A Dr. Phil Moment

This afternoon I watched Dr. Phil.  He was differentiating aggression and assertiveness.  He said aggression was defending your rights at the expense of the rights of others.  Assertiveness is defending your rights without infringement on the rights of others.  Little did I know that snippet of wisdom would be illustrated in my life an hour or two later.

Chris has already written up the events of the day, so if you follow Pavements Edge, please forgive me for repeating.

The Back Story

Our youngest and I ran to the store this afternoon on the Ute to pick up a few groceries.  Our trek takes us through our neighborhood to 57th Ave (which has bike lanes) to a shopping center.  We cut through the parking lots to a light to a second parking lot to a light to the King Sooper parking lot.  This path keeps us off major roads and we pedal through these lots that are NEVER busy.  Our trip to the grocery was uneventful.  As we locked up the bike I noticed nasty black clouds to our west.  We sped through the store and used the self check out to get going ASAP.  Loaded and off we headed toward home.  Our first stop was the intersection at the King Sooper lot and Independence.  This intersection contains to eastbound lanes.  One for left turns and one for going straight or making a right.  I was going straight to the next lot and in that lane.  I take the lane at these intersections because people will try to squeeze around me unsafely and I had my 4 year old.  I like to be safe, especially with her.  I hadn't been there but 10 seconds when the rain started and a white Mazda pulls up, immediately blowing her horn at me.  She then screams out her window, "get out of the way!"...I wasn't in the way.  I was right where I was supposed to be.  IF I had been a car, she would have been in the same predicament.  I shook my head no and waited.  She continued to lay on the horn and scream at me.  (Using obscenities, I might add.  Nasty 4-lettered F words even!)  I shook my head no again and yelled back that I had the right of way.  She continued to lay on her horn and I waited for the light.  Only a few seconds later the light changed.  I entered the intersection and as she turned right she screamed at me, "You better move next time or I will make you move!"

I was so mad when I got home I shook for 15 minutes.  Chris explained to me what she did was harassment and if I had gotten her license plate number she could have been charged with a misdemeanor.  I didn't have a chance of course to get the plate number.  I doubt I will ever forget what she looked like, so you never know, I might get it next trip to the store.

Back to Dr. Phil

She was a fabulous example of an aggressive person.  You think she has the Warrior Gene?  Pavements Edge calls people like her a motofascist.  MFers for short.  I'm not sure what she was going to accomplish by  bullying me but I asserted myself so that I didn't get injured or give up my place on the road.  Another key difference in aggression and assertion is the rationality of the person in the situation.  I'd like to think I kept my cool.  She did not.  Let's hope when next we meet, she is in a better mood.

Colorado Bike to Work Day

May is Bike To Work Month.  June 22nd happened to be Bike to Work Day in Colorado.  We've been volunteering lots lately and signed up to help run a breakfast station here in Arvada.  Fun was had by all.

We arrived at the station off the Ralston Creek Trail near Balsam shortly after 6:30 this morning.  (Hey, I'm on vacation...I'm surprised it wasn't later.  ;-) )  Anne and Sandy had various muffins, bagels, fruit and yummy snacks ready to go.  The typical set up is under a pavilion at the park, but they lose a lot of riders who pass it up on the trail.  This year they decided to set up a satellite table with breakfast at the trail converge.  Chris and I were to man that.

The turn out was good.  We probably had about 40 riders stop by.  Passed out lots of Bike Arvada cards and talked it up.  All was good.

Speaking of volunteering, we helped at the 1st Aid Station for the Denver Century a couple weekends ago and helped out at the booth for ACT at the Rocky Mountain Bike Festival.  We've really tried to involve ourselves in the cycling community.  Everyone has been so amazing and we have had tons of fun.  Oh and we've gotten to ride our bikes!

Musings on a ride about town

I suppose you could say I scolded another cyclist today.  I use the term cyclist loosely, but she was on a bike.  I sure hope she doesn't drive a car like she rides a bike.  I was traveling up Pierce through Arvada and passed a woman on a bike, riding against traffic in the left lane.  I assumed she was almost to her destination and pedaled on.  I assumed incorrectly and was passed by her a few minutes later.  This time she was in the right lane, on the yellow line.  I figured she was just giving me room and was going to move over immediately.  She instead weaved in and out of both lanes of traffic.  I finally yelled to her that she needed to ride with traffic and get over to the right.  "Huh?" was her response.  I repeated and said it really is much safer to ride with traffic.  She headed my warning for a few feet and then repeated her erratic cycling.  Luckily we had made it to Seacrest Rec. Center and she pulled in to the parking lot.  It is no wonder that motorists get annoyed with people on bikes.  I get annoyed with people on bikes.

On a happier note, been riding lots.  Did almost 20 miles today.  Plans are to ride again this afternoon.  I'm hoping to have almost 40 miles by the end of the day.  Took the Ute out to Hyland and then Sunflower for groceries.  I think I'll take the road bike this afternoon.  I definitely notice a difference in the rides.  The Ute has a much more comfortable saddle, but my Giant flies!

Happy Mother's Day!

Today was a mother's day on bikes.  I'm usually the oddity out on the roads.  I typically see road bikes with lycra clad riders and guys on their Wal-Mart mountain bikes because the car is in the shop.  I will occasionally see a family-type unit, mom, dad and kids out and about, but today I saw no less than three different moms pulling their kids in trailers behind their bike!  Go moms!

Longtail Bravery

Chris commented a few days ago about my cycling evolution the past year.  I suppose my mentality toward cycling started changing a year ago, but I think the majority of the change has happened since I got the Ute.  I suspect my change is ultimately because I have the convenience of being able to haul kids, groceries and other necessities by bike.

Loading up for a trip to Golden

I also think it's because I'm getting a little dose of bravery when it comes to exploring my neighborhood.  I have traveled the roads enough to know how to get where I need to go and survive the detours if I take a wrong turn.  I've started picking Boone up by bike in the afternoons from school.  It's 18ish miles round trip so it would be tough to do twice a day, with kids.  I have elected to load Boone's bike in the subaru in the mornings and then ride up with Lily to grab him.  It works nicely because he is only having to ride 9 miles and most of it is down hill.  The first week I attempted it, we got more than 50 miles in on the bike.  Awesome.  Last week I only got one trip in.  We had rain!  Can you believe it?  Rain for days!  No rides.  It was sad, but we're back at it tomorrow and we're all pretty happy about the prospect.  

I think this step has been a good one.  There is a certain contentment that comes with using the bikes as our primary mode of transport.  

April's 30 Days of Biking Recap

I did not ride everyday of April, but I rode a lot.  Much more than I usually do.  I managed a couple trips by bike to and from Golden.  On Thursday, I ventured all by myself (with Bean on the back of course) to Westminster.  That was pretty exhilarating and empowering all at once.  Chris texted me the directions and without much thought, I just went.  In about one hour I maneuvered the Ute north and east to Hyland to pick up Boone.  With both kids on the back, I travelled home.  I was pretty thankful when I met up with Chris on Garrison and unloaded the big kid to his bike.  We did it a second time on Friday.  I think it is going to be a habit for me most days now.  Picking Boone up from school is a fun and easy way to add my bike to my day.

While I didn't do 30 consecutive days of riding in April I made a conscious effort to ride more.  I think I shall one up myself in May.  I have visions of a Thistle Gin transformation happening to me.  Who knows, maybe it will.

Car Free(dom)

We went the entire weekend without driving the car.  That's big for me.  Not a single trip in the car.  While I have tired legs, life is pretty amazing right now.  I managed about 36 miles on my dear Kona Lisa.  (With Lily on the back, I might add.)

We've modified the child seat to attach to my back deck and it works great.  Lil is much more comfortable.  We're getting more looks and comments about the bikes these days.  People are noticing us.  I like that.  We are visible and can promote cycling lifestyles.

I'll be back to driving tomorrow, but just to and from work.  Still haven't figured out how to get all the kids to Westminster by bike.  That will come with time.  Until then, I'll look forward to my car free weekends and the freedom of my bike.  :)

Let the Year of the Longtails Commence

Chris has really dialed in the CannonballX and other than a "quirky" front derailleur, it is running beautifully.  Kona Lisa got her brake lever fixed on Tuesday and I took her for a run this afternoon to the grocery store.

Oh, dear readers, going to the grocery store on your bike is a beautiful thing.  The whole family went on two bikes tonight.  Boone behind Chris, Lily with me.  I bet our travel time is about the same amount of time as when we drive.  No hunting for parking spots.  Glorious I say!  For those of you who fear the functional trips on your bike, let me reassure you that once you have your bike equipped with panniers or a basket, trips like that are so easy!  Even with the kids...

Speaking of bikes and kids, check out Bike Arvada's blog on the subject.  Enjoy!

CannonballX or the Frankenstein Bike That Sits Behind the Couch

Our little family is a fan of human-powered transportation.  We all have two bikes a piece.  Excessive?  Maybe.  But it feels oh so right.  Today our latest "creation" entered the family, the CannonballX.

CX has been the dream child of my husband for many months now, perhaps a better part of a year.  I don't remember what turned him on to the idea of a longtail bike, but when he got the idea he ran with it.  His infatuation with them eventually led to Kona Lisa's purchase and subsequent love affair with the family.  (Everyone--especially the kids love to ride on the Ute!)

With that said, we seriously began to embark on our "Year of the Longtails" a few weeks ago.  With our extra cash (thanks to Uncle Sam) we bought Lisa and ordered an Xtracycle conversion kit.  Chris's 1994 M300 Cannondale MTB, which we lovingly referred to as the Cannonball, would be the donor bike.  He painstakingly took it apart, leaving nothing but the frame.  17 years of fun had left the Cannonball in rough shape cosmetically.  We found a place in Golden willing to powdercoat the frame for us. As if the hand of God guided the process, both the frame and the kit came in yesterday.  Hallelujah, thank you Lord!  It is rough being the wife of a man who obsesses over his bikes.

Today was construction.  We (mostly him, but I was great moral support and Google search aficionado and Lisa and I made a couple trips to the local bike shop for little things) assembled the bike.  It's pretty amazing to see how and why things work the way they work on a bike.  I'm no pro after today, but I do know a lot more about the mechanics of bikes.  Now to explain the title of this post.  I like to think of the CannonballX as more of a Frankenstein bike.  He has parts from the Giant OCR (RIP), parts from the Orange Blossom Special and soon parts from my road bike.  He is a conglomerate of all the bikes we have loved over the years and I kind of think it's appropriate.

So it sits behind the couch tonight, waiting to be ridden.

I haven't driven to the grocery store in a while.  I don't think I have since I got the Ute, but I could be wrong. Taking Kona Lisa to the store is great.  I don't ever have to hunt for a parking space, it takes about the same amount of travel time, I'm getting a little extra exercise in my day and I don't even notice the weight in the bags.   Today I bought four reusable bags worth of groceries.  Loaded evenly in the two saddle bags and I flew home just the same.  (Uphill even!)

Speaking of going to the grocery store, there was another Kona parked at the King Sooper racks when I got there.  A "Dew" I believe.  While locking my cable, it's owner came out of the store.  I thought I'd get a congenial nod, but I didn't.  Pretty sure he was jealous of my Lisa.  :)

Can't We All Just Get Along?

I get that there is always going to be someone in the world that is annoyed by me, I get that not everyone will like me and I get that I will not like everyone I meet.  I don't waste my energy on worrying about that.  What I don't get is the idea that people will scream out their car windows at me (while my small child is on the back of my bike) while I ride down the street.

Case in point, Saturday we jumped on the bikes and did a mini tour of Arvada.  Breakfast in Olde Town, the army navy surplus store and the a jaunt to Echter's Nursery.  It's less than 1/2 a mile from our house to the nursery--riding our bikes there makes sense.  The street leading to the garden center is Garrison.  Garrison has a wide parking lane on either side.  I would like to assure the boy driving the SUV that I would have ridden in that lane given the opportunity.  Alas, he needed to get to the hospital or get to a fire so he could save kittens or something heroic along those lines and had to gun his engine, lean over to the passenger side and scream at Lily and I, "Get OVER!" as he flew by. (He had already yelled at Chris and Boone as he went by them).  I'd like to think about 10 seconds after he did that he was shaming himself, but I doubt it.

I understand that sometimes people get in a hurry and need to be on their way.  I'm probably not the first obstacle he encountered that morning, but I'm not sure what we were doing that was so horrendous as to deserve his vocal rants and raves.  I don't understand the possibility of endangering the life of a complete stranger, not matter how upset I am.

Not all people on bikes follow the rules.  I hope that because I am a respectful and responsible person, I reflect positively to the noncycling community.  I would like to think we can just all get along, if they only see that I'm not out to annoy them purposefully, nor am I riding recklessly.  I, in turn, promise not to assume all drivers are like the boy in the SUV.

Excuses...or the lack thereof

It goes without saying that I love my Ute.  I didn't realize how much I loved it until I was pedaling to the store in the snow and 30 degree temperatures.  Not once thinking about the car and smiling that I figured out a way to ride to day.

Speaking of which, April is 30 Days of Biking.  Remember to use that as an excuse to ride your bike--even if it's not a cool Ute like mine.

Carlite And Carfree With Kona Lisa

My darling husband has an infectious attitude in regards to cycling.  He isn't a "jersey guy".  You know them, they have their freshly shaved legs wedged into matching cycling bibs and wear a "I-might-be-sponsored-by-Chipotle" jersey.  No, he's not one of those guys.  In fact, since the carport massacre of 2010, he doesn't even own a road bike.  (RIP-Giant OCR)

BUT--my husband does think a bicycle can make our family better. (And we've got a pretty great family.) Because of this mentality we have gotten rid of the second car and increased the number of two wheeled transporters in the family.  And because he believes in the power of the bike, I believe too.

Last week, I made the suggestion that our family integrate carless weekends into our life.  It's not completely feasible to get rid of the car every weekend, but for most, our family will be quite successful.

What will going carlite for our family by going carfree on weekends mean?

First, it will be an instant way to make memories as a family.  Our children are old enough to enjoy the rides and are becoming bike enthusiasts themselves.  Joy and adventures go hand in hand.

Secondly, it becomes a built-in opportunity to create a healthier lifestyle.  I am the first to admit I need to loose weight, but I never find the time.  Building the bike in to travel means I am burning calories to get to and from the grocery store.

Of course carfree weekends equate to less gas being used and thus less money being spent on travel.  It will take a while to offset the cost of the Ute in gas money saved, but eventually it will.  And at the current prices it will be sooner than later.

I still love Forester Gump, our trusty Subaru, and all 260,000 miles on him.  I have a new number one in my life, Kona Lisa.  She's pretty and strong.  And I'm pretty sure Chris is right, she will make our family better.

The Name Game

3/4 of my family can fit comfortably on the Ute.  On Tuesday, we needed to go on a grocery store run and so I pedaled and Chris and Lily sat on the back.  Unfortunately I'm not so good at hauling that much weight yet.  A little awkward going up the little hill (and tough on the lungs) but possible.  That makes me happy.  With a little training, I think I'll be pulling everyone up the big hills.  Chris lugged us home after shopping and was a pro.

I'm still in love and think the Ute is the most amazing bike I've had the privilege of riding.

I have the day off tomorrow and the weekend is looking like the most beautiful weather of the year.  I am planning some major miles for my trusty friend.  By the way, she needs a name.  The Ute is definitely a girl.  Suggestions?

The Ute's First Commute

Chris is still "working out the kinks" on my Ute for me.  He took it on it's maiden work commute today.  I'm pretty sure the only time I've ever seen him happier was at the birth of our children and maybe our wedding day.  


He says, and I quote, "It rides better than any bike I've ever owned. I may run off and elope with it. It's been really hard for me not to run down and do a few laps around the parking lot."  The funny thing is, I wasn't really bothered by that.  :-)  


The weekend weather forecast is looking to be beautiful.  I expect a grand journey on the Ute for me.  I am daydreaming about traversing the multiuse paths in the area, ringing my happy little bell, grinning like an idiot.  


In other news, the CannonballX is being powder coated this week.  All the Xtracycle components will be in on Friday.  It looks like I may regain possession of my longtail in a week!

The Ute is the Loot and my Husband is the Thief

Over at Chris' blog, he has extensively pined for the Xtracycle coversion of his 1994 model Cannondale.  When I say extensively, I mean borderline stalker-type posts.  Guess what he hasn't done in the past 48 hours?  Talked about the CannonballX.  Why, dear reader, you might ask?  Oh, because he has hijacked my new bike.  

The Ute is being loving referred to as the new family car.  I was pretty sure it was mine, but Chris has piloted it far more than I this weekend.  I suppose I don't really mind to share, but when I want to ride, he better let me!

So far my thoughts on the bike are this:

First, it is a really comfortable bike.  The handle bars are cruiser style and keep you sitting up on the equally comfortable seat.  The grips are faux cork and easy to hang on to.

It is a nice looking bike.  While I could stand for a girly colored option, the black is nice.  The deck is a finished hardwood and the grain is pretty.  The bags this year are brown as opposed to the orange of previous models.

The gears are fabulous.  It's a 16-speed.  I was nervous about that, just because I am used to the 27-speed Giant (which I have ridden a lot this weekend--because Chris was, well, riding the Ute!)  I was worried it would be difficult to ride up the many hills of Arvada, but so far it seems to be great.  Loaded with groceries and/or kids might be a different blog post.  :)

So far my only qualm is the brakes.  It comes with disc brakes and these are squeaky and noisy.  My father has given me some useful tips to remedy this issue, so we'll keep tinkering with.  They stop me like they should and are responsive, so for the most part I really shouldn't complain.

They love it as much as we do!

In other news, we have made the executive decision to do carless weekends.  We managed to only do one trip by car in 48 hours.  With a little more planning we could have gone completely without it.  The Ute makes this idea so much more feasible and with the CannonballX coming next weekend, things will be a total breeze.

Longtail Adventures Begin

Chris rolled in from work a couple hours early this afternoon.  Cash in hand, the whole family ventured to Downtown Denver to visit our favorite bike shop.  Salvagetti Bicycle Workshop is a fabulous little place off Platte and 16th St.  They just happen to be an Xtracycle and Kona dealer.

As we walked in, I heard angels sing.  Pretty sure the light moved just enough to highlight the beauty of the Ute sitting along the left wall.  Grinning like an idiot, I told Scott (the owner) I wanted to test ride the bike.  I'm sure he was happy at the prospect of us actually spending money there.  

I was instantly in love.

In the off chance it didn't work for me, we didn't have any great backup plans.  I was sure it would work.  

The guys dropped the seat lower for my little legs and handed me a helmet.  It was so much lighter than I expected!  I plotted the route I would take in my head--over the Highland Bridge to Commons Park and back.  Off I went.  Off I flew!  The glorious seat--so comfortable.  The gears, shifting smooth and easy.  Brakes.  Oh the brakes.  Disc brakes that stopped on a dime.  Needless to say, we bought it.

Did I mention, I am in love.  

Coming home was interesting.  We're going to have to modify the racks on the roof of our car, but I don't anticipate driving the bike much anyway.

A few tweaks at home and we were ready to go.  Chris headed off first, since he hadn't had a chance to try it.  Up and down our little street he flew.  Then it was my turn.  I decided I wanted to see how it would feel with a load on the back, so I convinced him to jump on the deck and I hauled him up and down the street.  Not too bad at all!  Groceries won't be a problem at all.  We switched places and he gave it a try with me on the back.  By then the kids realized we were giving rides and were eager to join in on the fun.  Chris and Boone went first.  I think the bike makes them as happy as it does me.  Lily gave it a go and giggled like fiend.  

We've probably given the bike a good 10 miles just bopping around the neighborhood.  It is as awesome as I had imagined.

Kona Owna'....Soon!

Yesterday may have been my last trip to the grocery store by car.  No, my car isn't in need of repair.  I hope to be the owner of a darling Kona Ute by the end of the weekend.  (See the blog title above.)  My husband suggested I get one a few months ago.  I have to admit, the first time I saw it, I lusted and was afraid.  The Ute is a longtail bike--much larger than anything I've piloted before.  With the large saddlebags and utility deck on the back, hauling groceries and the kids will be a snap...once I learn to tame the beast.  Pictures and reports to follow.