Not the Spa

My commute is better than yours. That is all.

Me and My Shadow

Tomorrow will push me back into the century commuter weeks! My body is happy... and maybe also a little sore/tired.

The unpredictable weather made prepping clothes for the week difficult. Biked home yesterday in shorts and a tank top only to return this morning in full leggings and ski base layer.

But what is our gang sign?

In two separate pregnancies, I imagined twin daughters. Instead, these two smart, handsome boys charmed my life. They fight with the worst of them, but they also have lifelong, built-in buddies. The sun was shining on us today.

Lean

If you're reading this, you probably know me or you share my love of bikes. If you know me, you know my love of bikes... and of pictures of my bikes. If you're reading this, you have likely made fun of my Leans. So, I offer the latest installment.

Tried a new route to work. The map showed a greenway extension, and my mind could see bits of where I thought I remember it joining. I started out pretty well. The path was more bridle path than expected, until it was more of a hiking path. I was climbing rocks along a creek bank to get around trees. It turned out not to be a shortcut, but it sure was nice.

In the Quiet in the Dark

I have a confession. Today I rode my bike for the second time in many months. Yes. Only two times in maybe three or four months, and one was last week. Life has thrown me some fast balls and some curve balls, and I'm holding on to keep up with all of the action. I made it - the miles are mine again.

Last week I found myself scared on the way home. I was well-dressed for the weather, and lit up like a rolling Christmas tree with all my lights. I didn't understand my own reaction, except to say we are close to the winter solstice and light is scarce. I was easily startled. Maybe it was because the shadows on a trail move faster than you expect when rolling through the dark.

I did a repeat tonight to test myself. My phone blared music while I bounded through miles of greenway in the night. About the time Bruce Springsteen came on, I caught my groove. The song reminded me of the nights in high school when we would drive out to the swamp with the windows down to listen to the croak of the alligators.

Can't wait for daylight savings to end!

Surrey Bikes

We went to Disney last week - it was wonderful. We saw wildlife, rode Space Mountain, and hung out by the pool. Far and wide, my favorite part of the weekend was pedaling around on a Surrey Bike. These things are not made for hills, but my boys are getting taller and stronger.

If the neighbors have a pimped out golf cart, I want one of these!

I am the Lorax

Last night I attended a workshop hosted by the RDU authority discussing the potential uses and land designations. The night played out much the way it did when I protested the development of a treed land area in my hometown that is currently covered in an apartment complex. The big developer put on the airs of caring about the tree-hugging contributions of the constituents. The people cited a number of data points demonstrating that they are not actually listening. The meeting was halted by the Communications designee from the airport authority. So, I sit down here to write to you what I feel in my heart... about the way we were treated, about the way of the business, and my sadness about what will be lost. Here are the major takeaways.

The introduction and the bulk of the meeting talked about FAA requirements for noise and a map detailing the sound levels in the area. The speaker tried to paint this as forethought of the authority to examine the needs of the region as required by law.

The Q&A was when Dr. Jean Spooner from the Umstead Coalition stood and asked about the thousands of comments received. She wondered what modifications were made as a result. The speaker responded that the map was updated to include Recreation areas. She clarified that the legend was updated to include 'Office/Hotel/Recreation' instead of just 'Office/Hotel'. The speaker confirmed this was the modification he meant. No other changes have been over the course of four public meetings.

A second audience member asked about the feasibility of eliminating the rock quarry proposal from the drawing. She polled the audience for support of a rock quarry. One individual was in support, the remainder of the room opposed. Later, John Williams explained to me that the map is not a recommendation, but a potential use map.

A third audience member was closer and I could not hear the question. It was clear that the audience felt like their concerns were not getting heard, and wanted a different outcome than the proposal.

At this time, Sig Hutchinson, a Wake County Commissioner, interjected. He cautioned the audience from getting too upset. He encourage the individuals to continue to provide their comments via the appropriate forums, and tried to assuage our fears about the apparent deaf ears of the airport authority.

My personal experience is that I couldn't hear much more. Kristie VanAuken (VP Communications and Community Affairs) stepped in front of me. She said to the person next to her that she was going to stop this and pull the mic. She exited the room, re-entered at the front, and shut the conversation down.

We milled about and tried to make sense of how to have an impact on making a positive choice for our beloved parks. How do you propose to a businessman with the potential income of a hotel at $200 per night over 100 units was less valuable than getting to ride with the 10 and under group on Wednesday afternoons through the pump and jump tracks.

Here are some of the ways I have used this park. Going places in order to avoid cars and driving. I do this a lot, but here are 3 pretty examples.

At a crossroad

Rolling cyclocross near sunset

Getting over I-40

If any of this is meaningful to you, please send some comments to support us. https://vision2040.rdu.com/comments/

Bike to School

The ride to school today has been a long time coming. I thought they would just naturally want to ride their bikes because the freedom is so great. Turns out, getting driven is easier. Traffic as it is, I have been inclined to oblige their whims.

Our new place tho? Totally bike-able. Boy has been asking for an apple watch which I told him (a) he could have if he could keep up with all of his things and (b) he would need to have if he was biking to school all the time.

And so this day happened. Some people look forward to first steps or graduating from kindergarten - this is my proud mama moment. My son biked to school for the first time.

Ban Fracking y'all

The other night, I did an exercise. In three phases, you describe your dream in full color detail to another person. You actually put a voice to your heart's greatest desire. We repeated the two minute recitation of what happens a year after achieving this dream, and then ten years later. Unsurprisingly, the first session is touched marked with a lot of fear. If it was easy, wouldn't everyone already be doing it? The second phase for me was way less encumbered. It was exploratory and exciting, and I can't wait to get there. In the third session, I described an altered state of my current life. It's a mirror life to the one I lead now, with a different continent and way of life -- but I'm still me. I have the same values. I have the same moral code. And I'm free.

I tell you this, because I can't wait to get to the beginning, middle, and end of all these pieces. I'm so lucky to live my beautiful life. I'm so enamored with my children, my friends, my job, and my daily. I can clearly see all kinds of ways forward from here.

Just delivered my children and parked my fuel-efficient vehicle to hop on the bike. Yesterday started with yoga and a bagel. Living the dream! (My dreams anyway)

Next step: get the children biking to school. 

Next-next step: paddle boards and trailer. 

Next-next-next step: scuba certs for the kids. 

Next-next-next-next step: sailboat.