Promises of a bike/swim event

It may have appeared like I was riding a bike. When I got home, I could wring out my socks and leave puddles. It was more of a swim home.

Cranksgiving

Oaks and Spokes did a fantastic event on Sunday at Crank Arm Brewery. They set out a competition -- a 13 mile route, four grocery stores, and a shopping list. Points were awarded for extra stores, produce, etc. In the end, we collected 662 lbs of food and 15 turkeys!

So this roadie was all "i see you wear an #mtb helmet" and I'm all "huh? I have helmets"

Second Row From Left to Right:
Blue eyed monster, glitter dream, Speed Racer

Cyclist Down

A terrible thing is happening in cycling. Drivers are becoming vocal haters on bicyclists. They shout it from their car, then they post to the internet. There's only so many times Drunk Cyclist can counteract that hate.

I believe cycling to be a safe activity. I believe that dangerous things happen. It hurts my heart to see incidents on the news where cyclists die:  Bicyclist Death

A local cycling advocate (enthusiast) wrote something great on the list serv I follow. Mind you, I don't know this guy, but I really appreciate the sentiment.

Why I Started Commuting by Bike

This video was passed to me today, and it reminded me of the reason I became bus & bike commuter. As it were, the Front Fell Off.

Once upon a time, I had a dream about how my life would go. In 2010, life did one of those tricks it seems to do. My daughter was just learning to walk and talk, and my sons hadn't started preschool yet. I was thrown a curve ball that January when my then-husband lost his job (again) and I had to go back to work. 

Shortly after starting a job with a roundtrip commute of 48 miles, Deepwater Horizon started its deadly bleed into the Gulf of Mexico. CNN played nonstop coverage of crude oil spewing into the ocean. I grew up on the waters of the Gulf. I was chased by sand crabs on the shores in the middle of the night, lead rescue training classes in the low vis water, and watched sunset over the reproductive dance of hundreds of devilrays. 

The guilt of driving burdened me so heavily that I took to my bike. I pledged to ride until the leak was stopped. Then I said I would ride until the spill was cleaned. Then my legs looked great, my gas bill was nothing, and I could eat allthetime. 

Cycling solves a lot of problems for me. It is cheap. It is healthy. It clears my head of the gunk that builds up. I started to make a political statement, but then I kept going for me.

True story

Today was the annual tweed ride in Durham. My friend joked that tweed was an assault on the eyes. I would rather think about it in more pro-life ways.

Let's just state the obvious fashion sensibility. Tweed styles often have a practicality that lends itself to cycling. My tweed pants are all cuffed higher than my chain ring. And you know how cyclists like their socks.

There's something to be said for the message that a costumed group ride makes. Drivers have been known to react badly to cyclists in team kit, but everyone we saw today thought we were in a parade. It made cycling appear to be the super fun, relaxed, happy pastime that it actually is.

The cemetery is a seemingly awesome place to hangout, given the right crowd. I'm thinking 100 cyclists dressed in tweed carrying pannier picnics is just that crowd. This picture bespoke my feelings about road safety for commuters. I have often thought to wear a jersey emblazoned with "MOM" in order to impede the anger of motorists.

I get impassioned when a driver feels compelled to pass at a way-too-close distance. Why would you do that? Do you know you are threatening my life? Do you mean to threaten my life? Why the profanity?

I'm not sure today meant a lot more than an excuse to ride bikes in costumes, but we got a lot of positive feedback from cars. This is a new experience for me.

Here, enjoy some more pictures on facebook.