Happiness is a Warm Bike

I offer no apologies to the Beatles.

Last weekend, my Mom gave us this great wall decoration that I just hung up yesterday:

It was rather timely, because the last couple days have been trying for someone who loves to ride as much as I do. Working a physically demanding outdoor job all day in wind and rain doesn't really make me want to get out and ride a bike in the wind and rain. They weren't necessarily bad days at the office, just not as good as I'd like. But of course, in between storms, I've managed to find time to ride if only for a few minutes:

That was from a short ride this afternoon, which means no matter the circumstances, I've kept my portion of the 30 Days of Biking challenge alive for the 26th day. It also means I found happiness in each of those days, even if only for a few minutes at a time, and that's what it's all about, right?

I'm pretty excited for this evening. The storm appears to have fully cleared out and the first Roll Bicycles Pub Ride of the season is tonite! I'll surely have much more to say about it tomorrow. Enjoy your Friday evening, everyone.



30 Days of Biking 2019 Mileage Total: 341.5

Cruisin' for Caffeine

The forecast on day 25 of 30 Days of Biking suggested that showers would happen intermittently throughout the day and be heavy at times. As such, I decided not to commute via bike today. I did sneak in a quick lap during an early morning lapse in precipitation, as I was unsure I'd be able to beat the heavy wind and rain later in the day.

As luck would have it, the skies calmed for a bit just as I finished up my work day, so I took to the trail to head to another trail of sorts:

You may ask, what does a coffee shop have to do with a trail? Well you see, Third Way Cafe happens to be one of the stops on the Columbus Coffee Experience Trail:

It's yet another trail that's right up my alley. Three things I absolutely love in life are biking, beer, and coffee. Some of my vices are healthier than others, I suppose. But speaking of beer and coffee...

Experience Columbus is pretty big on trails. If you've frequented my blogspace, you already know about the Ale Trail, and there's also the Made in Cbus Trail in addition to the aforementioned Coffee Trail. They all have the same goal in mind: getting people interested in supporting local business. I'm all about it, and to the extent that I can, I try to do so on a bike, of course.

This is my second stop on the trail. Each one offers a stamp, and collecting a certain number gives you rewards:

After doing my business, I headed back to the bike trail to head home. Just in time, too, because as soon as I got in my car, it started pouring again. I'm going to see if I can get a couple more errands in on the bike later this evening. If not, 4 cycling miles and patronizing local business on a rather lackluster day is none too shabby. Happy Thursday, everyone!



30 Days of Biking 2019 Mileage Total: 332.0

"Hiatus" Over

I've been pretty good about commuting via bicycle for the majority of 30 Days of Biking, but for whatever reason, I awoke on day 24 and realized that it had been exactly one week since I'd done so (even though I've still been riding every day). With a cool but sunny day in the forecast, my commuting hiatus had to end:

After a week since I'd traversed my usual route, I noticed a dramatic change in the sunlight at my usual commute time. It happened to be extremely gorgeous, but I may be a bit biased because I'd missed this:

I heard from my girlfriend that she and the kiddo took advantage of the day and rode to and from school while I was out. One day, she'll remember to send me pics so I can share here. Anyway... I barely had to use my lights at all this morning, which is also great news, because increased sunlight (usually) means increased safety. It truly was an amazing way to kick off the final week of 30 DoB. My only complaints are that I still had to wear gloves this morning, and that my return commute was marred by finding out that Upper Arlington has closed one of the nicer roads that I utilize every day:

The silver lining is that it will give me an extra .5 mile on each commute. I don't think I'll mind that too much. Another silver lining, some time this week I went over 300 miles for the month! Only 6 days left after today. Are you still riding with me?



30 Days of Biking 2019 Mileage Total: 327.9

YOU get a Bike, and YOU get a Bike!

I prepared for the worst of weather on day 23 of 30 Days of Biking and opted to pack my bike in my car once again, thinking I would only have time for a brief post-work ride in between showers. It actually turned out to be a mostly pleasant day, and my post-work ride was going equally pleasant when I received a phone call I'd been waiting to receive for nearly a week that made it amazing. That's right, Faith's new bike had arrived and was ready to roll!

So my nephew got a bike this week, and now Faith. Who's next? YOU?

I cut my ride short and headed home to meet her after school to go pick it up ASAP. I think she's a beaut. Or he. I'm not sure. Faith hasn't picked a name yet. Anyway, she picked this one out with a little help from her Mom and I. It's a Trek FX1 Stagger small size, which is just a bit big for her right now, but with the way she's growing it will fit her in no time. Before we left the store, we just had to get a photo to soak in that new bike glow:

She really wanted to take it for a spin around the parking lot, but silly me forgot to remind her to bring her helmet with her to the store. If you're surprised that she picked a black bike, she actually had a very good reason - customizing is easier with a neutral color. To that end, we got her started with a purplish bottle cage (and a kickstand, but that's also black):

Sooner or later, we'll probably get some colored grips and fenders. And a back rack. And whatever else she wants or needs for her cycling adventures.

This is a pretty big step up for her, as it's her first bike with a freewheel and multiple gears. Once we got home, we showed her the basics on shifting and took that sweet inaugural ride:

After some initial breaking in, she really got the hang of it quite quickly. I already know it's going to fit in great with our cycling routines and wherever she goes with it on her own. Who knows? One day soon her bike might be looking like this:

OK, we're not quite there yet. In due time. With any luck, our first big ride together will happen this weekend, weather permitting. Stay tuned, and happy riding everyone!

30 Days of Biking 2019 Mileage Total: 308.0

It's Contagious

As I was taking my post-work ride yesterday, I received a text from my girlfriend that read, "Do you want to go for a ride when you get home? I want to go for a ride." I'll toot my own horn and claim responsibility for this enthusiasm. Haha... 

It turns out she and the kiddo rode to and from school yesterday while I was at work, and they both weren't ready to put the bikes away for the evening. I mean, who could blame them? We settled on a dinner (and drink) ride, and ventured a short ways away to Somewhere in Particular Brewing:

Being less than 2 miles from my house, I'm surprised this place hasn't made it into my 30 Days of Biking roll sooner. I guess I'll say that it was worth the wait, because the beer was almost as beautiful as the ride. Almost:

Any time spent outside on a day like yesterday is beautiful, especially since today appears to be much rainier. We'll see if I get any ride requests today...

30 Days of Biking 2019 Mileage Total: 300.0

Learning From Loops

After a short stay in my home town this past weekend, I found myself back in Columbus late last night. Despite the gorgeous weather in the forecast for today, I wasn't quite feeling energetic enough to commute via bike on day 22 of 30 Days of Biking.

Of course I still had to ride, though. I opted instead for my most recent favorite number two option, throwing the bike in the car and taking a short ride after work. I've come up with a few decent loops from the shop that take me about a half hour and/or 5 miles round trip, and I came up with a new one today by turning around at Wilson Road Park:

I like the look of that sign on the right. I Googled it, and it turns out that's a logo regularly used by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to promote acknowledgement of grant usage, education, and so on. Also, I learned that the cardinal is Ohio's state bird, hence the sign. Happy Earth Day, amirite?

Anyway, I've been meaning to stop by here for about a month or so to scout it out as a potential jumping off point for some longer rides. It sits conveniently off the Camp Chase Trail:

There's not much in the way of amenities, but there is a water fountain and some bike parking at a small shelter, plus ample car parking for those who choose to drive to the trail head:

At the very least, I've found another decent post-work ride or potential picnic lunch destination. I'm hoping to commute tomorrow despite rain in the forecast. We'll see...


30 Days of Biking 2019 Mileage Total: 299.0

Baby Bike (Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo...)

The family and I have been in my home town this weekend. My visits home usually coincide with holidays and/or special occasions, and yesterday happened to be one of those, my nephew's second birthday party:

Those are just some of the gifts he received. As you can see, he was not lacking in the gift department. Of everything that was up there, clearly his favorite was his new balance bike that he got from his Mom and Dad:

If you're not familiar with these, it's a newer alternative to training wheels to get little ones used to balancing and steering on two wheels. It'll go great alongside the tricycle we bought him last year, right?

Of course, you're never fully dressed without a matching helmet:

It looks great, and makes you the envy of the entire neighborhood:

And of course, this occasion called for a selfie:

No word on whether or not he's been riding every day during April, but I can see it in his future...

We're hitting the road back to Ohio this afternoon. Enjoy your Easter Sunday (if you choose to participate in such activities)!

30 Days of Biking 2019 Mileage Total: 288.9