30 Days of Biking Bliss

Today I rode my bike.  I have ridden it every day (almost) since last April 2012 when the 30 days of Biking challenge found me.

One of the spoke cards I made for the 30 Days of Biking Challenge

 There have been some days when I haven't: too lazy, too cold, too busy, whatever!  But last year, when I heard about the 30 Days of Biking challenge, I just felt compelled to do it.  I needed to make a real commitment to biking as my main form of transportation, and stop burning carbon just because I want to go get a burrito (or a coffee.  Usually a coffee...).  Having the electric-assist Yuba Mundo has really helped me keep my commitment - I was able to do my 38 mile round-trip commute between Worcester and Marlborough without a problem.

Mundo with trailer = massive hauling capability

Now that I've retired from teaching and live in Fort Collins, aka Bicycle Paradise, I only use the Mundo for grocery shopping, hauling, and long distance trips that have to be accomplished quickly (The electric-assist Mundo moves through time and space at an average speed of about 18 mph).  However, whether I'm riding the Mundo or my trusty old Cannondale road bike, or doing a long touring ride with my beautiful old 1967 Raleigh Pro, the Cosmos Mariner, the bliss of bicycling has truly taken hold.  I felt it today very strongly, the warm air, the beautiful clouds, the foothills off to the west; weaving through the streets, no hurry, just enjoyment of the movement.  In the moment.  Bliss.  Yes, I will bike every day this April, and the 30 days of biking will continue to be an inspiration as Spring turns to Summer and the silent, perfect wheels of the most efficient machine on Earth keep spinning.

Here's a quick update - It's April, and I'm participating in the 30 Days of Biking, a challenge to start the warm weather riding season off right by riding your bike every day in April.  Last year, this was my inspiration to make a solid commitment to riding to work everyday, and with the help of the electric-assisted Mundo I was able to make the 38 mile round-trip almost every work day of the month.  This year I'm in a different city and state, and no longer have a M-F type job, so no commuting needed.  However, me and the Mundo are busy errandoneurring around Fort Collins, and trying to get this bicycle paradise up to the next level of bliss.  So hey, I've made some bike spoke cards, and I'm putting them around town.  If you get one, let me know, go to the 30 days of biking website and make the pledge, and then, if you want, give the card to another bicycle you see.  OK, off to the store for groceries, something a bike can do.

North American Handmade Bicycle Show comes to Denver

The North American Handmade Bicycle Show is in Denver this weekend, and I am here to ogle and dream. The show runs Friday to Sunday, and I volunteered at the registration desk on Friday in exchange for a free ticket on Saturday, a nice deal.  I went to the show once before when it was in Richmond, VA, so I knew it was a wonderful place to see the best in custom bicycles.  I would highly recommend you go if you can, you'll see some phenomenally beautiful bikes, and get to talk to the builders directly.  I'm heading back upstairs at the Denver Convention Center, but wanted to post some pictures from what I've seen so far:

Awesome lug work on a bike by Bilenky Cycle Works of Philadelphia

Classic Italian Steel

The Hero Bicycle Project teaches you how to build your own bamboo bike, and the money raised goes directly to  support youth initiatives in Alabama.

Wow, OK this is a curved titanium frame created by welding a "bend" in the downtube.   Very cool.

The Wonder Woman bicycle by Bilenky Cycle Works

Boo Bicycles of Fort Collins showed up with a lot of great bikes, including this super-fatty with bamboo tubes, carbon fiber lugs, and a titanium fork by Black Sheep Cycles.

Lots of wooden bikes including this beauty by Owen

Errandonnee Forever

Because that's what I do.  Really.  Every day is the Errandonnee in Fort Collins, the #2 city in our fair country for bike commuting (according to The Atlantic Magazine: )

Since I don't work at a regular job, my daily life doesn't really involve a "commute", but I do have a sort of regular schedule, things to do, and biking is the way to go.  Since moving to Fort Collins in December 2012, there have been many days when my wife's car and my truck have gone nowhere, since it is so easy to get around here by bike.  In my old hometown of Worcester, MA, (which didn't even make the list :-(  there weren't as many bikes on the road, but the opportunities for biking instead of driving were abundant.  There is really not much difference between the two cities, except Fort Collins makes the little bit of effort it takes to be bike friendly - bike trails, bike lanes, and aggressive enforcement of traffic laws for both bikes and motor vehicles.  As I've always said: more bikes on the road = even more bikes on the road.  We're #2 because biking is the new normal thanks to a shift in infrastructure that recognizes bicycles as belonging to the regular flow of traffic.  This is what sustainability looks like!

This is how we rock the trip to the grocery store in a bike friendly town.

Errandonnee Complete!

I've been obsessed with "The Winter Challenge: Errandonee" for the past week, and today I think I have completed it.  So far I've done 12 errands while biking 40.6 miles since Feb. 12.  I have gone on 8 out of 11 possible different kinds of errands (lunch, coffee, grocery store, bike shop, etc.) and the rules only ask for 7 different kinds.  I've also gone out twice after dark (check!),  and not used any category more than twice.  I have documented my trips with pictures, filled out the control card, and done and done!  Here are some take-aways on the experience:
My only regret?  Haven't had time to go to the library.
Coldest night ride? Tonight, coming home from the bike coop it was 18 degrees. Chilly.
Longest ride? Out and back to the grocery store at the corner of Drake and Timberline, a 6 mile round-trip.
Lesson learned?  OK, I already knew this - most of the stuff you do every day you can do on a bike!

Here are some more pictures from my adventures errandonneering:

Part of my lighting setup for night riding: the USB rechargeable Vis 360 helmet system from Light and Motion.  I also use an old Niterider LED rear light (non-blinky) and a Cygolite Hotshot (super bright blinky).  I will be seen!

At the Fort Collins Bike Coop, hard at work making earn-a-bikes with John.

Coffee to go from Crankenstein. (Small Americano with soy milk)

At Ace Hardware to get a plastic drop cloth and some masking tape.

Unloading groceries (most of them were already inside before I remembered to take the picture)

Errandonneering

As soon as I saw the word, I knew it was for me.  Errandonnee.  I love bikes: working on them, riding them, reading about them, what have you.  If it has to do with bicycles, I'm there.  The bottom line though, is that I see the bicycle as the ultimate utility tool.  Need to go get something at the grocery store? Hop on the bike.  Gotta go to class?  Bike it.  Want to get out of the house and chill at the coffee shop?  No better way to get there.  So despite my love of all things bike, and my participation in all sorts of bicycling events, I am, above all, attracted to the pure practicality of bicycling as the most efficient mode of getting where I need to go.  The errand enabler!

Thanks to the wonderful Lovely Bicycle! blog, I recently heard about a "Winter Challenge" from fellow bicyclist/blogger Chasing Mailboxes D.C.  The authors have concocted an enticing way to inspire us to get out on our bikes despite the cold weather and possible snow on the ground.  They call it the Errandonnee: "complete 12 errands in 12 days and ride a total of 30 miles by bike between February 9-20."  OK, I know it's already the 17th, but other people have done the whole thing in one or two days, and you can too.

In a nutshell, you keep track of your errands (they have a shared document you can use), you prove your various exploits by taking pictures, and you have to do more than, say, just go to the coffee shop every day.  So hey, check it out and have some fun, and let me know how you're doing.  Right now I've gotta go - biking over to a brunch potluck meeting to find out how I can get involved with using bicyles for food rescue with Fort Collins Food Rescue.  (Community Meeting, #4 on the list for the Winter Challenge :-)

Here are some pics from my recent errandonnes:

On a trip to the coffee/beer/bike shop (Yes, Crankenstein is all that and more) I saw this cool custom keg delivery bike from Equinox Brewing Company.

On a trip to the grocery store I saw a beautiful Yuba Mundo setup.  This is some serious errandonneering!

My sister lives on the other side of town, and sometimes needs some help taking care of her dog, Dooley, during the day.  A bike ride, a little frisbee, and both Dooley and I get some exercise.

A new life in Bicycle Paradise

Lots to say here, it's been awhile...  I retired from 20 years of teaching last June, spent almost 5 blissful months living the retired lifestyle: coffee, computers, and bicycles, all while getting prepared for our big move from Worcester, MA to Fort Collins, CO.  We arrived at our new home on Dec. 20, 2012, survived the Mayan apocalypse the following day, and have proceeded to settle in.  Lots to talk about, Fort Collins is a fabulous place to be a bicyclist, but for right now I just want to promote the Errandonnee, a fun way to get out on your bike despite the cold weather!  More updates soon!

On my way to the Fort Collins Club, tire tracks in the dusting of new snow.