Take the Long Way Home

30 Days Mileage Counter

Bike: 546.6

Car: 490

Train: 8

For me, it appears #30daysofbiking will be ending very similar to how it began: with cold weather and a busy schedule that won't allow me to ride very much. Thankfully, I got out a decent amount yesterday.

This weather sucks. At least wearing gloves makes me more visible, I guess...

I did my usual Thursday route up to Temple University and down into Northern Liberties. I paused briefly to warm up at Front Street Cafe:

You've gotten used to seeing this by now

I ended up running into my friend Ashley, who I haven't seen in months. She now works for Philly Bread. I didn't know they existed, but it turns out they're pretty cool, working directly with farmers to source their ingredients and providing quality product to businesses. Neat stuff, and of course it's always good to catch up.

Onward to Northern Liberties, where I saw this at my next stop:

Don't remove me, bro!

Tell me exactly how you remove graffiti. Seems to me, anyone with a roller and a few cans of paint could do this. Unless you're getting into sand-blasting...in any case, an interesting idea. Not sure I'd buy it though.

Finally, on my way back to the laundromat, I noticed these new signs on the Divine Lorraine:

I'd rather live in the Statue of Liberty like Grandpa from the Simpsons

I'm disappointed that I never got to see the inside of this place before the remodel, but I'd love to see it once it's finished. So, if any of you know someone who knows someone with a lot of money that's going to rent here, let me know.

I'm not huge into horoscopes, but I read mine yesterday for some reason, and it said I should "take a different route to the same old places." I don't need any convincing to do that, but a reminder always helps. Fortunately I had some free time on lunch and decided to explore Brewerytown and beyond:

I originally intended to do Boxer's Trail, which is out that way, but that will have to wait for another day. I did happen upon Mount Pleasant:

Not just for DC any more!

This is actually a very neat little area of Fairmount Park up by Strawberry Mansion (just steer clear of the neighborhood to the East after dark) that I'll definitely come back to explore more in-depth one day. On the southwest side of this hill, I dropped out onto the Schuylkill River Trail and took that back to Center City. Keeping with the theme of taking different routes, I decided to pull off at Race Street because I never do. I got stuck inside the gates crossing the train tracks:

Just like back home, eh?

I actually pulled a quarter out and stuck it on the tracks waiting for the train to go by (don't tell me you don't love doing that!), but it stopped for some reason. I wasn't about to stand there forever, so I moved on:

A weird sign, and that building above 30th St Station I've seen every day in this city but still have no idea what it is...

I stopped to get some lunch at Le Pain Quotidien in Center City:

I dropped a few bucks there too. Hopefully that helps...

Here's hoping! It's always all about food, right?

I stopped by the office briefly to eat, then made my way home. I did some work here before heading out to a mixer at DiBruno Brothers on Chestnut Street. It was sponsored by ZipCar, who's partners with Wash Cycle. Unfortunately, I picked up some sort of sharp object in the rear tube I had just repaired last week and had to detour to Frankinstien Bike Worx for another repair. I have all the supplies to do this myself, but I left them at home. Lotta good they're gonna do me there, right?

The bad news is I spent 50 bucks. The good news is I got a new tube and a new tire (and I now have a spare), both of which are much thicker and hopefully more durable. The ride is surprisingly much better on this tire, too. I think I'll upgrade my front tire next paycheck...

After that side track, I did make it to the event on time thanks to the speedy service, and I ran into some people I met when I was delivering flowers a few weeks ago:

We didn't say cheese, but there was plenty to eat...

They're from United By Blue, who also does a lot of really cool stuff - neighborhood cleanups, outdoor apparel, equal exchange coffee, all good stuff. Give them a look too.

24.4 miles and lots of random experiences in between. I'm not sure I'll be able to get 53 miles in between now and tomorrow, but I'll try my damndest!