Lucy is proving to be a perfect commuter bike for me – functional, comfortable, versatile.  And appropriately red enough for my trips into the Red Cross office (I swear this never even crossed my mind when I was choosing her paint color).

On a national level, the Red Cross is making preparations for the possible landfall of Isaac.  It’s fascinating to see the process unfold, the planning, the deployment of material and human resources – and the ways that numerous local Chapters contribute to the response.   While I have chosen not to be available for deployment at this time due to some personal scheduling conflicts, I continue to stay busy locally with our DAT team and working with new volunteers – work that I enjoy very much.

The continuing reorganizational changes surrounding our local Chapter can be frustrating at times.  While many of the changes to our service model make sense, and should ultimately provide more efficient delivery, the plan for implementation (internally) has not always been so well thought out – and this can be very difficult for a workforce of volunteers.

At the end of the day, I often have to step back and ask myself:  are we helping to the people who need our assistance?  The answer, thankfully, is yes.  Ultimately, this is all that really matters – whether it involves responding to house and apartment fires here at home, or providing relief to our clients after a hurricane.  At the end of the day, I know we have helped.

I get on my bike and ride home, thankful for the chance to unwind and mentally re-evaluate the day to the soothing rhythm of my pedals strokes … and hope that storms, near and far, change course.

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#30daysofbiking … riding each day for the past thirty days, the month of April.  Does it really come to a finish – or is it just the continuation of  a routine?  To me it is just a collection of snapshots –  moments on a bike each day, not unlike all of the other days throughout the year.  I don’t keep statistics (distance, hours, speed, etc.); I prefer to keep the images as reminders of things seen along the way, because these are ultimately the only things that meaningful to me.

The gallery contains one snapshot for each of the thirty days of riding, condensed into the classic snapshot format of the “Fauxlaroid”  Some images you may recognize from prior posts; the collection of originals are in my Flickr set.

Tomorrow begins the next thirty days … and beyond.  Cheers!

There are some days where all you have to do is look up, and you know you are in for it.

I remind myself that the rain is a good thing, washing the pollen from the air, making spring things grow bright and beautiful – even as I stand beneath a storefront awning, trying to wait out another thunderstorm before riding home.  Oh well.

Yesterday I had to be out in it; today I really didn’t need to be anywhere, but despite the rainy forecast, I wanted to take a quick ride to a nearby field I had passed yesterday.  Red clover and wildflowers were out in abundance, my time was my own, and I wanted to play with my camera.  But before I was even a mile down the road, the rain began to fall again.

No fields of red clover today … only a few dandelions in my yard.  I’ll have to wait out the rain once again.  Sigh.

The name of game this week seems to be Beat the Rain.  Today, I won … for a change.

Riding across the Riverside Drive glass bridge in Chattanooga always gives me an imaginary sense of victory(?) over cars.  I love standing on that bridge with my bike and looking down at the cars driving underneath; I am looming over them for a change (even it it’s only in my mind…).

Today’s destination was number 12 on the Utilitaire control card: to get my hair cut.  My once-a-month-or-so trip to Chattanooga to visit my stylist, Chris, at Hair-A-Go-Go gives me a chance to ride into the city on the Riverwalk.

I will confess, I have to drive (shame on me!) to the northern terminus of the Riverwalk from home; but living about 40+ mi outisde of the city, an 80-mile round trip would be a big stretch for a reasonable commuter distance for me. Sorry. This way, anyway, I cut a little off of my driving distance, and get to ride the  ”scenic route” into downtown, and have some time to enjoy the destination.    I think the approximate distance from the north end of the path to the Bluff View Art District downtown is about 8 miles one way, so the round trip  makes  for a relaxing and comfortable ride which I almost always make on Elisabetta.

Got my haircut, stopped into the downtown art supply store for a new pen, and then lingered around Coolidge Park for a little while enjoying the incredible sunshine and the balmy temperatures.  I think we reached the mid-70′s.  Lots and lots of people were out, walking, biking, sitting on benches on the Walnut Street Bridge, enjoying picnics in the park.

Before heading back, I stopped to treat myself at Rembrand’s Coffee House in the Art District.  I was in the mood for one of their blackberry Italian Cream Sodas …  it was heavenly, especially on the warm day.  I am not exactly sure what makes it “Italian” (because I don’t remember ever seeing anything like this in Italy), but it is basically blackberry syrup, soda water, and some cream – yes, real cream – over ice.  Not something to indulge in on a regular basis, but for an occasional treat, I shall have no guilt over it(!).

My hair is back to it’s short and trimmed state, my journal enjoyed the sun and the park (if not my attempts with the new pen), and I am still imagining the sweetness of blackberries and cream.  A few scenes from the day … and a big thank you to the very kind new friends who have visited these pages from today’s Freshly Pressed; it was an unexpected surprise, and I am quite bowled over by the kind words and responses.  Many thanks.

buying pens

playing with new pens

Chattanooga has a thriving hipster population  … Riverwalk

Scenic City bridges … Coolidge Park

In the section of town known as Five Points, we have a very nice regional history museum – the Museum Center at Five Points (and I am sorry to say that the above photo is not the museum, just an old building on the Five Points Corner ).  The museum is one of those places I don’t make time to visit often enough, so I am grateful for the Utilitaire challenge and the reminder to make the visit.  In addition to the permanent collection of local history and artifacts, the current temporary exhibit features an impressive collection of vintage and modern quilts.  As much as I loved viewing the quilts, I was really more interested in taking some time to explore the permanent collection more thoroughly than I have had time to in the past.  I learned a few things – including (according to the docent I spoke with) the fact that the industry responsible for “growing” and placing our little town on the TN map was kitchen stove manufacturing.   Not only was there a Hardwick Woolen Mill, but also a Hardwick Stove Company, among others.

Since my time was my own today, I was able to read, look and explore a little more.  Other things that caught my eye (in addition to the quilts, of course) were a vintage camera and an old grocery bike, along with a interesting collection of daily household items.

Coming to the museum in late March will be a new photograph exhibit that I am definitely looking forward to – a collection of black and white photographs from Knoxville photographer Don Dudenbostel on aspects of Appalachian culture that are fading from existence.  From roadside culture to moonshine distilleries to snake handling (yeah, snake handling) … this should be exceptional.  I’ve admired some of his other work (x-ray imaging) in the Bluff View Art District in Chattanooga, and it is pretty incredible.

As I was leaving the museum, I discovered I had just missed seeing my friend Jenn, who is an education director for the museum and had been there for a meeting.  Sorry Jenn.  But I definitely need to ask her for a favor — any chance we can get  the museum facilities people to install a bike rack??  (hint, hint)  ;-)

I left the museum and stopped at the library where I ran into one of my “other” sons, Tim, who had finished his college classes for the day and spotted me parking my bike.   We had a cup of coffee and did some catching up  in the library coffee shop before he headed off.  With all of the boys at schools here, there and everywhere, I don’t get to see these guys as often as I used to – and I was so touched that he was kind enough to take some time to re-connect.  My boys have the most amazing friends.

library bike rack

Winding through neighborhoods, with spring colors reminding me of the some of the quilts from earlier in the day.  On to the grocery store for a assorted salads for a simple supper, and then home.  A very good day.

 pansies, reminding me of quilts …

homeward

You know you’re battling a decent headwind when you have to pedal going downhill.  Such was the case for the day’s Utilitaire ride (which actually took place yesterday, but I was to lazy to post last night).

The destination was to be #1: Work.  And while I am not technically employed by the Red Cross, my volunteer “job” with them is about as close as I get to having to go “to work”.  Heading out today I knew there was rain in the forecast, so as most cyclists know, the best insurance against having it actually rain is to pack rain gear.  I also decided to just leave the “real” camera at home, as I didn’t want to mess with waterproofing measures  (and I apologize in advance for another series of iPhonography in this post, as well my lengthiness today … hit the delete button if you wish.)

I battled a nasty headwind all the way in.  Gusty, brutal and not so much fun.   Decided to stop for coffee and catch up on a little bit of reading before hitting the office.

From coffee stop to the office, the scenery is always fascinating to me.  I like riding through the old industrial district, passing by the old Hardwick Woolen Mill.  Last month, a fire destroyed the Cleveland Chair Company.  The reports have pointed to arson.  Demolition of the remnants of the building(s) have turned the scene into a huge and textured pile of ruins.  (And at this point I was hitting myself for not bringing along my other camera).

riding by the ruins of the Cleveland Chair Co. and the old Hardwick Woolen Mill

I spent the rest of the day at the office, scrubbing disaster response case files – making sure the paperwork is in order and that all of the information has been correctly entered into the computer system.  While I was at the office, I got some very sad and troubling news that had been announced the day before.  Restructuring and funding cuts from both the American Red Cross and United Way are eliminating key positions in our Chapter.  Our tiny paid staff has now been reduced to two.  Two.

 The Bradley County Emergency Aid (funded by United Way, closely connected with our Red Cross Chapter work) has been cut, along with the women who have worked so tirelessly helping people in crisis in our community.  Just as troubling, we are losing our ARC Volunteer Coordinator – the amazing woman who schedules our disaster team rotations, recruits and arranges for training of our volunteers, and holds our volunteer staff together at the seams.  It’s shocking, troubling, and I can’t even begin to envision what the future holds for our local Chapter.  It is difficult enough to recruit capable, willing and trained volunteers to fill all of the positions – from teaching CPR/First Air/AED to fundraising to disaster response – but if they expecting the volunteer coordination duties to be taken over by our stretched-too-thin volunteer staff, I can’t even begin to imagine what is to come.  I think it spells disaster, ironically.

Needless to say, it was a tough afternoon in the office.  It’s difficult to see anyone lose their job, even harder when it happens to friends and people I have so much respect for.

Left the office and headed back into town in fading light.  Decided to hook up with my son (on his way home from tennis practice) and my husband (on his way home from work) for a quick bite to eat.  No sooner did we sit down, I receive a weather-alert text on my phone:  hail-producing severe thunderstorm warning.  Yay.  Storms were already spawning hail, lightning and even a tornado warning directly west of us, and the fun was now heading our way.

So, do I attempt to beat the storms and head home as planned on my bike, or do I give up the night riding and toss the bike in the back of my husband’s car and hitch a ride home?  I had my rain gear.  I had insurance.  I decided to ride.

Now a quick word about night riding.  I won’t go into a full-blown review of bicycular (I like to make up words) lighting – we have a boxful of various lights in our household, but I will tell you a little bit about the lights that work very well for me.

On my helmet, I use a Light & Motion Vis 360, which I absolutely love.  As the name says, visible from all sides – front, rear, sides.  Spotlight in the front (with amber sidelights), and blinking rear light (also with amber sidelights).  On and off the helmet in a snap, long light life, USB rechargeable.

On my bike, I use a Niterider MiNewt 600 Cordless (which replaces an older corded MiNewt Mini that is still in our stash), along with a couple of PB SuperFlash Blinkies on my seatpost and messenger bag.  The MiNewt 600 is a big improvement on the corded Mini; although a little heavier, it is brighter, cordless, easier to mount on and off of the bike, also USB rechargeable.

My own philosophy on night riding is kind of two-fold:

• In town, among streetlights, storefronts, traffic, it’s imperative to be seen.  Lots of lights front and rear, top and bottom, and my high-vis yellow jacket with reflective striping do a good job making me visible.
• Outside of town, when I hit the rural two-lane backroads, sparsely populated with no streetlights, and effectively pitch-black under a cloudy sky with no moonlight, it’s not only a matter of being seen, but being able to see.  I find that the two-light system works best for me here – my headlamp to a point further in the forward distance, and my bike-mounted light giving me a bright pool just ahead to better see pavement conditions and road debris.

nightriding: in town and on pitch-black rural roads

Needless to say, the ride home was exhilarating.  The winds that were my foe on the way into town in the morning had now become my friend as a tailwind.  It was like flying home, without much effort.  Record time, I think.  Outside of town I flushed a couple of deer in the roadside woods – fortunately not onto the road in front of me.  The sky would momentarily light up with lighting in distant clouds, and the thunder would rumble a few moments later.  It was an exciting adventure.  But I arrived home before even a drop of rain fell.

Perfect timing; it’s what happens when you pack insurance.  ;)

After giving myself a few days off – no biking, swimming or much of anything else – I got back out today, thankfully feeling more like myself.  I rarely get sick, or injured, and typically try to push through it if I can.  But taking a few days to rest and lay back was a good thing, I think; I feel so much better than I did on Friday.

It was raining all morning, but the clouds began to break up shortly after noon, so I decided to make a grocery run – #5 on my Ultilitaire control card.  Two bags of groceries, a gallon of milk, a quiet ride through dripping trees, cows in damp fields, and the smell of springtime in the air.  Zig-zagging a route on back roads and out of traffic, feeling my legs again after several days off of the pedals.   Mileage guestimate: 7 miles.  Daffodils emerging: gazillions.

yin & yang storm clouds

back roads home

daffodils

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Per Utilitaire 12 rules 5 and 6, today’s ride will get logged as a second entry for “any store that is not the grocery store”.  I rode to Target.  Barely.  This cold has gotten the best of me over the past few days, and my sinuses feel like they are filled with cement.  My teeth hurt.  But I needed a few small things – laundry detergent, juice and a couple of cards to send to my boys –  and this is a short round trip (8 mi).

My observation for the day: our local school-bus driver could stand a refresher course on the 3-foot passing rule.

Today’s Utilitaire 12 destination: our local public library.  I almost didn’t make it out today; I am battling an annoying upper respiratory bug, which makes me want to just sit around with a box of tissue and lots of hot tea (along with an ample dose of decongestants).  I figured a new book might help, and the library would be a quiet and relaxing destination, so I decided to ride Elisabetta for a relaxing kind of ride.  Fortunately, it was a really beautiful day – and all the more incentive for wanting to get out of the house.

I am not a frequent visitor of our local library, I am sad to say.  I’ve found the book selection to be lacking, and have been frustrated with attempts with inter-library loaning.  Within the past few years, the library has undergone extensive renovations – and the physical facility changes are very nice.   I looked for a couple of books (which they didn’t have, of course), thumbed through a few other volumes, and took a look around at all of  the new rooms.   There is even a cozy coffee/sandwich shop, Lasater’s, that has opened on the main floor of the library.  With the proximity to the local University, it appears to be a popular and well-frequented addition.   Thumbs up for the coffee, too.  Even though I left bookless, I enjoyed the trip.

I rode on the Greenway to and from town – always a nice ride on a sunny day, lots of people out walking and jogging.  I don’t keep an odometer on Elisabetta, so I am only guessing on today’s paltry mileage – 16-ish?  It was just enough for the way I am feeling today … Hoping this passes soon.

library coffee shop

feeling bleh...

]]> http://shebicycles.com/2011/11/23/arachnophobike/ Wed, 23 Nov 2011 22:51:18 +0000 shebicycles http://shebicycles.com/2011/11/23/arachnophobike/

today's bike rack "friend"

So I had to make a quick bike run to Target today.  I arrive, go to lock up my bike at the rack, and spot this lovely little arachnid along the building next to my bike.  It looked suspiciously distinctive, and upon closer (but not too close) look … yep, a black widow.  (And yes, she was fully alive and well.)

Now it’s not that I have any big case of arachnophobia; I happen to think spiders are kind of cool – as long as they are not crawling on me.  But this one, being a little package of poison – I swear she was eyeing my bike and thinking how nice and cozy it might be to sneak into my panner while I was in the store.  It looked like a mighty nice home, rather camouflaged, nice and dark, an easy place to hole up … and wait.

Yes.  I’m an idiot.  And my mind runs in ridiculous directions.  Never the less, I moved my bike to the other side of the building.  Just in case.

looking for a new home in my bike?

a color-coordinated house for your 8-legged "pets" (?)

I might try to revisit this idea again in the future … so if you missed out this time, or want to send a new collection, I’d love to have you send your photos to me: shebicycles at gmail.  Thanks for sharing.  :-)

from Myrna in MN; cyclist, writer, pilot and devoted mom/wife ... who has mastered the art of travelling light

from Kellie S (in CA?); paddler and cyclist ... and I love her bird notebook/journal

from Tim M., student, musician, cyclist and all around creative guy ... and his artful collection; I loved his descriptions of the place each item holds in his life

from Lynda S ... a very prepared and organized cyclist from AZ, who is married to the "world's best bike mechanic" (lucky girl!)

from my Flickr friend, Mary G in our nation's capital ... dedicated bike commuter and randonneur extraordinaire; I covet her bikes as well as her commuting gear. I can't believe there's not a Little Package cap in this shot...

]]> http://shebicycles.com/2011/11/10/the-road-home/ Thu, 10 Nov 2011 23:09:55 +0000 shebicycles http://shebicycles.com/2011/11/10/the-road-home/

late light

There are moments on my bike where I wish I could magically bring along a non-cyclist, put them in my pocket or carry them along somehow – just so they could experience the incredible feeling and the beauty of traveling home quietly by bike.

It is a glorious time of year to be on a bicycle.  I love coming home in the late afternoon light with the trees glowing and the long golden shadows, there is a chill in the air, and I have that wonderful tired-but-fulfilled feeling that comes from a beautiful day spent riding from here to there.  I know that a warm bowl of soup is waiting for me in my warm kitchen.  Maybe some spiced tea and a good book later.  I wish there were a way to share the feeling with someone who’s never experienced it.

Why would you want to travel any other way?

time again for gloves and my PINK! visibility jacket

Xtracycle: carries anything and everything ... and more

I’ve seen several other cyclists post pictures and discuss the stuff they carry by bike – especially among my commuter friends.  It’s interesting to see.  The stuff of daily work, laptops, cell phones, keys, locks, cycling caps, spare parts, cameras, snacks, books, Moleskines …  It’s as varied as the bikes they ride.

And I’ve recently been following a couple of very visually interesting sites:  What Do You Carry and Things Organized Neatly.  They’ve made me think about the things I carry every day, and the ways I typically carry all of this stuff I cart around – especially when I’m on my bike.  I always have some bike “emergency” items (multitool, spare tube, levers, etc.) stashed in a small saddle bag – but for my daily-use stuff of every day life, I typically use a Rickshaw bag, a Chrome messenger bag, an Ortleib Back-Roller pannier … or, of course, any bag/purse/tote on my Xtracycle.  They all serve me extremely well, form and function.

my Rickshaw custom poppy bag

my Chrome messenger

the things I carry ... every day

While the contents are not always so neatly organized, I thought I’d lay things out just to see what I carry nearly every day.  It was an interesting exercise.  Here’s the (rather ridiculous) list of the inventory:

• a snack (today it’s an apple)
• sunglasses (usually on my head)
• camera (varies – but today, my 7D with 24-70mm f2.8L and 50mm f1.8)
• iPad
• “Wreck This Journal” by Keri Smith (an ongoing project … long story)
• wallet
• keys
• stylus
• eyeglass cleaning cloth
• lip balm
• iPhone
• reusable shopping bag
• three Lamy fountain pens (different nibs and ink colors)
• Moleskine journal/sketchbook
• journal pen/brush assortment
• headphones
• Flapper Girl coffee cozie
• watercolor field set
• green tea mints

Sorry, no bacon.  Or beer.  If you have any interesting photos of the things you carry by bike, I’d love to take a look and share them on my blog.  Neatly organized or not.  :-)

Day 139 ~ their sign was missing; I thought this made a nice replacement

A few of the random pictures from the recent days of #330daysofbiking.  (And I am on a mission to try and stay on top of things from here on, not letting this stuff pile up into one big post.  Apologies.)

The weather has been pretty spectacular; dry and not so hot.  Lovely and cool in the mornings and evening.  Fall is around the corner, and the prospect of autumn riding stirs my heart.

The official count:  As of today, have ridden 147 of the past 160 days.  Sometimes nice long road rides, sometimes just a grocery haul or errand run.  On my own, or with “my boys” or friends, it is the daily elixir – it is happiness in motion.

Day 140 ~ the little reminders that fall is on its way

Day 141 ~ pedaling, pedicure ... pedalicure (?)

Day 144 ~ just groceries and errand-riding

Day 145 ~ it was great to have Dillon home for the weekend; *perfect* riding weather too!

Day 146 ~ back at Berry, riding around the Mountain Campus & Winshape Retreat (see note below)

Note: Returning Dillon to school, had some time to check out more amazing architecture on the Berry campus.  This is part of the Winshape Retreat located within the Berry property. Story behind it: college founder Martha Berry traveled to France and upon return, decided to build a dairy farm resembling the architecture of Normandy. It was part of the college’s Ag pgm for over 75 years. Eventually, the Cathy family (Chick-fil-A chain) was given the opportunity take it over when the dairy operation changed location, and they converted it into a retreat for church & marriage encounters, a youth summer camp, as well as corporate gatherings, etc. They also offer a variety of scholarship opportunities and special residence halls for Berry students up in this area, known as Berry’s “Mountain Campus” … several miles removed from the main academic center.  The students living at the Mountain Campus have the option of taking a shuttle bus (humorously referred to as the “chicken wagon”) to classes, or cycling/walking on the Viking Trail – which is a great paved path between the two locations.  It was a beautiful ride (below).

Day 146 ~ riding the Viking Trail between Berry's Mountain Campus & Main Campus (no Norsemen, but plenty of deer)

Day 147 ~ riding home from errands; between rumble strip and overgrowth of waist-high weeds, I'm not too happy with TDOT lately

riding home

I know … good grief; another barn.  If there were other scenery around, trust me – I would spare you.

Today’s ride: into town to meet my friend Shelly and her daughter for lunch.  Good to catch up.  The conversation was better than the lunch.  Oh well.  Managed to dodge the thunderstorm that rolled through later in the afternoon.  Thankful for small favors.

... and in 1875, Hugh Martin explodes (?!) ~ sidewalk timeline, Dayton, TN

It has been a rather crazy couple of days — at least more eventful than 1879, in any case.

I know this is a biking blog, and I really do try to keep these posts about biking stuff … so forgive me if I lose the thread a bit with this one.  There are bikes involved, I promise, but this is going to end up being a picture story.  Bike stuff and non-bike stuff, I will forewarn you. (Hey – I am not making anyone read this, so I don’t want to hear any complaining… ).

Day 101 – Began the day with some bike commuting; a swim, some errands, and a stop at the bookstore for a new NYT crossword book (my brain needs more exercise than my arms and legs, trust me) and a glass of pomegranate green tea.  Ahhh…

bike, tea, brain exercise

In the evening, we headed to Chattanooga ….

Chattanooga at night - Market Street

… because the boys’ band, The Night Shines, was playing at the Mosaic.  Best show ever for them

Boaz (vocals), Grant (bass)

The Mosaic was a pretty cool place – music, original art, and … a bike.

(digitally manipulated) bike inside the Mosaic

Day 102.  Headed to nearby Dayton, TN, home of one of the most infamous publicity stunts/evolution-creation circuses of the 20th century – the Scopes “Monkey” Trial.  (I write this, hanging my head in, well … embarrassment). Also the site of the above sidewalk timeline (lol), evidence that plenty of goofy stuff apparently has happened – and not happened – in Dayton.

Each year on the anniversary of the trial, Bryan College and people of Dayton put on a big re-enactment of the whole show-down – which just happened to be taking place this weekend.  Gah!  Our only reason for going to Dayton today was for a stop at their local music shop – Grant was looking to buy a new bass guitar, and had found one here.   The music store sits directly across the street from the courthouse where the whole Monkey Trial anniversary party was happening.  It was, er, … interesting.

The Rhea County Courthouse - home of the Scopes "Monkey" Trial

high wheeler inside the music store - apparently the owner had been riding it on the street for the re-enactment festivities

Grant got his guitar and we headed back home – The Band had another show tonight in Cleveland, and Mark and I were heading over to one of the local vineyards for some blueberry gathering.   It’s been a bumper crop this year; I’ve never seen the bushes so full.  We picked about 13 pounds of delicious berries; just perfect for my favorite No-Bake Blueberry Pie (archives).

bountiful blueberries

a little post-berry-picking wine tasting at the vineyard

Came home (again), tired, but Mark and I decided to head out on the bikes for a dinner date … pizza and salad at our favorite little local spot.  Nice way to end the day, riding home just as darkness settled – lights and plenty of Blinkies.

The end.

(For now, anyway… )

bicycle pizza date - Dovino's

Today’s ride was a mid-day commute to the pool for a swim, and a few errands on the ride home. Not my favorite time to swim; I much prefer the early morning lap-swimming-only time, but some days it just doesn’t work out that way. Mid-day tends to be full of kids cutting through the lap lanes, not looking where they’re jumping in (occasionally on my head), and today some 8-year old spotted my pull buoy at the end of the lane and was about to walk off with it (I saw him and promptly put an end to that idea).

It’s back to horridly hot and humid, and the best place to be is in the water … and next time, earlier rather than later. Same for the riding, I’m afraid.

the good folks of Gardner's Market

Today’s ride: a bicycle date.  Beautiful (and cool!) ride downtown to meet Mark at one of my favorite lunch spots, Gardner’s Market.  Located in the heart of downtown, it is full of charm and character, from the gourmet treats on the shelves inside, to sidewalk cafe tables and window-boxes filled with flowers.  The owners and staff are efficient and friendly, and maintain an atmosphere that is both informal and intimate.  Their delicious deli lunch items are fresh and made to order; my favorite is their California Veggie sandwich on whole wheat, full of sprouts, tomatoes and avocado goodness.  And I won’t even begin to mention their freshly baked muffins and cookies … (ymmmm).

In a little gift/antique shop next door, we saw this great little Schwinn Sting Ray Orange Krate in the window – such a great little bike from “back in the day” (circa 1968-70′s), complete with banana seat and 5-speed Stik Shift (LOL)  I’m glad I was pre-occupied with my lunch (and lunch date), because otherwise I would have had to find out if it was for sale (and for how much?)!  It was a beauty.

Schwinn Sting Ray Orange Krate in the window

Riding into downtown, partly on the Greenway and then through the streets of the Historic District, made me realize how I really need to get into downtown on a more regular basis.  I love riding through the pretty neighborhoods, stopping at the library, a lunch break at Gardners, having tea or coffee, popping in to see my friend Charles at Trailhead Bikes, the summertime weekly Farmer’s Market, visiting friends Jeff and Sarah … lots of reasons to head that way, and I need to do it more often.

my bike outside, and (Teas)

... and a nice spot outside to enjoy your tea

caught in the rain

To the pool today.  Another day of unpredictable – when it came to the weather.  Sun, clouds and wind on the way to the pool; not so bad.  The swim part was more work than the biking part today.  Not that I strictly adhere to a regimen when I swim, but most days I like to follow one of my old swim club workout sets  - primarily to mix it up.  (I have almost perfected the skill of being able to doze off and nap while swimming, so the “mixing-it-up” part tends to keep me conscious).  It was a long swim today – for me, anyway – and by the time I finished, the storm was brewing outside.

Sure enough, got caught in a downpour on the way home.  No rain gear, of course.  Thankfully it was brief.  From wet (pool) to wet (rain).  Oh well.

anxious to be swimming outside (soon!) - rather than inside

another one of the typically (un)productive ways I spend my day

of course when you have no rain gear, you can just see it coming ...