Streak O Sunshine

The forecast calls for endless days of perfect temps and sunny skies.  This means get out and ride yer bike!!  I packed up my dog andd my laptop, notebook, etc. and headed down to the shop. 

Are you gonna try riding to work? Now would be the time to give it a shot.

Not Everyone Commutes with Full Wrap Fenders...

Meet Vern, the Vaya. <3


It's funny what happens when you don't have options.  Today I woke up and didn't even think twice about whether or not I'd ride in in the rain today, I had no choice.  My car has been acting funny lately and although I've really not been driving it all that often, I decided to take it into the shop the other day.  Turns out, sure enough, there are several things going wrong and I opted to only fix the bare necessities that will make it run...who needs brakes anyway, right? 



Dry yet skeptical at home

 So, back to the bike.  I knew it was supposed to rain all day today and envisioned myself pedaling happily through puddles for the last few days to psych myself  up for a soggy commute today.  I do have a new bike, however, which makes every ride like a dream!  It's a Salsa Vaya and I do absolutely love it.  There were also a few other items that made my commute totally enjoyable, starting with the new Mountain Smith Strapettes that I just snagged for my pack turning it into more of a backpack with lumbar strap rather than just a single strap shoulder assaulting bag.  And, thank goodness for Spokiz and pit zips.  Without these two wonders this morning would have been far less pleasant for sure!  My buddy James who is the creator of Spokiz sold me on his amazing hingeless shades.  I was sporting the clear lenses today which really helped keep my eyes open as I splashed through countless puddles on the way downtown.   Thanks Jimma! 
So as I pulled on my rain jacket (and unzipped the pits for a bit of ventilation), Spokiz, hat, helmet, and pack I thought about how I haven't transfered my bright yellow fenders from the old rig onto Vern yet.  Dang.  I started cruising down my street and felt the cool rain and splashing from the street begin to cover my legs.

New bike lanes about to go in on 15th!!






Of course I have a pink pirate skull bell.  Why wouldn't I?

I pedaled down Center and towards Woolworth and wasn't honked at or anything the entire way.  The encounters I've had lately have been nothing short of pleasant.  Plenty of drivers these days are full of smiles and waves and actually a few "Keep pedaling, girl!" comments which always make me grin.  So, thanks Omaha drivers, for being swell these days.  On the flip side, I'm convinced that positive reinforcement is the best way to commute.  Someone gives you an extra second to turn: wave and smile; a driver waves you to go first at a 4 way stop: smile and wave; even if someone screeeeches by a foot away and yells "get on the sidewalk!": smile and wave (although I know, I know, it's not positive reinforcement...but still).  You get the picture; every time you have a chance to impact a motorist's view of a cyclist, make it a happy friendly one.  Then, one day (like Pavlov's dog) all drivers will think happy thoughts each time they pass a cyclist.  Do your part Omaha!  Let's make this place bike friendly.

-SJ

I'm In Love...with a New Bicycle

It's true.  I am afraid I've fallen hard.  And not off my bike, but rather onto it.  Just last week I was the lucky recipient of a new Salsa Vaya.   Holy moly, this may be the perfect bike.  Granted, I've only ridden it about 5 times since then, but boy howdy am I liking it so far.  The list goes on and on, but to breeze through a few outstanding highlights:  STI shifters (these are so rad that during the first ride I audibly exclaimed my amazement of the smooth and instant shifting; quite a change from the old bar end shifters I was rocking), comfortable steel frame (dependable and NOT a rust bucket like the old frame I was riding), super duper disc brakes (confident inspiring whilst pulling a 75# golden retriever behind you in a Burley Tail Wagon),  plus it just looks sweet.  I wrapped the bars with pink tape and threw on a pink skull bell with a bow on her head for good measure.  I also put my Specialized Body Geometry saddle on it to make it rideable in my opinion.  Now, it's my bike. 

Thanks to Greenstreet for puchasing it and to Jonn for putting her together. 

Group Ride Tonight!

If anyone is interested, we're doing our weekly Monday night shop ride from Greenstreet to Minneola and back.  It's about a 40ish mile ride so bring your lights and a good attitude!  It should be nice if the weather holds.  Meet at Greenstreet Cycles at 7:15ish and we'll roll by 7:30.  If you don't want to ride the whole way, meet us at the Wabash Trace Trailhead around 8:15 and we can all ride from there. 

Also, tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. there is an Omaha Bikes meeting which is open to the public if anyone's interested in knowing what's going on in the cycling advocacy scene.  It's at the Aksarben Village Courtyard Marriott at 11:00a.m.  See you there!

-SJ

Fall Riding Is Upon Us!

I can't wait to get out and ride today.  Dundee is in the plans with a clothing drop off at Scout and then probably an iced coffee at Blue Line.  Ah, crisp autumn air.  Glorious.

Glorious Day for a Bicycle Ride!

Copper and I rode into work this morning in the dreary, and highly appreciated, cloudy and damp morning.  Ah, September, I'm happy to see you! September (and the fall in general) is my favorite month because it usually starts to hint at cooler weather with a crispness in the air. I could gush and gush about the perfect cooler temperatures and lack of humidity, but alas, preseason bike orders are calling my name. 

Bottom line, I rode in today and am glad I did.  All day I've been looking forward to taking the scenic route home. 

Get out and pedal and enjoy the fall that is finally (hopefully) upon us!