bike to work day

Another "what luck!" moment today--my camera battery died as I was trying to take a picture for Westi at Pictures From A Bike. (She inspired me to begin riding, and I don't think she is participating in Bike to Work Day this year, due to new twin bay-bays.)

Luckily the volunteers at the breakfast site in front of Verve Coffee Roasters on 41st were incredibly friendly (who'd have guessed!) and one will be emailing pictures soon.

I enjoyed the free coffee & breakfast and picked up a complimentary pack of strawberry Clif Bar Shot Bloks out of curiosity. The best part was.... Free Massage! Oh hell yeah, definitely worth being a few minutes late for that!

i see beautiful things

Riding past 7-11, I spotted a mallard with a bright green head just sittin' around in front of some apartments. "A duck!" I exclaimed aloud to no one but myself... as if I was two and had just learned the word, which I thought was funny. His female friend was sitting beside him just behind a tree.

Then passing by Twin Lakes, I was looking out on the water & sunrise as usual and I saw dolphins playing close to shore! I've heard people talk about seeing dolphins but had never seen them myself. They were coming up and out of the water in a pattern that reminded me of what Nessie must look like--you know, like in a serpentine fashion? So, I was enthralled and pedaling really slow and just watching. Then I realized I didn't see any dorsal fins. Turns out they were seals, but beautiful all the same! Guess I will have to keep my eyes open for dolphins.

off to a good start?

This morning was my first ride to work on my pretty new bicycle! 'Cept I didn't make it too far... Luckily I was helped by a kind soul in a truck with some free time on his hands.

What luck to get a flat my first day! Guess I will have to buy that mini-pump a little earlier than I expected. Andy and I are going to Bike Trip after work to see what they think & buy some new tubes!

I hope this isn't the start of Hitchhike to Work Week...

my new best friend

Many thanks to Emily at Bicycle Trip for the outstanding customer service! Not only did she know about everything I needed, she was super-friendly and a great teacher. She also coaches with the Dirt Series program! Very cool.

So, check out my new bike! It's a Giant FCR 3 W - built for ladies' geometry. It's so light I can hold it over my head! Great for living on the second floor. Also, it has these sweet trigger shifters--which I find are a lot cooler than the twist shifters that my old mountain bike had. I can't believe I'm riding something with skinny tires--I've always been anti-skinny tires but this bike felt right. Oh, and I'm also rockin' a helmet now--I figure the odds of me needing it rise with every day that I go out riding (fingers crossed of course).

Oh, and just in time for Bike to Work week, which starts tomorrow!

hilton knows what's up

Travel should inspire new ideas.

so much time to think

At times I appreciate that the cruiser makes me go slower than most bike commuters.
Gives me more time to think & see...
Anyway... 5th ride today! 100 miles!

multiple sources

Last week I did a little research about the amount of CO2 I am going to keep out of the atmosphere by biking instead of driving. I was a little skeptical about my internet findings, but another source corroborated the numbers. Hopefully they're not just sharing mistakes! Since it's from the EPA, I am choosing to trust these numbers are correct.

So, this being my 3rd ride, I've avoided emitting 0.0226227 tons of CO2!

Plus BONUS POINTS! I went on a 2-mile lunch run for me & a coworker. Add .0007616 to the mix!

0.0233843 tons of CO2

also, umm obviously this post is still a draft but i am publish-happy!

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/Feg/findacar.htm

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/compx2008f.jsp?year=1993&make=Honda&model=Accord&hiddenField=Findacar

http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ind_calculator2.html#c=transportation&p=reduceOnTheRoad&m=calc_currentEmissions


1 day : 19.8 miles : 0.0075409 tons CO2

two in a row

Yesterday I was thinking that perhaps I should wait until Monday before riding to work again, you know, let my body rest or something. But last night when Andy asked if I would be riding again today my immediate response was "yes." So there you go, I'm diggin' it.

Plus I saw the funniest thing at Twin Lakes beach!

I get a kick out of other people's stupidity. But I am realistic enough to know that coulda been my mistake, too. :)

Senses:
mmmm bakery smells!
more seagull music.

Observations:
Could Capitola look any more beautiful? With the sunrise to the right, and a few people enjoying the quiet morning, and just so much water!

Wishlist:
Riding gloves. My knuckles + cold wind = whooey

yes, i'm bragging

View from the bike commute! Love it.

in the beginning

I did my first real ride today! I was amped when I got to work in 1 hr 10 min!

Surprises:
1. I thought I would get my blood flowing enough that I would be warm in a tee for the rest of the day. Wrong! The cold wasn't unbearable during the ride, but it was definitely enough to cancel out any blood-warming I had done. Office + cold - sweater = brrrr!
2. I didn't pack a lunch or snacks, and the ride made me really hungry!

On the way home, I kept a leisurely pace & just really enjoyed flowing through all the sea-side neighborhoods. I heard lovely seagull music!