Summer Lovin'...

Summer is my favorite time of year.

I have not been here much,

and I am glad for it.

Because 

I have been soaking in

every

single

moment

of

Sun

and

warmth.

I plan to continue my

Summer Life,

and as time allows may stop in here

for a visit.

A few weeks ago

I planned a night

of enjoying

Summer,

our bicycles,

good food,

and new-to-us entertainment.

me, him, us...

me: 40 years 6 months
him: 41 years
us: 16 years

nothing better than a lover's ride
with your sweetie
on your anniversary.

H, you've been pushing me for 16 years,
and today was no exception,
thanks for the nice ride,
today,
and always.

good things make life better...

Late Summer Nights: Sunny on the way there. Dark on the way home.

we have had a LOVELY string of late SUMMER weather.
I had put on our schedules awhile ago a lecture I wanted to attend.
so I arrived home from work,
put on my favorite cycling skirt,
and off H and I went.

easy peasy parking - dusk to dark

there are many reasons why we rode our bicycles:
1. We live about 4 miles from the destination, an easy peddle on over.
2. Parking at the University is a pain and expensive, not so with a bicycle.
3. I needed to move my body.
4. It is a fun thing to do together, much more fun than sitting in the car.
5. With this gorgeous weather, how could one not want to get out and enjoy it?

I realized later that it was fitting I wore my favorite Japanese fabric skirt.
I want to make more of these skirts,
the waist is a little higher and I shortened the pattern to the perfect length,
both work swell when I feel the need to slip on bicycle shorts underneath
(like on a hot Summer's night going to a lecture when I didn't want sweat stains).

If you haven't noticed on this blog,
I have a thing for art, design, and architecture.
I also have a thing that's been brewing for awhile
for Japan.
I hope to continue to focus on those things here
because they are what make me me,
make my days more interesting,
stretch my brain,
and make the world a better place.

photo: Atelier Bow-Wow "Pony Garden"

Atelier Bow-Wow is my new favorite.
I learned so much at this lecture.
Most of all I appreciate their approach to architecture and space.
What a wonderful thing when the spaces we move in
change our behaviors for the better.
If we all could be so lucky to spend time in one of their spaces,
what a better place the world would be...

the people we once were...

Long Holiday Weekends
are about spending time
with the one you love
doing the things
you want to do.

H and I needed yesterday.
An early morning lover's ride,
up before the city.
sigh...
Then in the afternoon
H took me for my inaugural ride
on his new motorcycle.
We picked up lunch,
had a picnic by the lake,
and purchased books
at our favorite bookstore.
We were to have left on vacation
yesterday,
but work changed all that.
So instead, we have taken what we have
and tried to make it what we can.

Five years is too long to let life pass you by.
It was so great to hop on the motorcycle
and remember
the people we once were.
So easily they were lost,
so hard we are trying
to get them back...

Happy Holiday Weekend Everyone!
May you be doing all the things you want to do.
And getting back in touch
with who you are.

Our book purchases:
The Dirty Life
The Summer Book
The Lost Cyclist
In Patagonia

it doesn't matter where you are...

his...hers...

We have been talking about it
for months,
and last night
we were finally able to do it.
Warm Weather 2011 Bike Dates.

The Goals:
Time together.
A 'different' form of exercise.
The Rules:
Close proximity to the homestead.
Take the bicycles.

We always enjoy our Lover's Rides,
but in the last umpteen years, we have both ridden a lot
solo.
This summer,
because of where we are at mentally,
where we are at physically,
and where we are at literally,
we want to spend a little bit more time together,
on our bicycles,
doing something old,
that is new again.

I feel like I keep saying it,
but it has been one hell of a last 6 months.
One day your life changes,
and there is nothing you can do about it.
Sometimes the change moves in excruciatingly slow motion.
This seems to be happening a lot,
and it is filling us with stress,
apprehension,
anxiety,
and I guess a little fear.
We've been bummed,
and we are trying to work our way out.

It's time to
retune,
refuel,
redirect,
reconnect.

FINALLY!
A most oustandingly beautiful day.
Sun, 70, and outside ALL day.
Capping it off with a nice pedal
to our local Japanese restaurant.
Perfect!

they had THE coolest little lights at the restaurant.
hyggelig!!


left: H built up a new 'city' bike
out of an old racing frame, some parts cannibalized off of other bicycles, and some new parts.
had to fix one thing after we got going...still tweaking.

Right: of Course!
2 miles from home I remember~
I forgot the key to my bicycle lock!
need to stop doing that, it's a real bummer.
thank goodness for the spare cable lock!

headed home...

Success.
We had a lovely time.
We engaged.
We rode.
It doesn't matter where you are,
when you embrace what you have,
make what you want it to be,
and share it with the one you love,
suddenly the world looks different,
and so do both of you...

for those of you who pay close attention,
you may see something here that raises an eye brow,
or two.
more on that soon...

lover's ride...

It's a Beautiful day.
The Sun is shining.
I get a call at work.
A message is left.
"I was thinking we could go for a lover's ride after work..."
Hell yeah!
By 5:30 the lycra is on
and we are off.
Just like
riding a bike...
Nothing like sharing
my first ride of the season
with my Sweetie!
Thanks H!

Oh yeah....
IT'S ON PEOPLE!!!

gumption...

I got up the gumption the other night
to take advantage of what is sure to be
one of our last
Summer evenings.
H & I gathered up our bikes
and headed down to Oktoberfest
on the banks of the Mighty Miss.

Let's just say that Oktoberfest
was not the most captivating
experience I have had in my life.
But of course,
it was more about the journey
than the destination.

It is the moments in between
that I treasure most.

The warm sun shining on our backs
as we sipped a cool German beer.

The new to us park
that took us out to the River.

The mustard or ketchup
someone dripped on my pedal~
wait mustard or ketchup on my pedal?!

The ride home
with my best man by my side
bicycle wheels turning
lights illuminated
chatting and laughing.

I wish we had time to do this more,
but I am glad we had time to do this.
It is these special moments
that create a whole.
A hyggelig moment to return to
again and again...

time to get crankin'...

yup, those are red shoes and a skirt
headed on down the trail...

what a great night for a party.
talk about the great Minnesota get together...


art crank 2010 opening night

feel the bike love...

Zara Gonzalez/Jessica Hall Burns

yes, people were actually not just drinking beer
they bought art too...

distance to destination: 1.8 miles
bike path: 85% of travel route
weather: perfect
bicycles: Pash & Cass
skirt: a little restrictive, but no worries for this ride
heels: no problem
drink: rush river amber ale in a bicycle bottle
line for drink: way too long...
saw: this guy, more on that later...
more info: here

beercycle...

our weekend is off to a good start.
nothing like a little beercycle
and enjoying one of the last of the warmish summer nights
with friends.
I absolutely love riding bicycle on summer nights,
so peaceful,
so free...
love it.

Happy Holiday Weekend Everyone!

a little live action footage...
yes, this video is sideways - forgot about that little camera detail.
just tilt your head and enjoy....

Personal Best...

me at Lake Minnetonka (Wayzata side)

It has been a goal of H's for me all Summer to take me out on one of his rides.
It became a goal for me as well, but I was not fixated on it, I just thought it would be great if I could do it.
Well, I did it.

H rolling into town

Yesterday we rolled into the town of Wayzata, landed at the coffee shop where all the cyclists rest and refuel, and I promptly razed my bicycle above my head (sadly not captured on film...)

right after the ceremonial bicycle lifting over my head

When you work hard it is nice to push yourself and reward yourself. My longest rides to date had been around 35 miles, I knew I could do 50, but I was not sure how hard or painful it would be.
After a Summer of riding solo, it was so great to have some company.
And on the longest ride of my life, it was great to have someone as truly supportive as H along with me.

Luckily, it was an absolutely perfect day. Temps in the 70's, clear sky, and no wind (thank you!!!!). I had a fabulous ride out and felt the best I have felt all summer, I was a little nervous on the way home at how I would feel, but gladly I felt great. I had a few areas of discomfort rolling into town, but to be expected - luckily one of these was not my back, which it usually is. I turned to H on the way back into town and said that I never want to get rid of my Trek, it is absolutely hands down the best bicycle I have ever had and it fits like it was custom made for me. A 5o mile ride without a sore back would have been unthinkable to me before this bicycle came into my life.

I owe the experience, my sanity, and the bicycle thanks to H,
but I owe my success to me.

nice to be in the 'country' by the lake

I have worked hard all summer to get back into shape, to attain a new level of fitness, and to be as happy here as I can possibly be. These were all personal goals in the misdt of other transitional goals in my life and I am thankful for the time to accomplish many of my goals, to attain a new focus, and to work towards the next set of goals.

I go back to work tomorrow.
Yes, I did end up getting a job.
I have officially passed the torch o'bike-riding-fun onto Dottie and hope she gains as much from her time off as I have had.

Thank you for joining me on the journey.
It is really only the beginning...

And for all of you Dutch-bicyle fans,
sorry for all the lycra - but what can I say? I love it.
More Pash love to come...

seasonal bliss...

I've said it before and I'll say it again...
I love my Saturday rides...
It felt like summer, but with a hint of Autumn in the air.
And as a bonus, at mile 17.30 I came upon H practicing for his first Cross race of the season in the park.

I set my bike by a tree, watched the last couple of drills, and then we enjoyed a lovely ride home together and found something new...

Euro-style bike rails right here in our little neck of the woods.

Speaking of Saturday rides...
This video is my first from an early August ride.
I rather like the jumbled beginning...

Thanks to Marc for the technical troubleshooting.


-RIP hank&me. My first blog death. So long alex. ride on... sniff. sniff.
-Critical Mass Minneapolis. This particular ride was a bit calmer than ones in my previous city...
-We saw one of these at the Nature Valley Grand Prix and I forgot about it today until Mikael brought it up. Curious to know more. Look for updates here. More info here.

-As always, the fine City of Minneapolis sends us these updates:
Two bikeway closures are affecting bicycle travel. The first is the reconstruction of Marquette and 2nd Avenues in downtown. A Bicycling Community Advisory has been issued by project staff. Sections of the bike lanes are closed on both streets. Work will continue through the end of 2009. Alternative routes are on Hennepin Avenue (bike lanes) and 3rd Avenue (no bike lanes). At times general traffic lanes will remain open, and bicyclists may use those lanes. Please use extra caution when bicycling through this area. Here are a few tips to keep you safe: Ride with the flow of traffic, unless a contra flow bike lane is open. Stay visible by not riding in the gutter. Ride where the right wheel of a car would be. Follow traffic signals, and signal turns and lane changes. Use headlights and taillights after dark. If you would rather be on the sidewalk, walk your bicycle. Sidewalk riding is prohibited in the downtown business district. Use heightened awareness at intersections, and be particularly cautious around turning motorists. Read more about defensive bicycling. When Marquette and 2nd Avenues reopen, the bike lanes will no longer exist. At that time Nicollet Mall will be reopened to cycling traffic 24 hours a day. The City Council has directed City of Minneapolis staff to study the possibility of bicycles using the bus lanes on Marquette and 2nd. A recommendation has not yet been made by staff to the Council. For more information on this project, visit the MARQ2 project website.

The second closure is the Washington Avenue bridge over the Mississippi River. Hennepin County has eliminated the bike lanes due to concerns over the strength of the upper deck of the bridge. Because of high pedestrian traffic, bicyclists must walk their bikes through the enclosure. University police are enforcing this rule. Read more about the closure on the University of Minnesota website. A signed detour route using Bridge #9 is currently being developed. The bike lanes on the bridge are expected to reopen in the spring.
Happy Riding,
City of Minneapolis Bicycle Program

And with that, I switch up the weekend patterns with an early afternoon ride to St. Paul. Happy Sunday!

savoring Saturday's...

Every Saturday all Summer long (and now Fall) I treat myself to a long bicycle ride.
I ride because...
I love to ride my bicycle
I look forward to 'me' time all week long
I love the quiet solitude of an early Saturday morning
I love getting somewhere powered by my legs
I love reaching the lake as I near my half-way point
I look forward to gaging my improvement
I like to stay in shape
I like how my legs are looking
I like how I am feeling
I feel lonely if I do not get out and see what is going on in the City
I like seeing other people bicycle
I love to be outside
I love the Sun
There is no better way to savor a Saturday
and besides, what else would I be doing?

But after hundreds of miles, multiple solo rides, and growing weary of repetition, it was great to have some company today.
H finished racing a few weeks ago and has been winding down before he winds up for 'Cross season.
He puts on way more miles than me and way more of them solo, and was feeling like a little company too.

It was oh so nice to savor Saturday together.

warm memories...

Sweden Installment 5
The Kronan Test Ride
When I first stumbled upon Kronan bikes I sent an e-mail to the SF rep who kindly put me in contact with sweet, sweet Maria in Stockholm. Sadly Maria and I never were able to meet, but we e-mailed once I arrived into town and she set me up with a test ride. What a very special afternoon we had riding our single speed Kronan's around Östermalm,


then over to Djurgården

finally over to the main drag where the high school graduates were having so much fun we could smell it (the best one was the beer draining out of the truck like a river - ah to be young again!).

Stockholm was so happy to see us on the Kronan's they sent out the Royal Guard!

Our take on the Kronan Single Speed is that though a blast, these beauties are HEAVY. From Maria:
I are happy that you enjoyed your stay and that you could see the beauty of Stockholm. Our 3 -peed bicycles weights 21 kg (46,3 lb ) and the 5 -speed 18 kg (39,68 lb), the Kronan bicycle are manufactured in Taiwan.
Our 'free' bikes were not adjustable seat-wise, so they could have been a little more comfy, but overall - I loved the seating position.

I loved riding the bike, I just couldn't make it up (yup, had to walk it) or down (had to turn around) the hills in Djurgården with the one-speed and the coaster brake (which scared the heck out of me at the first few heavily pedestrianized intersections). I definitely concluded that though I love the concept, a single-speed coaster brake bike is not for me and the places I want to ride in Minneapolis. And though people talk about how weight shouldn't matter - it does. My ride downtown is about 5 miles one-way (I talked about this before) - I want to do it on a Dutch-style bike, and I'm an American - so I don't have much time, therefore weight and gears are important to me so I actually do it.

When we got home I decided the Kronan Aluminum 5-Speed was the bike for me - the price is right, the look is right, the weight and speeds are better for me. Yeah, made in Taiwan - but oh well, things can't be perfect.
Unfortunately things are going to have to wait - moving here, fixing a house, and drinking $9 beers in oh-so-beautiful Sweden have delayed this purchase until later in the year. At first I was dissappointed because I had finally made a decision, but you know me if you read this blog - I like to do research and this gives me a few more months, and another biking season to make sure that the Kronan is the 'right' choice for now.

The Skeppshult will always be my true love, and I wonder what it would have been like riding the Nova on the same route - but that is to discover another day and a bike to aspire to at another time...