Day 34: Dawn Patrol

Few things make me happier than starting the day in the redwoods. I'd never be riding these trails if it weren't for the patience and motivation of several of my friends, willing to take the time to teach.

Feeling pretty grateful for the people I know and the life I lead.

Day 32 :: Life Epiphany

It's a funny thing about bikes. One moment you're riding along, dodging buses and construction debris left in the street. The next moment you're ruminating on life's little intricacies.

I was riding alone tonight, in a light rain, on my way to meet my daughter for dinner. I was thinking about just how much I love my commuter, which led into thinking about just how much I love my BMC, and of course, my Blur LT. I tried to pick a favorite bike and I couldn't. The commuter is like the cute girl at the skate park in Dickies; the BMC a saucy little minx in a fishnets, drinking a coffee; the Blur LT the rough and tumble girl next door - the happy one, with the skinned knees. They're all great bikes, perfect, really. I love them all equally.

And there it was. The epiphany! I finally understood people who have multiple children! I've never bought into the theory that people love their children equally. I love my singular child so damn much. I always worried that if I had another one I'd love them a little less. Secretly.

But I get it now. Equally.

Just another little epiphany brought to you by the letters B - I - K and E.

Month 1 :: Complete

Time constraints have kept me from updating on my planned close-to-daily frequency. I was feeling a bit defeatist about this reality until the following occurred to me: living car-free has become habit. The planning and preparation. The novelty. It's gone. Maintaining a Car Free As I Can Be status is my new normal. Neat.

With that in mind, a little month 1 summary:

I've commuted by bike every day. 

I've driven my car twice (both times to my daughter's out of town mountain bike races).

I've ridden in excess of 400 miles. (Strava says 392, but I don't Strava everything.)

I've smiled every morning and every evening. No matter how bad the day.

I've learned things. Useful things. Like how to corner with 25 lbs on your rear rack. Or how to shop for lightweight groceries. Or that it's not a good idea to change your saddle every week. (Ow.)

I've talked about bikes a lot. Both to my family and to strangers on the street. I've realized that riding your bike, loving your bike and talking about your bike is the easiest form of grass roots advocacy. 

I'm thinking 60 days might be too easy.

In which Adam installs new fenders. Squeee.

First time up Jamison Creek!

This month I climbed the equivalent of Mt. Everest. 

Days 14 & 15 :: Playing Catch Up

Work and school have been beating me down, but commuting has kept me happy. I've missed my daily lunch run for the past two days, but have taken the long way home each evening. Up and down the back country roads, racing with my silly blinky lights, lit up like a Christmas tree. Grateful for the dark and the wind and the trees, the clear skies, the cold and freedom. 

Remembering a little Bradbury:

Everything that happens before Death is what counts.

―  Something Wicked This Way Comes

Day 13 :: Sunday

I spent the first four hours of the day writing a four-page paper. I spent the last four hours of the day tagging content for work. I spent the middle four hours of the day hanging out with these fools.

Guess which hours were my favorite?

Mother/Daughter Team.

Ride leader

My daughter's coach loaned her a carbon 29-er. She was already faster than me.
Beating me makes her happy

Week 2 Mileage: 85.5

Cumulative Mileage: 181

Day 12 :: Saturday, Yes Please

A Saturday in review:

Early morning ride to Santa Cruz to partake in breakfast with my best lady friend.

Early morning ride negates negative consequences of double-fisting sugar-laced coffee and massively large hot cocoa.
Bonus.

Afternoon ride completing a perfect day.

Santa Cruz and Yeti. Sexy. Seriously.

First day back in the dirt since the shoulder injury. Shoulder felt okay, but the rest of me felt ~really~ wobby,

Might've felt less wobbly if I hadn't started off the day with this.

Thank god for helmets. And geez, I really need to stop hitting my head on trees.

Day 11 :: The Rest Is Just Noise

Really doesn't matter how bad the day, or the week. At the end of it all, I am grateful. And happy.

Week 2 of 60 Days Bike Free As I Can Be: Success rate: 100%.

Sunny commutes: 5
Rainy commutes: 0
Happy commutes: 5