Blog Move

In not very EVL-like behavior, I'm going to keep this short. I have decided to no longer post here on Blogger. Never fear though, there will be a new spot to find me... endlessvelolove.wordpress.com. If you follow me on Twitter, you may have already received this news, but just in case, I want to be sure there is a record of the change for those of you who look for me here. I have tried to be patient with this platform, but it seems as though there are always issues with commenting, posts disappearing, and other reasons I won't bore anyone with at this point.

So, it's time for a change.

Although I intend to leave prior posts up here on Blogger, they have also been imported in to the new site on Wordpress. It may take a bit to get things in order, but I hope you will follow me there as I change things up just a bit. Thank you so much for continuing to be a part of this blogging journey and for sharing your bikey experiences with me and those who read here. I look forward to hearing from you over at the new blog site!

Oh, Yeah... I Still Have a Blog

Today, I woke up remembering that I have a blog that has been neglected. Rest assured, my inattention is (mostly) unintentional. Thank goodness this space isn't a small child or animal. My goal over the next few weeks is to actually work on a couple of posts. There are just some things that have been lingering in my mind or that I've wanted to share, but as usual, life has taken on too much of my attention and having an opportunity to simply think for more than a few minutes is rare.

*Image from Etsy... It's a currently available palette knife painting, if you're interested.

Locally, we've also been blessed with an actual, for real, autumn season (I'm not sure I've seen this more than one other time during our near-14 years in Colorado). We've seen no snow - at least not here on the range below the mountains, and even rain has been scarce. It's a strange feeling to experience 80F degree days at the end of October because usually snow begins quite early, and almost always at this juncture we've seen the white powder glistening on our roads and roofs more than once. Snowboarders are off crying in a corner, but I've found it quite enjoyable - and necessary - for some things I've needed to get done outdoors. I'm hoping it hangs on just a bit longer so that I can complete the necessary tasks and then the boarders can have their pow pow. 

Anyway, I did want to put up a quick request; well, actually, I have two. 

First, I don't care to get political here in this space, but I just want to remind everyone in the U.S. to go and vote this election. I am highly concerned about this one in particular as it has to be one of the most disconcerting I've witnessed in my lifetime, but for those who like to constantly state that "your vote doesn't count," I would just like to say that people have fought hard to have the ability to vote and there are many individuals across the world who would welcome the opportunity to have his/her voice heard in an election. So, take a few minutes to learn about local ballot measures, and certainly take more than a few minutes to learn about the presidential candidates, and then cast your vote.

The second request is also in regard to voting, and this one will really take just a few seconds of your time. In fact, it will take longer to read the paragraphs below this than to offer your vote.

Locally, there is an organization that assists the homeless on our streets. They provide varying sorts of assistance from helping with temporary housing, clothing, and so on. I have a friend who also recently started a program to give bicycles to those on the streets. She gets community members and businesses to donate used mountain bikes or parts and then has other volunteers assemble and tune the bikes. The organization then locates individuals who can use the bikes for transportation and sets them up with lights, locks and so on.

This organization (H.O.P.E. - Homeless Outreach Providing Encouragement) is currently in the running to receive a $7,000 grant from First Western Trust. They are in the finalist stage, but they need votes in order to win the grant, and they have some catching up to do in numbers. If you would be so kind as to take a second and click here, you can help them reach their goal of getting some assistance to support their new sheltering service.

You can vote once per day every day until November 10, so if you vote today, you can go back and vote again tomorrow and so on, and you can also help by getting friends and family to take a moment to go and cast a vote for HOPE. It doesn't matter where you are in the world - every vote really does count.

*Image from HOPE. You can vote by clicking here and selecting HOPE

When you arrive on the voting page, it will ask you to enter your name and email address (I have not received any spam from this - I believe it's just to ensure that no one is voting multiple times in a day). Then, just scroll the page and look for HOPE (it's a purple logo, like the one shown above) and mark the box. You may get a pop-up asking for your phone number, but you don't need to enter anything in that box for your vote to count.

I appreciate you taking the time to help this worthwhile organization! I'd also love to hear how autumn riding is going for everyone out there, so, let's chat in the comments when you have time.

Change Is Difficult... Even for People Who Like Transitions

To those who know me well, they are aware that I am a person who thrives with variation and change. I don't do well with the same old routine day after day, nor in traveling the same routes or even following an obstacle-free path that has been perfectly laid out in front of me. I tried for years to modify this quality, believing that something is wrong with me because I need to see new things, make my own path, and experience new adventures more frequently than the average person, but I think my last half decade of life (or so) has taught me that I need to stop fighting who I am - which is a struggle some days all its own.

There are always times when we need to, perhaps, reel ourselves in and understand when we're making poor decisions or choosing dangerous actions, but if no one is getting hurt, there's no reason to think that craving variety is a "bad" thing.

*Image found here

But, very few people live in a world of constant change. Habits develop. Routines are found. Whether enjoyable or not, realities of life take over and these responsibilities can't help but form a certain level of repetition. Ruts are developed, slowly with repeated movements and the thought of how one arrives in such a place comes into question. The thing with ruts is that if they go untouched they just get deeper and deeper until a giant, sometimes inescapable hole is formed.

A lot of change has happened for me personally over the last two years. Injuries compounded with other injuries, attempted and failed business, loss of family, the realization that my body may never do many of the things it once did, allowing myself to walk away from passions in life... just to name a few... they have all brought a reality check.

Some of the changes that took place I had complete awareness of as they were happening, while others kind of seeped in gradually laying the ground work to become unwanted attachments. When this happens so gently over time there's sometimes little consciousness about what is taking place. Life moves forward until one day I just felt heavy. Literally and figuratively.

Even though I am an emotional person, I am not weak. My passion about various topics or injustices comes from that emotion. Yes, it makes me sob uncontrollably at the Clydesdale and Puppy commercials, but that same emotion has the power to bring change, if put to use in a directed, purposeful fashion. The problem, at times, is recognizing that the passion is lost or has been guided down the wrong path.

This year, I have begun to recognize the potholes in the road and rather than just letting them sit unattended, I have made plans and directed action to help fill in those ruts, or in some cases, started building new roads to take me around the insurmountable obstacles. After all, some things aren't worth hitting head-on when it's easier to take a slight detour.

I have a lot of repairs to make right now and a lot of new roads to build. I'm ready to take on the challenge, even though I know I may not be able to take the most traditional paths along the way. I also realize that some things are more difficult than others to repair, rebuild, or even re-route, but things that come easy are rarely worthwhile.

To this end, I am still figuring out the blog. My suspicion is that it will remain in tact and moving forward, but I've found myself trying out some different adventures, so perhaps there will be some detouring into outdoor-related, but not exactly cycling-specific topics. We will see where the future takes this space. As always, thank you for continuing to read. I look forward to continuing to share and hearing your thoughts and feedback as well.

On EVL

I have gone a bit quiet here for reason... perhaps not good reason, but reason nonetheless. Winter and early spring tend to be a bit muted for me anyway when it comes to bikey matters, but I think I'm just processing through some things and it's made me more introspective and less likely to sit down and type out internal happenings or general observations. It's also the time of year I inevitably ponder not writing here anymore. I'm sure that day will come at some point and actually stick, but for now, I think it's more likely frustrations with trying to figure out where I'm going and what it is that I'm doing. So, please bear with me if there are long stretches of time during which I seem to disappear. My silence is often not for lack of things to write, but simply for lack of desire to sit and think and attempt to make coherent thoughts of the rats nest that is my mind.

Part of my frustration this time of year is knowing what is to come. There is little that is surprising or new. The weather in late March through early May is very predictably unpredictable. It may snow a ton and melt quickly or it may be sunny and slightly cool, dependent on the day, but the one thing I can count on is that this unpredictability is in truth a pattern. If it wasn't unpredictable it would be odd, but knowing the pattern sets off a mental routine that has developed over the last many years. I know exactly what I will get in the coming weeks.

First, the shadows start to shift. Locations that have spent months entirely in shade are suddenly greeted by the glow of the sun once again. The bergs of ice that never seemed to melt now have a much more difficult time sticking. Weeds begin to pop up in the yard. They start small and seem like just a few but in fact multiple like rabbits in seemingly a matter of hours. They begin to overtake everything until one day I realize that the yard is more weed than anything else. The flowers (other than the tulips which seem not to care what the weather says) will still not have bloomed - because somehow they know that more snow is on the way. I always believe I'll be able to plant the vegetable garden early and inevitably, as is always predicted by forecasters, it won't happen until mid-May. Everyone will act surprised to have snow the first week of May, but we all know it's coming as it happens every year.

A recent spring snow storm downed a lot of trees and branches... this one just happened to be directly in my path.

In March, I convince myself that I will start bike training early. There will be a few nice days and abundant, clear roads, so I will think it's the perfect time to get serious about riding. This thought will be followed by a day or two of snow that may or may not melt quickly and will delay the start of training a bit longer. Before I'm even aware, it will be the middle of May and I'll realize that the truly warm days are a short bit of the year. I will tell myself that waiting for perfect weather is not an option and remind myself not to do this routine again the following year - and yet it will follow in the same pattern.

They don't appear very large, but the front limb is about 16in/40cm in diameter.

Despite this entirely self-imposed springtime slump, I do still manage to get out and do so with success on a fairly consistent basis. I may not be training in a manner I generally expect of myself this time of year, but it's fantastic to be outside regardless.

This morning I even had an unexpected Cross ride as I dismounted and carried my bike over the decent-sized tree limbs above that ended up in my path after having dodged a close slip-and-fall on some recently removed roadway. A call was made later to be sure the city was aware these trees were blocking the path of cyclists and pedestrians alike. I had a horrible image of someone coming tearing through this area in the dark and not spotting the limbs until it was too late.

What has undoubtedly aided my 2016 mental dysfunction has been spending a good chunk of time forming a small business that ended up in a complete mess. I've had difficulty pulling out of my funk, and the disappointment with the realization that it was not cost effective to attempt the business. It just felt like a harsh blow - particularly as I had calculated the costs prior to beginning but was unaware of some added components that made the reality of the business truly an impossibility. After investing monetarily and emotionally in all of it, letting go has been challenging.

Now, re-centering and refocusing on where I am headed is taking some time. I've not only lost focus in life, but here on the blog as well. I don't know where I want to take things and I find myself debating which things are worth time and which simply are not. I don't mind experimenting (I usually enjoy it, truthfully), but I think I've lost confidence and motivation in many areas of life. Oh, I will recover and will feel more like myself soon enough I have no doubt, but in the interim, I'm finding it difficult to focus.

I would think that there aren't readers from the days when this blog was titled Almost, at Times, the Fool. That was a long, long time ago, but the title came from The Love Song of J Alfred Prufrock. I've always felt an unexplainable draw to Eliot's work and this particular piece is one that always makes me reflect and ponder life. A little snippet:

...And indeed there will be time
To wonder, “Do I dare?” and, “Do I dare?”
Time to turn back and descend the stair,
With a bald spot in the middle of my hair—         
(They will say: “How his hair is growing thin!”)
My morning coat, my collar mounting firmly to the chin,
My necktie rich and modest, but asserted by a simple pin—
(They will say: “But how his arms and legs are thin!”)
Do I dare        
Disturb the universe?
In a minute there is time
For decisions and revisions which a minute will reverse.

For I have known them all already, known them all:
Have known the evenings, mornings, afternoons,         
I have measured out my life with coffee spoons; ...

Until I get my act together, I will do my best to post, but I would suspect that for at least a time writing will be intermittent at best. I have to find me again, as well as figure out what it is that I truly want to emotionally and physically invest in moving forward.

I'll be around though...so feel free to email me any time or send a message on Twitter. I'm also not entirely disappearing so I don't mean for this to sound like a goodbye. I just need to figure some things out and hopefully find focus. If something catches my eye, I'm sure you'll hear about it here. In the meantime, if anyone has a topic for which you'd like to write a guest post, I'd be happy to look into that as a possibility. Just drop me a note and we can chat. I'd love to still hear what's going on in others biking lives, and it would be a great way to continue to share, I think.

An Injury & What is to Come

I can be a very tenacious individual. When I want something, I go after it - full throttle. It's hard to derail me when I'm on a mission, and although I am very much a go-with-the-flow person, and try to let everyone live their own life (as long as it doesn't harm others), when I want something bad enough or believe in something passionately, it's quite difficult to deter me.

Sometimes this trait comes across as absolute stubbornness, other times it is viewed as craziness, and still others may have just accepted that I simply am who I am. I suppose the perspective is completely dependent upon who one is asking or their own life circumstances and beliefs.

This little tidbit is important because I think it's essential to know that I don't give up easily on the things that are important to me.

It hasn't been something I've hidden, but this year (or the last six months of what will be this year) has been a very trying and frustrating time on a bike for me, and I can't help but feel a bit like a fraud as I write posts about various happenings, parts, or bicycles. Not that anything I've written has been falsified in any way, but I'm not exactly feeling like the person I think I should be and it's causing conflict within.

*Image found here

It started with lack of time to ride due to renovations, which turned into extreme bodily pain because of the work being done, resulting in ongoing trauma to various parts of my body which never seem to go away.

All of these things have definitely shortened or eliminated many rides I would normally take this time of year. I've had to take a step back and realize that I have to modify and adjust, and as someone who always wants to do more or be "better," it's an entirely discouraging proposition to realize that this may not be the time for such aspirations.

Last week, as I was participating in a non-cycling activity, my back was injured. It was the sort of injury that left me barely able to walk or stand upright. I'm not entirely sure how I made it home on my bike, but I did. When I finally limped through the door, I let out a wail, "Why now?!" It was all I could think to cry to the skies. I have a history of back injury, but over the last several years I've been able to, at least for the most part, keep severe injury at bay with regular exercise and strength training. It just seemed unfair that one false move had now crippled me.

The morning following the injury, I went to the walk-in Urgent Care office to see if there was anything that would help ease the pain. I've went through this before many years ago and until the muscles decide to relax, it's challenging to get everything back in place. In addition, I'd been asked to shoot some photos of an outdoor wedding in the mountains the following day, and knowing that I am not a photographer by any stretch of the imagination, the added pressure of now being injured wasn't helping my stress levels.

The doctor was sympathetic, but informed me that all activity is out the window until I'm on the mend. No kickboxing, no running, no walking the dogs, no picking anything up, and no riding a bike. Pretty much, she wanted me to sit on a firm surface and wait for the injury to heal.

Not exactly what I wanted to hear. I had just started a running schedule again over the last few weeks and was working toward a goal before mid-August. Kickboxing is my go-to exercise and happens several times a week. Riding a bicycle? That one hurt most of all. How can I not ride a bike? It's not just a form of exercise for me, it's transportation.

Of course, I've never been one to exactly follow what anyone tells me, even doctors. I view it as more of a suggestion, a guideline, if you will. The next day, I decided to take a short trip by bike up the road and while it certainly wasn't the easiest thing I've done recently, as long as I didn't push too hard, I seemed to be okay.

Riding a bike - even short trips - has been my reflection time. It's the opportunity to clear out everything in my head and attempt to find new strategies for whatever is in front of me. With all of the previously existing injury frustration, this set back wasn't helping matters.

*Image found here

Dealing with the ongoing issues from early in the year and then adding in this injury, I was starting to question everything. It's easy to start feeling like a victim. The "why me" questions take over and it's all too easy to find myself spinning downward and out of control. Later, I went through the usual - though necessary - self-pity type of thoughts: It seems unfair, why am I being punished, where did I go wrong, will I ever be able to reach the goals I've set?

In reality, this is a temporary setback. All of the injuries will be relatively short-lived (at least I hope), and while I may not be healing from the earlier injuries and strains as swiftly as I'd hoped, we have found ways to modify my bikes and I've tried to come to grips with the idea that long rides are just not as likely until everything heals and/or works itself out.

I've attempted to look at this time as an opportunity to find solutions rather than focusing on what I cannot do. I'm missing out on some things, yes, but perhaps there is reason for it. Maybe I need this time to learn something about myself or to understand that not everything goes exactly as we plan it. Sometimes, I think I've learned a lesson, only to find myself in the midst of a similar situation, at which point I start to question whether I truly learned what I was supposed to or not.

At the moment, I am on a search for balance in all things, trying to accept that I have (what I hope are) temporary restrictions, and within these limitations still set goals and strive to be a better me. It's not an easy task for someone who dreams big, and who doesn't take no as an answer to something truly desired. Fortunately, I don't give up easily.

In all of this, I ask as a reader for your patience as I fight through demons and attempt to jump over hurdles [screw what the doc says - I can still fight and jump :O)]. I have no intention of focusing on my personal injury issues (unless they somehow relate to the topic being discussed), but know that I am trying to find ways to work around current bumps in the road which may result in periods of silence or an occasional slightly off-normal-topics post.

I have no plans to stay off my bike, but I also understand that there are constraints to what is currently possible. I am anxious for healing to take place (and it is already happening) and looking forward to resuming what would be regular rides sooner than later. In the meantime, I may take this opportunity to do more reviews of parts that I've neglected to talk about thus far, or to write about past events that managed to go by without acknowledgement.

*Image found here

We are presented with challenges every day. Some are easier to contend with than others, but I hope that whatever you face in your today, you meet it with determination and a belief that you are capable of solving any dilemma and overcoming any obstacle.

Happy riding, my friends. I look forward to being back in the saddle for extended periods of time in the near future.

Happy New Year!

A very happy New Year to all! I hope you're looking forward to the start of 2015. I know that it has been a bit of a crazy, chaotic mess for the E.V.L. household at the end of 2014. As stated prior, I knew we were in for a busy several weeks and months, but it's been no joke! The last several weeks have been challenging, sad, and somewhat fulfilling, making it a confusing end to the year, for sure.

*Image found here

The start of renovating the home we purchased has been nearly all-consuming. We wanted to do our best to get as much completed before moving in. We've managed to do much more than I anticipated thus far, but along with the projects came some frustration and realization that not everything is going as smoothly as we'd hoped.

In addition, just before Christmas, we lost one of our dogs. My heart still stings when I think about it. Our small dog, Gandolf, had been dealing with a lump on his head near his eye and I'd taken him to a variety of veterinarians in an attempt to have it removed. It was quite apparent that it was causing him much pain, but no one was taking the steps to move forward with removal.

Finally, one vet agreed to remove the lump. I was nervous, but knew it needed to be done because he was now avoiding eating due to the pain. Before surgery began, I was informed that the (as I'd been told prior) benign cyst was actually a cancerous tumor and it was very aggressively eating the bone in his skull. There was nothing they could do to help him and we suddenly found ourselves switching from how-much-is-this-surgery-going-to-cost to holy-cow-we're-going-to-lose-our-family-member.

Always digging for trouble... you'll be missed my little man.

It was crushing to say the least. I still cry and miss him because our dogs are very much our children and such a huge part of our lives. This little guy was a ray of sunshine, always protective of me, the best lap dog ever, and always looked at me as though I could do no wrong. He had a rough start in this world and sadly I couldn't protect him from the cancer that stole him too early. His just over 12 years with us were full of times I know we won't forget. It's difficult not to have him around every day, but I've tried to keep the good memories close to prevent the heartache which takes over more often than I'd prefer.

In the midst of all of dealing with the loss of our little guy, we had drama with the house closing and weren't sure it was going to take place. It did close, though not without delays and road blocks. Eventually, we were able to get into the house and put hammer to walls and scrapers to flooring and work got under way.

Through all of this, I have learned that I am not nearly as resilient or hearty as I believed prior. We've completed many home renovation projects through the years, but attempting to finish an entire house in a matter of a few weeks by ourselves is exhausting, daunting and overwhelming. Each project seems to take 2-3 times longer than anticipated, and often the costs fall in line with those same figures.

By no means are we at the end of our renovations, but soon it will be time to begin moving the household over which will no doubt bring another layer of difficulty to the process; but paying for two homes simultaneously isn't exactly prudent (or an option) either. The super messy projects will hopefully be completed before the move and the rest will be items to work on as we go forward.

In all of this, I've been pondering my inability at times to look at things in small segments or to allow things to simply be what they are rather than trying to force an outcome. I think I have done just this with the blog and allowed myself (at least during more stressful times) to feel as though I'm letting someone down by not posting. Velouria made an excellent point in her comment on my last post when she stated that perhaps I've put pressure on myself to put up posts and I should allow the freedom for posts to be more of a when-I-feel-like-posting sort of thing. Others made similar comments at various points and I've appreciated every idea and have let it all sink in.

With this, I intend to move forward with the blog, but I know it will be entirely sporadic for at least several weeks and/or there may still be a long lag time before anything remotely thoughtful is written. I believe 2014 was one of the roughest years I've experienced in some time and I'm looking forward to a better coming year. Sometimes I seem to let the life stuff get to me and it can be challenging to find equity in all parts of existence, but I have hope that with some work I can find that balance in the coming year.

Wishing you and yours a very peaceful, prosperous, and happy cycling New Year! I look forward to continuing our chats about bicycles in 2015.

A Heart to Heart

First, I just want to say thanks to those of you who have participated thus far in the giveaways. Giveaway #2 is still up and running, so if you'd like a chance to win, please get your responses in soon (You'll have until Monday morning - Dec. 15 - to get your name in the hat pull).

On that note, I have decided to end the giveaways with that second round. There doesn't quite seem to be the interest that there has in the past (and that's completely okay) but I still want to do something with the items I had ready to go. I'm debating what to do, but I'll either donate them to a local bicycle group that can give the items to those less fortunate, or I may store them for a bit and decide what to do after we're through the holidays. Either way, the items will find a way into the hands of someone who will use them and/or enjoy them.

*Image found here

If this blog is still up and functioning, I may simply do one-at-a-time giveaways over the next year. It's difficult to say at this point.

Which brings me to my next point for this post: The blog itself. The last several months I have been debating whether or not to continue the blog. It's not the first time I've questioned why I continue to write here, and if the blog continues to exist, I'm sure it won't be the last, but I have seriously pondered walking away. I have been writing here about bicycles and related topics for the last nearly seven years and it's difficult to think about giving up on it.

I started writing as a way to document my own experiences and to use this platform more as a journal type of spot and it has remained a great location for me to get out my frustrations, ideas, and it has grown into a place to get input from others who may or may not agree with my thoughts.

Right now, I think it's possible that I am clinging to a lost form of communication (It's a bit sad when even blogging seems antiquated). I know that many prefer to get information via Twitter, and while I have an account, I frankly don't use it as much as I should. Twitter is an easy way to get small tidbits of information out without having to sit and think more thoroughly, edit, attach photos, edit the photos as needed, and so on. However, as someone who doesn't sit at a desk a good chunk of the day, it's a bit more challenging to use it regularly.

Even with that, there are so many different ways that people are communicating. Twitter is a big one, Facebook, Tumblr, Instagram, Google+, and on the list could go. It's challenging to keep up with all of the different possible forms of communication in this day.

I wish that I had the time to be active on all of these sites, but the reality is, it can be challenging to choose even one and remain a valid participant. It is really why I have clung more to blogging over the years. It simply made sense to me to have one location to share ideas and then link to the thought via other outlets on the web. I don't know how valid much of this has been, but it's been a lot of fun for me to get feedback from others and to talk with people via e-mail about various happenings with bicycles in their own lives. I wouldn't trade that for anything.

From the beginning, I never sought out a means to be a superstar blogger. I never worried about how many people were reading or whether or not I hit a list of the web's greatest. I know I'm not the best writer and I have never pretended to be. There are those who have found a way to remain relevant, funny and insightful, and I enjoy reading their blogs (and will continue to do so) as well, regardless of what takes place here.

Perhaps in my passiveness with blogging it has prevented me from remaining of interest to others. It's difficult to say as I know there is an ebb and flow to many things in life.

Much of my motivation with the blog has been simply to share my experiences and to get thoughts from others who may have their own opinions. It can be challenging to continue when I'm not sure I should further spout the thoughts in my head or the things that take place every day on a bike. We all have our own experiences and perhaps this space is simply no longer needed or even a source of information -- or perhaps there are just better places to get the information.

While I could go on about reasons for thinking perhaps it's time to give up the blog, there is no point in further boring anyone who does read here. I suppose I have simply reached a juncture at which I must make a decision whether to continue on in this same manner, to move on to other possibilities, or to give up on any/all of it, and I thought it was only fair to share this with those of you who have remained and/or continue to offer your responses.

If I do choose to continue blogging, I know that posts will be sporadic for quite some time. Our family is preparing for yet another move (It's a local move, but it's time to move out of our rental... and, hopefully, we can stay settled a bit longer this time, as moving is getting quite old). With this impending move comes a substantial amount of renovation which is going to keep us busy for some time. I'm expecting long days of labor for many months, so I am already aware that posts will likely be more sparse than even the norm for this space if the blog continues on.

As always, your thoughts are welcome on any/all of this. Perhaps there is a better way to communicate and I should seek it out, or maybe you think blogs are still relevant? While your ideas may or may not influence my decision, I am always open to opinions so feel free to comment here or even drop me an e-mail if that is more comfortable for you.

Thank you to all who have continued to support my sometimes crazy and more often than not erratic posts, and particularly I am grateful to those who have offered your own thoughts along the way. We will see where this journey takes us, but no matter what I am grateful to have had the opportunity to chat with some really amazing individuals along the way. I will keep you posted! {Ha! No pun intended} :O)

A quick poll

I am in the process of writing up (with the aid, of course, of the racer himself) some thoughts on the Silver Rush 50 race that Sam just competed in over the weekend. But, until I find a solid chunk of time to sit and filter through things a bit, I thought I'd put up a quick hello to all. I hope you're able to be outdoors, enjoying some great bike rides. There's quite a bit going on here bicycle-wise, but finding the time to put together meaningful thoughts on all the various happenings has been challenging over the last couple of weeks, but they will come in due time.

Until then, I am in the process of ordering a few stickers for myself and wondered if anyone would have interest in some E.V.L. stickers? Above are some examples of what they might look like. Feel free to take the poll and/or offer your thoughts in the comments.

Would you have interest in 1 (or more) Endless Velo Love stickers?

Absolutely! I'd pay to have one of these.

I'm interested, but only if you're giving them away.

I might have interest, depending on color/design choices.

I'd like to see them as part of a bigger giveaway.

I have no interest in stickers.

Other (please add thoughts in comments).

Poll Maker

The rain has been falling here today, but it's a nice break from the summer heat. I don't even mind a bike ride in the rain, although sometimes the clean up afterwards can be a bit of work. Happy mid-week riding! :O)

Bicycle Paintings

Happy Friday to all! Just a quick post today to let you all know that I have a new page on Endless Velo Love to share. I've debated for some time about the possibility of having an 'art for sale' page, but have gone back and forth so many times that it just hasn't happened. I also haven't wanted to use advertisements (for many reasons) here, but the largest of which is that I have a strange mind, and as soon as I believe something to be a job (which it becomes for me when advertisers are involved), it becomes less fun and interesting for me. That said, blogging takes a decent chunk of time (more than it should, really - but, it's totally worth it), even when it's only 1-2 times a week, and it takes time from my income-generating hours. It's just reality, whether I choose to admit it or not. I have tried to think of a sort of compromise between feeling like I'm selling myself out and being able to keep things going.

The compromise I've reached is that I'm going to go ahead with a page of art for sale. The compromise has two stipulations. First, I am only going to list bicycle-related art for sale on the Bicycle Paintings page and they will be kept small so that it doesn't interfere with my normally scheduled work. Secondly, this will be for a trial time period to see if there is even any interest (which there may very well not be). I have no idea how long the "trial" period will be before I make a decision about whether it stays or goes, but it's here for now and if you have interest in such things, please feel free to take a look every once in awhile to see if there's anything new.

Currently, there are just a few random, small paintings up on the page. They are all a little different from one another, so if there isn't something of interest at the moment, keep your eyes peeled for new works in the future. I probably won't post regular updates in blog posts, but I will post on Twitter when there are new pieces available, so if you don't follow me and have interest in updates, that would probably be the best place to get them (there's a link to my Twitter account over on the sidebar at the left).

So, that's it. Just wanted to share a little bit about the new page. I hope you're having a great Friday and have plans for a spectacular weekend! Happy riding.

Changes Ahead

Early this morning, I awoke out of a dead sleep... thinking about the blog. There have been rumblings brewing lately of closing up and calling it done, but I've hesitated because I don't feel as though I'm ready to say "that's all folks." When I woke up suddenly before the sun had even an idea of coming up over the horizon, I had an idea and I think it's the best solution for me at this point in time.

As some who read here have discovered, over the last several months I've been "playing" with another blog. That one was intentionally separated from this one because it has focused primarily on my weight loss journey, getting stronger, and various aspects of things related to health and fitness. I wanted a separate space initially for many reasons. First, I didn't want to bother those who come here only to read about bicycles and various cycling related topics. Secondly, when it comes to that aspect of my life, I tend to be a bit more (okay, maybe far more) whiny and self-deprecating than when discussing bikes. Finally, in many respects, I simply didn't know how to combine two areas of my life without it seeming odd.

Image source here

In the wee hours of the morning, however, I came to the conclusion that both blogs are suffering. While some people are able to maintain many separate blogs and keep them all updated on a somewhat regular basis, I am apparently not one of those folks. Everything ends up suffering in the end, and I don't write anything anywhere for long stretches of time, or I only seem to focus on one or the other.

The solution in my mind is simply to combine the two blogs. Unfortunately, for some that means that there will be personally irrelevant topics posted here at times, but at this juncture, it is the only solution that makes sense to me.  The changes will be taking place as soon as possible over the next several days.

So, what will you find here now? I'll still be posting about bicycles and related adventures, but I also intend to have posts about my struggles and victories with fitness, losing weight, getting stronger and the like. I appreciate that some readers may part ways here, but my hope is that there will be overlap permitting readers to find something of interest here, and also allow me to focus once again on something that I enjoy doing - sharing the adventure of life.

If this is where we part ways, I just want to thank you for taking the time to check in and read here.  All of the topics posted in the past will remain in place for those who may find a tidbit of useful or helpful information. To those who arrive here from the other blog, welcome! I hope you'll continue to find information here to help you on your fitness journey. I look forward to what is coming and being able to continue to share with those who have interest.

An Explanation of the Recent Lack of Writing (sort of)

Anyone like to guess how many posts I've started over the last month and not completed? Let's just say that there are quite a few, but not one of them is to a point of readiness... and so, the blog sits. Dated. Uninteresting. Sigh.

Because I still can't quite finish any of the posts, I thought I would start one that I can actually wrap up quickly, so that it doesn't appear that I've completely abandoned ship. I should first say that, sadly, I've experienced on-and-off flu symptoms since Christmas. I so rarely get sick, and somehow in such a short stretch of time, I've become a poster child for the ill. I don't know if it's the stress of this final semester, or the fact that I started taking a multi-vitamin (oddly, all the illness seems to coincide with the start of this routine, though I realize it sounds insane to blame it on vitamins), but I haven't enjoyed it one bit. The current iteration of illness has me dealing with bronchitis. Fun. The cough? Definitely not enjoyable. The sleepless nights (because of the cough)? Less enjoyable.

In all of this, I've lost the ability to breathe very well, which has taken a toll on my ability to ride my bike(s). It takes just about everything in me to walk from one side of the house to the other, and by the time I get there, I'm huffing and desperately trying to catch my breath. You can imagine that riding a bike is even worse. I did take one out around the block over the weekend (literally, around the block) and it felt so wonderful to be on a bicycle again, so after my little taste, I'm looking forward to a speedy recovery (now that I have antibiotics - I'm very stubborn about going to the doctor), so that I can be out on the bike again in the very near future.

In bike related news, the Bella Ciao made it to her new home, though not completely unharmed. I swear, if I ever find out the hub between here and the Illinois/Michigan area that brutalizes bike boxes, there will be hell to pay. While she's apparently still rideable, there was unnecessary damage inflicted that just infuriates me... particularly knowing how well the bike was packed. I do hope that there will be many happy years of riding her, however, and I'm thrilled that she's in a happy place where she'll get more regular use.

I wrote at the first part of the year about my intention to mold this space into something a little different. At that point, I thought perhaps I would document rides frequently and put up more photos than actual ramblings. Obviously, that has not happened. As I've watched the bike blogs slowly dropping off, I can't help but become a little saddened. Particularly when they are blogs that I enjoy reading regularly. This space started out as simply an area for me to vent, and while I don't wish to have this turn into a whining place, I think there are legitimate topics that can be discussed that don't always center around bikes. As most people do, I have my hands in many things, or at times, not much at all. I love to share our tales of bike project successes and failures, but truth be told, there is often more interest and excitement outside of my two-wheel love. So, what's a girl woman {I'm trying desperately to stop saying "girl" when referring to grown women} to do?

The only way I know to keep myself interested and active is to expand the information shared here, and so to you, dear reader, I share this information now because changes, they are a-coming. Why not just start writing whatever is on my mind instead of sharing this with you first? Most importantly, I realize that there are some {perhaps most} reading who are specifically looking for bicycle-relevant information. I feel it's only fair to give you warning. While I definitely intend to still write about bicycle happenings, I sense that the topics will be diverging possibly into other areas. What will I write about? While I don't intend to overwhelm the space with art information, it is of interest to me, and I think it's good to be able to share. Of course, much of that information will likely be for locals. I would also like to discuss more general life topics - really, anything that catches my eye/attention. I'm also pondering a name change for the blog with all of this because it seems a little silly to keep a name that isn't all encompassing. I've toyed with a few ideas, but time will tell what ultimately becomes of that decision. It may very well stay the same and folks will just need to ignore the subjects that aren't of interest to them.

In all of this, I suppose I just want to be upfront about how I'm feeling and where I see things going. I appreciate every person who takes the time to read this space, as well as those who offer thoughts in the form of comments and e-mails. I hope that your participation will continue to be plentiful, but I also understand those who are looking for specific information as well. If you find that it's time to part ways, I of course understand, but hopefully this will keep me more regularly engaged. As always, happy riding!

The Return to Craziness

It's been a few days since I've been able to post and I always miss it when I don't write or post some kind of pictures. The reality is that I was trying my hardest to enjoy what little remaining freedom I had left. The return to classes is good for me because this is my (hopefully) final term, and while it will be my most stressful semester since the return to college, I am excited knowing that if I can make it through the next four months of near-hell, I will be done with this round and can again return to some sense of normalcy -whatever that may be.

*image source here

Even though I have been riding my bike, I've been horrible about taking photos to share here. I did attempt a video using my old Flip video (I understand now why this product didn't make it) of a quick ride last week, but it's rather nauseating to watch, so I'm not sure anyone wants to see it, nor is it very interesting. I am going to do my best to share the madness as it happens, but I am also aware that I do have limitations and that the schedule is going to be hectic (at least until late spring). Of course, when I think I won't find time to write, those seem to be the occasions during which I write more, so who knows what will come over the next several weeks/months?

In summary, I thank you for granting me a bit of leeway in regard to posting, but I am hoping for a somewhat regular routine of writing (especially after I have a better idea of the workload), even if it consists of shorter thoughts and ideas, or even sticking to my new years plan with posting more photos and writing less.  This morning I became keenly aware that we are more than half way through January now and I really haven't kept my goal of taking more photos or video while I'm actually riding my bicycle. I guess change is harder than I thought it would be! Perhaps it will come, or maybe it won't, but I'm trying not to fight too much with what comes naturally. At the same time, I don't want to get stuck in a rut, so I am trying to find ways to slowly integrate a habit into my rides.

If there's anything that you'd like to read my musings/ramblings on, feel free to let me know.

2012: Change is Good

Normally, I am not one to make New Year's resolutions. However, I do think that the beginning of the year is a good time to renew, refresh, and to re-evaluate the direction of life and goals in general. To be able to take the time to reflect and to have the opportunity to perhaps view things in a new way can be invaluable. To that end, I've had many thoughts over the last few months in regard to where things are going in this space, and while I don't want to stop writing entirely, I often feel uninspired or as though I'm entering into repetitive topics, causing me to avoid writing at all (which is not something I want to do). In addition, time constraints have made a regular schedule of putting information here more difficult, so I have been evaluating what to do and the direction I'd like to go, as well as whether or not I want to continue this at all.

Ultimately though, I started this space for myself as a means to kind of track things that were interesting to me at a particular point in time, and also to hopefully have something amusing to look back on at a later date. While sorting out the last boxes from our move (over 8 months ago), I came across a bicycle camera mount I purchased more than a year and a half ago. I had bought it with intention to immediately go home, mount it to the bike as a way of making photography easier while riding. When I found the camera mount, it was still attached to its original packaging.

It was more than a little disappointing to see something I was so excited about not so long ago, buried in a box of unused "stuff." Even more disappointing was the fact that I had never even taken the time to mount it to any bike, let alone making it a regular use accessory. It reminded me that change is sometimes a very good thing to go through though, and so my plans for 2012 for this space include using this tool much more often and perhaps shifting (at least somewhat) the type of posts here. I don't know if it will be something that sticks, but I'd like to give it a try because there are times when I really do think that photos can speak so much more than mere words. I am by no means a photography pro (or even amateur), but I think ride pictures could be an interesting way to share what I get to see while on the bike.

I do have the mount out of (most of) its packaging, so I am on my way to actually using this particular item in the near future. I'm sure there will still be rants about various items, or the occasional post regarding some life event, but I am excited about the opportunity to have a bit of a shift. Other plans for 2012 include figuring out my own herd of bicycles and where I need to be. I have all but put the Bella Ciao up on the chopping block, and I believe this is the direction I am headed. I'm sure in the next couple of weeks there will be a post up regarding it being for sale (if anyone is currently interested, please feel free to e-mail me - but I am fairly certain it will be for sale in the very near future). I want to whittle down the number of bicycles, spend less time worrying about the little specifics, and also have the right variations for my ride style, needs, and life. What that means exactly? Well, I'm still evaluating... but, I definitely don't want to have unused bicycles collecting dust.

So, I just want to thank you for bearing with me as I attempt to figure things out. I'm not entirely certain I even know where this is headed, but I'm excited about having a bit of change. In addition, I hope that everyone had an enjoyable and safe New Year's, and that 2012 will be full of positive growth, good health, and many enjoyable bike rides. Happy New Year, and thank you for continuing to read!

"Unpretentious"

Yesterday, Velouria of Lovely Bicycle! wrote about the person behind the blog Bikeyface. I enjoy both blogs on a regular basis, so it was fun to see the person behind the scenes - you know, the "real" person. Velouria mentions that when the two met up they discussed who they are in real life versus the perception of who they are from posts for their respective blogs. It's not the first time I've wondered this about myself, but it did spark something in me that now has my little hamster wheel turning. I tend to do a lot of "self-awareness" writing, meaning that as I discover something about myself (bike related, or not) I ramble on about it in a post (or sometimes several posts). In my mind, I figure no one has to read what I'm writing (and sometimes I wonder why anyone reads what I write - but that's a completely different session for the doc's couch). I also wonder if I come across as someone different than who I am.

Image found here

Velouria (very kindly) included Endless Velo Love on a list of her favorite reads recently. I was truly honored (and surprised), but to be perfectly honest, my neurotic self came out a bit when I read that she sees my blog as "unpretentious." It's not that I want to be considered pretentious (because I'm not - at all), and I have no doubt that this was meant in a positive light, but I am also a person who can over think things, so it started a little conversation in my head. After I've done/said/wrote something, many things often fly through my mind (Should I have said that? Do I sound like a total dingbat? Do I have any business putting anything out into the blogosphere at all? Why am I still writing this thing anyway? Do I project an image of myself that is false? Do readers pick up on my weird, sometimes sarcastic sense of humor? Can anyone follow my wandering strings of consciousness as I write? Etc).

So, anyway, when I read the word, "unpretentious," I was immediately reminded of an art critique I sat through recently in which someone said that my painting is "unpretentious." Oy, that word. Why does it keep coming back to me? It was not the first time that the word has been used to describe my art either. In the art world, I don't know what to think of such a statement. I tried to take it as a compliment because personally, I think there is too much pretension in art ... but knowing the situation, it was probably a bit of a dig at my work. Really, what does the word mean anyway? I'm not trying to be something I'm not... Not trying to impress anyone...Simple, but functional... I mean, really all of these things are true. It doesn't mean that it's all I am though. Really, I can also be a raging b!tch (just ask Sam) <<< [See, this will be one of those things I'll think about later and say, "Why did I write that?"] I can be super easy going about most things in life, and then find one little thing that will drive me insane. I get cranky (mostly when driving), I get annoyed, people piss me off, but I also avoid conflict, always want people to feel comfortable, and truth be told, even my worst enemy would be welcome to stay with me if they were in need. We all have variances in our personality (otherwise we'd be dull, dull people) and it would be impossible to express every nuance of who I am in a blog. Besides, there's no rule that states I must share every piece of my life - even though I have been known to do so, whether people want to hear it (read it) or not. One thing is for sure, I definitely express opinions much more readily here than I do in real life.

Regardless of the intention behind the word "unpretentious," people have opinions (of both art and the blog), and there isn't much I can do about that fact. The bottom line is that authenticity is important to me, and hopefully that comes through, at least on occasion. Do I change my opinions over time? Of course. Do I often have two (or more) simultaneously conflicting thoughts? Yep. Am I someone to look up to or admire? Goodness, no. I understand that we can't know everything about someone when reading only snip-its of his/her life, and we will inevitably form opinions about people through what we read, but I suppose it begs the question, "Does any of it really matter?" In the end, I hope my art work is unpretentious, because that is who I am... and as for the blog, well, I suppose it would only transfer to this space as well. Maybe I need to wear this label as a badge of honor instead of believing there is some unseen, unspoken, underlying connotation to the word... or, maybe I just need to let the hamster rest once in awhile.

{Part 2} How I Ruined Myself on Upright Bicycles: The "Others"

*If you missed reading the first part of this post, please see here.
How I loved the online blogging/cycling community, and I regularly sought information from them (whether they were aware of it or not). Even though I was blogging myself, I thought of my blog as my own personal journal of events or thoughts, and not as something anyone would be reading. Really, who would want to get information from me, because what did (do) I know? While the (mostly) female bloggers I was reading were (are) a great source of inspiration, information, and motivation for me to continue to ride, looking back on it now, I think it also created an environment for me to wonder what else was out in the world in the way of bicycles. Knowledge is power, but in my case, knowledge created questions which led to doubt. Stuart and I had been moseying right along and were happy together, but perhaps a cruiser wasn't the best choice. I went to something I knew and that I thought I could manage to reasonably purchase: another Electra.

Phoebe, my former Electra Amsterdam 3i in Sunflower green

I spotted an Electra Amsterdam 3i in a local bike shop (which I would later name Phoebe) and was enraptured by her hideously wonderful chartreuse green/pink/baby blue color combination. While I often think of myself as a bit of a wallflower, there would be no hiding from anyone on this bike (of course, Sam will highly disagree that I am a wallflower - and he's probably correct). Everywhere I went this bike received attention. People would stop in traffic to yell out "nice bike," and women would smile and wave as I rode past. I have to admit, I kind of liked it. It was reassuring to have people acknowledging my bike, particularly in a community of mostly non-upright/city bike riders. It made me believe that I had chosen wisely... at least for a time.

Trial with a Brooks B-67 saddle on the Amsterdam

Phoebe had everything I needed. She was an upright bicycle (no hand pain), she had a bottle driven head light and battery operated tail light (I could ride in the dark), she was beautiful in her own odd way, and I could carry what I needed to between the rear rack and front basket I'd attached. Why would I ever want anything else? Between riding Stuart and Phoebe though, I began to experience pain in my spine and lower regions, so I experimented with a Brooks saddle to see if it would remedy the problem. I just couldn't make the Brooks work for me however, and after more reading online, more bicycle purchases, and even more riding, I determined that there was no fixing the problems with the Electra bicycles.

Pepper Potts, the Pashley Princess Sovereign on her first day home

The other online bloggers all seemed to have more expensive, European made bicycles, and I determined that my problems stemmed from buying a lower-cost bicycle (there were other factors involved, but ultimately I believed it had to do with the cost of the bike). After lots of debating, research and test riding, I ended up selling all of my bikes in order to purchase a Pashley Princess Sovereign. Finally, I had the bike I was supposed to have that would cure all of my ailments and that would, of course, bring world peace... or at least this was the high standard by which the Pashley would be judged and held accountable. In my mind at the time, a completely reasonable expectation.

Riding to meet a friend on the Pashley

I don't know that the Pashley and I were able to bring any kind of world peace (I'm guessing not), but we had great fun together. She was a heavier bike than the Electra Amsterdam (which was aluminum, rather than steel), and I often felt as though I was riding slow, but this would be the case with almost any upright bicycle. No matter what I did, I could never quite escape the feeling of that often (painfully) slow ride, and while I loved the Pashley, I realized that our location in the world did not provide me the ideal surroundings to be successful with an upright bicycle. All of the women I was reading about online mostly lived in large cities with lots of things close by. The only thing within a few of miles of my home was a grocery store, a 7-Eleven, and a few fast food chains - not exactly the prime location to justify this sort of bicycle. Since we couldn't sell our house, and we couldn't move, I had all but given up on the idea of riding an upright bicycle. All of the others seemed to be enjoying their upright bicycles, so why wasn't I? Sure, it was a good distance to get to anything, but I enjoyed being out on my bike. By this point in time, I had purchased and we'd put together the Rivendell Sam Hillborne, and I believed that it would have to be my only bike. Little did I realize that between my insatiable need to get more information, and a chance happening, I wasn't done with the upright bikes...(to be continued).

Part 3 can be found here.

Adding a Co-Blogger? Yay! or Nay!

Over the past few months, there have been discussions regarding sharing posting duties here on E.V.L. with Sam (life partner in crime). We've had frank discussions about (what I see as) the pros and cons of this possibility. On the pro side, I believe that having another blogger helping out with posts is good because it allows one to pick up when the other is perhaps not as motivated, or is simply busier with other things in life. It would also allow for another voice (let's face it, reading my remarks and one-note posts gets old), and having another person helping would allow for a different perspective (female vs male, artist vs technician, etc). On the con side, I'm a little bit protective of this space because it's been mine for so long (not that things can't change). I like that I can just say whatever is on my mind and answer to no one. In some sense, it comes down to not wanting to share the space, I suppose. But, I also think that a sort of middle ground possibility could be to have Sam "guest post" when I'm having crazy stretches of time and just can't write.

*Image found here

So, we decided that a poll is in order. While I realize this certainly isn't life or death, and ultimately it will be my decision, if you had things your way, what would you choose? Note: You can select more than one option, but can only vote once.

If you're unable to view the poll (as has been the case for some in the past), you can directly access it here, or feel free to leave comments if the poll doesn't quite cover your thoughts, you have more to add, or you have experience with sharing a blog and want to offer words of wisdom.

Last Day of Freedom

It sounds so ominous and final, but my "last day of freedom" simply means that school resumes again for me tomorrow. My days will be long (10-14 hours of class time), and I am aware that it will no doubt have an affect on how much I will be able to spend writing, taking photos, and the like here. On the up side of things, it may be my next to last semester of classes, which is quite exciting. I am also well aware that I already have a case of "senior-itis" forming. I don't want summer to come to an end, I have no desire to buckle down and focus on things that need my attention - particularly when we're still having 85-95 F degree days, and I have found myself already starting a mental countdown calendar to the end.

*Image source can be found here

Today, I have a list of chores to complete. Everything from getting cash at the bank to pay for parking this week (I can't ride, unfortunately, because it would take me 3.5 hours each way to bike there, plus I'd have no way to carry my quite large canvas supports, paints, etc), to getting all the laundry done, to making sure there are healthy, non-refrigerated foods I can take with me, since I'll have only 15 minute breaks in between classes and no place to store perishable foods.

I also have on my list to "take one last long bike ride." It seems silly, but I know that I won't be able to spend 2-3 hours just going on a long ride likely for several months. So, as I feel summer closing up on me, it seems appropriate to make a ride part of the to-do list. I will, of course, still go on rides, but the freedom to up and go at any point in the day has very nearly come to an end. Bike rides will be shorter and more purpose-filled, certainly. Though returning to a schedule has its down side(s), I am looking forward to resuming a more structured art routine (as I've definitely let that slip over these past few months), and getting back to creating something, or at least working on a project daily will no doubt be beneficial. I'm also intrigued to see where this last 8 months of classes will take me. I suppose that this is truly the beauty of the future - we just can't know today where the path is taking us. Wishing you a path always filled with goodness, and of course, fun bike rides.

E.V.L.'s Top Four

This post is purely for my own amusement (okay, they're almost always simply for my own enjoyment), but there's something about seeing the most read posts on this blog that makes me kind of giggle. It's not that I'm a big time blogger, and I'm certainly not concerned with reading statistics for this space on the web, nor that I really care to keep track of what others are reading, but it is a bit amusing to see what is most read, and I thought I'd share the top four, because, well, it's my blog... and that's what I'm doing today. While some of these top posts make sense, others I have to wonder what the individual was searching for in the blog-o-sphere to even find me. Regardless, here we go...

The #4 spot for most read blog post goes to

'Tis true. The number four most read post is entitled, "WTF am I doing?" Since many posts are discovered through the title, I can't help but wonder what someone was seeking an answer to/for. The post was about my struggles with hand pain and riding my Electra Ticino... which by the way, I still think is a fabulous bicycle, but because of my hand issues and the frame being aluminum, it just wasn't a good combo for me. I was debating whether or not to purchase the Pashley Princes Sovereign, but I didn't want to spend the money on something else, only to have that not work out as well. Because so many individuals, at minimum, stop off briefly on this post, I wonder what they are looking for? Are they in search of life answers? Maybe they're researching a Ticino and discovered the post? Maybe they too have hand pain? The world (nor I) will likely never know.

The #3 slot and taking the bronze for most read blog post is

In many ways, this one makes sense to me. I know that when I got my first Electra (a Daisy cruiser), I had a hard time finding reviews or information about the brand, other than on their website. I would find online sellers, but that didn't really provide a ton of information,and more often than not, information about Carmen Electra would rise to the top in my searches. What I did find online in my searches were posts and reviews from some cyclists about other more expensive bicycles bashing the Electra brand. It was a bit sad to see because I don't have issues with these bikes. While they aren't as expensive as the Dutch, Italian, or English bicycles that have been made for decades upon decades, they have their place in the market. Quite honestly, I don't see them as competition for these afore mentioned manufacturers/builders by any means. But, I do think that Electra is a growing brand, and with so many large cruiser rides taking place in cities throughout the U.S., those who want slow, leisure rides to the beach or parks near by, and those who want to re-live decades gone by, they certainly have a market.

The #2 position, silver medal winner for most read blog post here goes to

I am really not sure what to think of this one. This post was a kind of vent for me (as most posts are) about my realization that I am in the minority of cyclists being an overweight female, and not finding the sorts of clothing I want to find out in the world, particularly those conducive for riding. While I want to believe that there are others out there who sympathize, or those who are able to empathize because they are in a similar situation, I think the reality is that there's probably one of two things happening. 1) The person is searching for some kind of fetish adult content, or 2) the searcher is looking for a large truck for transport purposes. Either way, I'm sure they are disappointed to discover that the post has nothing to do with either.

The moment we've all been waiting for. Drum roll please............................................

And, the #1 spot, taking the gold medal for most read post on this here blog goes to...

This number one spot is probably the least surprising of all the posts. When I read other bloggers sites and hear about others searching for a Pashley Princess Sovereign, I realize that they aren't so easy to come by, especially for those outside what have been apparently deemed the target markets for these kinds of bicycles. Basically, if one lives outside of Seattle, Chicago, or New York here in the U.S., it's not always easy to find this bike. I was fortunate that there is a great shop in Denver that just happened to have a Princess in stock, and it just happened to be in the right size, but beyond that, for some areas of the country (and I'm sure other countries as well) it's no easy task to hunt down these Pashley's.

So, there you have it. The top four most read blog posts here on Endless Velo Love.