Super Late BTWD Wrap-up

This picture goes at the end, but I am dumb and lazy. These are the lovely people from the Sweetwater School District in Chula Vista along with a representative from Bike Warehouse. They talked me into entering their drawing. I suppose I didn't win.

This is the first stop from my trip at the San Diego Zoo. I apparently left too early for the Adams Ave. Bike Shop people. They weren't open yet. The Zoo had a pit stop open in their parking lot. this is Skink Floyd. He is a skink from Australia (I forget which type). These are the folks from the RECON Environmental sponsored pit stop. I believe they are dressed up as 4 of the threatened local species they are working to protect. Had a good time at this pit stop.
Even when they made me pose with them for a photo.
I didn't get any pictures from the Ridelink sponsored site. I did get to speak with someone from Ridelink about the new Sprinter service in north county. She told me that they have been overwhelmed with bicyclist and that they are working on figuring out how to have this brand new service work better for cyclists. That is the kind of thing I like to hear.

These great ladies work at the Hard Rock Hotel. They had a great spread and were real excited to be hosting this event. It was their first year doing it so hopefully they will do it again next year.

From there I got on the trolley and rode 4 stops into Chula Vista (since I was starting to run late to work). Went to the REI sponsored stop at the BFGoodwrench Aerospace complex. They had a mechanic out doing minor repairs and adjustments on bikes. Plus, free water bottles and tire levers. Good times.
Then I headed down to the first picture and then broke a spoke on my way to the bus (see Bike to Work Day Bummer).

All in all, I'd say the day went pretty well for the city. More sponsors it seems, now we just need more cyclists. Or I need to ride where the cyclists are riding. One of the two.

-Matt

Direct link to REI Cycling store

Non-driving Catch Up

I've been remiss in posting the amount of car travel I'm taking and the reasoning for it. I'm proud to say that I have still not driven a car this month and that car trips have been kept to a minimum.

For those of you who don't recall, after commuting by car a few too many times at the end of last month, I made a pledge for Bicycle Month to not drive at all and to justify any car trips I take.

Since I last updated I've taken these car trips.

The first weekend in May Em and I drove up to Orange County for a wedding and to celebrate her birthday with her parents. I do not have the ability or equipment to make the 100 mile journey in a reasonable amount of time, much less show up presentable for a wedding. Besides, my wife would have driven anyway.

The following weekend we drove up to Palomar to celebrate her birthday with my family and stopped by the Wild Animal Park on the way home to celebrate Mother's Day with both sets of folks. Same reasons as above, but not wedding. And instead of 100 miles it is 50 miles with 5000 ft of elevation gain.

That week I took a trip to lunch with my boss. Probably could have done without that trip, but he was making the trek anyway.

On BTWD last Friday Emily drove me up to REI to drop off my tire so they could fix my broken spoke. I did not have a bicycle all weekend.

This weekend we went to an alumni event at UCLA (where Em graduated from) on Saturday. Use the same reasons as above except 150 miles.

Then yesterday we went to a house warming party for one of Em's coworkers. This trip we had planned on cycling, but I was without a bicycle and Emily wasn't feeling great. So we drove.

That is all the riding in cars I've been doing. I'm not sure I'm going to keep it up the entire month. I feel like I've made a proof of concept that I can get by without a car of my own. Not really planning on selling my car just yet since I just paid registration and insurance. Also, Emily is not conviced I can make it an entire winter without it. Besides, chauffering me around everywhere is getting Em angry and for the sake of marital harmony I might just have to give up and drive occasionally.

I just remembered one more but it really doesn't count. I had to move my car to a different parking spot because the cops had chalked it (I was on the street) and if I hadn't it would've been towed.

-Matt




Direct link to REI Cycling store

REI Sale

Before I forget, I want to point out that REI is having their Anniversary Sale starting TODAY and going through next weekend (May 11). There is a link below this message and another in the sidebar to the right. 15% off of bikes and up to 30% off of gear.

And of course, you can use the links to help support this blog.




Direct link to REI Cycling store

Back at it

Sorry for the long drought in posts, but I’m back. Back on my bike, back to work, back to posting.

Had the opportunity to take Monday off work so I spent the day getting my bike back from the shop and taking it for a ride. I did about a 20 mile trek home from REI, out to Mission Bay and back. Then when DW (dear wife) got home we went on another 7 mile loop.

As it turns out, I am not in as good of bike shape as I had thought. These two relatively short trips have left me saddle-sore with sore hamstrings to boot. I’m hoping to get a good 12-15 mile ride in on my way home today, but if not I’ll have to get up early tomorrow to do a 8-10 mile ride.

I’m trying to get my weekly mileage up around 60 plus any weekend riding I can get in. I’m currently doing between 42 and 50 and not riding on the weekends. My goal is to do my first century by the end of this year. (I’m shooting for September, look for info on that in the future.)

My big news, however, is the purchase of my first pair of cycling shoes. I was fortunate that the pair I liked was on clearance so I only paid $35. The pedals that came with my bike are combo platform/cleat so I did not have to buy new pedals either. I went with mountain bike style shoes that recess the cleat so that the shoe is both comfortable to walk in and the cleat gets less wear and tear from walking.

Riding in these shoes, there is a noticeable difference in power transfer and stability. Also, cycling shoes help prevent injury that can be caused by shoes not designed for cycling. All in all, I highly suggest investing in cycling shoes.

And remember to always wear your helmet.

Bad news

Almost like clockwork, the day I start a biking blog is the day that I need to take my bike into the shop. Somehow the cones in my front hub came loose and I think I lost a ball bearing or two. The tire was all over the place today. Unfortunately, I'm too busy to try tearing the thing apart, cleaning it and re-greasing it myself. On the positive side however, the repair is only $20. Of course it won't be ready until Sunday night so I'll have to rethink my commute.

Tomorrow I'm going to try skateboarding to the bus stop and taking the bus to the trolley. It is going to take longer than cycling, but I feel good about not driving my car. Besides, for the first time I'll be able to sit on the trolley and maybe get some reading done.

I took my bike in to the shop at REI where it was purchased. I haven't taken it to any other shops, but the guys there to pretty good work and they are quick with ideas on how to not have my bike in the shop all the time. (I got a great tip for putting bikes on city buses that I'll test out and post later.)