Car-Free

The first week of May our van died. We were trying to get it to the 300,000 mark and it died just shy of it. We drive very little compared to our neighbors. Most people thought we didn't even own a car, so going car-free was just the next step in this life on bikes.

Over the past 5 years we've slowly weaned ourselves off of the need for a vehicle so it really didn't seem like a big deal not to have a car. And I love a challenge. Initially, we thought we'd give ourselves until the end of July to replace the van. It would give us some time to save some more money towards the purchase and we could just ride our bikes everywhere. Here we are the end of September and we have no plan to buy anything before November. Everyday I talk about pushing that date even farther. No doubt it's the Indian Summer that has me thinking we can go without a car even longer!

Enough Already

Riding just a few miles a day to and from work, even if it is in the frigid winter isn't blog worthy. Although, I feel like everyday I could post a picture of this saying "I made it!"

"It's me again, all bundled up riding to work in single degree temps."

I took 2 days off commuting this week and last night I was feeling like a caged animal. It's interesting how things sneak up on you. One day your a get-everyone-where-they-need-to-be-mom & the next you are a bike commuter with no one to be responsible for but yourself. Your habit & routine changes and pretty soon you realize it's more than just the routine that's changed. You have too. I crave outside if I go without too long. I'm trying to figure out when 2 days became too long. Must be the cold!

Determination

I woke up this morning with relief that I had a ride to work. We have 3 vehicles, 4 drivers, & 2 of the cars have been in the shop this week. Normally, it is not a big deal since Lance & I both commute by bike.
The weather has been hovering around 20-30° F. Not warm but a temperature we have gotten used to.
The kids would just have to work their schedules out & share a car. Today our fleet was back up to 2. Getting a ride would be easy.

Then I jumped on Twitter & I saw many posts from Chicago cyclist talking about girding their loins & riding to work. There were links to blog posts that discussed layers & how to not freeze. I've read all these before & this time I felt like they were laying down a challenge. "I have mastered the layered look", I thought. I bet I could ride to work and be just fine.

And so I did. Lance has the day off so I was going it alone. He tried to talk me out of it but gave up pretty quickly. Instead he went out and started up the van, just in case I changed my mind.

As I was heading out my neighbor (who rides) came over and showed me the temperature and tried to talk me out of it. Lance quickly cut him off by saying, "No amount of facts will deter her!"

So how was the ride? It wasn't bad. The wind froze my forehead but other than that I stayed very warm. I was doubly layered with wool & fur. A full face mask would be nice but I already struggle looking both directions with my face covered like it is. And let's face it. Riding in single digits is not my norm. I love a self-imposed challenge. Now that I've done it I will feel no shame if I decide to get a ride home from work!

Frost on the scarf from my breath

Goals Challenges

While I didn't begin the year with any kind of intentions, I feel like I have grown anyways. When I was young I used to write New Year's resolutions on a nice white piece of paper and tie it with a red ribbon. I used the same ribbon year after year.  I was writing down things I wished I could do or would like to accomplish. I think I wrote "Stop biting finger nails." every year for about 5 years. I continued this tradition until I was in my teens. Then, I realized that it was futile. I wrote what I wanted and then didn't look at it again until the next NYE.

I gave up resolutions all together after that. In 2012, I wrote out my intentions for the year. I thought using the word intentions would make them softer, more flexible. Once again I wrote them out and never thought much about them. I realize now that even though I am super goal oriented. When you write out resolutions they are usually good ideas but not super important. Real stuff I get done. Good ideas happen if the mood/time/money works out just right.

So let me indulge myself in reflecting on some things I feel like I've become better at over the past year. They weren't resolutions but things that I've found joy in.

• Bike Touring. I feel like I became a real cycle tourist in 2013.  We hit the road several times with our gear on our bikes and a map. 5 days of self supported touring across KS were some of the best days I had.Our trips in 2013 validated that we have what it takes to be vagabonds and enjoy it!
• Commuting. I've been commuting for a few years & each year I extend my commuting season a little bit longer. This year I've commuted in every month. Some years I give up at the end of October. Allergies & cold shut me down. I owe my blogroll to keeping me motivated to cycling in the winter. Seeing people all over, in all kinds of weather & gear riding to work has been inspiring. I've become SO MUCH better at layering that I can get to work without freezing to death! 
• The Great Outdoors. I feel like my husband has opened up the great outdoors to me. Before we met I was a single parent who was doing everything and had little time to go adventuring. Now that the kids are older (21 & 16!) and I have more time and someone to explore with that has changed. I find that I crave the outside. I didn't see that one coming! I've always enjoyed nature but to actually lose my mind because I needed to go outside was a new one for me.
•  

I don't have 2014 all planned out nor do I have a list of intentions that I'd like to perfect. I do know it will be full of family, good times, bad times, & hopefully a ride or two around Leavenworth, Hawaii, Spain, or Germany!

Happy New Year!

Winter Commuting

 

Winter cycling is here. The snow hasn't fallen yet but on the day this was taken it was 21F, factor in the 5 degree windchill I create while riding and I'd say that this day qualifies as a winter commute, even if the calendar says it's still fall. Here in KS we will have 20 degree weather one day and 60 the next. It fluctuates so much before the snow flies.  Last year I tried to commute as long as I could but chickened out by November. It was hard to stay warm and riding home by myself in the dark wasn't much fun. I'm not sure what has changed this year? It could be a winter's worth of reading blogs written by people who were still bundling up and commuting to work while I was warm & cozy. It could be that I've been stocking up on wool or that I now have a 150 lumen light. Either way I feel prepared to ride my bike until the snow is too deep to pedal. I even got the fur out although my husband thinks it's a bit over the top.

My outfit in the picture above:

Bottom: Opaque Tights, black leggings, wool socks & boots.

Top: Tank top, Dress, Wool sweater, Coat (cashmere & wool blend), Wool scarf

Tippy Top: Ear Warmers, wool hat & wool gloves.

The only thing that got cold were my fingers. I needed to wear my double layered wool mittens, which I dug out and wore today! It seems like a lot of layers but for 15F & wind it felt perfect.

Night Riding

Several times in the past week I was "out past dark". Last year, in late October I stopped riding as much because it was cold and dark. Mostly the dark made commuting not so much fun. I was not comfortable on the streets.

This year I feel a shift. When I leave the house in the morning I think about my evening activities and if I think I might be out late I grab the flashlight. Interesting how time can shift your perspective and comfort. I enjoyed riding home in the dark last week. It was quite late, past 9 pm so it was very quiet, peaceful, and not cold! Any chance I could get all those on my 5 pm commute home in late December?

Right now I take a small flashlight and attach it to my handlebars. It works! I probably should upgrade to something else but I've yet to find the lights that I really want to buy. Many seem overpriced. Until then my flashlight works just fine. It gives me enough light to be seen and to see where I'm riding. Granted I assume no one can see me at night and ride accordingly!

Caught in the Rain

Last night I had a meeting across town. I left my office by 5 pm and noticed the sky looking ominous. It was to the west so I decided to go ahead and ride my bike to the meeting.

3 miles into the ride sprinkles started. I can handle sprinkles and then BAM. Wind and rain. It felt like it was getting pretty intense so I started to look for shelter. I saw a school and road up to the front doors that had about two feet of awning. I just got underneath and it started to hail. Wow. I had no idea we were in for actual weather! I texted Lance in case he was worried and then made an executive decision. The rain was letting up and I could see some sunshine so I decided to go for it.

Wet brooks saddle & leather bag. Oops.

I texted Lance back and asked him to bring me a change of clothes for the meeting and off I went. The streets were wet but it was wonderful. I love the cool, freshness of rain. I made it to all the way to the intersection of the place where the meeting was at and then BAM, again. The skies opened up and poured buckets on me. I was soaked. But it was fantastic.

Soaked!

Groceries by bike

A few weeks ago we had a huge plumbing emergency. The pipe that connects our house to the water main shot craps. I quickly raided the emergency fund & took a fine tooth comb to the budget. The easiest line item to cut was our fuel budget. We had no out of town trips planned over the next couple of weeks so it was doable. We will ride our bikes EVERYWHERE.

The thing I've struggled with most has been meal planning. Going to the store everyday hasn't worked out quite like I thought it would. Some nights I have too much going on or I'm too tired or it's too dark. I realize now (hindsight's the best) that I should have asked Lance to help more here instead doing the task myself.

So Saturday, one of the hottest days we've had in awhile, I was determined to shop how I used to shop. Everything for the week in one fail swoop. I put my large panniers on my bike and headed out. It was hot and I had a very warm headwind.

I bought what I needed and loaded up. In order to not squish the bread I put it in the top of the pannier after I had buckled it down. Unfortunately, the vibrations of the road caused it to slip out about Kenton St & Grand. I heard a buzz noise around that area but thought it was my purse. Oops.

There's 10 lbs of chicken, 2 lbs of beef, & 5 lbs of frozen fruit in addition to the other stuff.

And here it is all loaded. My bike was heavy but it all fit. Success was had however, choosing to ride at the hottest time of day and loaded with so much food wore me out! I was spent by the time I got home and napped! Next time...I'll bring Lance.

Still Riding

Still here. Still riding. All the time. I didn't realize that it was so easy to start a blog about riding everyday, and then never post about riding everyday. I feel like I have so much to say and so many miles I've covered. Why aren't I writing?

We've been all over KS on our bikes. Locally and outside our local roads. I've been more adventurous this year on my bike than ever before. I've ridden the most miles in one day and have gone on a solo journey or two. I consider myself a mountain biker and a cycle tourist. I can live on the road for many days with just my man and our bikes. We have what it takes to be vagabonds.

So let's catch up on Team Tobey's 2013 adventures!

January Ride

I asked Lance to take a picture of me commuting the other morning. I was all bundled up and felt good about riding that morning. It was 29 degrees out. Instead of taking a picture he took a video. It's windy, as he is riding too.

I was wearing lots of wool. And layers along with my boots. It worked well. I was sporting  helmet ear muffs, a noro scarf, mittens, & socks all knit by myself. Being a knitter has it's perks!

Today I scored a lovely 90% wool, 10% cashmere coat from the thrift shop. It is in impeccable condition. I'm looking forward to wearing it, although, I am a bit glad that I had today off. It's 17 degrees out there. Brrr.

I rode twice this week.

January stats for commuting: 3 days so far.

You know my thoughts on winter commuting. It's cold, it's dark, it's not much fun.

 Then, the blog posts started popping up. Lovely Bicycle with her low-down on winter cycling, and looking lovely while doing it. Let's Go Ride A Bike's great post and video on her winter gear and the hilarious Bikeyface's take on winter cycling. These ladies really got me inspired. I have wool, most of the wool I've made! Maybe I should give winter commuting another shot. So yesterday, since it was going to be 30 degrees during commute time I decided to layer up. The sun was shining and Lance & I had a lovely morning ride. This morning I decided to do it again. Two days in a row. Granted, riding to the office is never my problem. It's riding home. I've decided to wait for Lance each day (his work day is usually 1 hr longer than mine) and we can ride home together.

It's dusk when we ride home but not pitch black. I did not like riding in the dark even with lights. So maybe, just maybe winter riding will stick this time.

Winter setting in

There isn't much news on the cycling front. We had a cold snap & then it was dark in the morning so I've started to drive to work more than ride. At first I felt like a poser. It was like I was selling out by driving a car to work. I'm not sure how I've put those thoughts in my head but I'm trying to ignore them. Lance is still commuting to work. I picked him up once last week because it was pouring rain and I didn't give him an option.

It's not officially winter yet so I still have hopes of riding more before putting Pearl (my bike) down in the basement. I have been creating a little bit with my new found time in the evenings. Bike themed of course!

Fall Commuting

Last week I had second thoughts about commuting to work on my bike. The weather was changing and in the morning it was chilly. Riding to the office wasn't that bad, I had Lance to keep me company. It was the riding home! Lots of wind, and sometimes rain and by myself.

This week has been glorious! Our temps are in the high 70s and riding is great. It won't be like this for much longer. A cold front is coming through and I have decided to try to commute through October and then reassess.

 I've commuted on my bike 8 months out of this year. More than the prior year.  Thing is...it feels weird to drive a car to work! Like I'm violating some kind of oath. Crazy!

Daily

Pearl- My commuter

I go to a little produce shop about twice a week. Sometimes more. I like to think this store is my best kept secret, except I'm always posting on FB about them! I am able to get local produce, plus some foodie purchases for cheap. It's a true produce shop, produce doesn't last forever, so they mark down items to get them gone. Lots of times I make my dinner menu around what they are getting ready to throw out.

underneath the apples & squash is a dozen farm eggs!

Today I walked past 10 ¢ potatoes, 25 ¢ cucumbers, & 50 ¢ mushrooms. I was there for butternut squash & apples!  I plan on roasting the squash tonight to go with baked chicken. I'm hoping to have some left to mix up with some quinoa.

I'm thankful that this little store is a few blocks from my office & not far from home!

It's raining leaves

I wish I was a better cyclist, or one that always had the camera ready. Yesterday, as I was riding home the wind picked up and I road blocks & blocks in the rain of leaves. It was so beautiful, mostly golden leaves falling down around me. If I was a better cyclist I would have stopped, grabbed my phone & videoed. Instead I just road. I was anxious to get home. I hope there are leaves left for my trip home today. Cycling in the fall is proving to be wonderful. Last year all I can remember is the headache I would get from being outside. This year I'm drugged to prevent my allergies from killing all the fun.

Commute plus errands- 6 miles
Ride to dinner- 2 miles

It's nice to be so close to everything.