I know there is still almost a week left, but travel constraints are moving the deadline up a bit. I headed out on the Xtracycle, knowing that this was going to be a big haul. In a perfect storm of logistics failure we ran out of all sorts of household stuff the week before Christmas. One could not ask for a better day to head out and ride.
Crisp, cool and clear with just a light breeze. Traffic was not too bad yet, but the stores were jammed. Appropriate transportation choices ensured that parking was a cinch.
I am still always surprised that my bike is lonely at the racks. This shopping center is even graced with the local Trek store, but being on a bike still seems to shock the average shopper. All in all, just a nice day to get out and run some errands, while gliding through the seasonal mayhem on two wheels.
Parting shot, I wonder if the baby is still available? While only a few days past "almost new" it could be a deal at this point with a little shop wear ;)
Happy Holidays (in case this is my last post for a bit), have fun and play outside!!!
It has been a pretty bikey day in spite of the chilly weather. We rode as a family to breakfast the ladies all bundled up against the 40 deg temps. Then later as it warmed up into the 50s I headed out to the farmer's market. Pretty close to perfect, but I should have had something to keep my knees warm.
I know better when it is below 60 or so, but with it being sunny I decided to push it. The price is not too bad, but they are sore now, and kind of make me feel not so young at the moment.
As part of the efforts to get more motivated with my riding, I decided to track my efforts on the phone with a GPS app. It still surprises me when the data comes in at 14 mph averages, sitting upright in the wind at least half the trip, on a 20 mile around town loop. Not to bad for a guy feeling out of shape at the moment riding on a fat tire bike loaded with produce. We will see how the rest of the week goes.
Another productive week, more time to get things going with childcare going four days a week, Friday is daddy day. Fun stuff all day culminating in a ride to the hardware store to work on counting and then off to the beach. She has fun playing with the other kids, but part of me misses that first year already.
The days are getting shorter still, the time seems to be getting away faster and the motivation to ride has been waning a bit with the cold windy weather. I am working on a plan to get re-motivated, to ride and make pictures like last winter. For now just enjoying the day with my little girl as it is coming to a close.
Happy Friday, and be sure to play outside this weekend!
Grocery Escape December 06 2011, 0 Comments
Broke away from the workshop today to make a quick cross town grocery ride. The winter, read freezing, santa ana winds we have been having finally stopped for a day. It was a perfect time to get outside. Not a cloud in the sky, and clear views out to the islands.
I recently pulled the front bag off of the Roadeo fo ra couple of reasons. I did not make it, and that complicates the answer when people ask where I got the bags. And secondly, coming back to this bike after riding the Trek with a low trail front end geometry I wanted to more accurately be able to assess the effects of load placement on handling. I am still able to haul a decent amount of stuff with the roadeo before things start to get too flexy,
the biggest problem I experience with this load it flex in the saddle behind the clamp due to the attachment of the bagman support. One should expect a little give over bumps and such with an extra 30 lbs or so cantilevered out there. Bottom line, it get the job done, but I actually prefer the handling of the Trek with the load in the front.
And last, a little humor at the intersection.
Town has stayed pretty bikey this winter, every year I see more and more people out, maybe this is a sign that things are making the shift towards "cool"
This morning was the perfect day to go hunt for a tree. The morning low was in the 30's and it actually felt like winter. By the time we had breakfast and loaded up the bikes it was a little warmer out, but still pretty cold by California beach standards. There seems to be an abundance of tree yards this year, and I was able to work out a fun route for a family ride, with little or no traffic.
The ride to the lot was balmy, but the hills helped keep things warm, and the views were incredible now that the last week's wind and dust had settled down.
With the mission half accomplished, Aly decided that the new family ride to get a tree tradition, should include hot chocolate, and who could argue with that.
From there we headed home to unload the tree.
The day was staying nice, the wind never really came up the way it does in the afternoon here. I set up the tree, switched bikes and headed back across town to run some errands and grab a load of food at the Farmer's Market.
I can only imagine how nice it must have been up in the mountains today, this weather is about as good as it gets.
The legs are feeling pretty spent at this point, rest and picture break is over and time to hit the kitchen. Thanks for taking a look and I hope it was this much fun getting your tree this year.
On a side note I finally am coming around to the Facebook thing, still feels a bit funny for some reason, but it is pretty easy to find my, Ocean Air Cycles page and I hope that it makes it a bit easier to follow me here if that is the way you like to keep up on and share things with your friends.
It has been an incredibly busy week coming off of a 4 day break. Today I made it out to ship off what is likely the last round of eBay auctions for the year.
The last few days have been mostly in the shop getting ready for a craft fair at my wife's work, Patagonia. This is a good thing as it forced me into putting a few of my ideas for soft goods into reality. Fringe benefit will be some market research.
You have already seen the touring wallets, now in the shop. The neck gaiters are a fantastic solution for a scarf that can not fall off while you ride, and are in incredibly versatile layering piece to have in your kit. The first round is made from some nice merino wool, I have two different weights on hand. Also, hitting the market tonight will be my first round of prints, limited edition of 100. I plan to offer these four times a year, themed to the season. This one is "Winter Riding - California Style". All of this will be hitting the shop in the next few days.
If you are local and have the time, the craft show is tonight in the firehouse at the Patagonia campus, north building, 4-7 PM. I have been bumping into more and more readers as of late, and that is probably a good thing. Thank you as always for your readership and support.
Have fun - Play outside!
Mid Day Escape November 23 2011, 0 Comments
Yesterday was a perfect day to get out and ride. Crisp clear blue skis with thin clouds. The shipping and receiving team headed out to run some errands.
Once the hard stuff was done, it was off to the beach,
This is the kind of weather we pay extra for, just a little chilly, but you can not complain if you are wearing shorts still.
The rain stopped long enough that things could dry out this morning, and I would not feel guilty taking my buddies project bike out for a few morning pictures.
I am really happy with this build, Trek 613 650b conversion. I am working on the detailed writeup today, should have it posted by this afternoon. These older Treks are just fantastic bikes.
Crazy Day November 09 2011, 0 Comments
The Niner finally sold, did another Local TV interview recording session, 18 month progress for the little girl at child care, and still grabbed a minute or five to roll through the swap meet and by the beach.
The weather has been fantastic, cold mornings, but the days are about as good as it gets. Momentum is building in with the bike commute scene in our local community. Likewise I have had a couple of good meetings this week to keep the tailwind blowing on this venture. Also, all the parts are in for a couple of builds I am working on and should have some progress posts in the near future.
Crisp, cool and clear with just a light breeze. Traffic was not too bad yet, but the stores were jammed. Appropriate transportation choices ensured that parking was a cinch.
I am still always surprised that my bike is lonely at the racks. This shopping center is even graced with the local Trek store, but being on a bike still seems to shock the average shopper. All in all, just a nice day to get out and run some errands, while gliding through the seasonal mayhem on two wheels.
Parting shot, I wonder if the baby is still available? While only a few days past "almost new" it could be a deal at this point with a little shop wear ;)
Happy Holidays (in case this is my last post for a bit), have fun and play outside!!!
