My new commuter. Yes, yes, I know...no fenders, etc.

OK, so it’s not new, I think I got it in 2007. Mark is overhauling my beautiful Bam-Bam so until it’s finished, I’m riding this Cannondale F7 mountian bike. It’s fun. He put really light and beautiful wheels on it (he built them) with big slick tires. Bitchin’ eh?

I hate using a backpack but he had persuaded me again to try it. I think I’ll end up putting a rack on it with a small pannier. I will also make a handlebar bag for it. I added a big brass bell and I have a headlight but don’t have it attached all the time.

I’m getting used to having a front shock again. So much more fun to go up and off curbs with that and the soft slicks. I keep them slightly under-inflated. I need to scuff them up so I won’t slide around if it rains. I have plastic fenders that attach really fast too so no worries there.

Riding my bike to work is so fun. I feel so much better if I ride to work than if I drive. Not that my ride is that far…here’s a pic with my new commuter shoes and a wild skirt I made a few years ago. I feel I embody all the highs and lows of fashion and modernity…and sarcasm.

Bike commuting outfit

Happy cycling!

I got an email today from Eric Rogers who is coordinating all the activities for Bike Week and the Car Free Challenge. It looks like they have LOTS of activities planned in May. Yay! Good work guys and gals!

Here’s a link to the Car Free Challenge and Bike Week website. http://www.bikekc.org

The best link on the page (it should be at the top if you ask me) is called How Not To Get Hit By Cars. Rules to live by. Literally. Riding a bike should be intuitive but unless you ride a lot, there is a lot to be learned about bikes and cars coexisting in traveling harmony and on a bike, lessons you don’t learn can kill you. Just sayin’. Sometimes I see people riding bikes and I’m sure they have a death wish. Riding the wrong way (bike salmon), no lights AND dark clothes at night, riding in groups 3 abreast going up a hill with 5 or more cars behind them. Yes, I know, you CAN take up the whole lane, it’s not against the law and after all you DO have an expensive carbon bike and a cool team jersey on but WHY? Just get in single file for less than a minute and let them pass! I drive too and it makes me nuts.

Anyhoozles, I’m making 250 wallets for Bike Week so if you want one,  just show up at any of the events and I bet you can get one.

I am the captain of  Team Re-Velo for the Car Free Challenge. OK, so it’s only me but I’m STILL the captain. But if you want to be on my team, I’d love to have you join! There are rules however…

1- Must be able to ride a bicycle

2- I haven’t thought of the second one yet.

Here’s a link to the Car Free Challenge site. Just do it!

Cockpit view of new handlebars.

Having a live-in bike mechanic does have it’s perks….

I now have a dove bar (I think) instead of the mary bar. I loved the mary bar but I never expect to have the same bike month to month so I’m giving this a whirl. Marko also put a longer stem on it. I may go even longer but I’ll give this one a week-long test to see what I think.

SHAMELESS PLUG ALERT! Local KC metro readers,  this time of year is slow for bike mechanics, so, if you need a spring tune-up, repair, carbon frame repair, or even a custom bamboo bike, now is the perfect time. Marko can turn around a simple repair or tune-up in 24 hours. He has 30 years experience and lots of references. Send an email to Marko now. )

Shameless Plug 2: I also love the Boulevard brewing beer corks he put on. Adds a nice touch. I’m hoping to get a free bottle or two of Tank 7 now….or anything from the Smokestack Series if anyone from Boulevard is reading….

Here’s to great beer and warmer weather! It looks like it should be a great week for bike commuting in KC.

The computer says...

I actually did probably 100 miles more than that since I rode the bambina a few weeks sans computer. Also didn’t have one on the mountain bike during my epic snow rides.

Anyhoozle, my goal is to do 2010 this year.  How original. And hopefully ride faster in the process.

This is from the KC Port Authority website:

ASB Underpass Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Please join the Port Authority for the ribbon cutting of the ASB Bridge Underpass on the downtown riverfront January 15 at 10:00 a.m. The much anticipated underpass is the critical link along the Riverfront Heritage Trail, connecting Richard L Berkley Riverfront Park and the Riverfront West/River Market Area. The ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremony will feature a catered gourmet brunch prepared by Executive Chef, Albert Tash, within a heated tent provided by Ameristar Casino. The event will be held at the Underpass, with parking available beneath the Grand Avenue Viaduct. Bicyclists and pedestrians are encouraged to join us as we celebrate this milestone for the Port Authority and Downtown Riverfront.

For more info and to RSVP…

Depressing movie =  fun evening.

KC Cyclist merino wool jersey at Family Bicycles

Plus, got to see the merino wool bike jerseys in person. I SO want one. They are perfect for Spring, Fall and Winter biking. And they aren’t itchy like wool back in the “good old days.”

You should stop in and see them, and go to the next movie. It’s free AND they have free snacks and drinks. You can’t beat that!

Here’s the schedule for the next flicks.

Plus, you can shop for Re-Velo bags there too, of course. I certainly won’t discourage that.

Off I go into the snowy suburban wilderness.

Spent Xmas Day eating, watching Cyclocross videos on my computer, eating, riding my bikes in the snow, and eating. Bamboona Bicicletta is not a snow bike…at least not with the tires I had on her. I didn’t fall but it was a bit sketchy.

So, boyfriend took off her cranks and pedals and put them on my Cannondale F7 Feminine mtn. bike and off I went. It was fun. I fell alot trying to ride through a foot of snow in the park. He also coated some Shimano Mtn. bike shoes with polyurethane to waterproof them for me. My regular shoes have mesh on the outside and duct tape was not doing the job. Wore thick socks and my feet felt pretty good but I wasn’t out for long.

Making seat adjustment before setting off to bicycle in the new snow.

Bike Clothing worn:

• Ibex Woolies half zip and tights
• Patagonia wool crew shirt (old and ratty and I love it)
• Nylon vest
• Northface wind pants
• Marmot Pre-Cip jacket and rain pants
• Knit gloves and super-warm Patagonia mittens
• Bomber hat

So, I was plenty warm. FINALLY my fingers felt fine. The mittens belong to the BF so I’m bidding on some mittens on eBay today. Keeping my fingers warm has proved to be impossible on my bicycle. I think mittens or the lobster gloves are the only answer for me.

I hope everyone had a swell Christmas day. Get out and ride!

No, it's not my hair, it's my helmet cozy!

If you see this on the street riding a bicycle, don’t hit it. It’s me.

I crocheted this helmet cozy last year. I really don’t know how to crochet so don’t look too close. I like it tho. It may not keep my head any warmer but I THINK it does so that’s enough for me.

But nice and sunny. I did have to put one hand at a time in my pocket to keep them warm but for the last couple of miles, they seemed to warm up.

I put black gaffer’s tape over my shoes since the tops are mesh. My feet were definitely cold after 6 miles. I usually tape them up inside and out for winter. I should find some nice fur-lined boots and put cleats in the bottom…

The last part going down the hill from Lamar towards Metcalf on 91st, the flags in front of an apartment complex were blowing towards me and there was no coasting to be had. Luckily, not much of my ride is straight west.

I feel for anyone having to work outside today.

I definitely want to buy new gloves for this winter’s bike commute. Anyone have suggestions?

Bamboo bike with carbon rack and panniers

OK, here’s the latest photo of my fine ride. She’s now a bamboo cargo bike since my bike mechanic bonded on a FABULOUS made-from-scratch carbon fiber rack. Oh, he built the bike too. He’s pretty amazing. The bike is built from my Trek X01 cyclocross frame so it’s aluminum, bamboo and carbon fiber. He used carbon fiber sleeves and tow on the joints. The rack is carbon fiber rods bonded together and to the bike. The bike and and rack and my headlight, bottle cage, etc. weighs 21 lbs. The guys at Epic Bike and Sport weighed it for me last week. Not sure how much the panniers weigh but they are heavy.

So, what do I call her? (Not that she comes when I call her….) I have no idea, so I need yours!

Give me some ideas and win!

I’ll give the top 3 name entries a Tool / Accessory Bag.

It’s perfect for stashing a spare tube, C02 cartridge, patch kit and tire levers. Or for you girly girls….Make-up! I put an extra blinky light in mine too. I use one of mine for my iPod too.

Enter today!