Hello Spring!

I'm not sure if it's the 2 cups of coffee I'm operating on currently, the nice weather with the garage door open at the shop, or Prince on the radio, but I feel like today's going to be a good day.

Today I'm not going to make excuses about why I've not posted in quite some time; I'm just going to do it!  It's March.  Can. You. Believe. It?!!  I can't.  Last post, I was talking about a blizzard of sorts and there's been an even bigger once since:

Here was a GIANT pile of snow that had been plowed right into our lovely Burt St. bike lane.  February 3rd was the date. We were supposed to have our 3rd Greensprints that night but ended up cancelling it (which was fine by us actually since driving in the stuff was certainly less fun than pedaling in it).



We had fun riding to and from work that day. We really only opened the shop so that we had an excuse to go ride in the dumping snow!  Vince's fat bike (a Surly, aren't you shocked) was pretty fun to tool around on and did truly get around better than my little Bianchi, although I still did love my studded tires.

Vince, looking pleased that he's riding in the snow, slightly less pleased about the photo op! 








We also had a stretch of really nice weather too, and we took the opportunity to find a few miles of fun on the Wabash Trace in Iowa.  It was a touch sloppy but definitely rideable and fun for the most part.

Beatuiful nonetheless.

We packed a lunch and a few bicycle beverages and hit the trail.  It's been too long since we've gotten out and enjoyed a day on our bikes.  Not too cold, not too hot, just right.

 So that was a fun day.  And has actually gotten us thinking more seriously about a bike tour during the CWS when the the shop is closed.  The tentative plan is driving to Duluth, MN and then riding north up into Canada.  Fun, eh?!  Just practicing my Canadian. 

 We're working on some pretty cool stuff with Patrick's Market Downtown on 14th and Howard.  Civia Cycles and Greenstreet are collaborating to get a few of their sweet bikes out and into Omaha!  We have a Halsted and a Twin City on display above the produce case right now.  Go in and check 'em out!  Tell them Greenstreet sent you. 

 Also, Greensprints  has been a blast!  We've been pulling all of our equipment for the events to the venue by bike.  Fun and a bit precarious at times.  We gave away 2 Surly Steamroller framesets, a Globe Roll, and a bunch of other wonderful swag, thanks to our fantastic sponsors.

 Today is bike maintenance day for me!  Which is a very rare occurrence; kind of like the ol' blog updates.  Anyway, a little Green Fizz and some Clean Streak and it was a little cleaner.  Topped it off with some Chain-L lube that I haven't tried yet.  Supposed to be good, so I'll let you know.  The boys seem to like it for gross conditions and lots o miles, which is what I ride in.

Anyway, that's about it!  How've things been in the streets of Omaha for you?  Good?  Bad? The same?  Let me know.  I've also been busy with the usual advocacy stuff.  Testifying at the State Capitol trying to get LB1030 passed into law (3ft passing rule), so we'll see how that goes. 

Over and out!
SJ

Wintry Recap

 

 

 

 

So, once again, I've been delinquent with my blogging.  It's because with this shockingly nice weather, the old bike shop has been pretty darn busy.  One of our mechanics is on a 10 day vacation too, so that adds to our work load a bit.  Hope you're enjoying sunny California Jonathan!  I know you are. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yup, this was December. No coat needed!

 

While it hasn't been quite CA weather, it certainly hasn't felt like winter in Nebraska these last few months either.  I've been riding off road a whole bunch, loving my new Stumpjumper and getting to the trails as much as possible.  Sadly, Vince can ride his Surly fat bike, that tips the scales at a beefy 38 pounds, and I am cruising along on my 22 pound SJ and we've found the equalization point.  Yikes.  He's fast or I'm not...or something.  Super fun, irregardless. 

 

 

And so was this.  Been riding off ro-ad a bunch lately.

The weather has been so hit and miss this 'winter' it's been challenging to find the right layering to stay comfortable.  I have been enjoying my new (aka freshly stolen from Vince) Bern helmet even though I kind of have my eyes on that mint Bern Brighton...

 

Yup, the ol' nose drip.  Officially cold!

The Ladies Ride is still going strong!

Today, snow finallllllly!!

Today was the first day that actually felt like winter, to me.  Wintery conditions, snow flakes falling, chilling winds.  This is what I've been waiting for!  Bobby (my Bianchi snow-ready bike) has been getting antsy!  He's just been hanging out in my basement, under the stairs, waiting like a troll for some kind of weather that would justify the studded tires that he sports year round. Well, Bobby, welcome back!  I've missed ya buddy. The ride down today was fun.  Icy side streets and slush elsewhere: the full fenders and grippy tires were appreciated on today's commute.

My 2 favorite winter commuting accessories: Sorels and studded tires!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aside from riding, I've been fighting the ban on the pedicabs and talking to the media about my thoughts.  So far, so good.  Mostly.  The ban hasn't been completely squashed, or filed, so this isn't ideal, but I'm hopeful that the OPD and the concerned citizens of Omaha can reach a compromise that benefits everyone while still maintaining the safety of the event.

Speaking of talking to the media about my feelings, I had a little run-in with the lovely and charming Tom Becka. 



We were both patronizing one of my favorite little wine bars, the Cork and Bottle in Dundee, when I spotted him and couldn't help but approach.  As he was leaving (after he finished talking to a few large-chested blondes about their, um, attributes) I engaged him in a friendly (at first), yet spirited, little chat about cycling in Omaha.  Now, for those of you who don't know this fine fellow (*sarcasm dripping*), he's not exactly a fan of cyclists. Formerly a radio personality of KFAB, he's been known to encourage his listeners to run cyclists off the road.  Our conversation was hysterical, in my opinion anyway. He seemed to be less amused.  

I walked up to him outside as he was walking away from the buxom blondes and said, " Hey Tom, my name is Sarah Johnson and I manage Greenstreet Cycles, a bike shop downtown. I ride my bike every day and have heard that you're not much of a fan of cyclists. I'd like to come on your show and talk to you about that." He informed me that he'd been fired (moving to Fargo, woo hoo!) and so I wouldn't be able to  come on his show, but he was interested in telling me how arrogant cyclists are.  Then he started going off about how cyclists have a pseudo-superiority complex and we're all the same red light-running, wrong way-riding, idiots. He then informed me that he wants the city to build him a golf course on Dodge Street because he thinks that cycling is fun, so is golf, and he should be able to play where ever he wants to since we ride where ever we want to.  He told me to stay on the trails since that's where his money was going, not on the streets, since I didn't pay taxes (right).  He was pretty worked up at this point and I was just standing there beaming ear to ear, basically in awe of his shoddy argument and all of the holes I could shoot through it.

I started into the whole transportation alternatives thing and how cyclists are actually helping the city save money (not creating pot holes, helping the environment, health, yadda yadda yadda...my usual soapbox) and he kept doing his weird breathing huffy puffy thing.  At this point, I realized that he wasn't a big fan of logical, rational discussion, so I'm afraid I stooped to his level and dealt a bit of a low blow. I poked him in his big, round, chubby belly and explained that he should appreciate the fact that I rode there that night because I saved him a parking spot!!

Wow, was that a reaction-getter!!! I started wondering if the headlines of the paper the next day would read, "Tom Becka Killed by Cyclist-Induced Heart Attack" since he was nearly hyperventilating at this point and his face matched my tail light.  I just chuckled a bit while he stood there muttering nearly unintelligibly.   All I understood was something about how I was reinforcing stereotypes about the arrogance of cyclists.  Oh well, at least I wasn't reinforcing the stereotype about overweight, white, right-wing, cyclist-haters.  


I told him that I wished him nothing but success in Fargo with his new job; we shook hands, he said happy holidays, and we parted ways.  What a rush.  I floated on an argument-high back to my bar stool and laughed with my buddies who got a kick out of watching from inside.  


A few days later I got a long bitchy email from him basically restating all of the things he barked at me the night in front of the bar.  Oh what fun.  


Since I can't end the post on that sort of note, here's a picture of something happy:

 Over and out.


XOXO,
SJ

Week in Review

I've been watching the snow melt and switching up bikes accordingly, from my studded tired, 26", singlespeed,  fendered Bianchi, to my fenderless, moustache bar, comfy, cruisy, lugged steel Trek touring bike, to the trusty tried and true Vaya with full fenders and rack. 

Some days I've pulled Copper to work with me; some days have been to slick for her little Tail Wagon to seem like a safe enough option for my four legged pal.  This time of year in Omaha you really don't know what the week will bring and it's been a lot of fun for me to switch between these 3 different rides.

This week was full of riding all over town, giving out of towners a fun little tour of our fair city via bicycle (which is my favorite way to go), running errands, and of course commuting to work.  I think all of this time on the bike is probably why I have so many gemmy bike related comments and/or incidents to relate to you this week.

#1) Two of us riding west-bound on Leavenworth at almost 42nd St.  Stopped at light. Positioned in the far right lane.  Driver of boring gray Plymouth sedan turning east-bound onto Leavenworth from 42nd St. in camouflage (I think it was an army uniform quite frankly) started honking while turning.  We turned to look at who was honking and saw this middle-aged gentleman, looking at us, with arm extended, flying the bird.  Yup.  We were 4 lanes apart and he still felt the need to honk and flip us off.  Thanks for perpetuating the stereotype guy.  You did it.  Way to go.

#2) Riding the Benson route about to turn west-bound on Hamilton off of about 36th St. with a group of about 5 of us.  We felt bad ass.  Kinda like kids.  Kinda like a bike gang of awesomeness.  Anyway, we were turning onto Hamilton and a lady driving east-bound on Hamilton stopped to let us turn (unnecessarily) and rolled down her window as we passed her.  Bracing ourselves for something like, "get on the sidewalk!", we were happily surprised when she shouted enthusiastically, "you guys make me want to get out on my bike!"  Man what a nice thing to hear!!  Particularly when you are expecting something less cordial.

#3) 3 new Bicycle Friendly Destinations were confirmed!  Scout in Dundee, Curbside Clothing in the Old Market, and Aroma's/Bliss Bakery also in the Market.  Thanks all!!!!

#4) Ladies Ride!  Proud of my girls for getting out there with me this mornin.  Purdy nice day for the middle of December! 

#5) Christmas tree hauling!  Big Dummy Style.  Not much that we've found that that bike (coupled with Vince's crazy pedaling power) can't carry! We had several different cars slow waaaay down and check out what the heck we were doing.  One set of ladies in their front yard hollered incredulously, "Is that your Christmas tree?!?!"  "Yeah, it sure is," we replied in unison.  They started clapping and cheering.  What fun. 

#6) Beautiful views.  I love sunset on our City's skyline.

That was my fun week.  One last thing: I have had quite a few nice comments about my little blog lately.  It's the random folks that I don't know that follow "Girl Commute" who make me really want to keep it better updated.  So, this post's for you.  Keep riding!  Let me know if you have a fun story that I can share here.

That's all...

Created by: Healthcare Management Degree

It's Finally Winter!

And that's a good thing. Not that I ever get sick of the Vaya, but it is always fun to switch to a new daily 'driver'.  You may or may not remember my snow commuter, Bobby Bianchi, but he's back and better than ever!  I seriously love that bike. I've hijacked someone else's computer to create this post so I don't have a picture handy.  But trust me, there will be some coming soon.

I know a few posts ago I talked about the crunch and crispness of the autumn.  Now, with everything blanketed by an insulating layer of snowflakes, my commute (at night particularly) has significantly quieted down.  The snow started falling last Saturday, the 3rd of December, midday.  I know because we had Greensprints that night and everyone was freaking out about how sketchy the roads were.  Now, it's late Thursday night and the snow has returned.  I love snow!!  And, the gear that allows me to get out into the elements and safely enjoy them really makes it all doable.  Honestly, without studded tires and fenders and layers and gloves and goggles and a balaclava and and and...  The list could continue ad infinitum but I've built my collection over many years of bit by bit justification.  Do I truly need a winter helmet when my perfectly capable normal helmet + hat combo has done me well for so many prior seasons of winter riding? No. But does it make it that much more fun? Yes!

I think that's the key with riding in the winter and snow and ice: keep it fun!  Otherwise, it's hard to talk yourself into doing it.  You will, however, realize that it's all worth while when you glide steathily by a neighbor who's either scraping his car off or having trouble getting it to start.   Oh, the simple joys of life on a bicycle. 

Anyway, too many words; too few pictures!  Over and out!! 

The annual winter Bikes De'Lights Ride is almost upon us!  Friday, December 9th, meet and roll out from Blanc by 7pm.  Grab your bike, some lights, and a buddy and come join us out there for some holiday cheer.

SJ