Bike Tour Planning: (Relationship) Lessons Learned So Far
These are not lessons from a bike-touring expert by any stretch of the imagination. As a couple we’ve gone on three multi-day “sheets and showers” bike tours so far: Seattle to Lake Stevens and surrounding area: I planned this four-day outing as a test of touring a few years ago. Great Allegheny Passage/C&O Canal Towpath: […]
Bike Touring Northwest Washington State: How Our Bike + Ferry + Train Loop Worked Out
I started with an overall plan for bike touring from our front door in southwest Seattle that would take us north and west in a big loop. My general parameters: Start from our front door. Technically one probably always does this, but I meant to ride the first day, not pack our bikes, fly somewhere, unpack […]
Day Thirteen and Done: Anacortes to Southwest Seattle
Well, if the number 13 is unlucky for us, it’s only because it marked the last day of our fantastic multi-day bike tour through Washington state. Alas, the big loop is done. The final morning dawned bright and breezy, with enough clouds moving around that we donned leggings and sleeves for the ride to downtown […]
Days Seven and Eight: Victoria, BC to Friday Harbor
My gosh, Victoria has so much fresh kermit! AKA new bike infrastructure with bright green paint. I rode in protected bike lanes on Fort Street, Antiques Row. Great use of occasional concrete pads for both traffic calming and bike parking too. The rain we’d seen in the forecast didn’t materialize and the breezy sunshine […]
Days Five and Six: Lake Crescent to Victoria, BC
Day 5 mileage amounted to zero, giving my legs (and saddle area) a welcome break. I did an hour of yoga outside in the sunshine by the gorgeous lake, feeling the stretch in hip flexors and in any posture that opened my body away from the forward/back of biking movements. I had tentatively planned that […]
Washington Counties Challenge: A Statewide Bikespedition To-Do List
Bike challenges motivate some people, while others say they just ride their bike to ride their bike. I ride my bike without needing a challenge to inspire me, but at the same time have fun with the sense of accomplishment that goes with checking something off a list (as with coffeeneuring, errandonnee, and 30 Days […]
A Bit of a Rant on Data
I’m a wee bit active on Twitter, where I find many resources, experts I can quickly question on a fine point of transportation policy or design, and inspiration. By now we all recognize the dark side as well — the ease and speed with which bad information spreads, particularly if it’s packaged with a catchy […]
Travel Takeaways: Policy Ponderings from a Long Bike Tour
A week after wrapping up the longest bike travel effort I’ve ever undertaken, what’s going on mentally, physically, and professionally? (since I took a vacation that relates to my work life) The policy aftereffects– Biking in a different part of the country gave me insights and ideas I can take back to work. The signage! The […]
Travel Takeaways: Mental Musings from a Long Bike Tour
Riding my bike for ten straight days on a touring vacation gave me physical effects, of course, and also some policy/professional thoughts and these mental takeaways. Getting truly away from everyday routines and geography creates the most vacation-y vacation ever. I haven’t given myself that kind of complete break for that many days in years–possibly […]
Travel Takeaways: Physical Effects from a Long Bike Tour
A week after wrapping up the longest bike travel effort I’ve ever undertaken, what’s going on physically in addition to the mental and professional aftereffects? I did a reasonably good job of preparing myself physically for the trip and I’m really glad I trained. Each day definitely left me knowing that I’d ridden a loooong way, and […]
Broken Elbow Style Is Sleeveless
On a balmy Tuesday evening in July I pedaled south along the Elliott Bay Trail en route from a meeting in Seattle’s Pioneer Square to my home in White Center. In a number of places along the heavily traveled multi-use path, the pavement has heaved up and cracked, creating hazards whether you’re riding or walking. […]
