#joyinthemaking #iliketoridemybicycle #tandem #meandsmalls #tourdefat #teamcheetah #trekbikes

http://ift.tt/2xnb3cJ

Jump Track

Adventures on a Friday included:

1. Cake for breakfast
2. Jump track

I Believe in Everything

Dropped the kids off at school and hoofed it back home with my puppy. Maybe this isn't entirely unusual and you'll be unsurprised when I tell you that I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the day. And then this music came on in my ear buds - JJ Grey "I Believe in Everything."

Well, yes. I do.

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.

I Can Ride my Bike with No Handlebars

My son wanted a nerf gun for Christmas. That's cool and all, but I don't really do nerf guns. Maybe you notice I ride bikes? I decided that what I wanted to give him was a bike. He grows so fast! This week was a whole makeover - new glasses, new haircut, new bike. He was a whole new man.

At first he didn't love the bike I chose. I thought he could still be satisfied with the simple criteria: two wheels plus pedals. My choice was also in a steel frame, disc brakes, and sora components. It was a deal -- and way too big... and maybe not cool enough? Feeling a little depleted in the value of my choice, I took him back to the bike shop. I was pretty convinced he was going to just return it. I don't even know what we bought.  No idea the type of components, and I would have to go down to the garage to recall the brand. While we were there, his love of bikes revived.

He doesn't know it, and please don't tell him so I can still hold out for some additional chores-in-lieu-of-presents, but this was the perfect gift for Christmas. My child is riding bikes with enthusiasm again! Here's us the next morning getting bagels for breakfast.

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!

Care Bear Stare

The election results were a shock. It baffles the mind. Without indulging the frustration and details, I read comments about want to live by example.

My daughter woke up next to me and I told her, "there's some bad news in the world, but I want you to know it's going to be ok."

She replied, "Trump won, didn't he?"

"Yes, and it's going to be ok. We are going to keep being us. We are going to be even better versions of ourselves. We are going to show love and kindness. We are going to treat people with kindness regardless of how they look or act. We are going to watch and make decisions for ourselves."

"But we've never seen his real skin color!"

"It would hurt if somebody said something like that about me." [I might have had to suppress a smile.]

She understood quickly and was ok with this for a bit. Then she said, "What if he stops letting women work?"

"That's not going to happen" [because he wouldn't want to have to support me without a j-o-b.] "Do you remember your care bear? Do you remember the cartoon show? When the bears were afraid, they joined together and they sent out light from their hearts, and everything was ok."

She was ok with this for a bit too. "We still have the electoral college on December 9."

"That's probably not going to change anything."

And she cried. [gut punch]

Fast forward: Driving home tonight, this beautiful rainbow appeared on top of a pink sky. It appeared to be bright, radiant light erupting from the sunset. I edited up the saturation to match my memory of the moment. This happened about the time I read some words from Hillary. As soon as I got my baby girl in front of me again, I delivered the message.

To all the little girls watching...never doubt that you are valuable and powerful & deserving of every chance & opportunity in the world.

I choose to love. I will choose to do good things. My little girl is forever watchful, hopeful, and worthy. Care Bear Stare.

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!

Only Takes a Second

A week back, a friend texted me that he was worried about me biking on the road. He shared a picture of a hit and run accident in my area. He shuts down my life insurance joke. He knows I won't quit, and he just wants me to be safe. Most people don't understand as well. Riding my bike is just part of me. I don't know any other way to be. 

I've gotten more notice from parents at my kids' school lately too. Randomly, I'll hear a honk or see a waving & smiling face pass. It feels good that my friends are so supportive. I text this same friend and let him know about this good experience I just had biking home from brunch wearing high heels.

I try to ignore the story I hear on the news the next morning. I try to pretend it isn't a familiar road. I try not to know that another cyclist has been killed. 

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/