And yet.. I had to walk to the grocery store because I don't have my bike with me at work today! As my baby sister says, "I hate walking because it takes twice as long to get away from creepy old men who are hitting on you" - preach on sista! Why walk when you can ride? But anyway, crisis averted and I was able to buy my corriander for the awesome meal I plan to make tomorrow night.
So, I have been neglecting my bike blog, mostly because I'm not really a blogger. Some updates - my new bike is just as awesome as I thought it would be when I bought it - I have biked 685kms to date on my new bike and plan to hit 1000km by the end of the year. My goal is made significantly easier by the fact that just by biking to work 4 days a week, I hit 100kms. However, I have not been biking every day. Some of my excuses thus far - it's raining out (though I have actually done a few rain bike rides and they weren't as bad as I thought they would be); I have to be (at some location) by x time and biking has me arriving home 45 mins later than by driving; and my current excuse for the month of July is that I am celebrating the month of Ramadhan by fasting and I won't survive the day without water. But.. starting in August.. I will resume biking to work!
Other news, my old beater bike has been gifted to my mother, who has now also started biking to work. The first time, I went with her on a weekend so that I could show her the best route (after which we stopped for a lovely picnic in the park). I have also encouraged her (and have gone with her) to the grocery store, which takes pretty much the exact same amount of time as driving there. I've convinced other people to bike more often, or to buy a bike period. Basically, I'm an awesome bike advocate... which is why I'm so active on this blog. I also saw this girl wearing a super cute skirt with bikes all over it, and told her it was awesome.
I've also taken to following bikers on twitter, to find out what is going on in the NCR world of biking. When I think of another awesome bike post, I will share it here.
kthxbai
Monday, July 14, 2014
Thursday, April 17, 2014
I am NOT Riff-Raff
Remember how I bought a beater bike last year? - I wanted to see if I would like biking enough to justify buying a really cute bike, that was also a little more sturdy and had a few more bells and whistles (Actually, I only needed 1 bell, and no whistles, but you get the idea)
That is what led me, a few months ago, to go into a LBS, just to see what was available. I had been doing a little bit of research online, so I wouldn't find myself in exactly the situation that occured. I didn't want to look like I had no clue about what I wanted, and what I was talking about. Let me preface this whole thing by saying that, as I mentioned in my previous post, looks trump all! So yes, I wanted an awesome bike, that had all the things I was looking for.. but I also wanted to look mega-cute while riding my bike!
So.. my research had me looking and finally even understanding what is meant by different components, different frame materials, different styles of bikes (once I even told Bhel all about my research into French vs. Italian vs Dutch style frames, and as we were walking along, I would point them out to her). All this to say, that when I walked in to that LBS, I was no n008 (n00b?).
So I walk in, and lay down my specs! "I'm a hard-core biker, commute 25km round trip, several times a week (but not in the winter, are you crazy? Well actually, winter bikers aren't crazy, I'm just not into that), I'm no FWB (Fair-weather biker, for those not in the know - except for the fact that I started my own bike club... the Fair-weather Bike Club. In retrospect, the title might have been a mistake but I already got my letterhead printed...)".
So the guy, takes me to the bike section where the window is, and... I may have kind of casually mentioned, why are some bikes on one side of the store and others on the completely other end of the store (this is where is gets interesting). "Oh, we keep those bikes on that side to keep out the riff-raff" he says to me. That's fine, he was taking me to the hard-core side! No worries there.
Anyway, he shows me a pretty nice bike, a Raleigh (don't remember the model off the top of my head), hybrid, 24 speed, last year's model so on sale at a great price - but... not really what I'm looking for. No fenders, no rear rack, but I could have added those on if the bike fit me well and I liked the way it rode. But.. the deal break? Black. So I asked, "does it come in any other colours?"
Answer? "No, but I don't mind black." Me thinking - but.... *I* mind black, I will definetly not look cute riding a black bike.
I may have looked a little apprehensive because then he started showing me some other bikes that were in white or grey or something, but that weren't hybrids, had no features I wanted, and all-around not for me. THEN, he took to over... to the other side of the store.. you know.. the riff-raff section? He said, "I think one of these bikes might be better suited to you." Uh.. I don't think so... Full on dutch bike? Heavy frame? Not made for commuting long distances at all. Who did he think I was? Didn't I mention what I was looking for?
I kindly thanked him for his time, and left the store feeling very put-off... I am not riff-raff.. I want a good bike, that meets all of my needs.. and I want it to come in a nice colour. I ended up spending a good chunk of $ on my bike (story to be maybe told later)... I'm not about to spend that kind of money on a bike that is ugly.
That is what led me, a few months ago, to go into a LBS, just to see what was available. I had been doing a little bit of research online, so I wouldn't find myself in exactly the situation that occured. I didn't want to look like I had no clue about what I wanted, and what I was talking about. Let me preface this whole thing by saying that, as I mentioned in my previous post, looks trump all! So yes, I wanted an awesome bike, that had all the things I was looking for.. but I also wanted to look mega-cute while riding my bike!
So.. my research had me looking and finally even understanding what is meant by different components, different frame materials, different styles of bikes (once I even told Bhel all about my research into French vs. Italian vs Dutch style frames, and as we were walking along, I would point them out to her). All this to say, that when I walked in to that LBS, I was no n008 (n00b?).
So I walk in, and lay down my specs! "I'm a hard-core biker, commute 25km round trip, several times a week (but not in the winter, are you crazy? Well actually, winter bikers aren't crazy, I'm just not into that), I'm no FWB (Fair-weather biker, for those not in the know - except for the fact that I started my own bike club... the Fair-weather Bike Club. In retrospect, the title might have been a mistake but I already got my letterhead printed...)".
So the guy, takes me to the bike section where the window is, and... I may have kind of casually mentioned, why are some bikes on one side of the store and others on the completely other end of the store (this is where is gets interesting). "Oh, we keep those bikes on that side to keep out the riff-raff" he says to me. That's fine, he was taking me to the hard-core side! No worries there.
Anyway, he shows me a pretty nice bike, a Raleigh (don't remember the model off the top of my head), hybrid, 24 speed, last year's model so on sale at a great price - but... not really what I'm looking for. No fenders, no rear rack, but I could have added those on if the bike fit me well and I liked the way it rode. But.. the deal break? Black. So I asked, "does it come in any other colours?"
Answer? "No, but I don't mind black." Me thinking - but.... *I* mind black, I will definetly not look cute riding a black bike.
I may have looked a little apprehensive because then he started showing me some other bikes that were in white or grey or something, but that weren't hybrids, had no features I wanted, and all-around not for me. THEN, he took to over... to the other side of the store.. you know.. the riff-raff section? He said, "I think one of these bikes might be better suited to you." Uh.. I don't think so... Full on dutch bike? Heavy frame? Not made for commuting long distances at all. Who did he think I was? Didn't I mention what I was looking for?
I kindly thanked him for his time, and left the store feeling very put-off... I am not riff-raff.. I want a good bike, that meets all of my needs.. and I want it to come in a nice colour. I ended up spending a good chunk of $ on my bike (story to be maybe told later)... I'm not about to spend that kind of money on a bike that is ugly.
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Beater Bike
Now that I'm a hardcore biker, I deserve a new bike. Well actually, because I got a fairly sizeable chunk of money I deserve a new bike. But before I tell you of my adventures in trying to find a new bike, I'll start with talking about my old bike.
(ok, well I haven't gotten around to taking a picture of my bike - it is currently still sitting in my storage locker, next to all my other sporting equipment. Instead, here is a quick description - bright turquoise SuperCycle bike, probably from the late 90s, with fenders and a nice rear rack - It also includes my life-hack - neon pink milk crate attached to my rear rack for bonus storage space)
This is my bike. Biggest pro about this bike - It looks so cute, I love the colours! Cons? Heavy and the chain slips off if I go over too big a bump. But the pretty-factor wins out every time.
Last year, I went to a local bike sale hosted by the Boy Scouts (and Girl Scouts too) because I had decided that it was totally possible to bike 13kms for work. It would save money in gas (to be re-allocated to Shawarma and Booster Juice!), it would get me active in the mornings and afternoons, it would be fun and get me in tip-top shape. But before I totally committed to it, I would need to make sure it actually was possible. So I decided to buy myself a cheap bike to see if I liked it. Introducing the Kermit.
As those who know me, know - I suck at directions. Like, really suck. Actually, I think one of my early blog posts on my 1001 things mentions this particular talent of mine. So I google maped (and studied the street-view) a route and printed it off. Then I took Kermit on a test ride on the weekend. I even arranged to have my mother be available to pick me up should I decide that a return trip was not possible. After a few detours and back-tracks, an hour later, I could see my work down the road. I decided that seeing it was enough, I didn't actually need to make it there and touch the end point (what I do when running). I called my mom, called off the ride, and headed back. Another hour later, where I daringly improvised parts of the route to make it less confusing, I reached my apartment, completely exhausted. My mom was there with a meat pie in hand to congratulate me on my accomplishment.
I didn't bike to work that week, my butt was a little sore. The week after though, I was ready! I packed everything in my nice pink milk crate and headed out to work with my sister (well, only the first 30 seconds with her - basically until the end of the parking garage). Made it to work in 50 mins - only getting lost once on the way! Success!
Until I made it to work, and couldn't figure out how to get hot water in the shower... fail.
(ok, well I haven't gotten around to taking a picture of my bike - it is currently still sitting in my storage locker, next to all my other sporting equipment. Instead, here is a quick description - bright turquoise SuperCycle bike, probably from the late 90s, with fenders and a nice rear rack - It also includes my life-hack - neon pink milk crate attached to my rear rack for bonus storage space)
This is my bike. Biggest pro about this bike - It looks so cute, I love the colours! Cons? Heavy and the chain slips off if I go over too big a bump. But the pretty-factor wins out every time.
Last year, I went to a local bike sale hosted by the Boy Scouts (and Girl Scouts too) because I had decided that it was totally possible to bike 13kms for work. It would save money in gas (to be re-allocated to Shawarma and Booster Juice!), it would get me active in the mornings and afternoons, it would be fun and get me in tip-top shape. But before I totally committed to it, I would need to make sure it actually was possible. So I decided to buy myself a cheap bike to see if I liked it. Introducing the Kermit.
As those who know me, know - I suck at directions. Like, really suck. Actually, I think one of my early blog posts on my 1001 things mentions this particular talent of mine. So I google maped (and studied the street-view) a route and printed it off. Then I took Kermit on a test ride on the weekend. I even arranged to have my mother be available to pick me up should I decide that a return trip was not possible. After a few detours and back-tracks, an hour later, I could see my work down the road. I decided that seeing it was enough, I didn't actually need to make it there and touch the end point (what I do when running). I called my mom, called off the ride, and headed back. Another hour later, where I daringly improvised parts of the route to make it less confusing, I reached my apartment, completely exhausted. My mom was there with a meat pie in hand to congratulate me on my accomplishment.
I didn't bike to work that week, my butt was a little sore. The week after though, I was ready! I packed everything in my nice pink milk crate and headed out to work with my sister (well, only the first 30 seconds with her - basically until the end of the parking garage). Made it to work in 50 mins - only getting lost once on the way! Success!
Until I made it to work, and couldn't figure out how to get hot water in the shower... fail.
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Re-launching my blog
Instead of starting a new blog, I have decided to rebrand my current blog. This way, I already have fun content, but I will have new stuff to add to it.
A little about me: Although I've known how to bike since I was a kid, it had been years since I've actually ridden one. This wasn't helped by the fact that my former bike had no seat. Last year, I made the decision to begin commuting 13km to work each way (about 25km round trip). I bought a cute green hybrid for 40$ and outfitted it with an amazing neon pink milk crate. It makes me look so cute! Like, adorably cute! And everyone at work knows its mine. "Hey, I saw your bright pink milk crate this morning!" One time, I was meeting a friend at Starbucks and my sister walks in to saying, "I knew you were here, I saw your milk crate outside."
Last year, I only biked when it was sunny, and stopped once the snow hit. But, before you go thinking I'm only a fair-weather biker, note that even when it was frosty outside, I still biked to work, all bundled up. But the snow? That was a little too much for me. My people come from the tropics. When they first came to Canada, they described snow like falling garlic skins... I'm allowed to drive in the winter!
This year I'm thinking I will bike even in the rain, but I have back-up bus tickets just in case I change my mind... But, as I recently took the bus for the first time last week, I found out it takes justs as long to bus to work as it does to bike. In that case, might as well bike and spend my 3.50$ on food and electricity to heat my water tank after taking a long shower!
So, now that the switch over to the bike-friendly interface has taken over, prepare yourself (and by yourself, I am talking to my 1 dedicated reader) for all my biking-related posts that I have planned for you!
A little about me: Although I've known how to bike since I was a kid, it had been years since I've actually ridden one. This wasn't helped by the fact that my former bike had no seat. Last year, I made the decision to begin commuting 13km to work each way (about 25km round trip). I bought a cute green hybrid for 40$ and outfitted it with an amazing neon pink milk crate. It makes me look so cute! Like, adorably cute! And everyone at work knows its mine. "Hey, I saw your bright pink milk crate this morning!" One time, I was meeting a friend at Starbucks and my sister walks in to saying, "I knew you were here, I saw your milk crate outside."
Last year, I only biked when it was sunny, and stopped once the snow hit. But, before you go thinking I'm only a fair-weather biker, note that even when it was frosty outside, I still biked to work, all bundled up. But the snow? That was a little too much for me. My people come from the tropics. When they first came to Canada, they described snow like falling garlic skins... I'm allowed to drive in the winter!
This year I'm thinking I will bike even in the rain, but I have back-up bus tickets just in case I change my mind... But, as I recently took the bus for the first time last week, I found out it takes justs as long to bus to work as it does to bike. In that case, might as well bike and spend my 3.50$ on food and electricity to heat my water tank after taking a long shower!
So, now that the switch over to the bike-friendly interface has taken over, prepare yourself (and by yourself, I am talking to my 1 dedicated reader) for all my biking-related posts that I have planned for you!
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