Spring Riding

My Progress

The 30 Days of Biking is going well. The weather has been mild, though high winds earlier in the week cluttered up the bike trails with sticks and branches from the trees. I'm seeing lots of riders out in the afternoons, so I know I'm not the only one reveling in our SoCal Spring.

Strength is coming back into my legs after my long winter biking hiatus. It's wonderful to be out in the sunshine everyday, doing something physical and fun. Of course, I need to make other changes for my well-being. Focusing on moving every day can only be the start, and I feel that with the 30 Days of Biking challenge, I am building up motivation to make more healthy choices.

It's a little lonely out there...

Out on the bike trails, most riders are male. I don't know why that is, but I want to see more of us women folk bicycling. I noted a couple of girls and women on bikes at the elementary school, which is great. I like to think I'm doing my part to make the changes I want to see in my community by setting an example for other women, especially women who are overweight or out of shape. I'd love to get feedback about the topic of women in biking, so comment if you've any thoughts on the matter.

Speaking of setting an example, the person who inspired me to get the Yuba Mundo and take up riding was Lindsay, whose blog, You Ain't Got Jack, covers her commitment to a biking lifestyle. Check it out, as it's well worth the read.

 

 

Tally

Day 8: 5 miles, through a windblown town. Lots of branches on the ground. Picked Little M. up from school.

Day 9: 4.6 miles, to the school and back. Allergies are a constant nuisance.

Day 10: 4.6 miles, did the school route and called it a day.

Day 11: 7 miles, took a friend's child to an art lesson, Little M. along for the ride, too.

Day 12: 4.6 miles. Used the bike every day this week to pick up my girl from school.

 

Monthly subtotal: 61.1 miles

 

One of my friends went to Portland and brought me back this bike shirt as a souvenir. Very cool.

 

 

A Little Art, A Little Nature

Got out there for day 7 and was rewarded with a beautiful day. Granted, the winds blew clouds of fluff from trees and other lusty vegetation, but the ride was worth the running nose. Besides, I can be miserable at home so why let it hold me back?

A happy moment on the trail. A heron? A crane? I don't know my waterfowl.

A little Mundo love in my sketchbook. Yeah, ran out of room for the handle bars. Guess I'll just have to draw another.

Tally

Day 6: 6.3 miles
Day 7: 8.6 miles

Monthly subtotal: 35.3 miles

 

Yuba Mundo Wheel Skirts

 

My Yuba Wheel Skirts came today. I called Yuba and requested the skirts after I saw the recall notice posted on Facebook. Now, I've never felt that my little backseat rider's feet were in much danger as I usually keep both Go-Getter bags on, making a barrier between the passenger and the wheels. However, if I ever want to ride without the bags, yeah, I would say little feet could get hurt. So why take chances when I can get the safety upgrade for free?

 

 

 

 

Tally

Day 3: 5.2 miles, round trip to Barnes and Noble

Day 4: 1.6 miles to library, grocery store and back.

Day 5: 7 miles to mall for dinner date night with hubby.
Monthly total: 20.4 miles

 

Checking in: Day 2

Just a quick note to record my bike activity, such as it was today. Only two miles put in, but I did do it in the evening and I used my new headlight from Costco. This is a real deal: for $9.99, the package includes 3 headlights on elastic that can be worn on a bare head or over a helmet. The light has 3 settings, one of them "flashing", which gives off a powerful beam. Money well spent. A lot of light after dark gives me more confidence to get out there without undue risk; for additional visibility, I did wear my yellow reflective vest and a flashing red rear light.




 

Some of the reflective surfaces on the bike and on my vest.
I didn't have the helmet light yet.




 

Front view. The Yuba Go-Getter panniers have reflective
material on the front and back.

 

 

 

Tally

Day 2: 2 miles

Month total: 6.6 miles

Santa Clarita Family Ride on Saturday, March 30, 2013

For the first time, my husband and I, along with Little M, participated in the Family Ride portion of the Santa Clarita Century, a fundraising biking event for the Child & Family Center. The small $10 entry fee covered the three of us. Numbers were issued and Little M was thrilled to have her own put on her back.

Waiting for the ride to begin.

Our ride was a 5.5 mile loop through the paseos in Valencia and onto the South Fork of the trail, marked by blue arrows on the ground to guide the way. Volunteers helped the large group of family riders stay on track at transition points and also manned the refreshment stand at the halfway mark. At the front of the pack were two designated leaders in bright shirts.

This is a good ride for beginners, so if you're reading this and thinking about next year - I say do it. It's mostly level, with a few bridges to climb and the grade on the South Fork is low and steady. Valencia paseos usually have a staggered gate to negotiate, but these were wide open for this event, which I loved because the Yuba Mundo is a very large bike that takes time to fit through these gates. I usually ride on the neighborhood streets instead of the paseos for just this reason.

Though most of the riders had children with them, many were adults who had brought a friend. If your child can ride without training wheels, this ride would be an exciting choice for him or her. Expect to ride toward the rear of the group and go at your own pace - this isn't a race, though my six year old was convinced it was, especially when we cruised over the finish line and a volunteer handed her a 'gold' medal on a ribbon. We can't wait until next year!

 

Day 1 of 30 Days of Biking

I'm renewing my commitment to biking and staying active by taking the pledge for 30 Days of Biking. What a fun way to get back into it and get visible in the community. Besides, almost every time Maya and I are out, someone asks about our very cool bike and I get to advocate for the Yuba and electric bikes in general. An unusual bike, like a dog, breaks the ice between strangers; one of my favorite things about biking.

Today was the first day and my Little M and I put 4.6 miles on the bike by going to the library, to the local Subway, and finally to one of the many parks nearby. A modest start, I know, but one on which to build momentum.


Little M kicked off her heels and ran to the playground.

Tally

Day 1: 4.6 miles

A ride on the South Fork with Little M. and her friend B.

 

For the Love of SCV's Bike Trails...

An article from SCVnews.com extolling the virtues of the local trails:

http://scvnews.com/2013/01/12/abcs-of-the-scv-b-is-for-bike-trails-commentary-by-jennifer-fischer/