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.