tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10503241847526905582011-07-28T06:47:02.476-04:00Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09465495364732790007noreply@blogger.comBlogger271100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050324184752690558.post-7818026768138180692010-01-27T12:36:00.000-05:002010-01-27T12:36:40.821-05:00

A headline from yesterday shows the National Park Service is planning on opening Grand Canyon National Park to bicycles.  I'm so excited to see the NPS taking this step.  If you are an current operator, ambitious entreprenaur, or dream with a business plan,  take a minute to head over and check out the details. And if you are none of those, but love riding add this to your future plans. 

Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09465495364732790007noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050324184752690558.post-38544285458298628552010-01-18T20:07:00.001-05:002010-01-19T09:01:31.926-05:00

An urban bike like Chuck is not complete without a set of lights.  Keeping in line with my cheapskate philosophy, I have been looking for some purely functional lights since getting Chuck.  Over Christmas, my nephew showed me the lights on his little bike.  He uses them simply to be able to ride around the yard and go back and forth between Grandma's house and home.  I was surprised how bright

Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09465495364732790007noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050324184752690558.post-37494689784097161202010-01-13T22:00:00.000-05:002010-01-13T22:00:00.569-05:00

 The recent cold weather gave me time to focus on some little bike projects that I had been putting off.  Top of my list was getting my speedometer/odometer off of the old Fuji and onto Chuck.  This project took several phases starting last week.  First I detached it from the Fuji which was the only "easy" part of the whole thing.  As soon as I got it off I decided to try and turn it's miles

Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09465495364732790007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050324184752690558.post-35085334765465608982010-01-10T21:40:00.001-05:002010-01-11T12:52:14.605-05:00

We decided to battle the cold today and get out in the sun on the bikes.  We decided to start out in the direction I will eventually be taking on my commute.  We knew from the start that we weren't up to doing the whole trip to work and back-the cold weather and dark nights have been obstacles to getting any real quality rides in lately.  We started with a tentative plan of a certain checkpoint

Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09465495364732790007noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050324184752690558.post-15839163612543590602010-01-06T20:45:00.002-05:002010-01-07T11:06:18.997-05:00

It has been bitterly cold here the last week or so which means Charlie Brown has been looking out the window wistfully while leaning against the wall.  We did manage to get out and do 2 hours of hiking over the weekend even though the temperatures were in the low 20s or lower with wind chill.  My cycling focus has shifted to indoor projects for the time being though.  I have been trying to slowly

Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09465495364732790007noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050324184752690558.post-37780490881381840462009-12-25T21:00:00.003-05:002009-12-25T21:00:00.380-05:00

Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09465495364732790007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050324184752690558.post-26687034004674991652009-12-25T20:00:00.000-05:002009-12-25T20:00:00.816-05:00

Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09465495364732790007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050324184752690558.post-53985278526181505732009-12-25T19:00:00.000-05:002009-12-25T19:00:01.380-05:00

Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09465495364732790007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050324184752690558.post-43986485253654006172009-12-25T17:00:00.000-05:002009-12-25T17:00:00.756-05:00

Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09465495364732790007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050324184752690558.post-36783776361011655222009-12-25T15:00:00.000-05:002009-12-25T15:00:00.276-05:00

Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09465495364732790007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050324184752690558.post-28465974840228259832009-12-25T13:00:00.001-05:002009-12-25T13:00:00.643-05:00

Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09465495364732790007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050324184752690558.post-12991195958454184712009-12-25T11:00:00.000-05:002009-12-25T11:00:04.328-05:00

Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09465495364732790007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050324184752690558.post-22384386847981073122009-12-25T09:00:00.000-05:002009-12-25T09:00:03.559-05:00

Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09465495364732790007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050324184752690558.post-30227436914960191632009-12-24T21:00:00.001-05:002009-12-24T21:00:00.381-05:00

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there. The children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads. And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap, Had just settled our brains for a

Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09465495364732790007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050324184752690558.post-70213109762524544112009-12-24T17:53:00.001-05:002009-12-24T17:53:47.879-05:00

Christmas, Christmas. Last minute shopping, baking cookies, board games, carols, decorating the tree, and presents, presents, presents. I just wanted to share a really great gift idea for anyone who may be hard to buy for on your list, or someone who lives far away, or a neat way to honor a loved one who has passed away. Actually this type of thing is great for any occasion, but I find it

Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09465495364732790007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050324184752690558.post-50718960907572347252009-12-21T07:35:00.000-05:002009-12-21T07:35:27.577-05:00

I have read on various blogs the merits of the wool cycling jersey.  From adventuring to hardcore training to bike camping, bicyclists sing the wondrous properties of the wool jersey.  It breathes, it keeps you cool, it keeps you warm, it's naturally odor-resistant, it looks better than Lycra/Spandex, its natural, its "green", by god, it damn near a miracle shirt.  Put one of these on and you

Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09465495364732790007noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050324184752690558.post-76022337485205922062009-12-12T16:40:00.001-05:002009-12-12T16:40:59.246-05:00

So a couple weeks ago, poor old Charlie Brown's seat got a bit twisted during the ride. This made it really uncomfortable--amazing what a difference an inch or two can make when it comes to comfort and fit on a bike.  Now on all my old beater bikes this year, an adjustment to the saddle was about the easiest thing to do and I had no problem fiddling with my old adjustable wrench to get the right

Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09465495364732790007noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050324184752690558.post-79291817875858834292009-12-12T16:39:00.001-05:002009-12-12T16:39:19.940-05:00

One of the fun things about my new Globe Vienna 4 is that you can choose your own head badge.  It's nice to be able to put something personal or new up there from time to time. I decided a bike with all of Charlie Brown's character needed a head badge that would make a strong first impression.  The results of the poll a few posts ago make this the new head badge for Chuck! Can't wait to take

Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09465495364732790007noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050324184752690558.post-17037502857440540162009-11-26T11:09:00.004-05:002009-11-26T11:50:13.142-05:00

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. ~JFK

Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09465495364732790007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050324184752690558.post-77332352359161551312009-11-24T18:05:00.001-05:002009-11-26T10:45:24.614-05:00

One of the neat things about my Globe Vienna 4 is that you can customize the headbadge.   As someone who changes my desktop photo at least weekly, the impermanence of this appeals to me.  Globe simply added a frame where the headbadge is normally affixed that allows you to slide your own picture into the slot.  I like knowing I can update that photo with the seasons, with pictures I've found or

Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09465495364732790007noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050324184752690558.post-18298771807510691552009-11-22T22:25:00.002-05:002009-11-26T10:45:08.663-05:00

It is so good to finally have my new bike in my possession.  Friday evening I went to the LBS to pick it up and was impressed with how kind and friendly the bike shop employees were.  One of them helped to put the bike onto my car rack for me.  One of the mechanics even took time on his way to his car to explain a detail about the bottom bracket that I was confused about.  I'm already looking

Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09465495364732790007noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050324184752690558.post-33664837090655411422009-11-19T22:31:00.002-05:002009-11-19T22:33:44.327-05:00

So how did this all happen? How did I win a free bike from Globe and become one of their team of bloggers? I first found out about Globe Bikes on the Bikes for the Rest of Us blog.  I went from there to the Globe bikes website and sat drooling over the different models of bikes.  I looked at every model, but became most interested in the Live and Haul models.  A few more minutes browsing took

Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09465495364732790007noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050324184752690558.post-46356218616775663672009-11-17T14:06:00.004-05:002009-11-17T21:40:48.602-05:00

After reading this post and the ensuing comment about the glories of nighttime riding, I've been able to think of nothing else--even though I am "working" and should be plugging away at my case load.  I know that when I do get my bike, I am going to need to do some night riding because 1. I won't be able to stay off my wonderful new bike and 2. my work schedule has a possibility or changing which

Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09465495364732790007noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050324184752690558.post-42966087454397038352009-11-16T10:32:00.003-05:002009-11-19T09:14:46.084-05:00

Yesterday was a perfect day for riding.  The sun was shining, the air was warm and there was that crisp warm smell/feeling to the air that can only be described as “autumn.”  We decided to head down the road to ride near the golf course, despite the fact that it has been awhile since we have ridden on the road and there is a killer hill on the way home.  It was warm enough for shorts and a

Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09465495364732790007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050324184752690558.post-83999665516846253012009-11-08T17:39:00.001-05:002009-11-17T14:53:44.668-05:00

When I was growing up, I had a Huffy (made in the USA) with a banana seat.  It probably was cheap and it lasted me for something like 8 years.  After that my little sister had to use it for a couple years.  My parents put streamers on it, put those fun little spoke things that made cool clinking noises on and finished it with a basket.  My sister was not impressed but that bike just wouldn’t die.

Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09465495364732790007noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050324184752690558.post-76221357916871755102009-11-06T22:08:00.001-05:002009-11-17T14:53:56.029-05:00

A story from my teenage riding days: I remember my first big kid bike.  It was a cheapo "mountain bike" from Wally World.  I did actually use it for trails.  I lived out in the boondocks so there were no greenways, no maintained mountain bike trails.  I discovered some old logging roads on the hill behind my house. I had to take a circuitous route to get back to them but then I would ride their

Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09465495364732790007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050324184752690558.post-38527368779042946572009-11-03T20:55:00.002-05:002009-11-19T09:16:36.758-05:00

I remember the day clearly. I remember the sound of her voice over the sound of the tinny Christmas music playing on the mall speakers. I remember my heart thudding and my palms sweating. I remember so many details and the exact words she used: "The doctor says to tell you you have diabetes." That's it. I asked her what I was supposed to do. She said the doctor says diet and exercise for

Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09465495364732790007noreply@blogger.com6