bicycling Archives

New City, New People, New Activity

January 16, 2017January 9, 2017Posted in UncategorizedTagged bicycling, bike safety, biker church, TucsonLeave a comment

What I discovered about myself is that I truly do get tired of the same old, same old. I think that was why the various jobs I had in my life were fulfilling! Teaching, I dictated the activity in my classroom; administratively every moment was dictated by the circumstances within the school; personal training and teaching tennis allowed me to meet the needs of my client(s); hiking guide enjoyed nature through rain, snow, or sun and made sure clients were safe; and travel, especially when solo, necessitated me to be on my toes!

And now I am in a new city, meeting new people, and enjoying new activities all allowing me to be on my toes, and I love it! I know this does not come easily to everyone, yet I am okay with it all. It energizes me! It is not the same old stuff! I hope others have opportunities to shake their life up every so often as I think it more importantly makes one respect and appreciate all that is in ones day. It is amazing and should not be taken for granted.

Road bicycling in Tucson is a big deal. With more than 130 miles of dedicated bike paths and many more roads with bike lanes, I have increased my bicycling time and enjoy it. Around the city there are different places to see. There is what is called the “Bicyclist Church” and always a good time to remember to wear a helmet and bright colored clothing, bike ride with traffic, be a defensive rider, remember your nutrition and hydration needs, wear sunglasses and sunscreen, and be respectful of others on the road, trail, or path. I’ll see you here on a bike!

Snake!!!

June 22, 2016Posted in UncategorizedTagged bicycling, Greater Arizona Bicycling AssociationLeave a comment

The usual interaction with a bicyclist coming toward me on the bike path is a wave of a hand, a quick “hello”, or nod of head, But today, loud and clear, it was a simple word, SNAKE!

I had seen a snake when I first rode through this area and I did not stop to take a photo. It was just beginning its slither across the bike path. A woman said something to me and I responded that the snake simply wanted to get to the other side. As she stood there with her dog, I figured the snake may do an about-turn. But it did keep moving forward as she walked her dog away.

On my return trip on the same path, I thought for sure the snake would have been across the path by now and I would not see it. As I got closer to the area, a bicyclist rode toward me and with a loud voice yelled

, SNAKE! Okay then, maybe I will be in luck, see a snake and not have any other person or dog around.

I see the snake just finishing its trip across the bike path and on its way to someplace in the sand. I stopped to grab my camera and the snake immediately stayed in its place. No movement, and never did move until I get back on my bicycle to ride off.

Cool!

Slithered across a bike path in AZ! — Snake slithered across a bike path in AZ!

Where Do I Write…

May 22, 2016May 19, 2016Posted in UncategorizedTagged bicycling, writing3 Comments

Today’s writing challenge is two-fold: 1. where do I write, and 2. create a contact form asking people to suggest what I should write about at an upcoming writing challenge. Hmmm….

I write most often while traveling. That is matter-of-fact, tell it like it is, what happened today sort of writing in blog format so my family knows what I accomplished each day, along with some photos. It is sort of a diary that is especially helpful as I revisit notes after the trip.

My other form of writing is whatever I can write in about 15 minutes in response to something I heard on the news, or any annoying factor in my life, or a unique thought I have and I just want to write about it so all can become more clear in my own mind. I accomplish this flash-writing in various places and often have notebooks in different locations to write….and always with a smooth flowing pen!

My writing goal however is to write a book about each major trip I have taken so my niece, nephews, and great niece know something about me years from now when they may be curious who their aunt happened to be. But for now, they can read the travel blogs while I am out on the road.

Okay, so here is part two of today’s assignment… Maybe you would be interested in some particular thing for me to write about in an upcoming assignment I may have two weeks from now? I am looking for your suggestion. I have thoughts about everything so please do not hesitate to offer an idea. I am not sure what the assignment will be; however, please fill out the

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

and give me an idea of what you may be interested in having me write about….thanks!

Seeing a sign like this one could easily be something I can write about, think about, and hope that others care about its message……you too can write, take the time….

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — Grand Canyon Plants Need Protection

Young Bicyclists Practice A Myriad of Skills in My Interaction with Them!

April 17, 2016Posted in UncategorizedTagged bicyclingLeave a comment

So anyone who knows me is well aware of my continued interest in being sure young people have opportunities to practice, and learn when needed, their communication skills. I was walking a NC neighborhood the other day to get in my cardio time and to practice my photography.

I arrived at a grassy corner where two young people held a sign advertising bicycle stunts for $2.00. Despite their incorrect notation, I knew their goal and asked if the donation was for them alone. They mentioned it was for the soldiers. We discussed the fact they should write that info on their flyer to encourage others to realize their efforts were for a good cause, and so they did. I further asked if they thought the amount of the donation high, but we agreed if I could practice my photography skills we had a deal.
Off they went to get the appropriate bicycles. Arrival: one bicycle with training wheels so one boy could stand on them to do a wheelie….okay, that was unique! Another bicycle for stunt riding through a bumpy patch with no injuries to person or bicycle, and finally the two boys, each on a bicycle, doing an “X”….debatable, but done!
When I asked to be reminded of our negotiations, the deal was $2 to split with soldiers and then split between the boys. Wait a second, the plan changed? Oh maybe so!
I asked, take a minute, think again, be honest, truly tell me what will happen with my donation. Answer: $2, with $1 to soldiers and $.50 to each boy. Handshake and agreement as one of the mothers took the money to go with the neighborhood summer BBQ “benefit to soldiers”.
Mission accomplished! Always fun interacting with young people and having them practice their communication skills in the real world. (No photos here per my agreement to not photo young people for my blog, unless absolutely necessary, or individuals in a crowd. It is a personal belief I maintain, and besides, it is the story that is most important!)

Horchata…is to drink and enjoy!

March 2, 2016February 17, 2016Posted in UncategorizedTagged bicycling, bike paths, education, horchata, Mexican drink, The Loop in TucsonLeave a comment

I am creating a new habit, especially when looking for a beverage break while on a bicycle ride. There are plenty of coffee stands, yet I think I have discovered a real treat. Horchata!

I had no idea what it was, but when the vendor said “cinnamon”, I was willing to give it a try, and have been drinking it ever since. Oh, did she also say the rest of the ingredients?

The authentic Mexican horchata is made during a process that seems to take a few hours to prepare…no wonder I will always buy it when on the road…soaking rice, almonds…and pouring through cheesecloth and adding cinnamon. Actually, I have no idea how to make the drink, but it is delicious.

Give it a try some day, especially if you enjoy cinnamon!

enjoy this drink...horchata! — enjoy this drink…horchata!

Horchata — Delicious to the last drop! Enjoy iced on a warm day!

Use Your Head & Carry Medical Info.

February 24, 2016February 10, 2016Posted in UncategorizedTagged bicycling, bike safety, GABA, Habitat for Humanity, head protection, Medical Information Carrier System, safetyLeave a comment

We wear head protection in various places. For me, I wear a hard hat on location while volunteering at Habitat for Humanity and a bike helmet while riding my bicycle. Most times I am on my own riding or working with people who do not know me very well so it is important to have medical information easily available to them if I cannot provide it myself. Recently I became aware of the “Medical Information Carrier System”, MICS, available at www.idformyhelmet.com

You write your medical information on the data form they provide, fold it up and insert it in their carrier (a small neon plastic piece you attach inside your protective hat/helmet). For others to know you have this information available, in case of medical emergency, you apply a MICS reflective decal on the outside left rear of your protective hat/helmet.

Now you are ready to have help available for you, if needed. Also, it is good practice to look on the left rear outside of helmets now…encourage others to get the medical information carrier system and/or to begin creating for yourself a first aid responder’s habit. Be safe!

Easy way to carry medical info in your helmet.

Reflective Decal placed on left rear of helmet...is the standard. — Reflective Decal placed on left rear of helmet…is the standard.

You Too Can Be Up Close to a Rear Cassette!

January 28, 2016Posted in UncategorizedTagged BICAS, bicycling, GABA, The Loop in Tucson, TucsonLeave a comment

Thanks to a BICAS (Bicycle Inter-Community Art & Salvage) “Build-a-Bike” class, one can be up close to all the parts of a bicycle and begin the learning curve on how to care for them. A 20 hour commitment to start the education, and a lifetime of riding a bicycle and learning how to fix it! All great fun!