Total for today: 21 miles
Total for the month: 594 miles!!
That's right. Tomorrow, when I am halfway to work, I will hit the 600th mile! I plan to stop, take a picture of my odometer, and upload it to facebook as soon as I can. My class is also having a little party and I'll take a lap around the parking lot to celebrate! Wahoo!
Don't forget to RSVP if you are planning to attend our donut celebration!! I mean I will eat all the Krispy Kremes we buy if no one comes... But I'd hate to eat them in front of you while you are drooling wishing you had RSVP'd.
Tomorrow, I'll also post my top 10 reasons or good things about biking to work everyday. Should be worth a read!
Tomorrow's the big day!
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
For the short and sweet of it...
Totals for today: 21 miles
Totals for the month: 573 miles!!
For those of you who are interested, Shawn and I will be having a celebration on Friday night at 7pm. We plan to have a spaghetti dinner, but more importantly, we will have a Krispy Kreme and Wine feast. Please let us know if you plan to stop by for donuts and wine and if you'll be coming for dinner! So much to celebrate!
This morning, it was definitely fall! The atmosphere was dampened in sound by thick fog. Through the bike headlight, you could see the molecules of water dancing around. The sunrise happened so late, I was practically at school before the skies lightened at all.
The ride home was b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l!!!! The skies were clear - not a trace of pollution. The sun had just dipped past the horizon as we crossed the bridge and it still lit Mt Hood so you could see the intricate lines of snow craggling down the mountain. I don't think "craggling" is a word, but that's the only way to describe the snow-covered mountain top.
For those of you at WSD, I plan to have a short ceremony (not sure the time - I'm checking with folks now) to celebrate the actual 600th mile. Hopefully the event will be complete with photos and an eventual mention in the Columbian newspaper.
Stay tuned for the BIG finish...
Totals for today: 21 miles
Totals for the month: 573 miles!!
For those of you who are interested, Shawn and I will be having a celebration on Friday night at 7pm. We plan to have a spaghetti dinner, but more importantly, we will have a Krispy Kreme and Wine feast. Please let us know if you plan to stop by for donuts and wine and if you'll be coming for dinner! So much to celebrate!
This morning, it was definitely fall! The atmosphere was dampened in sound by thick fog. Through the bike headlight, you could see the molecules of water dancing around. The sunrise happened so late, I was practically at school before the skies lightened at all.
The ride home was b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l!!!! The skies were clear - not a trace of pollution. The sun had just dipped past the horizon as we crossed the bridge and it still lit Mt Hood so you could see the intricate lines of snow craggling down the mountain. I don't think "craggling" is a word, but that's the only way to describe the snow-covered mountain top.
For those of you at WSD, I plan to have a short ceremony (not sure the time - I'm checking with folks now) to celebrate the actual 600th mile. Hopefully the event will be complete with photos and an eventual mention in the Columbian newspaper.
Stay tuned for the BIG finish...
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Oh, yeah!! So close!
I took the LONG way home (34 miles) along with my 10 mile trip to work makes today's total: 44 miles.
That's right, David Martin! I know you already have that check ready!
Total for the month: 552 miles!!!!
Three days left and only 48 miles to go.
Tonight, I took I-5 home to Vancouver Ave. I had no idea so many bikers used Vancouver Ave. We were like traffic! Bikers were everywhere! I took the Eastside Esplanade to the Springwater Corridor Trail past Oaks Park and then to the I-205 bike path. From there, I biked down to Clackamas Town Center and then turned around and biked home. Whew! It was a gorgeous day and night for a ride.
It's definitely fall here - dark in the mornings and getting darker earlier and earlier in the day!
Here's a picture from my ride back home.
Doesn't this make you want to bike home?
I took the LONG way home (34 miles) along with my 10 mile trip to work makes today's total: 44 miles.
That's right, David Martin! I know you already have that check ready!
Total for the month: 552 miles!!!!
Three days left and only 48 miles to go.
Tonight, I took I-5 home to Vancouver Ave. I had no idea so many bikers used Vancouver Ave. We were like traffic! Bikers were everywhere! I took the Eastside Esplanade to the Springwater Corridor Trail past Oaks Park and then to the I-205 bike path. From there, I biked down to Clackamas Town Center and then turned around and biked home. Whew! It was a gorgeous day and night for a ride.
It's definitely fall here - dark in the mornings and getting darker earlier and earlier in the day!
Here's a picture from my ride back home.
Doesn't this make you want to bike home?
Monday, September 26, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
It's official!!! Total for the month: 508 miles!
Today, I rode 25 miles tacking on a few extra miles on my way home. If you pledged money for 500 miles, get those checks ready (made out to Deaf Teen Leadership Camp) and send them to:
Deaf Teen Leadership Camp
c/o Cispus Learning Center
2142 Cispus Road
Randle, WA 98377
Today was the FIRST day it rained on my way to work! Yes, it's true. Portland went an entire month without rain. It rained yesterday (Sunday) but I didn't ride. The ride today was refreshing and cool as was the ride home.
The end is nearing and I have 92 miles left for those of you who challenged me to 600 miles. It will be a challenge, but I'm up for it! Stay tuned for the finish!
Today, I rode 25 miles tacking on a few extra miles on my way home. If you pledged money for 500 miles, get those checks ready (made out to Deaf Teen Leadership Camp) and send them to:
Deaf Teen Leadership Camp
c/o Cispus Learning Center
2142 Cispus Road
Randle, WA 98377
Today was the FIRST day it rained on my way to work! Yes, it's true. Portland went an entire month without rain. It rained yesterday (Sunday) but I didn't ride. The ride today was refreshing and cool as was the ride home.
The end is nearing and I have 92 miles left for those of you who challenged me to 600 miles. It will be a challenge, but I'm up for it! Stay tuned for the finish!
Sunday, September 25, 2011
What a Saturday!!!!!
Yesterday was Saturday, September 24, 2011. We are in the home stretch with 5 days to go in September. Can she do it? Will she make it to 600 miles? Will there be donuts at the end of her rides ever? These are questions I know you are dying to know the answer to!
Yesterday, Shawn was invited to read some of his poetry at St. Johns Independent Bookstore with Leah Stenson, Jon Seaman, and Dave Jarechi (I hope I have spelled all those names correctly). We decided to bike on over that morning. What a gorgeous day to be outside riding a bike in Portland today. I'm not sure how we managed to get there without having a hill to climb, but we did. All the way to St. Johns and no hill.
The poetry was beautiful by everyone! Leah read poems based on many of her travels. Shawn read poems about life and love, Jon read poems about family, and Dave read poems inspired by his adorable 5-month old who was in attendance.
The bike ride home was just as lovely. Ok, one bridge was out and Shawn and I had to cross a train trestle to get to the other side, but every bike ride is an adventure, right?
We biked along Marine Dr until we got to 33rd where Shawn headed home. I kept going and finally made it to Blue Lake and then turned around.
All told, my total mileage for Saturday: 43 miles!!
Total for the month: 483 miles!!!!
Today, I took a day "off" and Shawn and I went kayaking on Sauvie Island. Beautiful! We were on the water about 3 hours paddling along the canal. We saw one deer, at least 5 herons, 4 beavers, so many fish jumping out of the water, houseboats, geese, I could go on and on...
For your viewing pleasure, here's a photo from our ride yesterday.
Yesterday, Shawn was invited to read some of his poetry at St. Johns Independent Bookstore with Leah Stenson, Jon Seaman, and Dave Jarechi (I hope I have spelled all those names correctly). We decided to bike on over that morning. What a gorgeous day to be outside riding a bike in Portland today. I'm not sure how we managed to get there without having a hill to climb, but we did. All the way to St. Johns and no hill.
The poetry was beautiful by everyone! Leah read poems based on many of her travels. Shawn read poems about life and love, Jon read poems about family, and Dave read poems inspired by his adorable 5-month old who was in attendance.
The bike ride home was just as lovely. Ok, one bridge was out and Shawn and I had to cross a train trestle to get to the other side, but every bike ride is an adventure, right?
We biked along Marine Dr until we got to 33rd where Shawn headed home. I kept going and finally made it to Blue Lake and then turned around.
All told, my total mileage for Saturday: 43 miles!!
Total for the month: 483 miles!!!!
Today, I took a day "off" and Shawn and I went kayaking on Sauvie Island. Beautiful! We were on the water about 3 hours paddling along the canal. We saw one deer, at least 5 herons, 4 beavers, so many fish jumping out of the water, houseboats, geese, I could go on and on...
For your viewing pleasure, here's a photo from our ride yesterday.
Friday, September 23, 2011
End of the Week - Friday, 9/23/2011
I know it's been a couple of days since I updated my totals. For those only interested in totals:
Total for Wednesday, 9/21/2011: 21 miles
Total for Thursday, 9/22/2011: 21 miles
Total for today, Friday, 9/23/2011: 22 miles
Total for the month: 440 miles!
For those of you who need more reading material: read on!
Wednesday was the most beautiful ride for many reasons. For one, I didn't want to get up and ride. Monday and Tuesday there were brutal head winds biking up I-205. I wasn't sure I had it in my to do it again. Once on the bike, the sky started to reveal itself in purples and pinks. Mt. Hood was an incredible shade of gray shadow, crisp and clear. Biking over 205, the sky looked like a fleece blanket folded down to reveal the sky that was slowly brightening as I rode. There was NO wind - somebody loves me!
Another friend of mine, Ginger, bikes to work twice a week. When I saw her, the first thing she said was, "Wasn't it a BEAUTIFUL ride this morning??" I love it!
Thursday was another beautiful day in the morning. Friday was peaceful and I felt strong. I love those days.
In retrospect, I wish I'd taken a photo every day at the same time as I leave the house. I think it would be fascinating to watch how lit the skies were at the beginning of the month and how dark it is now when I leave the house. If the skies are clear, the sky is black and the stars are still shining when I leave.
Here's that gorgeous picture of me and Shawn as we biked home together one day. See how happy you could be if you biked to work??
Total for Wednesday, 9/21/2011: 21 miles
Total for Thursday, 9/22/2011: 21 miles
Total for today, Friday, 9/23/2011: 22 miles
Total for the month: 440 miles!
For those of you who need more reading material: read on!
Wednesday was the most beautiful ride for many reasons. For one, I didn't want to get up and ride. Monday and Tuesday there were brutal head winds biking up I-205. I wasn't sure I had it in my to do it again. Once on the bike, the sky started to reveal itself in purples and pinks. Mt. Hood was an incredible shade of gray shadow, crisp and clear. Biking over 205, the sky looked like a fleece blanket folded down to reveal the sky that was slowly brightening as I rode. There was NO wind - somebody loves me!
Another friend of mine, Ginger, bikes to work twice a week. When I saw her, the first thing she said was, "Wasn't it a BEAUTIFUL ride this morning??" I love it!
Thursday was another beautiful day in the morning. Friday was peaceful and I felt strong. I love those days.
In retrospect, I wish I'd taken a photo every day at the same time as I leave the house. I think it would be fascinating to watch how lit the skies were at the beginning of the month and how dark it is now when I leave the house. If the skies are clear, the sky is black and the stars are still shining when I leave.
Here's that gorgeous picture of me and Shawn as we biked home together one day. See how happy you could be if you biked to work??
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
So close!!!
Total for today: 26 miles
Total for the month: 376
I rode a little extra loop on my way home, but not as far as yesterday. Shawn has been so supportive and often rides with me. We meet at a "secret rendevous point" which happens to be near the 205 bridge.
Tomorrow, I'll upload a picture of our beautiful selves and you can see how happy you could be if you biked to work everyday!
Total for today: 26 miles
Total for the month: 376
I rode a little extra loop on my way home, but not as far as yesterday. Shawn has been so supportive and often rides with me. We meet at a "secret rendevous point" which happens to be near the 205 bridge.
Tomorrow, I'll upload a picture of our beautiful selves and you can see how happy you could be if you biked to work everyday!
Monday, September 19, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
Oy...
Totals for today: 31 miles
Totals for the month: (apparently math is not my thing this month) My odometer says 350 miles so let's go with that.
Today the ride to work was dark and chilly. Autumn is coming. I only saw 4 bikers today. Where is everyone?? On the way home, I rode up to Barnes and Noble so Shawn and I could ride home together. I added about 5 miles to my trip just biking around waiting for him to get ready to leave. It was a pleasant, sunny ride home!
Does anyone have connections with the Columbian newspaper? I'm thinking I'll organize my miles to be able to "finish" while I'm at WSD. I was thinking (and the superintendent and principal approved) my class and some former Deaf Teen Leadership (DTL) students could be there to witness the event. If a reporter from the Columbian could be there, it would be excellent publicity for WSD and for DTL!!
I'll work on it!
Bright and early tomorrow. It's almost home stretch time...
Totals for today: 31 miles
Totals for the month: (apparently math is not my thing this month) My odometer says 350 miles so let's go with that.
Today the ride to work was dark and chilly. Autumn is coming. I only saw 4 bikers today. Where is everyone?? On the way home, I rode up to Barnes and Noble so Shawn and I could ride home together. I added about 5 miles to my trip just biking around waiting for him to get ready to leave. It was a pleasant, sunny ride home!
Does anyone have connections with the Columbian newspaper? I'm thinking I'll organize my miles to be able to "finish" while I'm at WSD. I was thinking (and the superintendent and principal approved) my class and some former Deaf Teen Leadership (DTL) students could be there to witness the event. If a reporter from the Columbian could be there, it would be excellent publicity for WSD and for DTL!!
I'll work on it!
Bright and early tomorrow. It's almost home stretch time...
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Just updating my blog before the last 2 weeks!!
I recalculated my totals with my students at school and found that my math is a bit off. At one point, I missed a mile, but then I somehow added it back. However, I missed another mile on Monday, Sept 12th. So, my total is really ONE mile more than what is currently on my blog!
To fully update my blog, my last ride was Wednesday, September 14th. I went for 21 miles in my round trip to and from school.
That plus my one mile off brings my current total to 320 miles! I didn't ride on Thursday, September 15th because I was bringing 5 red velvet cakes to school and there just wasn't a good way to do that on the bike. Then, Thursday night, we had our monthly Family Academy Night (FAN) at school and I played a little too hard (to see how much fun I had watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NdqjRE7BVg&feature=autoshare ) so I didn't ride on Friday either.
This weekend, Shawn took me to the mountain for a lovely earth cocoon spa experience and a lovely bed and breakfast to celebrate my birthday! Needless to say, there was no bike riding!
I have 280 miles to go which equates to 28 miles per day not counting the weekends! Everyone should get their checks ready to send:
Deaf Teen Leadership Camp
c/o Cispus Learning Center
2142 Cispus Road
Randle, WA 98377
I recalculated my totals with my students at school and found that my math is a bit off. At one point, I missed a mile, but then I somehow added it back. However, I missed another mile on Monday, Sept 12th. So, my total is really ONE mile more than what is currently on my blog!
To fully update my blog, my last ride was Wednesday, September 14th. I went for 21 miles in my round trip to and from school.
That plus my one mile off brings my current total to 320 miles! I didn't ride on Thursday, September 15th because I was bringing 5 red velvet cakes to school and there just wasn't a good way to do that on the bike. Then, Thursday night, we had our monthly Family Academy Night (FAN) at school and I played a little too hard (to see how much fun I had watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NdqjRE7BVg&feature=autoshare ) so I didn't ride on Friday either.
This weekend, Shawn took me to the mountain for a lovely earth cocoon spa experience and a lovely bed and breakfast to celebrate my birthday! Needless to say, there was no bike riding!
I have 280 miles to go which equates to 28 miles per day not counting the weekends! Everyone should get their checks ready to send:
Deaf Teen Leadership Camp
c/o Cispus Learning Center
2142 Cispus Road
Randle, WA 98377
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Wimpy, wimpy, wimpy!!
Totals for today: 21 miles
Total for the month: 298 miles (sigh....)
Shawn was so encouraging when I got home, "just go out and ride 2 more miles. I'll have dinner done when you get home." I just couldn't do it...
So tomorrow will be the big day when I surpass 300 miles.
I can tell autumn is coming. The mornings are a bit darker when I start out each morning and the afternoons/evenings are a bit cooler.
The awesome thing about riding is this: There is a small sub-community of bikers. I tend to see the same 5 to 6 bikers each morning. There's one gentleman I see biking up Sandy as I'm flying down Sandy. He always has one steady headlight and one blinking light. He looks like a train as he is really tall on his bike. There's a small woman who looks like she's not old enough to drive. There's an Asian woman who has not once acknowledged me in any way. There's about 3 or 4 men who always nod a morning biking greeting. One man actually tips his glasses every time I pass him.
As I nod to each person, I wonder who they consistently see on their way down 205. I, of course, never see those bikers traveling to Vancouver - only the ones biking to Portland. And the ones biking to Portland probably never see each other. It's interesting to think I have created my own little community of "regulars" who don't even know the other folks exist.
Someday, I think it would be fun to be at the Vancouver end of 205 early in the morning and greet everyone going and coming or invite them to a morning breakfast picnic so we can all meet and know that we are the morning bikers of I-205!
Totals for today: 21 miles
Total for the month: 298 miles (sigh....)
Shawn was so encouraging when I got home, "just go out and ride 2 more miles. I'll have dinner done when you get home." I just couldn't do it...
So tomorrow will be the big day when I surpass 300 miles.
I can tell autumn is coming. The mornings are a bit darker when I start out each morning and the afternoons/evenings are a bit cooler.
The awesome thing about riding is this: There is a small sub-community of bikers. I tend to see the same 5 to 6 bikers each morning. There's one gentleman I see biking up Sandy as I'm flying down Sandy. He always has one steady headlight and one blinking light. He looks like a train as he is really tall on his bike. There's a small woman who looks like she's not old enough to drive. There's an Asian woman who has not once acknowledged me in any way. There's about 3 or 4 men who always nod a morning biking greeting. One man actually tips his glasses every time I pass him.
As I nod to each person, I wonder who they consistently see on their way down 205. I, of course, never see those bikers traveling to Vancouver - only the ones biking to Portland. And the ones biking to Portland probably never see each other. It's interesting to think I have created my own little community of "regulars" who don't even know the other folks exist.
Someday, I think it would be fun to be at the Vancouver end of 205 early in the morning and greet everyone going and coming or invite them to a morning breakfast picnic so we can all meet and know that we are the morning bikers of I-205!
Monday, September 12, 2011
Monday, September 12, 2011
Yes, I know. I didn't blog anything on Friday. I have to admit, by the time I get home on Friday after biking all week, it's all I can do to breathe!
Here are the totals:
Friday totals: 21 miles
Monday totals: 31 miles (see below for explanation)
Monthly total: 277 miles!!!
Friday was awesome. A leisurely ride home early in the afternoon. When I arrived home around 4pm, I puttered around the house and "took a nap" around 5:30pm. I was slightly coherent around 7:30pm because I can remember having some kind of conversation with Shawn. I teetered in and out of consciousness until I gave up and slept for the night.
I rested up on Saturday and Sunday. Shawn was so good - "Do you want to go for a short ride??" Through clenched teeth my answer was something like, "No, sweetie, I don't."
Today, my friend Erica rode with me! I've learned with Shawn - I don't do "double riding" very well. It's never clear who needs to speed up or slow down when we are overtaken by a vehicle. Am I going too fast or too slow? Etc...
We did well! Erica is a much better cyclist than I am. She's very comfortable on her bike whereas I'm still constantly remember which foot to click out if I have to stop. She's also a good motivator just by riding with me. I'm pretty sure this was my fastest trip across 205!
She also got me out of work "on time" because her work day ends at 3:40pm so she was in my classroom waiting until I was "done" with work. I think we got out of there by 4:30 which is a record for me! We flew home!
After Erica left my house, I did some figuring and realized I need more miles!!! So, I went for a quick (flat) 10 miler around the neighborhood at the base of Rocky Butte (I don't get extra points for hills so I wasn't about to actally bike UP Rocky Butte - although I have done that several times in the past). I also rode around my neighborhood. Ten miles later, I'm back at home.
That's it for today. Erica will be here again bright and early tomorrow morning!
Here are the totals:
Friday totals: 21 miles
Monday totals: 31 miles (see below for explanation)
Monthly total: 277 miles!!!
Friday was awesome. A leisurely ride home early in the afternoon. When I arrived home around 4pm, I puttered around the house and "took a nap" around 5:30pm. I was slightly coherent around 7:30pm because I can remember having some kind of conversation with Shawn. I teetered in and out of consciousness until I gave up and slept for the night.
I rested up on Saturday and Sunday. Shawn was so good - "Do you want to go for a short ride??" Through clenched teeth my answer was something like, "No, sweetie, I don't."
Today, my friend Erica rode with me! I've learned with Shawn - I don't do "double riding" very well. It's never clear who needs to speed up or slow down when we are overtaken by a vehicle. Am I going too fast or too slow? Etc...
We did well! Erica is a much better cyclist than I am. She's very comfortable on her bike whereas I'm still constantly remember which foot to click out if I have to stop. She's also a good motivator just by riding with me. I'm pretty sure this was my fastest trip across 205!
She also got me out of work "on time" because her work day ends at 3:40pm so she was in my classroom waiting until I was "done" with work. I think we got out of there by 4:30 which is a record for me! We flew home!
After Erica left my house, I did some figuring and realized I need more miles!!! So, I went for a quick (flat) 10 miler around the neighborhood at the base of Rocky Butte (I don't get extra points for hills so I wasn't about to actally bike UP Rocky Butte - although I have done that several times in the past). I also rode around my neighborhood. Ten miles later, I'm back at home.
That's it for today. Erica will be here again bright and early tomorrow morning!
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Thursday, September 8, 2011
I knew I wouldn't be able to keep up with that "Day Four" thing. For those interested only in the totals:
Today's total = 21 miles
Total for the "month" = 226 miles
The sunrise wasn't as beautiful today as yesterday, but the air was a little warmer. We are supposed to have a "summer" weekend. I'm still not used to the fact that it's September. Everytime when I type this blog, I type August and then have to delete it.
There are so many things I think about when I'm biking to work. As I cross the 205 bridge, I also cross over Government Island. Last week, I noticed a dead raccoon. My first thought was "poor raccoon." My second thought was "how the heck did a raccoon get all the way here (a third of the way across the bridge) before it got run over??" It must have climbed a tree (that you can't see from the bridge) and then climbed the fence onto the highway?? Every day when I see that raccoon there, that's what I think.
Shawn rode back with me this afternoon. I got to go first on the bridge. I hit 30 mph. My top speed ever is 33 mph and I hit that on Monday. We went down a very short and very steep hill and that's when I hit my fastest speed ever. Yes, I know I'm a dork and a slowpoke and that "real" bikers can pedal at 30 mph on a regular basis. But, hey, I got a scab now to prove I'm a biker so just be quiet about the speed thing.
As I was speeding down the 205 bridge, I got passed by 2 other bikers. Just depressing. How do they go that fast??
Tomorrow is Friday. Happy Friday, everyone!
Today's total = 21 miles
Total for the "month" = 226 miles
The sunrise wasn't as beautiful today as yesterday, but the air was a little warmer. We are supposed to have a "summer" weekend. I'm still not used to the fact that it's September. Everytime when I type this blog, I type August and then have to delete it.
There are so many things I think about when I'm biking to work. As I cross the 205 bridge, I also cross over Government Island. Last week, I noticed a dead raccoon. My first thought was "poor raccoon." My second thought was "how the heck did a raccoon get all the way here (a third of the way across the bridge) before it got run over??" It must have climbed a tree (that you can't see from the bridge) and then climbed the fence onto the highway?? Every day when I see that raccoon there, that's what I think.
Shawn rode back with me this afternoon. I got to go first on the bridge. I hit 30 mph. My top speed ever is 33 mph and I hit that on Monday. We went down a very short and very steep hill and that's when I hit my fastest speed ever. Yes, I know I'm a dork and a slowpoke and that "real" bikers can pedal at 30 mph on a regular basis. But, hey, I got a scab now to prove I'm a biker so just be quiet about the speed thing.
As I was speeding down the 205 bridge, I got passed by 2 other bikers. Just depressing. How do they go that fast??
Tomorrow is Friday. Happy Friday, everyone!
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Day... What number is this??
For those who are interested in totals only, here you go:
Tuesday, Sept 6 total 22 miles.
Wednesday, Sept 7 total 21 miles
Total for the month: 162 + 22 + 21 = a whopping 205 miles!
I am a third of the way there!
This morning was the hardest morning so far. I wanted so badly to drive into work today. That little voice in my head kept saying it over and over, "drive to work, drive to work." I realized that voice in my head wasn't me and I continued to get ready (grumpily) to bike to work. I finally got out the door, onto my bike, down the road...
The sunrise this morning was spectacular! The skies were a soft pinkish purple with shadowy mountains in front. Gorgeous! Once I made it to the 205 bridge, I was glad I was on my bike!
Yesterday and today, Shawn biked home with me. It's fun to have this to do together. Since I'm not as coordinated as you might think (unless you've read the other entries of this blog), I don't like to ride side by side which Shawn loves to do. I usually win this conversation and one of us goes first.
This afternoon, I got an email from David Martin with a picture attached. The message said, "Thought this might help you get up and moving in the mornings."
Tuesday, Sept 6 total 22 miles.
Wednesday, Sept 7 total 21 miles
Total for the month: 162 + 22 + 21 = a whopping 205 miles!
I am a third of the way there!
This morning was the hardest morning so far. I wanted so badly to drive into work today. That little voice in my head kept saying it over and over, "drive to work, drive to work." I realized that voice in my head wasn't me and I continued to get ready (grumpily) to bike to work. I finally got out the door, onto my bike, down the road...
The sunrise this morning was spectacular! The skies were a soft pinkish purple with shadowy mountains in front. Gorgeous! Once I made it to the 205 bridge, I was glad I was on my bike!
Yesterday and today, Shawn biked home with me. It's fun to have this to do together. Since I'm not as coordinated as you might think (unless you've read the other entries of this blog), I don't like to ride side by side which Shawn loves to do. I usually win this conversation and one of us goes first.
This afternoon, I got an email from David Martin with a picture attached. The message said, "Thought this might help you get up and moving in the mornings."
Yep, I'll keep biking!! Thanks, David!
Monday, September 5, 2011
The Weekend Ride and the thing about cleats...
For those who just want totals, today I went 20 miles for a total of 162 miles. For those who want the funny story, keep reading!
Here's the thing about cleats - they work! A few nights ago, Shawn and I changed out one pedal and I practiced clicking in and out. Today, we were going on a 30 mile ride with our friend John Hively. On our way to the ride, we stopped at REI so they could use their special tools and expertise to change the other one before we completely stripped it. It took Jason about 2 minutes to change out the pedal and I'm sure he was clucking his head at our amateur attempt.
We arrived at the park where we would start our ride. I set the pedals at the easiest level of "clicking out" and then practiced in a stationary position. Luckily, I quickly realized you have to set the level on BOTH SIDES of the pedals. I continued to pratice, click in - click out, click in - click out. Then, I took a practice round in the parking lot. Click in - click out, perfect. Click in - click out, perfect. Easy. Simple. I biked back to the truck and promptly forgot to click out either foot and down to the pavement I went still fully clicked into both pedals.
I laughed, Shawn and John came running. I have a nice scratched up lump on one knee and several bruises. I have tried to count them (keep reading), but when I think I have the total, I find a new one.
I was fine and off we went. At the first stop (30 feet from the truck), I fell again. Shawn is now worried because we will be biking in traffic and falling into traffic is just not a good idea.
With lots of focused concentration, I managed to click out perfectly the next three times. We rode pretty uneventfully for many miles. At one point, I was climbing a not-very-steep-hill, but I was so tired. I clicked out with my right foot successfully. Then, I went to put my left foot on the ground forgetting to click out and promptly fell for the 3rd time.
We (and by 'we' I really mean 'me') decided to cut our ride by 10 miles and take a shortcut back to the car. I guess I was a little ambitious thinking my daily 10-miles-at-a-time could be expanded to a long and hilly 30-miler.
I did have to walk up a few hills - removing my bike computer so it's not calculated into the total. My rule - the butt has to be in the seat for the miles to count.
We'll see how sore I am tomorrow on my bike ride to work!
Here's the thing about cleats - they work! A few nights ago, Shawn and I changed out one pedal and I practiced clicking in and out. Today, we were going on a 30 mile ride with our friend John Hively. On our way to the ride, we stopped at REI so they could use their special tools and expertise to change the other one before we completely stripped it. It took Jason about 2 minutes to change out the pedal and I'm sure he was clucking his head at our amateur attempt.
We arrived at the park where we would start our ride. I set the pedals at the easiest level of "clicking out" and then practiced in a stationary position. Luckily, I quickly realized you have to set the level on BOTH SIDES of the pedals. I continued to pratice, click in - click out, click in - click out. Then, I took a practice round in the parking lot. Click in - click out, perfect. Click in - click out, perfect. Easy. Simple. I biked back to the truck and promptly forgot to click out either foot and down to the pavement I went still fully clicked into both pedals.
I laughed, Shawn and John came running. I have a nice scratched up lump on one knee and several bruises. I have tried to count them (keep reading), but when I think I have the total, I find a new one.
I was fine and off we went. At the first stop (30 feet from the truck), I fell again. Shawn is now worried because we will be biking in traffic and falling into traffic is just not a good idea.
With lots of focused concentration, I managed to click out perfectly the next three times. We rode pretty uneventfully for many miles. At one point, I was climbing a not-very-steep-hill, but I was so tired. I clicked out with my right foot successfully. Then, I went to put my left foot on the ground forgetting to click out and promptly fell for the 3rd time.
We (and by 'we' I really mean 'me') decided to cut our ride by 10 miles and take a shortcut back to the car. I guess I was a little ambitious thinking my daily 10-miles-at-a-time could be expanded to a long and hilly 30-miler.
I did have to walk up a few hills - removing my bike computer so it's not calculated into the total. My rule - the butt has to be in the seat for the miles to count.
We'll see how sore I am tomorrow on my bike ride to work!
Day Seven and the Labor Day Weekend
Hi everyone,
I didn't post on Friday and I know you are anxiously waiting to hear about the mileage, right?
Friday, I biked to work for 10 miles bringing my total to 142 miles. However, I had Shawn pick me up and we went shopping for "bike stuff."
I am now the proud owner of bike shoes complete with new cleats and new bike pedals. Unfortunately, we didn't get the pedal wrench and had to make a second trip to REI to get that. Yeah, I know, poor us!
Shawn decided to return his 2-person inflatable kayak for 2 hard shell kayaks which we thought had arrived. If you've never been shopping with Shawn, it is something to experience. At one point, I think he had every employee helping him on something. In fact, from across the store, I see him point to one poor employee indicating that she hadn't yet helped him with anything.
We walked in with several items to return and we walked out with a new bike bag, a bike wrench, 2 hard shell kayaks (one to pick up later), and a new rack for his Scion. I think we only had to pay about $50 for all that. I love REI!
We are planning a bike ride for today and I'll get to try out my new pedals. We changed one last night and I took a few spins around the block. Gotta get used to that! Hopefully, our friend will be able to help us change the second pedal. It's on really tight!
Stay tuned for the total from the weekend! Happy Labor Day, everyone!
I didn't post on Friday and I know you are anxiously waiting to hear about the mileage, right?
Friday, I biked to work for 10 miles bringing my total to 142 miles. However, I had Shawn pick me up and we went shopping for "bike stuff."
I am now the proud owner of bike shoes complete with new cleats and new bike pedals. Unfortunately, we didn't get the pedal wrench and had to make a second trip to REI to get that. Yeah, I know, poor us!
Shawn decided to return his 2-person inflatable kayak for 2 hard shell kayaks which we thought had arrived. If you've never been shopping with Shawn, it is something to experience. At one point, I think he had every employee helping him on something. In fact, from across the store, I see him point to one poor employee indicating that she hadn't yet helped him with anything.
We walked in with several items to return and we walked out with a new bike bag, a bike wrench, 2 hard shell kayaks (one to pick up later), and a new rack for his Scion. I think we only had to pay about $50 for all that. I love REI!
We are planning a bike ride for today and I'll get to try out my new pedals. We changed one last night and I took a few spins around the block. Gotta get used to that! Hopefully, our friend will be able to help us change the second pedal. It's on really tight!
Stay tuned for the total from the weekend! Happy Labor Day, everyone!
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Day Six - September 1, 2011
Shawn and I biked together to work this morning. It was fun to share that experience. The weather is getting cooler, the mornings are darker, and the skies are grayer. The ride home was beautiful. The afternoons are still sunny so it's not yet turning fall. It should be an interesting month!
Total for today: 21 miles
Total for the "month": 132 miles
Total for today: 21 miles
Total for the "month": 132 miles
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