helpful, as well as reminding her of all the multi-use paths in town. There's also the added advantage of a local bicycle group, and I can always drag her along on one of the shorter organized rides. It's a great place for her to meet other people who ride too, and who knows what might happen from there?

If you were in this situation, what tactics would you use to help another rider see that cycling doesn't have to be scary or intimidating? Maybe you've already helped someone through this and can offer tips on easing her in to riding? While I don't want to overwhelm her, I think being able to see that riding is fun and doesn't have to be scary would be a great experience. Thoughts and suggestions are welcome!

Change: What Women Want in Bicycling and from the Bike Industry

When this months' Momentum Magazine arrived in the mail, I was excited to be able to read the latest issue. Maybe it was the dreary, rainy day, or perhaps just a feeling of nostalgia, but there was something about the vintage feel and colors of the cover that caused me to want to tear into it immediately.

I started turning the pages immediately and happened very quickly upon the printed mini-results of a reader survey that took place not too long ago. I actually participated in the survey, so I was curious to see what the outcome was regarding the poll.

I started reading about "what women want" and as I passed over each column, lo and behold, I found something that was from me. "Hey! I said that!" suddenly burst through my lips... I couldn't help it. It was a strange sensation to be reading something I actually suggested in a printed magazine.

Sadly, I knew it was my direct quote because after I had typed it in during the poll and hit "next," I remember thinking that it was worded absolutely horribly. Anyway, after recovering from the shock of seeing my suggestion in print, I realized that I wasn't alone in this request and that another person down the column had the same idea in mind.

While I love being able to read that I'm not alone in my wants when it comes to riding (in case anyone is wondering, the top request was better bike infrastructure, and who doesn't want that), I have to wonder how many of these polls, articles, blog posts, and so on it will take to see change within the bicycle industry? Change is slow moving, it seems - and not just in the bicycle industry.

Our community is currently in the midst of a 10-month study to determine whether or not a more comprehensive downtown bus/rail system would be useful. While I will admit there's much more potentially attached to the bus/light rail in our city (the council wants to create an entire area of shops and businesses to generate revenue for the city and business owners), it's frustrating to want something so badly now, and know that in reality it will likely be 5-20 years before it comes to fruition.

Similarly, I question the timeline for change in the bicycle industry. While there seems to be a general change in many people's attitudes about the possibilities of using public transportation and bicycles, is it enough to push the political agenda and government workers to move quicker than they normally would? Is it completely up to the powers that be to create this change, or is there something we, as cyclists and public transportation users can do to move things forward?

I know I certainly don't have all the answers, but I do look forward to the day when I can easily get from one town to the next by bike without fear of being run down by angry or distracted drivers, and move from city to city without use of a car. The day is coming, I do believe - the question of when, remains up for debate.

If you could only change one thing right now in your area regarding bicycling, what would it be? If you've seen a lot of change in regard to bicycles and infrastructure where you live, how did the change come about, and how long were those changes in progress?

Bicycle Obsession

How do you know when you've become too "in to" bicycles? Perhaps a good indicator is when loved ones start bringing home bicycle-related paraphernalia (paintings, pictures, posters, etc).

Copper coated bicycle sculpture

I also love this ghostly image of the sculpture...almost makes him seem in motion!

I absolutely adore this bicycle sculpture, and it was a lovely surprise gift to receive for no particular reason. I have to admit though, it did cause me to ask myself, "Where is the line between obsession and enjoyment?" Do you find that others seek out bicycle "stuff" to give you, or do you find them saying things like, "Oh, I saw the cutest little bike {fill-in-the-blank} and thought of you" on a regular basis? I'm just wondering if I'm alone in this.

Haulin' on a Civia - Happy Friday!

I was wandering about town the other day looking to find pigeons so that I could snap some photos (it's a long story), when this image appeared before my eyes.

If it's difficult for you to make out exactly what we're looking at, here's a closer shot of the lovely sight...

This woman was making her way down the road, and carrying quite a bit of stuff with her. While I would've loved to have known what exactly she was hauling around with her, she looked as though she was quite focused on keeping all of it balanced and on top of the front of her bike, so I didn't stop her to ask. It appeared to be a variety of items for a meeting or a demonstration, but it was a great sight to see someone using a bike to carry stuff around.

Here's to hoping that you are given only loads you can handle on your bike! Happy Friday, and enjoy the weekend!!

{Part 2} The Surly Pacer: Modifications to Make it Work

The ongoing saga of the Surly Pacer set up continues, and I am finding that I do enjoy riding this bike. The changes that have taken place are definitely helping with comfort and (hopefully) with the longevity of this bike in our household. After writing about round one mods on the Pacer, I figure it's a good point to check in again.

Since the last post, the first thing to get switched out were the handlebars. While I continue to attempt to make drop bars work for me (in various forms, on different bikes), I believe that it is very near impossible for me to find comfort with any model of drops for rides longer than 10 miles or so. I am at a loss as to the why's of this, and I wish there was something scientific or even specific that I could point to as to the reason they don't work, but every time I try, it seems to be unsuccessful in the long term. So, rather than fight with it on the Pacer, I decided that a switch out to the Albatross bars might be the answer.

Somewhat surprisingly, these handlebars do seem to work well. I've been on a couple of longer rides with them and I don't return with aching hands or numb fingers. Stylistically, I think it makes the Pacer look more like a cafe racer type of bicycle than a road bike, but I've never really been one to follow the rules very well, so why should my road bike set up be any different? I have these mounted in the "unconventional" manner (flipped upside down), and it seems to work well.

The other change that has taken place is the saddle. I had mentioned that the temporary Public Bikes saddle was working in the short term, but that it wasn't a long term solution. The main reason for this is that after any sort of distance over 18-20 miles, I begin to go numb in the rear. It doesn't seem to matter if I rise up out of the saddle for a bit or not, the squishier saddle just doesn't work for long rides for my bum. I'm currently trying out a Brooks B-17 Select. While I am a Brooks fan, I have to admit that the leather on this model seems to be supremely hard (I actually knocked on it while we were adjusting it and it sounded like a woodpecker in a tree). I've never experienced this extreme on any of the wider saddles (the B-72, B-67, B-18, or B-66), so I'm prepping myself to deal with a lengthy break in process so many Brooks riders bemoan. I've proofided it up to make it as pain-free as possible, but I have a feeling that I'm in for a rocky few hundred miles (at minimum, I'm sure) to get it to a more comfortable place.

For now, these changes seem to be adequate to make the bike ride-able and comfortable. While "adequate" isn't really the word I'd like to be using, until I have more time to ride some distance, I'll refrain from shouting from the mountain tops about the glorious set up of this bike (though I do find it to be interesting and unique). As with all modifications, one change can sometimes create other issues, so I'm somewhat wary of the outcome. Stay tuned!

**A few more photos of the Pacer's set up can be found here, if interested.

Can a Bicycle be Too Upright to be Comfortable?

It's not a new discussion, but I'm always interested in the way individuals ride, the reasons they ride, and the individual style of the rider (both clothing and bike choice). Here in Colorado (well, specifically in let's say the north-eastern area of the state) it's so common to see kit-laden folks in padded shorts and super skinny tire race bikes that one almost feels out of place when riding in every day clothes or on any kind of upright style bike. There are certainly those in the take-it-easy category of cycling, but I have found that not too often do these two types collide in a single rider (I wouldn't say never, but just not as often). Usually, the cruiser, slower pace riders aren't interested in being super speedy speedersons, and the opposite is often also true. I sometimes wonder why that seems to be the case.

I have read in several places and heard from bike shop employees/managers/etc that there is a natural transition of a cyclist. If a rider starts out on an upright bicycle, it is because they are unsure of him/herself and s/he will slowly make a transition in time to a lighter, faster bike. The people who believe this have also stated that basically the rider has to become a cyclist. Personally, I take some offense to this statement as I don't see the correlation. Just because a person rides an upright bike, I don't believe that makes him/her less of a cyclist or any more or less "into" riding. There are plenty of examples of people who ride upright bikes every day, in many different situations. Some of them also ride road, mountain or cyclocross bikes as well, but many do not. Does that make them a non-cyclist?

I'm off on this little tangent today because I'm trying to figure out what has happened with my own ride style. Not so much fashion-wise, but more the actual bicycle that I ride. When I started riding a bike again in adulthood (at least with any kind of regularity) about six years ago, I was riding a mountain bike (that wasn't even mine, actually) as though it were a road bike. I traipsed back and forth to work on it, and went for long leisure rides, but never once took it on a "mountain" ride. It wasn't a good use for that bike, nor was it good for my hands, and after a lot of research I decided that a cruiser bike was more my speed and to my liking. The upright/cruiser style bicycle suited me well, and I was happy not to have pressure on my hands and be able to travel where I wanted to go. While the specific cruiser/upright bike has changed, it's remained a staple in the fold of bikes.

Lately, I've begun to wonder if there's such a thing as being too upright on a bike. When I ride my city bike (the upright bike), I find myself in more and more pain. Sitting directly, bolt upright kills my tailbone after half a mile, and in general, I feel uncomfortable. I'm completely confused by this newer sensation that seems to have started over the summer months this year. In the past, when I wanted to be completely comfortable I went straight to the upright ride, knowing that I wouldn't be in pain... now, the opposite seems to be true. The thought of getting on the upright bicycle is a daunting one, and I find that I'll choose another less upright bike when given the opportunity.

What's happening? For a time, I thought it was just temporary and that maybe my body was adjusting to going back and forth among bicycles, but it doesn't seem to be going away. After a few months of this, I find that it is causing me not to ride the upright city bicycle at all. I'm wondering if this particular bike is just too upright in posture and that one that was slightly more leaned over would be more appropriate for me, or have I "outgrown" this style of bike and there's no going back? I'm more than a little saddened by this discovery because I love to take the city bike on little cruiser rides, into town for visits, or to get groceries.

Has anyone else experienced this, or have any thoughts on what might be going on? If you've had a similar experience, was anything able to resolve the situation? I'm not ready to give up on this type of bicycle, but if it's not rideable, then it's not serving its purpose either.

More on Paying it Forward

Nanda, the recent winner of the Po Campo loop pannier in the "Paying it Forward" contest wrote to follow up on receipt of her new bag. She had such a great story that I thought it would be great to share with others, so here we go. Nanda writes:

"I was riding on a multi-use rails-to-trails type path that connects my town with the next town over (and helps cyclists cross a major highway and get back on friendlier rural roads). A huge windstorm had knocked several small trees over, blocking the path,

*Image from Nanda

so I remembered my promise to pay it forward, went home (only a couple of miles), got a saw, and fixed the situation --the town would have been quick to fix it, but this was over a holiday weekend...which means it would have been a few days before anyone got the message to go do some maintenance. 

*Image from Nanda

I forgot to take an "after" picture. But you can imagine a clear path. : ) I neglected to mention that my husband was the one who pointed out the fact that no one would clear the trail for days. And he packed up the saw for me so we could carry it back to the trail, but he elected to avoid sawing and moving logs due to a back injury (which we hope will heal soon). And it really was just about a mile and a half from home -- absolutely nothing on a road bike. It probably took longer to pack the saw in cardboard and find a backpack than it did to travel back and forth to the down treed."

I enjoyed reading this story from Nanda, and thought it was a great example of helping out others and expecting nothing in return... and in case anyone is wondering how that Po Campo bag is doing, she sent along a picture of that as well.

*Image from Nanda

The pannier looks great on your bike, Nanda, and I'm glad to see you're getting good use out of it. Ride on, and use it in good health (hopefully, your husband will be feeling better soon, too). 

Mentally Prepping for Winter Rides

As I sit here recovering from what is apparently a far worse cold than it started out to be mid-last week, I'm starting to ponder winter and riding. I know it's only early September, but the last couple of mornings here on the  front range of Colorado have been surprisingly cool compared to our low-to-mid 90s temps of the past few months. We tend to have the windows open quite a bit here in the summer so the temperature shifts are easily felt. While it's not even autumn yet, I know that the cooler weather is on its way (Yay!) and with it will eventually come snow (Boo!). I'm not a snow bunny, really. I suppose you can take the girl out of California, but not the Cali out of the girl. I've never quite adjusted to the snow, and while I do think it's beautiful to look at (and play in on occasion), I really don't enjoy riding my bike in it. In fact, I completely avoid riding if there is fresh snow on the ground.

Can't help but remember riding around on the Electra bicycles in winter months

I know there are plenty of tips for winter riding on the web, and they make sense - unless you are a complete klutz (as I am), in which case you know that a fall is imminent if you dare to ride through icy patches (which often are unseen). I don't worry about the cold as I have found that layers do the trick to keep the body warm, but I'm more concerned with actual falls on ice. In past winters I've had a heavier, upright bicycle to ride around (not that the bike above was particularly heavy), so if some of the snow was clear, I'd take my chances and ride anyway. I've realized lately though that I don't have that option any longer, and that my heaviest bike is the Hillborne. In all honesty, I'm not entirely sure how I feel about this. Typically, snow here melts incredibly fast, except for the very coldest of the winter days, so maybe I'm making a bigger deal of it than I need to. I suppose I'm just not entirely comfortable riding on snow, and though I know I will do it (because I start going stir crazy when I can't get out and ride), I can feel myself tensing about it before there's even a reason to be concerned.

I know that some people opt for winter studded tires on one of their bikes and trade them out as the snow begins to fall, but I've also read that these tires don't necessarily help much with traction. I'm also not sure that it would be the best use of funds, since it is more likely that there will be some sort of clear path to ride. I suppose I'm a bit at a loss since this will be our first winter actually living within city limits, and I have no idea if the roads will be as clear as they were when I'd ride in to town on the highway. Maybe I'll be doing more walking in the winter months since we're pretty close to most things we need? Anyone else mentally (or physically) prepping for winter riding? I'm curious what others do in winter months. Do you keep riding or do you wait for the spring thaw? Any special preparations that you make for snowy days? Please feel free to share.

Sometimes You Feel Like a Flower, Sometimes Like a Weed

I woke up this morning with a sore throat and feeling as though someone drugged me before I dozed off last night. "Great," I thought, "I'm getting sick." I got up and surveyed the room. Despite it's completely disheveled state, the bed was definitely calling me back to it.

Man, I'm a messy sleeper... 

But, there was a day awaiting and much to be done. As I came to the front of the house, the dogs were anxiously awaiting the start of the days' routine. They expect to go to the park first thing in the morning to get a bit of a run in, but I just wasn't feeling it this morning at all.

While it's difficult for me to tell them we aren't going, I have a lot of work to be doing, and despite the fact that class was called off for the day due to the instructors need to leave town, I have things due tomorrow, such as this handwritten mess below for a "Medieval Manuscripts" class I'm taking. There's nothing particularly medieval about the assignment (other than perhaps torturing me needlessly), as I'm just supposed to copy by hand anything of my choosing.

The handwritten manuscript is started, but I have a long way to go to finish it.

The hand writing part of the assignment is fine, but it's time consuming because we have to utilize the same "prick and rule" process they did back in the day. I can't help but think that if we are supposed to be getting a complete feel for the process, shouldn't we have to use a quill and ink? And while we're at it, maybe we should raise some cattle, feed them, skin them, and dry their hides to make the paper? Okay, perhaps I'm just a bit grouchy about having to do such a tedious assignment, but I saw this sitting to the side and told the dogs they may not get their run this morning. Then, I saw my bike sitting in the dinning room (don't ask why it's in the dining room), and thought maybe my grouchy self needed a ride this morning.

I told myself that I have too much to get done today, but then I thought that maybe I'd accomplish more if I just cleared my head, so, off I went. The first thing I noticed is that I was feeling quite emotional this morning. The weather reminded me of the first day of school growing up on the central coast of California. It was always a bit chilly and humid, and the sky was almost always covered with clouds.

I tend to be more of a future-oriented person than one who lives in the past, but every once in awhile thoughts sneak in, particularly around holidays or annual celebrations. As I headed west on the Hillborne I started to tear up. I'm not sure I could say exactly why, but I suppose there was a kind of flood of memories and emotions that overtook me simultaneously. I didn't mind though - there was no one around, and I didn't have to be in a hurry to get anywhere. I kind of lost myself in thought and just let whatever emotions were going to come out rise to the surface. I pedaled harder, and then I'd slow down. The pace was all over the place, but I felt as though I was working through something. When I felt as though I needed to turn around and head back (after all, I do have things to accomplish today), I did just that. No sooner had I turned around when I felt a smile come across my face. Again, I have no idea why, but I felt happy just to be in the moment.

I couldn't help but look at this scene above and feel a connection. I thought to myself, "sometimes you're the flower; sometimes, the weed." I think it's true for almost all of us that we have days when we feel like the weeds - a tangled mess, sucking the life out of the vegetation trying to co-exist along side.

Then there are the times that perhaps we feel more like the flower - standing out from the crowd, looking and feeling strong. Neither is necessarily good or bad, and really both are helping to sustain life, but it's amazing how things can get so muddled at times.

This spider decided to make its web inside the flower, which, in itself is just a part of life. The flower doesn't seem to mind, and the spider has a place to catch a meal.

So, as I rode back home I decided that I am perfectly okay feeling like the flower or the weed, because it's all just part of the journey. If I have a day that seems like a tangled mess of things, I know that the next I may be feeling strong and able to help out someone else. Whether I'm feeling like the weed, the flower, or even the spider setting up shop, I am going to enjoy the moments and know that it's all just a part of the process.

Now where are those dogs of mine? Time to let them play.