The gentlemen at Urban Velo brought this to my attention today. sorry if you have already seen it, but it is too good not to share.
This is inspiring and beautiful. Some days I don't ride b/c I just don't feel like it...not even thinking that one day riding may not be possible, due to a hit and run. Makes me want to get out and ride as much as I can. Keep the rubber to the road, and my hopes high.
Check it out at LongBikeBack.com. The ride has been over since 2008, but the film trailer is just ready. I can't wait to see the full length. Maybe we need a screening in Birmingham?!
Showing posts with label happiness is a warm bike day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label happiness is a warm bike day. Show all posts
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Guest Post (or how I begged to post this)
Got an email from my friend Jacob today. Jacob, btw races bikes and is pretty much a total badass. I loved this email so much I asked if I could share it.
"fond memory: for a brief, shining moment, the kids4jesus (or whatever we were) group used to go on bike rides instead of sitting in 'big church' at night. it was like being let out of prison and getting sent straight to disney world. we would have like a 5 minute lesson about burning in hell or whatever, then go bombing down lucy finn avenue, through grove park to the dairy queen. my dad would give me $1.50 before church and i would buy a green or red slushee. we would sit on the benches beside dq and drink our slushees and i would flirt with amy southern and derek mitchell and i would jump over piles of dirt, and race. i always won.
that may have been the happiest i've ever been.
damn."
I mean, does it get any better than that? Nope, it doesn't.
Happiness IS a warm bike day.
Thanks Jake. Our condolences go out to you regarding the loss of Killer Bee, your 2 wheeled steed tragically lost in a race accident this weekend. he will be missed.
"fond memory: for a brief, shining moment, the kids4jesus (or whatever we were) group used to go on bike rides instead of sitting in 'big church' at night. it was like being let out of prison and getting sent straight to disney world. we would have like a 5 minute lesson about burning in hell or whatever, then go bombing down lucy finn avenue, through grove park to the dairy queen. my dad would give me $1.50 before church and i would buy a green or red slushee. we would sit on the benches beside dq and drink our slushees and i would flirt with amy southern and derek mitchell and i would jump over piles of dirt, and race. i always won.
that may have been the happiest i've ever been.
damn."
I mean, does it get any better than that? Nope, it doesn't.
Happiness IS a warm bike day.
Thanks Jake. Our condolences go out to you regarding the loss of Killer Bee, your 2 wheeled steed tragically lost in a race accident this weekend. he will be missed.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Here comes the Sun
Spring has Sprung here in Birmingham and I am so glad for it! Riding to work every day is like playing on the playground before the bell rings...so fun! I find myself laughing and smiling to myself as I race down the many hills on my commute and not minding sweating it out on the climbs up. Everything is so fresh and peaceful in the morning.
In the evening, I have time to relax and put work behind me before getting home. I get some of my best thinking done and feel like I have put the day away by the time I reach my front door.
I have been riding the entire way (as opposed to driving partway then riding) for about 3 weeks now. I love it. There is something wonderful about leaving your door then arriving at work with absolutely no gas burned and only having used your own power to get yourself there.
I was riding home yesterday and the sunset was beautiful. I normally get home a little too early to actually see it set, but I stopped off for beers with coworkers at a local pub so it was just in time. It was like the sky was painted red and orange just for my ride. You can enjoy a sunset from a car, but yesterday it was amazing. No windshield will ever be big enough to encompass it all.
Tonight I have to head to my LBS because Mick Jagger is sick. So sick that his cable popped and broke the housing. I also realized that in my trying to fix him last week I in fact made it worse. live and learn!
good thing I have a friend who is a great mechanic and teacher. Community is awesome.
I hope your week is spring like and that you are seeing many sunrises and sunsets on your journeys.
In the evening, I have time to relax and put work behind me before getting home. I get some of my best thinking done and feel like I have put the day away by the time I reach my front door.
I have been riding the entire way (as opposed to driving partway then riding) for about 3 weeks now. I love it. There is something wonderful about leaving your door then arriving at work with absolutely no gas burned and only having used your own power to get yourself there.
I was riding home yesterday and the sunset was beautiful. I normally get home a little too early to actually see it set, but I stopped off for beers with coworkers at a local pub so it was just in time. It was like the sky was painted red and orange just for my ride. You can enjoy a sunset from a car, but yesterday it was amazing. No windshield will ever be big enough to encompass it all.
Tonight I have to head to my LBS because Mick Jagger is sick. So sick that his cable popped and broke the housing. I also realized that in my trying to fix him last week I in fact made it worse. live and learn!
good thing I have a friend who is a great mechanic and teacher. Community is awesome.
I hope your week is spring like and that you are seeing many sunrises and sunsets on your journeys.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Sunday Ride
Bikeskirt Group ride! Mark your calendars (or your iCals on the phone). This Sunday. 2pm. Meet in front of Rojo.
Weather is supposed to be lovely, so let's get out in it! I am planning on a fun, leisurely ride, so if any of you people who love to ride fast (Alan, I am talking to you!)come, be prepared. Oh, who am I kidding...everyone just come and we will see what the pace ends up being.
see you then.
*if anyone wants to brunch at Rojo beforehand, let me know. I love a good brunch!*
Weather is supposed to be lovely, so let's get out in it! I am planning on a fun, leisurely ride, so if any of you people who love to ride fast (Alan, I am talking to you!)come, be prepared. Oh, who am I kidding...everyone just come and we will see what the pace ends up being.
see you then.
*if anyone wants to brunch at Rojo beforehand, let me know. I love a good brunch!*
Monday, February 23, 2009
Bike Saturday and car free weekend!
Lately, it seems like Anna and I have bi-weekly Bike Saturday. Two weeks ago was a lovely Saturday involving bike shops and sunny rides.
Well...this Saturday was equally lovely. Ok, maybe not equally, but pretty close.
Once again, we headed over to Homewood Cycles for a Bike class. This time was level 2, bike tune-ups. Once again, it was awesome! The entire Bici crew came and we learned all sorts of stuff, including how to change a chain...which we practiced on Mick Jagger, as his chain was stretched and needed replacing. :) Nothing like a few hours at the Bike shop to make you excited about riding. I was reminded AGAIN of how much I love my bike shop. Walked out with a new chain and new gloves, not to mention knowledge and warm fuzzies (man, I am so cheesy!).
On to Primavera Coffee for a Bici meeting. With Prom behind us and our Community Interest meeting coming, it is time to get serious. Which we did, over delicious coffee. Starting a Non-Profit is hard work, ya'll. 2.5 hours later, we had accomplished so much and were feeling good. Overwhelmed (maybe that was just me?), but good. Are you coming to the meeting Thursday? Because you should be. go put it on your calendar now. I'll wait...
...Ok, now back to my story:
After the meeting, I decided to bike over to another local coffee shop to pick up something from a friend and indulge in my 4th cup of coffee. It was a nice ride, one that I had never done before. After spending an hour chit chatting and visiting, it was now 4:30 and the sun was waning. Time to try my new route home, the one I was hoping would allow me to get to work without having to drive part of the way. (Again, thanks to Homewood cycles for the route advice). I pulled on my gloves, slapped on my helmet and set off.
20 minutes later I was home, feeling triumphant!! (Then I collapsed and didn't leave the house again for the night...)
Sunday I got up late, really late. Decided to try the new work route round trip, since I had to go into the office for a few hours. I did it! Got over the mountain and all the way to Irondale. Took 45 minutes, which adds quite a bit of time to the morning commute, but well worth it. I. am. awesome. Only had to rest once along the way! Worked and rode home. Mapped it later and it is 18 miles round trip, which is not a bad workout if I do it 3-4 times per week.
I parked my car Friday after work and did not get back into it until 10:30 last night to pick a friend up from the airport. This, despite a busy weekend of dinners, concerts, bike classes, work and coffee shops. It felt like a turning point in my 'car-lite' life. All in all, a great weekend.
Was your weekend lovely, internets?
Well...this Saturday was equally lovely. Ok, maybe not equally, but pretty close.
Once again, we headed over to Homewood Cycles for a Bike class. This time was level 2, bike tune-ups. Once again, it was awesome! The entire Bici crew came and we learned all sorts of stuff, including how to change a chain...which we practiced on Mick Jagger, as his chain was stretched and needed replacing. :) Nothing like a few hours at the Bike shop to make you excited about riding. I was reminded AGAIN of how much I love my bike shop. Walked out with a new chain and new gloves, not to mention knowledge and warm fuzzies (man, I am so cheesy!).
On to Primavera Coffee for a Bici meeting. With Prom behind us and our Community Interest meeting coming, it is time to get serious. Which we did, over delicious coffee. Starting a Non-Profit is hard work, ya'll. 2.5 hours later, we had accomplished so much and were feeling good. Overwhelmed (maybe that was just me?), but good. Are you coming to the meeting Thursday? Because you should be. go put it on your calendar now. I'll wait...
...Ok, now back to my story:
After the meeting, I decided to bike over to another local coffee shop to pick up something from a friend and indulge in my 4th cup of coffee. It was a nice ride, one that I had never done before. After spending an hour chit chatting and visiting, it was now 4:30 and the sun was waning. Time to try my new route home, the one I was hoping would allow me to get to work without having to drive part of the way. (Again, thanks to Homewood cycles for the route advice). I pulled on my gloves, slapped on my helmet and set off.
20 minutes later I was home, feeling triumphant!! (Then I collapsed and didn't leave the house again for the night...)
Sunday I got up late, really late. Decided to try the new work route round trip, since I had to go into the office for a few hours. I did it! Got over the mountain and all the way to Irondale. Took 45 minutes, which adds quite a bit of time to the morning commute, but well worth it. I. am. awesome. Only had to rest once along the way! Worked and rode home. Mapped it later and it is 18 miles round trip, which is not a bad workout if I do it 3-4 times per week.
I parked my car Friday after work and did not get back into it until 10:30 last night to pick a friend up from the airport. This, despite a busy weekend of dinners, concerts, bike classes, work and coffee shops. It felt like a turning point in my 'car-lite' life. All in all, a great weekend.
Was your weekend lovely, internets?
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Got Canned Heat in my heels tonight
No Valentine this year?
No Valentines Plans? Live close to Birmingham? well, then come out to The Heartbrakes Alleycat Prom Benefit!! you still have time...
details at Bicicoop.org. quick rundown:
Greencup books (richard Arrington Drive)
race at 7, party at 8
Andy's Tea Party (with our own Anna!) playing
DJ Nastique spinning some mad crazy tunes
Prom photo booth
$10 to party, $15 to race and party
ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT BICI BIKE CO-OP!
See you there. I'll be dressed up, fancy like.
I leave you with this photo of my day spent running Prom errands on the bike. It was a lovely Valentines Day spent with my love, Mick Jagger!
No Valentines Plans? Live close to Birmingham? well, then come out to The Heartbrakes Alleycat Prom Benefit!! you still have time...
details at Bicicoop.org. quick rundown:
Greencup books (richard Arrington Drive)
race at 7, party at 8
Andy's Tea Party (with our own Anna!) playing
DJ Nastique spinning some mad crazy tunes
Prom photo booth
$10 to party, $15 to race and party
ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT BICI BIKE CO-OP!
See you there. I'll be dressed up, fancy like.
I leave you with this photo of my day spent running Prom errands on the bike. It was a lovely Valentines Day spent with my love, Mick Jagger!
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Bike Skirtin' around
What a great day to ride a bike. The weather was "abundant sun" and 68 degrees. Anna and I had a bike fun filled day that I just had to share with you. I lament the fact that we did not get any photos, but you will have to use your imaginations.
At 8 am we set out to go to Homewood Cycles for their free Bike Maintenance 101 class. The ride there includes going over Red Mountain. Anna does this every time she bike commutes, and let me tell you, even walking it is a hike! Then we got back on the saddles and rode the rest of the way. Since we are getting in better shape every ride we take, we had tons of time left over for a coffee and muffin. yummy.
Headed over to the bike shop. Learned a lot and totally geeked out about bikes with the awesome guys at the shop. I got a bike fitting, quick tune-up and lesson and a new commuting route (to be reported back on later). Anna bought some tools, learned to change a flat and had her brakes fixed up on Puggles (her Peugot fixie). Was a wonderful morning. Kenny also said that they are going to start carrying Action Wipes! This was really exciting for me to hear.
It was a great morning spent talking about bike and Bici co-op and Birmingham. Any followers of Triathablog probably know of my disdain of bike shops. Well, today completely remedied any residual angst I had. I heart the guys over at Homewood cycles and recommend them wholeheartedly. They are genuinely nice guys who want to see everyone on a bike and will help to make that a reality. Go and support them. Join us on Feb 21 for Bike Tune-ups 101. The bikeskirt girls will be there for sure. Come and say hello and learn a little something, all the while supporting your Local Bike Shop.
oh, did I mention that we rode home OVER THE MOUNTAIN? Without getting off of our bikes? This was a big deal to me and I kept yelling to Anna that we were totally awesome. Because we are. I have been trying to do this for 4+ months, so it was a huge personal victory.
We also rode and had lunch at a little outdoor cafe. I can't tell you how happy it made me to look over and see our bikes locked together in the sunshine.
Good day. I felt so sorry for people who did not have a bike to ride. Much too nice to be in a car.
Ended the day with a massage, and then quality time with a friend, some wine and milano cookies.
In the wise words of Ice Cube, "Today was a good day".
A shout out and thanks (again) to the guys over at Homewood cycles. We appreciate all the tips and bike love.
Hope you on the internets had a good weekend as well.
At 8 am we set out to go to Homewood Cycles for their free Bike Maintenance 101 class. The ride there includes going over Red Mountain. Anna does this every time she bike commutes, and let me tell you, even walking it is a hike! Then we got back on the saddles and rode the rest of the way. Since we are getting in better shape every ride we take, we had tons of time left over for a coffee and muffin. yummy.
Headed over to the bike shop. Learned a lot and totally geeked out about bikes with the awesome guys at the shop. I got a bike fitting, quick tune-up and lesson and a new commuting route (to be reported back on later). Anna bought some tools, learned to change a flat and had her brakes fixed up on Puggles (her Peugot fixie). Was a wonderful morning. Kenny also said that they are going to start carrying Action Wipes! This was really exciting for me to hear.
It was a great morning spent talking about bike and Bici co-op and Birmingham. Any followers of Triathablog probably know of my disdain of bike shops. Well, today completely remedied any residual angst I had. I heart the guys over at Homewood cycles and recommend them wholeheartedly. They are genuinely nice guys who want to see everyone on a bike and will help to make that a reality. Go and support them. Join us on Feb 21 for Bike Tune-ups 101. The bikeskirt girls will be there for sure. Come and say hello and learn a little something, all the while supporting your Local Bike Shop.
oh, did I mention that we rode home OVER THE MOUNTAIN? Without getting off of our bikes? This was a big deal to me and I kept yelling to Anna that we were totally awesome. Because we are. I have been trying to do this for 4+ months, so it was a huge personal victory.
We also rode and had lunch at a little outdoor cafe. I can't tell you how happy it made me to look over and see our bikes locked together in the sunshine.
Good day. I felt so sorry for people who did not have a bike to ride. Much too nice to be in a car.
Ended the day with a massage, and then quality time with a friend, some wine and milano cookies.
In the wise words of Ice Cube, "Today was a good day".
A shout out and thanks (again) to the guys over at Homewood cycles. We appreciate all the tips and bike love.
Hope you on the internets had a good weekend as well.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Happiness is a warm bike day
Wanted to share a bit of my day today.
A crew of about 25-30 bikes rode to the Atlanta Library for a workshop on Grant acquisition. It was about 55 degrees and the sun decided to show up to help us along the way. We passed through a tunnel full of graffiti (one of my favorite things about urban living is graffiti...I love it all) and I thought 'this can't get any better'. THEN the red and yellow tandem fellow (who, I should add, is B.E.A.utiful) pulled out a harmonica and started playing. I was humming along and bobbing my head, a huge smile on my face. A mile or so up I started paying attention to the girls riding behind me, who were having a discussion about how to effectively collect and harness rainwater at their apartments and bike shops.
If that is not a wonderful way to spend a Saturday afternoon, I don't know what is.
oh, and I was telling someone about BikeSkirt and she said "oh, my husband and I just saw your site yesterday! We love it".
I love my life right now. Bikes and skirts and friends and sunny days with harmonicas.
A crew of about 25-30 bikes rode to the Atlanta Library for a workshop on Grant acquisition. It was about 55 degrees and the sun decided to show up to help us along the way. We passed through a tunnel full of graffiti (one of my favorite things about urban living is graffiti...I love it all) and I thought 'this can't get any better'. THEN the red and yellow tandem fellow (who, I should add, is B.E.A.utiful) pulled out a harmonica and started playing. I was humming along and bobbing my head, a huge smile on my face. A mile or so up I started paying attention to the girls riding behind me, who were having a discussion about how to effectively collect and harness rainwater at their apartments and bike shops.
If that is not a wonderful way to spend a Saturday afternoon, I don't know what is.
oh, and I was telling someone about BikeSkirt and she said "oh, my husband and I just saw your site yesterday! We love it".
I love my life right now. Bikes and skirts and friends and sunny days with harmonicas.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
