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.