I'm way overdue for a new entry! Life's been a little crazy lately, but at this point I'm aiming to bike to work once a week and do a longer (at least 20 mile) ride each weekend. The Flying Wheels Summer Century is on June 14 and I'm hoping I can do a quarter century (25 miles) before Kendra's shower. I should have more time to do a half (or full if I'm ambitious!) century for the Seattle Century in July. Tutoring and Sunday soccer will be done in June, so I can move up my number of rides per week.
But on to the Memorial Day ride...it was kind of overcast in the morning and I was struggling with my momentum for the day. Many thanks are due to Dave for getting me over this and on to my bike! We rode from my place down to the Burke-Gilman and followed it north to Bothell Landing. I hadn't been along that stretch of the trail - the views of Lake Washington are gorgeous and most of the trail was relatively quiet. We passed through Lake Forest Park and had to take the detour route along one stretch of Lake City Way. Dave's bike has a computer (another investment I may be pursuing...), so we found that it is about 15 miles from my house to Bothell Landing. It's another 10 miles to Marymoor, so that will be a good distance for training rides (50 miles roundtrip).
I'm making plans to meet friends on training rides, which is a good motivator. Dave and I might meet up at Marymoor and he can ride with me up to Bothell Landing. I also thought about riding to the Celtic Bayou for trivia this summer. I could come from work and pick up Erin at the UW. Brianne wants to bike up to Woodinville and then ride back with us. The timing should work well for about a 7:30pm trivia arrival, and we can use Bri's bike rack to get our bikes back to Ravenna. I could also bike from my door to Blana's door, and if I get ambitious I might visit Dave at work in Issaquah (Whew! That one's for a day off unless I get a bike rack to shorten the trip!).
So, we enjoyed the 30 mile ride on Sunday and I'm feeling excited about my summer of biking!
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Inspiring facts for the day
- The bicycle is the most efficient vehicle ever devised; a human on a bicycle is more efficient (in calories expended per pound and per mile) than a train, truck, airplane, boat, car, motorcycle or jet pack.
- Nearly half of all trips in the US are three miles or less; more than a quarter are less than a mile, distances easily covered by bike while saving you money and getting you fit.
- Every mile traveled by bike rather than by car keeps one pound of climate-damaging carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, while reducing cash draining stops at the pump.
- Nearly half of all trips in the US are three miles or less; more than a quarter are less than a mile, distances easily covered by bike while saving you money and getting you fit.
- Every mile traveled by bike rather than by car keeps one pound of climate-damaging carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, while reducing cash draining stops at the pump.
Friday, May 9, 2008
First (official) bike to work day!
I've known that I wasn't in a position to bike to work daily - it's just not practical sometimes given meetings, after work activities, etc. - but it felt so good to ride in today. I've been wanting to ride in all week, and finally today weather and my schedule accommodated!
On Sunday I tried biking along the Burke-Gilman to Fremont and then taking the Dexter bike lane towards Seattle Center. The route was nice, flat, and I felt very safe. However, the ride took almost an hour. I played around on Google maps and discovered that the route was almost 6 miles. I compared with coming down Roosevelt Way, across the University Bridge, down Eastlake and Fairview, and up Broad. That route is just over 4 miles. Sadly, there are more cars along the shorter route, but I decided it was worth a try.
This morning I was determined to go, but also still nervous about the cars. I gave myself a little pep talk (yes, literally) about how I need to get used to this and I need the extra training miles/time. I was proud of myself as I made a left onto Roosevelt (such a little thing to be scared of, but I was) and biked along in the right lane. I tried to watch the other bikers and follow their lead, which worked well. I was happy to discover that I was faster than one person and on par with two others...and we won't discuss my speed relative to the experienced bike to workers! Broad wasn't even as bad as I thought because the distance passed so quickly on a bike.
While it's a small thing, riding into the garage and locking my my bike made me feel like that person I also want to be (and usually just admire). Of course the distance to work is way too short to be significant training for Climate Ride, but even being a fair-weather-bike commuter is a step towards simple, and green, living. Now I have 8 hours to get pumped up for the ride home - I think I'll stick with the flat trail on the Burke-Gilman (no 3 mile hills just yet!).
On Sunday I tried biking along the Burke-Gilman to Fremont and then taking the Dexter bike lane towards Seattle Center. The route was nice, flat, and I felt very safe. However, the ride took almost an hour. I played around on Google maps and discovered that the route was almost 6 miles. I compared with coming down Roosevelt Way, across the University Bridge, down Eastlake and Fairview, and up Broad. That route is just over 4 miles. Sadly, there are more cars along the shorter route, but I decided it was worth a try.
This morning I was determined to go, but also still nervous about the cars. I gave myself a little pep talk (yes, literally) about how I need to get used to this and I need the extra training miles/time. I was proud of myself as I made a left onto Roosevelt (such a little thing to be scared of, but I was) and biked along in the right lane. I tried to watch the other bikers and follow their lead, which worked well. I was happy to discover that I was faster than one person and on par with two others...and we won't discuss my speed relative to the experienced bike to workers! Broad wasn't even as bad as I thought because the distance passed so quickly on a bike.
While it's a small thing, riding into the garage and locking my my bike made me feel like that person I also want to be (and usually just admire). Of course the distance to work is way too short to be significant training for Climate Ride, but even being a fair-weather-bike commuter is a step towards simple, and green, living. Now I have 8 hours to get pumped up for the ride home - I think I'll stick with the flat trail on the Burke-Gilman (no 3 mile hills just yet!).
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Now that's a Sunday!
Today was amazing and I am completely exhausted!
I tried biking from my new place in Ravenna to work today, to test things out. I went down 20th and across the Ravenna Park bridge, down the hill by the park and onto the Burke Gilman. I followed the trail to Fremont, where I carried my bike up some stairs onto the Fremont Bridge. I took Dexter to Mercer and was right by Seattle Center. It took less than an hour, so not a bad option. Next I'll be trying going down Roosevelt and Eastlake.
I was impressed with how bike-friendly the route was as a whole. There were a few spots where I made mistakes, but overall I think I'll be able to include biking to work as part of my training (a very small part!).
After biking I walked around Green Lake (5k) and then played a soccer game. I played mid and the whole game, which means I did a LOT of running. Altogether I feel like a did a triathlon (can we substitute soccer for swimming?).
I ended the day with dinner at my dad and Cathy's place in West Seattle and Compline with Danielle. I'm ready to pass out, but given the success of today, I'm feeling confident. I have almost 5 months to train - I feel like I can do this!
I tried biking from my new place in Ravenna to work today, to test things out. I went down 20th and across the Ravenna Park bridge, down the hill by the park and onto the Burke Gilman. I followed the trail to Fremont, where I carried my bike up some stairs onto the Fremont Bridge. I took Dexter to Mercer and was right by Seattle Center. It took less than an hour, so not a bad option. Next I'll be trying going down Roosevelt and Eastlake.
I was impressed with how bike-friendly the route was as a whole. There were a few spots where I made mistakes, but overall I think I'll be able to include biking to work as part of my training (a very small part!).
After biking I walked around Green Lake (5k) and then played a soccer game. I played mid and the whole game, which means I did a LOT of running. Altogether I feel like a did a triathlon (can we substitute soccer for swimming?).
I ended the day with dinner at my dad and Cathy's place in West Seattle and Compline with Danielle. I'm ready to pass out, but given the success of today, I'm feeling confident. I have almost 5 months to train - I feel like I can do this!
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