tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49489103181597420242024-03-08T04:33:47.109-07:00Endless Velo LoveG.E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13429419832660419144noreply@blogger.comBlogger853125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948910318159742024.post-21443551134446958982023-01-01T17:24:00.006-07:002023-01-04T10:53:25.844-07:00Favorite photo memories of 2022I am not normally one to post or even really take a lot of photos throughout the year, but I wanted to review a bit of what happened over the last year and what better way to try to do that than with the photos.In January, we were in Oregon and enjoying our new home area.Along the Deschutes RiverThe pup and I spent a lot of time walking and hiking off-leash trails, and even though there was a G.E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02748009691282638366noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948910318159742024.post-49260108355844739992022-09-22T10:25:00.001-06:002022-09-22T10:25:46.223-06:00Dear Motorist: A Short Letter to Anyone Who DrivesYou don't know me, but you more than likely are acquainted with or related to some facsimile of me, and even though we may have no direct connection, I am making a plea to you today: please stop driving inattentively and too fast.You are going to kill someone. It's only a matter of time.You may wonder how I can say this with such conviction, or you may see the same issues yourself as you mosey G.E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02748009691282638366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948910318159742024.post-74296920166192723952022-08-18T09:02:00.000-06:002022-08-18T09:02:17.525-06:00Movement & Exercise are not punishmentI was riding along the other day, blissfully pedaling on a somewhat cooler summer morning (a rarity these days, so it felt extra special) and realized just how much I was enjoying the ride. These occasions happen now and again, so it wasn't particularly significant, but I was soaking it all in and truly enjoying each pedal stroke. Some days simply offer a special feeling, as though I could ride G.E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02748009691282638366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948910318159742024.post-50981367644979173492022-05-17T16:06:00.002-06:002022-05-23T18:53:42.152-06:00A Year in Central OregonA few months ago, I started drafting a list of items comparing Oregon to Colorado. I'm not entirely sure what it was that sparked the mental need to make a list, but after having a rough day it seemed an appropriate activity in the moment. The list wasn't really for a specific purpose, but I was coming to understand some things about our surroundings and I find comparison lists helpful for G.E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13429419832660419144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948910318159742024.post-74756395400150000992022-03-26T20:11:00.000-06:002022-03-28T16:38:39.449-06:00Tern HSD - It's Electric!I have found a new love. And I fear that I have become completely obsessed.But first, let me go back a bit to tell the tale of how this all started. For readers who have hung in with me during our 2021 move, you know that it's been a bit challenging for me to sneak in rides since the move. Don't get me wrong, I still ride, but with time constraints when engrossed in a complete house redo/G.E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13429419832660419144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948910318159742024.post-44103019084666467442022-02-16T14:17:00.001-07:002022-02-16T14:17:24.913-07:00Bike lanes and sidewalksLife is... well, it's likely taking some turns in the coming months. I'm not at liberty at the moment to discuss any of it, nor do I really have many details, but my mind is having a field day with all of the potential outcomes. As a person who likes open options, I find myself playing out scenarios and possibilities, but in the interim, there is so much that must be done, and my body is G.E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02748009691282638366noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948910318159742024.post-22793054824455430942022-01-03T16:00:00.000-07:002022-01-03T16:00:11.898-07:00A somewhat late 2021 wrap-upHappy New Year and welcome to 2022! My brain (and body) have been somewhat occupied for the last several months, so I know I've missed out on posts that may have normally been written, but because I feel a need to brain dump 2021 for my own sanity, I thought writing a summary might be helpful for me to let it all go. Is this what I should be doing right this moment? Absolutely not, but G.E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02748009691282638366noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948910318159742024.post-36317309960283128262021-11-23T17:02:00.000-07:002021-11-23T17:02:04.372-07:00Catching UpIt's been a minute since I've put anything up. I have not disappeared off of the planet (at least not yet), but life has sort of been in the way of many of my more usual activities. We were very excited to finally have a home again, but that new home is sucking up so much of our time that it feels like there still isn't much that is normal in the day-to-day operation of life. It is what happens G.E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02748009691282638366noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948910318159742024.post-33564974834711582302021-09-02T22:00:00.000-06:002021-09-02T22:00:19.610-06:00It's just paintOver the last week, I took another short ride through the city. About an hour seems to be all I can spare these days. My mission has been trying to figure out some different 15-20 mile routes so that I don't go too far over my self-imposed allotted time. One of the interesting features of this area is that there is a dedicated bike lane on the highway that runs through the city. It's G.E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02748009691282638366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948910318159742024.post-81087365519229773682021-08-24T10:30:00.000-06:002021-08-24T10:30:00.300-06:00OMG!!! We have a house!HOLY smokes (ha... I'm laughing aloud as the sky is actually smoky at the moment - and yes, I laugh at my own stupid puns)! It feels as though it's taken a year to find a place. It may seem like a crazy statement because we've only been in Oregon since mid-June (well, Sam's been here since the end of May), but living in a very small space (less than 30 sf) and having to move every 7-14 days, has G.E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02748009691282638366noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948910318159742024.post-9961569687123153422021-06-28T21:31:00.002-06:002021-06-28T21:31:54.713-06:00Finally, a ride in Oregon "I have lost all of my riding muscles," I said to Sam, as we sat in our hot box (aka the camper we are currently living in). I just don't know if I'm going to get to ride at all until we have some sort of home. Not being able to leave our pup anywhere, not currently having the dog trailer I keep thinking about purchasing, and with Sam gone at work all day, I just haven't been able to get inG.E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02748009691282638366noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948910318159742024.post-3096635866302242162021-06-24T21:03:00.001-06:002021-06-24T21:03:33.532-06:00Bend!We are unofficially living in Bend, Oregon. I still cannot believe the whirlwind that has taken place over the last several weeks. It feels as though life has completely changed (because it has), but I don't think my brain and body have quite caught up with everything. Our stuff... getting ready for storage until we find home again.For a quick catch up, Sam accepted a job offer in Bend and G.E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13429419832660419144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948910318159742024.post-231411614255595242021-05-18T12:36:00.001-06:002021-05-18T12:36:47.418-06:00When life gives lemons *Just a couple of quick notes. To anyone who is currently subscribed via email, Feed Burner is discontinuing service for Blogger as of July 2021, which means that you will no longer receive email notification for posts after that time. Unfortunately, I have no control regarding this change, though I am looking into possible solutions (but cannot promise any resolution at this point, G.E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02748009691282638366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948910318159742024.post-15790557260991189942021-03-18T18:02:00.044-06:002021-04-08T18:09:31.606-06:00Deciding between a road or gravel bike: A year+ testing the Specialized Ruby and DivergeToward the end of summer in 2019, I started yet another hunt for a road bike. I’d been riding my second-hand Bianchi circa early 2000s and was enjoying getting some speed back in my life. The problem I’d been having though was with my hands and wrists. Since I couldn’t get anything above a 23mm tire on the bike (I had 25mm on the wheels, but they didn’t really fit without major problems), the G.E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02748009691282638366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948910318159742024.post-36144389415724111542021-02-21T17:55:00.039-07:002021-04-08T18:01:47.447-06:00My experience getting the COVID-19 vaccine*This post is not intended to offer any medical advice to any individual. Please follow the recommendations of your personal health professionals – always – but I did want to offer up my experience because I have been fortunate enough to be able to get this vaccine fairly early on and thought sharing might be beneficial to someone.“You can’t just get any vaccine! You need to talk to your step-dadG.E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02748009691282638366noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948910318159742024.post-75210768580147375642020-12-31T16:00:00.059-07:002021-04-08T17:55:24.458-06:00Happy New YearWe made it! Through all the trials of 2020, we made it to the other side! Although I realize we’re not through much of what made it a challenging year, it’s nice to have a fresh start and hope for things to improve in the near future. Despite the roughness, there were bright spots during the year, lessons that I know I learned, and moments that were enjoyable, even if they seemed few and far G.E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02748009691282638366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948910318159742024.post-37368497755766777572020-11-25T17:42:00.015-07:002021-04-08T17:45:20.087-06:00Happy ThanksgivingThis past Friday, our state moved up to the “red” level of protection/caution for the pandemic. Like many states, Colorado is experiencing an increase in COVID cases and the governor’s hope is to get things under control. With Thanksgiving upon us, most people I’ve observed don’t seem to be giving much thought to the increase in caution and the request to stay home. It’s frustrating to me as G.E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02748009691282638366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948910318159742024.post-24998702797922289982020-10-14T14:30:00.028-06:002021-04-08T17:41:49.471-06:00No More Mrs Nice GuyI didn’t ask to be the poster child or spokesperson for larger cyclists, and certainly I am not. But, a tweet not too long ago got under my skin. It was not the tweet itself nor what had been written, but rather the contents of an article in Bicycling Magazine describing a heavier-than-average cyclist’s experience after posting online about an accomplishment and the commentary he received. Let’s G.E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02748009691282638366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948910318159742024.post-31626194473450390282020-10-06T17:31:00.026-06:002021-04-08T17:36:44.365-06:00Finding Joy Again on a BikeLately, I’ve turned into quite an asshole on the bike. I came to this realization several weeks ago when I heard myself yelling out loud while riding regarding something that normally wouldn’t have made me think twice (or at least, my response is one I would’ve said under my breath under normal circumstances). I don’t know if it’s Covid-quarantine related or that I’ve been riding more and G.E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02748009691282638366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948910318159742024.post-27741238178057358142020-05-07T17:28:00.001-06:002021-04-08T17:30:52.069-06:00Adapting RoutineSam and I had a video phone call with a friend a couple of weeks ago because she wanted us to “meet” the person she’s been dating for the last few months. We had been tentatively making plans to meet up for a dinner and then the pandemic put us on lock down, so we figured it was the closest we’d get to a meeting for at least the foreseeable future. Toward the end of the call our friend asked whatG.E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02748009691282638366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948910318159742024.post-67016049273080138732020-03-25T20:00:00.087-06:002021-04-08T17:26:53.730-06:00A day in life...My eyes open and there’s a knot in my throat. It’s the same knot that was there the night prior and continues to feel as though it’s choking me to death. My chest feels tight. I immediately wonder if I’m infected and just don’t know it. I clear my throat, cough once or maybe it was twice, hyper aware that coughing is a no-no right now. Even with no one around, I catch myself and try to contain itG.E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02748009691282638366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948910318159742024.post-69538741405659496402020-03-17T17:11:00.026-06:002021-04-08T17:18:40.913-06:00Social DistancingIt feels like there’s been some quietness on my end virtually everywhere online. It seems like my very own form of online social distancing of sorts, but I simply haven’t been doing much Instagram-ing nor Twittering or even writing much for various reasons. Sometimes I need a break from the world and while I do try to occasionally view above-referenced social media outlets, I haven’t had a ton ofG.E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02748009691282638366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948910318159742024.post-70002280761823484122020-01-23T13:30:00.044-07:002021-04-08T17:11:09.299-06:00Lessons from the LabradorIn 2006, Sam and I decided that we wanted to get another dog. We already had two (a Rat Terrier and a Golden Retriever), and we didn’t need a third, but we had adopted our Golden from the local humane society about a year prior and loved him so much that we really wanted to get one that was younger so that he could help train the younger dog. Our Golden was likely somewhere between 5-8 years old G.E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02748009691282638366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948910318159742024.post-85373098150872950912019-12-29T10:30:00.045-07:002021-04-08T16:56:13.778-06:00Goodbye 2019Despite falling short of my writing and photo-taking goals, it’s been a very full, eventful year. I’m having a difficult time processing that 2019 is nearly over and that we’re moving on to the next decade very shortly. It’s felt like a good year in many ways and so I wanted to take a little time to relive some of the highlights.As we started off 2019, the weather was quite good. Being able to G.E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02748009691282638366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948910318159742024.post-28398571234905044312019-11-25T16:43:00.017-07:002021-04-08T16:46:49.173-06:00Autumn Bike BurnoutEvery year, there comes a point in the later portion when I find myself struggling to ride my bike. Transportation wise, I continue to ride (at least when possible) but when it comes to riding for sport or fitness, I find that my body is asking for a break. Some days it’s mental burnout, other days it is a physical need for some time away from riding.This year, I set a goal to ride more miles (G.E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02748009691282638366noreply@blogger.com0