Bike Riding

This is an awesome video.

Makes my commute to work look pretty tame!

Biker Chick

Lovin' being back in the bike to work groove...

Along Side

Riding along side the freeway on my bike is sooooo much nicer than driving on it!

Morning Commute

This morning as I passed by the Little Yellow House (a.k.a. Corner House Cafe) - I noticed that the Mexican Restaurant serves breakfast.

I should stop one morning and have a breakfast burrito!

The side yard of the "little yellow" house

A Ride Through The Park

This morning I threw my bike in the car and headed down to Balboa Park. It was a beautiful day to explore the park. I started over by the Science Center and went cross country down an embankment and through the woods. Check out the view of the city I discovered.



When I came up the other side I came upon this very cool VW Camper Van and Trailer.



It wasn't exactly the most peaceful spot to set up camp. This area of the park is on the flight path to the airport and every five minutes we were buzzed by incoming planes.

Blessing of The Bikes

A Prayer For Cyclists
reprinted from here

Present in a world groaning under the excesses of consumption, we acknowledge the inherent goodness of non-motorized human powered transportation and give thanks for the simple beauty of the bicycle. God of life,

Hear our prayer.

Present in a community filled with children, we pray for those learning to ride. Keep them smart, safe, and visible on their neighborhood roads. God of life,

Hear our prayer.

Present in a community filled with strife, we pray for the victims of road rage and bike theft. And we ask for the strength to forgive mean people. God of life,

Hear our prayer.

Present in a world of work, we pray for those who build, repair, and clean our bikes and those who rely on bicycles to earn their living. Bless those who choose to not drive to work and those for whom driving isn’t even an option. God of life,

Hear our prayer.

Present in a community of beautiful diversity, we ask your protection and blessing on all who ride: pedi-cabbies, weekend warriors, athletes, homeless folks, students, children, eco-warriors, bike co-op anarchists, messengers, and all the others who take to the Denver streets, bike paths, parks, and mountains. Keep us safe as we ride. God of life,

Hear our prayer.

We now observe a moment of silence for all who have died while riding …

God of life,

Hear our prayer.

AMEN

Amazing Amazing Ride

5 am and I was on my bike zipping through the streets of L.A.

Wow, WoW, WOW. It took my breathe away.

Riding through the heart of the city with nothing but bikes on the road ... watching the sun rise over downtown .... spectacular!!

I have some fun pictures and video - but alas this is also a crazy work week for me... so this poster is a little place holder until I can catch my breath and share the fun I had.

Registered and Ready to Go

I finally made it up to L.A. The plan was to leave first thing this morning ... but that didn't materialize. My body decided it is a long weekend and it wanted to take things nice and slow and easy.

I hit some holiday traffic coming into the city - but now I have arrived and am busy picking up my Bib at the convention center.


L.A. Convention Center, The Hub for Marathon and Bike Tour Registration


Picking up my bib

The Bike Tour hits the L.A. Marathon course the moment the roads close at 5 a.m. The cyclists need to clear the route before 7:30 am when the runners hit the road. I am jazzed to be riding through the heart of L.A. with NO traffic!

Now that I have my bib - I am off to grab a bite to eat and head to bed freakishly early. I need to be back up by 3 a.m. to head downtown and queue up for the ride!

Up Up And Away

I love the slower pace of commuting to work by bicycle. There are so many things that just pass me by when I am whizzing down the freeway.

This morning, while waiting at a stop light, I met a guy that runs 10 miles to work each day. We had a fun little chat comparing routes while we waited for the light to change.

On my way home this evening I saw people pile into the basket of this hot air balloon and take off!

May Grey

It is that time of year again. The morning skies are a gloomy grey marine layer that burns off by noon.



View today as I rode my bike through the canyon on my way to work

National Bike To Work Day

After dragging all week and feeling sick - today I arrived at work energized by the fresh air and exercise from the bike ride in!

How did you observe National Bike To Work Day?

Misty Day

Today was another beautiful and cool misty day - perfect for bike riding!

Cresting the Hill at Torrey Pines

Marine Layer is so thick that the Ocean is barely visible

Morning Bike Ride

Somehow the day got away from me today. The goal was to get up early and mail my Christmas gifts and then take a morning bike ride.

It didn't quite turn out that way. During my "not quite morning anymore" ride - I saw the sun begin to set over the ocean.




Sun beginning to set. Top of Bluff, Torrey Pines State Beach

A Misty Ride

This morning I was running around like a crazy lady looking for my sunglasses. I needed to head out to meet up with my friend Pete for a coastal bike ride. I was *sure* I needed my sunglasses. I finally left without them. Good thing!
The North Country Coast was consumed by a crazy thick marine layer.


Marine Layer - Moonlight Beach Encinitas, California



Good news is the moist and cool air was perfect weather for riding. We started our ride at Moonlight Beach and wound our way up the coast to the Oceanside Pier and Harbour. It was my first time in this area - so Pete acted as tour guide. We found a Fish and Chip place and some interesting shops at the harbour that it would be fun to explore! When we stopped for a granola bar and water I started to shiver - so we decided to turn around and head back south.

Pete at the Oceanside Harbour

Riding Along The Coast

This trip, I decided to bring my bike along. I am so glad I did!

This morning it was still a little cool - but that makes perfect bike riding weather. After breakfast I hopped on my bike and set out. I didn't really map out a plan ahead of time. I figured I would head south along the coast and explore a little.



At the end of East Beach I picked up a bike path and was soon following the signs that would guide me along the coastal route. On the edge of Montecito the bike path separates from the road and takes you through gorgeous gardens a top the coastal bluffs. There were lots of lawn maitenance guys out watering the gardens. I stopped along the way to chat and practice a little spanish.



Eventually, I emerged in a residential area of coastal Montecito. I wound my way through the neighbourhood until I I saw a surfer dude. I followed him down to a beach access and stopped for a drink and to watch the surf. It was a pretty flat day. The only other person out in the water had a paddle with them and was standing up paddling along rather than catching waves.



Next, I decided to head inland and found a beautiful path through a tree lined park.



At the end of the path was a wonderful vista with a beautiful view of the foothills and gorgeous estates of the area. Sadly, just a few days later this area was in flames.

Riding To The Coast

Lately, my bike rides have been *transportation* - a way to get to work and back.

I miss my weekend rides where I just hop on my bike and let it take me where it will.

Today - I did just that. I decided to ride over to the coast and enjoy some fresh ocean air!


Almost There...The Ocean Is In Sight

Fog In The Canyon

This morning there is a thick marine layer all along the coast. I could feel the moisture in the air as I rode through the canyon on my way to work.

Marine Layer Settles in Canyon

Bike The Bay

Tippie and Pete - ready to go!


Today was the first annual Bike The Bay. The big draw of this ride is the opportunity to ride across the Coronado Bay span bridge. There are no bike lanes and bikes are not allowed on it. Today they are closed down two lanes of traffic at 7:00 am so that we can ride across!!

The neat thing about this ride is seeing parts of towns I don't normally visit - or only see as a blur as I drive by in the car.

Riding by Chicano Park en-route to the Bridge


Riding over the bridge was a real rush. The view was just amazing. We weren't allowed to stop at all. It was tough to take pictures - so I gave up and just enjoyed the view!

Heading Over The Bridge


Once over the bridge we wound our way through Coronado - past the golf course and The Hotel Del. We left via the strand and enjoyed watching some really cool birds in the wild life sanctuary. Once back on the city side we wound through Chula Vista and National City and at one point came around a bend and I would have sworn I was looking out on Burlington Bay in winter. I immediately did a double take - how did all this snow end up in San Diego?!? Turns out we were riding by a desalination plant and it was salt floating on the water!

Salt floating on the Water


About this stage of the ride (mile 20) I was starting to get tired. I was riding my steel framed bike (a.k.a. as the tank) and my friend 'cheater' Pete was riding a light weight racing bike. My revenge came in the final two miles as we hit a sea of pot holes and raised rail way tracks!!

I am going to sleep well tonight!

Bike The Bay - The Movie

Midnight Madness

Last night was the annual Midnight Madness bike ride. Last year was my first time out - and I was a bit timid with all the craziness. This year I am a veteran and loved every minute of it.

I convinced my friend Pete to come along for the ride. Fortunately, he is use to, and patient, with my stop and take pictures, joy in the journey approach to bike riding.

P- and Tippie at the Starting Line


One of the things that I love about this ride is the eclectic mix of participants. There are folks with expensive racing/Tri bikes in fancy outfits, folks on beach cruisers in their PJs, lots of bikes with boom boxes blasting hip hop tunes, crazy costumes and families on tandem bikes.

Lady in Pink TuTu


Wacky Mix of Folks at the Starting Line


While waiting at the starting line we met a very excited and talkative young boy wearing Dinosaur PJs. His father and sister were riding a tandem bike and he was riding an extension out back. The little guy was over the moon with excitement about a post ride trip to Denny's. Chocolate cake ...3 am..... Denny's - life doesn't get much better than that!



Pete and I were a little too thorough staying hydrated - so about the five miles mark the ride turned into a scavenger hunt - first one to find a restroom wins! Pete was Mr. Eagle Eye at spotting port-a-potties, but, much to our dismay, we discovered they were all padlocked.

Washrooms located - Our moment of triumph


We could not have had a nicer night for the ride. The weather was beautiful and we had a clear skies. The city lights breathtaking.

Taking in the City Lights


Inspired by our little friend in the dinosaur PJs. We decided to head to Denny's for breakfast. 3 am and the place was packed and full of energy! No chocolate cake - just breakfast for us old folks. Part way through my French Toast slam my little friend arrived with his family. He waved to me on his way to order his cake!

Denny's Downtown San Diego - 3 am Sunday Morning

Denny's At 3 AM

To quote Pete ... this is what insane people do at 3 in the morning!

After our 21 mile bike ride through downtown - we stopped at Denny's for breakfast - at 3 AM!

Pete chugs coffee in an effort to stay awake. I on the other hand am amped up from the ride and inhale my French Toast Slam!