After a little bit of snow on Friday morning, which melted away quickly, we had some great weather again this weekend. I was absolutely delighted to go for a run on both Saturday and Sunday. On Sunday, I worked a trip to the drug store into my loop. It was fun to get an errand done without driving anywhere.
We've been lucky so far this fall with such mild weather in Michigan. I know it's only a matter of time before it turns for the worse. I'm planning to use any money that I get for my birthday and Christmas to buy a new pair of running shoes and a bike trainer, so I can continue to work out indoors. I'm planning to do a tri probably in June, so I'll have to start training in February or March. I've been doing a little research on the lower priced trainers - under $300 - but I'd love to try one out before I buy since I've never really used one before.
The Rapid Wheelmen are going to have trainer days at two of the local bike shops during the winter. I think I'll go to one and see if I can try out some different models.
Does anyone have experience with a trainer that they like in my price range? What are the pros and cons of the model?
Monday, November 30, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Slump
We've had relatively lovely weather this week. Not that it hasn't rained at all, but the sun has come through a noticably large amount and the temperatures have stayed around 50 degrees F. Really nice for fall outdoor riding and running.
Unfortunately, I've spent the last several days recovering from a stomach flu and haven't been outside for more than a walk around the block.
I'm all better now and seriously itching to get out for some kind of exercise. I've got to claw out of the grey sky feeling and get back into a routine. I welcome the approaching long weekend and will surely delight in working off some of the many calories I eat on Thanksgiving day.
Bring on the turkey...and the bike!
Unfortunately, I've spent the last several days recovering from a stomach flu and haven't been outside for more than a walk around the block.
I'm all better now and seriously itching to get out for some kind of exercise. I've got to claw out of the grey sky feeling and get back into a routine. I welcome the approaching long weekend and will surely delight in working off some of the many calories I eat on Thanksgiving day.
Bring on the turkey...and the bike!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Indian Summer
What a beautiful weekend here in Grand Rapids. After an unusually cold spell in early November, we had an unusually warm spell this weekend. Even though I had many tasks that I could have done around the house, I just had to take the opportunity to hop on my bike and enjoy some miles in the sun.
Friday night I rode about 10.5 miles before it got too dark. Then I got up early Saturday morning to ride 25 miles before going to my niece's 4th birthday party.
As I rode, I discovered that the entire Kent Trail system has been repaved since I rode it last. Wow! That is some nice smooth asphault. No more bumps from sub-pavement tree roots or wheel swallowing pot holes. In my rush to get outside, I forgot to take my camera with me, so sorry I don't have any photos. But picture gray twiggy trees arching over a brown leaf covered path. Despite the lifelessness of the trees, the scene was still kind of pretty. Just wait until all the tree branches have a dusting of fresh, sparkling snow on them. Not that I'm in a hurry for the snow to arrive.
In fact, I have a friend who recently moved to Michigan from California. She keeps hearing about the cold and snowy winters and wondering what that will be like. I honestly wouldn't mind if this type of weather continued until spring and she never found out!
Friday night I rode about 10.5 miles before it got too dark. Then I got up early Saturday morning to ride 25 miles before going to my niece's 4th birthday party.
As I rode, I discovered that the entire Kent Trail system has been repaved since I rode it last. Wow! That is some nice smooth asphault. No more bumps from sub-pavement tree roots or wheel swallowing pot holes. In my rush to get outside, I forgot to take my camera with me, so sorry I don't have any photos. But picture gray twiggy trees arching over a brown leaf covered path. Despite the lifelessness of the trees, the scene was still kind of pretty. Just wait until all the tree branches have a dusting of fresh, sparkling snow on them. Not that I'm in a hurry for the snow to arrive.
In fact, I have a friend who recently moved to Michigan from California. She keeps hearing about the cold and snowy winters and wondering what that will be like. I honestly wouldn't mind if this type of weather continued until spring and she never found out!
Monday, November 9, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Biking in St. Louis
The hubby and I travelled to St. Louis this weekend for a friend's wedding. The trip on Friday was under clouds and rain. Despite the weather, after several hours sitting on planes, the hubby and I decided to take a walk in Forest Park before getting ready for a wedding rehearsal in the evening. The fall colors were still beautiful. We discovered a little nook called Turtle Park.
We awoke Saturday morning to a lovely, sunny day in our Old English style hotel called the Cheshire Lodge.
One of the rooms contained a display of photographs from St. Louis history. I was particularly excited about this one.
After about 20 glorious minutes of coasting down leaf-covered, curving trails, I realized that my rental car key had fallen out of my coat pocket. Oh no! I turned around and began back tracking to look for it. After the first pass, I hadn't spotted it. I was beginning to wonder how much Alamo would charge to bail me out. But on the second pass, I saw that precious little white key tag at the side of the trail and did a little dance of relief.
The park was wonderful to ride through! It seems like St. Louis has a pretty strong cycling community - at least in the area of the park. There were lycra-clad roadies, families with kids, young people on mountain bikes...a great mix of folks getting outside and active.
I didn't have time to see the zoo, the museums, the Worlds Fair pavillion and the many other fun sites of Forest Park. But the hour and a half on the bike made me feel so good! Except next time, I'll rent a bike with a more jeans-friendly saddle. ;)
After that, I returned my rental bike to the shop and headed downtown to the Hilton on the Ballpark to help the wedding party get ready for photographs. There were some great backdrops for pictures.
Pondering the life of a giant turtle.
It was a fierce battle, and in the end...
...the hubby conquered...
...but I was eaten.
The bear makes an effective security guard, don't you think?
One of the rooms contained a display of photographs from St. Louis history. I was particularly excited about this one.
The caption reads: "1932 6-day bicycle race at the Coliseum"
After exploring the hotel, I left the hubby to prepare for his best man duties and met the bride and bridesmaids for breakfast. While they were getting their hair and makeup done at the salon, I decided to take advantage of the beautiful day. I found a bike shop next door to the salon that rented bikes for $5/hour. I got myself a road bike and headed to Forest Park.
The park was wonderful to ride through! It seems like St. Louis has a pretty strong cycling community - at least in the area of the park. There were lycra-clad roadies, families with kids, young people on mountain bikes...a great mix of folks getting outside and active.
The Jewel Box
At The Muny opera
I didn't have time to see the zoo, the museums, the Worlds Fair pavillion and the many other fun sites of Forest Park. But the hour and a half on the bike made me feel so good! Except next time, I'll rent a bike with a more jeans-friendly saddle. ;)
After that, I returned my rental bike to the shop and headed downtown to the Hilton on the Ballpark to help the wedding party get ready for photographs. There were some great backdrops for pictures.
The Old Courthouse and the Arch
The hubby and I under the Arch, glowing in the sun
The wedding ceremony was very nice and the reception was fun as always.
Finally, this morning we left the Cheshire, filled up our rental car and headed for the airport.
This has to be the biggest AMOCO sign in the world. At a BP station.
I thought that St. Louis was a cool city with what appears to be a growing cycling community. I'll have to read more about it. It was fun to visit, but now it's good to be home in Grand Rapids.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Going to St. Louis
Sorry I haven't had much to report as of late. It looks like the only exercise I'm going to get this week is by raking leaves. Wet leaves, mind you, so some muscle will necessarily be involved. ;)
However, this weekend, the hubby and I are venturing to St. Louis. He's the best man in a long time friend's wedding. We'll have some time free on Friday before the rehearsal, so I'm hoping to explore Forest Park and see the Arch. That should involve a good amount of walking, so at least I won't be on my butt ALL weekend.
Image from here.
However, this weekend, the hubby and I are venturing to St. Louis. He's the best man in a long time friend's wedding. We'll have some time free on Friday before the rehearsal, so I'm hoping to explore Forest Park and see the Arch. That should involve a good amount of walking, so at least I won't be on my butt ALL weekend.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Fall color at work
I couldn't resist taking some photos of the trees outside my office window. It's been raining and gray for the past few days, but at least the leaves are pretty.
And courtesy of Yehuda:
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Bike Friendly Grand Rapids
A Bike Friendly City
When I saw this headline referring to Grand Rapids, I thought, "What? Really? Not a single bike lane and we get named a bike friendly city?"
Grand Rapids is "one of 15 cities to earn the title this fall from the League of American Bicyclists."
But as I read the article's explanation about improving conditions for cyclists and the hundreds of miles of bike paths that already exist in and around the city, I said, "OK...yah. You're right! We are making progress around here. Awesome!"
Keep it up Grand Rapids!
When I saw this headline referring to Grand Rapids, I thought, "What? Really? Not a single bike lane and we get named a bike friendly city?"
Grand Rapids is "one of 15 cities to earn the title this fall from the League of American Bicyclists."
But as I read the article's explanation about improving conditions for cyclists and the hundreds of miles of bike paths that already exist in and around the city, I said, "OK...yah. You're right! We are making progress around here. Awesome!"
Keep it up Grand Rapids!
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Neighborhood fall colors
I had to capture some of the fall colors around my house before they fade away. I love the bright oranges and reds!
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Cycling bloggers swoop on Chicago
My trip to Chicago this weekend was a wonderful whirlwind!
The trip began Friday night with five people and one bicycle piled into one car for a three and a half hour drive to northern Chicago. Those five people then packed themselves into one hotel room for six short hours of sleep before embarking on their various adventures.
Early Saturday morning, while my husband and our friends got ready for a Magic the Gathering tournament, I woke myself and my bike and took a shuttle to O'Hare airport where I boarded the blue line train into the city. I got off the train to ride my bike a couple miles through construction and light morning traffic to reach the terminus of the brown line. Finally getting off of the Southport stop, I was greated by a sight that made me smile - a bike lane!
I sat down at Ann Sather, the shop under the El bridge with the orange canopy. I got a cup of coffee and read my new copy of Mountain Biking while I waited for Dottie of Let's Go Ride a Bike and Elisa of Bike Skirt to arrive. When they came through the door, I recognized them right away!
It was a pleasant suprise to also meet Mr. Dottie, Elisabeth from Bike Commuters and Braxton and Ashley visiting from Alabama.
We had to partake of Ann Sather's famous cinnamon rolls.
At the end of the Lakeshore Trail, we discovered a cute path covered in a tunnel of trees near the Navy Pier. The Dotties had never seen it before, so it was exciting to check it out...and of course, take more pictures.
Then it was time for me to meet my college friend, Melissa, for a trip to a pumpkin farm. At this point, I could have consulted my maps and found the nearest subway stop, but Elisabeth took the lead, and we wove our bikes through the busy Chicago streets right to my friend's door.
I truly had a wonderful time with my fellow cycling bloggers in the windy city. I had a huge smile plastered to my face as I rode along Lake Michigan taking in the cityscape and hearing the stories of how they each fell in love with cycling. All of our conversation about riding in the winter and attempting to ride my bike in street clothes instead of my normal bike shorts and jerseys was inspiring. I think I might commute to work more this winter - layered in my comfy wool sweaters and long coat. I might have to pick up some of those studded tires, though.
As the day continued, I went to the Bengtson's Pumpkin Farm with Melissa and some friends and ended up tagging along with them to see Seinfeld do his live standup show at the Rosemont Theater. Then, Melissa and her boyfriend helped me find the impossibly hidden comic shop where the rest of my GR crew had played Magic all day. We once again loaded up the car for the cramped but smooth drive home to Grand Rapids.
The trip began Friday night with five people and one bicycle piled into one car for a three and a half hour drive to northern Chicago. Those five people then packed themselves into one hotel room for six short hours of sleep before embarking on their various adventures.
Early Saturday morning, while my husband and our friends got ready for a Magic the Gathering tournament, I woke myself and my bike and took a shuttle to O'Hare airport where I boarded the blue line train into the city. I got off the train to ride my bike a couple miles through construction and light morning traffic to reach the terminus of the brown line. Finally getting off of the Southport stop, I was greated by a sight that made me smile - a bike lane!
I sat down at Ann Sather, the shop under the El bridge with the orange canopy. I got a cup of coffee and read my new copy of Mountain Biking while I waited for Dottie of Let's Go Ride a Bike and Elisa of Bike Skirt to arrive. When they came through the door, I recognized them right away!
It was a pleasant suprise to also meet Mr. Dottie, Elisabeth from Bike Commuters and Braxton and Ashley visiting from Alabama.
We had to partake of Ann Sather's famous cinnamon rolls.
It was so strange and wonderful to me to be known by people I've never met in person. And this was the first time that I've met some of the inspiring people that I feel like I've gotten to know through the online cycling community. Over our omlettes and crab cakes, we talked bike commuting, racing, blogging, life... We come from all over the country, but we share so many experiences. And I know I have learned from these cycling blogger women, too.
After breakfast, Elisa had to get on the train to head home. But Dottie, her husband, Elisabeth and I hopped on our bikes. The cycling Chicagoans served as very gracious tour guides as they showed me the Lakeshore Trail and stopped every five minutes to take pictures. One of the nice things about hanging out with other bloggers is that we all want to record the highlights of our experience in photos to post on our blogs!
At the end of the Lakeshore Trail, we discovered a cute path covered in a tunnel of trees near the Navy Pier. The Dotties had never seen it before, so it was exciting to check it out...and of course, take more pictures.
Then it was time for me to meet my college friend, Melissa, for a trip to a pumpkin farm. At this point, I could have consulted my maps and found the nearest subway stop, but Elisabeth took the lead, and we wove our bikes through the busy Chicago streets right to my friend's door.
I truly had a wonderful time with my fellow cycling bloggers in the windy city. I had a huge smile plastered to my face as I rode along Lake Michigan taking in the cityscape and hearing the stories of how they each fell in love with cycling. All of our conversation about riding in the winter and attempting to ride my bike in street clothes instead of my normal bike shorts and jerseys was inspiring. I think I might commute to work more this winter - layered in my comfy wool sweaters and long coat. I might have to pick up some of those studded tires, though.
As the day continued, I went to the Bengtson's Pumpkin Farm with Melissa and some friends and ended up tagging along with them to see Seinfeld do his live standup show at the Rosemont Theater. Then, Melissa and her boyfriend helped me find the impossibly hidden comic shop where the rest of my GR crew had played Magic all day. We once again loaded up the car for the cramped but smooth drive home to Grand Rapids.
Le'ts do it again soon!
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