After great riding in Week One, Week Two, and Week Three, here’s how it went in the final week-plus of 30 Days of Biking, along with a mileage tally for the full 30 days. Thursday, Sept. 22: A beautiful sunny…Continue Reading
Month: September 2011
A couple of days ago I chicked a guy. That is to say, I overtook and passed him climbing a hill on the way home. Wearing a skirt. Mind you, only one of us was aware this was a race.…Continue Reading
Inspired by Bicycling Magazine Cyclists who reading Bicycling know that its content aims primarily at racing cyclists and people who like to think they might be someday. Ads for Hammer and GU gel, car ads that compare the feeling of…Continue Reading
If you’re just tuning in, welcome to this series of mental attitude warm-ups for bike commuting: risk and trust, friendliness and willingness to try new things. Up, down, up, down! Now try these other brain cells.* Tolerance. If you’re already riding,…Continue Reading
Another post on the mental attitudes that will help you with your bike commuting, in addition to risk and trust. Friendliness. Smiling at drivers and making eye contact makes a big difference when you’re between them and their destination (although, as…Continue Reading
This isn’t about helmets, lights, reflective/high-visibility clothing, fenders for rainy days, or any of the rest of the gear list in an earlier post. It’s not Cycle Chic fashion advice telling you your closet is full of biking clothes. Instead this…Continue Reading
Busy, busy, busy. Rush, rush, rush. We’re an impatient society, always in a hurry to get somewhere. We’re like the automated cleaning devices in The Fifth Element as described by Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg (played with evil deliciousness, or delicious evilness, by Gary…Continue Reading
Shift down as I slow down or approach a stop. Shift down as I start to climb a hill. As I shift down when climbing, do so with the pedals slightly unweighted (not under force). Adjust my pace as I…Continue Reading
How apropos that on World Carfree Day I’m still rolling with 30 Days of Biking, coasting through Week Three after a great Week One and Week Two: Thursday, Sept. 15: The day dawned with a gray sky and the delicious fresh smell…Continue Reading
As I mentioned in my Week Two round-up for the 30 Days of Biking effort, last week my chain came off while we rode up the hill in search of frozen yogurt. My husband called out from behind me, “Shift…Continue Reading
I’ve whined a bit about the constraints found in office-appropriate clothing that isn’t designed for biking. Honestly, though, if you have a reasonably short ride many of the things in your closet will work just fine. Trust me—this is not…Continue Reading