Bici Reunion

Among a gazillion social events, vacation, a water leak at my apartment, freelance writing/editing and work this month, I've really missed my regular cycling crew. It's been, oh, weeks since I saw the breakfast on the bridge folks. Grace and her kimchee magic have been absent for I don't know how long. Two weeks? The Sunday market, all the Chattanooga Football Club games.... passed.

In light of my absence (from the blogging "industry" as well), I needed a refresher ride. Last night I joined about 20 other cyclists at Link 41 for the Beer, Brats and Bikes cruise around town to recognize Local Foods week.

The best part? I've never seen many of these cyclists. It felt like sweet success, like I could just sit back, relax, and enjoy myself instead of feeling obligated to drum up support, converse, socialize. Chattanooga's cycling community—and no, I'm not talking about roadies!—is growing. These folks came out in shorts and sandals (eh..) on cruisers, on mountain bikes, one BMX ride, you name it.

J and I didn't stick around for many of the festivities. In fact, we were almost overwhelmed by the crowd at Terminal. I ran into numerous friends, including former high school stand-outs who were catching up over a beer. Apparently it's time for my graduating class to get hitched. The first thing said long-time aquaintance did? Grab my left hand and look for a ring. She'd heard that someone with my name had gotten married, but no, it was a different girl with my name.

Either way, it was great to briefly catch up, exchange high-fives, ride around with J in the cool night. He spotted a shooting star from the porch—and we were the only ones who saw it! Exhausted from my midday kettlebell new workout, one of my new obsessions, I rode up Georgia with J, which I'm slowly growing accustomed to, and passed out.

Another day and we'll be headed to Philly for a family-filled 4th of July weekend. No bikes, again, which hurts my heart a little, but I revel in the excitement and adventure of traveling, especially in big cities.

New end-of-year goal? Finding a new place to live. More details to follow. 

I bike to be free!

I woke up to booming thunder and rain hitting my windows. I had been waiting for the line of T-storms to hit this morning, anticipating a frightful commute to work.

However, my fears were quelled by—who would've guessed—the Chattanooga Times Free Press!

This morning's paper was simply PACKED with pro-commuter, pro-cyclist information. The cover story discussed the push for a "complete street" concept to be included in future road construction and reconstruction.

A4 featured our very own Colleen Carboni and discussed her dedication to commuting. I consider Colleen to be my commuting mentor. I used to see her cycling in high school when I worked at the G. Who knew years later I'd so look forward to cycling with Colleen and Q and bike to work and Q's breakfast on the bridge, which I've been eagerly anticipating for months.

Colleen is a real inspiration. She talks of crazy commutes out to Lee Hwy, and I admire her steadfast dedication to her cycling and "locavore" ethics. I LOVE running into Colleen. She helps keep me positive when others get me down.

B1 featured a blurb about the Bicycling magazine article I mentioned in the previous post. The article quoted some bike shop gurus, including Mike Teff of the local Trek store. Apparently he's a full-time carless commuter as well! Congrats again, Chattanooga—we have so much to work toward.

I could barely control my enthusiasm for Bicycling magazine's designation for Chattanooga. I'm discovering that writing about cycling for transportation is one of the my favorite topics. Combine my love of Chattanooga with springtime weather? Recipe for success.

And in closing:

"Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving."
— Albert Einstein