Fall is here!

Today I'm riding the train to work since I'm going to a party tonight. It makes me so sad not to be riding but sometimes sacrifices must be made.

Yesterday was one of my pay enjoyable rides in some time. I was actually a little bit chilly. It wasn't bad...just enough to encourage me to go a little faster to keep warm.

I can't wait to be on the bike again!
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Boulevard lakefront tour and fall approaching.

This past Sunday I rode farther than I ever had in one day and now I think I'm hooked on distance riding.

I met my friend Anne at 5:30 to ride down to Hyde park. We me a couple of her friends along the way and made it down just in time to pick up their packets and start the 62 mile course. We split up pretty early into the ride and I kept pace with one of Anne's friends who is a really good rider. At the first reststop I ran into Ellen, whom I had met on some previous rides and we rode at a comfortable pace for the rest of the course.

The course really felt like it went all over the city. We saw castles and mansions in Beverly and lots of waving people in other parts of the city. We even rode right by the jail and courthouse.

Later in the course we met up again with Anne and Rachel and finished the ride and got lunch. Food felt so good. I'm definitely going to bring more food next time. The rest stops were a little sparse on sustance towards the end of the ride.

I took the following day off of riding but now I'm itching for another long ride!
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Maintenence

Today, I spent some quality time with the bike. I feel that it's important to do this on a regular basis. There had been quite a few bike tasks that I had been putting off for some time. Tomorrow I'm doing a long ride, so I probably should have done it earlier so that I could get used to the changes but que sera sera.

Firstly, I did my regular chain cleaning and oiling. Since I bike in all conditions, I'm worried about my chain getting rusty. What I do is oil the chain, clean it off, and then oil it again. It doesn't take much oil at all. I also just use an old teeshirt cut into rags for my cleaning. It always makes me feel really good to see all the grime left on the rag.

I also wipe down the bike and get gunk off of other parts. I like my bike to look pretty.

Today I added an extra layer of bartape to my handlebars. This gives me something bigger to grip so that my hands don't get tired on long rides.

I also went ahead and swapped out the seat for the one on my old bike. The seat that came with the bike had some serious squeaking sounds. It feels good to ride quietly.

I also took off my lock mount. It really gets in the way and I think it will be easier to just thread it though my rack.

In addition I mounted some lights on the bike to use in addition to my helmet lights. I'm going to be a disco party wherever I go.

Speaking of discos, I also did some experimenting with installing a radio on my bike. I found a little battery powered radio and I'm thinking it will be good to get my NPR on during my commute. The little radio fits nicely in the frame of the bike, but I need to figure out some ways to make it a little more secure. I'm working on it, and it's going to be the most awesome thing when I finally get it figured out.

Friday: To the dentist and beyond!

So, yesterday I had an appointment with an oral surgeon so that they could tell me that I needed to get my wisdom teeth out. It was a fast appointment, but I decided to go ahead and to bike there. Good times!

I gave myself an hour and a half to get to Oak Park, but it only took about an hour. It was a very nice ride. I went all the way west out to Harlem. Then I had to go back to downtown.

Check out my route:


Also of note. I did bike through some kind of sketchy neighborhoods, by myself, on the bike. I know a lot of women are pretty concerned when they bike through iffy areas (and these weren't all that bad considering everything). The key thing I feel is that you want to pick your times. I probably won't have felt as comfortable in the afternoon, but since it was early there were lots of commuters and kids heading to school. It was great to see so many people around. When it was midmorning and there were fewer people about, I definitely kept myself much more aware of my surroundings.

Between biking to the oral surgeon, and then to work and then back home, it was just under 30 miles for the day. I wish I could I have more days like that!

Thursday Rides

I've somehow managed to misplace my cyclocomputer. It's making me really sad. So ironic that I removed it from the bike so it wouldn't get stolen and then I go and lose it on my own.

Today was overcast and rainy. I don't know why people are so adverse to riding in the rain. It's really not that bad. The wind is almost always much worse than the rain. When I got home, I was soaked, but that's not such a big deal.

The biggest challenge is that people don't seem as aware of cyclists when the weather is bad. That was certainly frustrating today. Even my bright yellow jacket didn't seem to help people see me.

HOpefully the cyclocomputer will show up...for now I'll have to be patient.

Windy ride

I managed to beat the rain home but it was certainly getting windy this evening. Also there was a cubs game today. I wish they didn't have to be so obnoxious. I think I may be developing a phobia of people in blue and red shirts.
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Wednesday Morning

I sure was running late this morning! I made it to work now. I may get showered upon on the way home. I'm kind of looking forward to it!

Shopping by bike

Its amazing how much stuff you can fit on a bike. Imagine if I had remembered the other pannier!
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Labor Day and Tuesday Morning

On Labor Day I took a short ride over to Rogers Park and helped a friend move for a bit. On the way back I talked to some guys who were on their way back from a ride to Highland Park. I don't think that they really approved of me biking around town with a pannier. Silly them.

Later Zach and I rode to a BBQ. I practiced riding no handed. I have a ways to go.

This morning's ride wasn't too eventful. There were lots of kids walking to school this morning and there did seem to be more traffic on the roads. I wonder how many parents still take a short drive to take their kids to school? Is that a contributing factor to all the congestion?

I can't wait for the ride home tonight....or may I just can't wait to leave work!