Fog chronicles

Right on my back, not too far off is that beautiful burnt orange massive bridge entirely covered by thick fog.

On a late Tuesday afternoon, I decided to join the ninja crew and cruise to the other side of the fog force. Mist in the face, wool on the arms and the longest drooling mocos from the nose because it was just that foggy-moist out, made up for a great misty night ride.

It wasn't the tremendous effect of fog, the I-own-this-hill feeling coming into or out of the city anymore, it was returning into the presidio and encountering closed roads and construction areas. Only went in for a tad (I'm pretty sure it is rather unsafe and, if those guys see you will be pretty upset) but to see any of the big tonka trucks hard at work – I will always call them this — is just awesome.

Men at work

When I was 4 my dad asked me what I wanted for my birthday, I said: a big steal measuring tape. Of course I dont recall this, but I recall the measuring tape thing (was huge) and of course my bike. This picture reminds me of both.
The fog, a construction site and the possible sightings of men with hard hats.

Today, August 4th is a special day deep in my heart +there will be no cake but as always, I can get on my bike, explore roads that are unaccessible to vehicles and most motorized traffic and celebrate life.
♥xxo.m

Baggage. We All Have It.

One of the common challenges of a life lived without a car (or with only occasional car) is how to carry your stuff with you. I, for one, am consistently amazed at what I bring with me places (not to mention how much all that crap weighs!). Equally amazing, to me, is how one cargo solution that works today will be utterly wrong the next. This means that I, being a little obsessive about having the right tool for the job, have a few options for carrying crap around the landscape.

I will start with the most recent solution (it is the easiest to find pictures of). Carrying a camera all the time can get kind of complicated. I don't have the talent with my point and shoot that Meli does, and I end up carrying much bigger cameras. Wearing them all the time can become tiring and I hate how fussy camera bags are (especially if I have to carry them around when off the bicycle). So I did this-

I use a bag that holds my lenses and wallet and decided to come up with a way to make it into a pannier (I hate having my camera bounce around in the basket). I use these really cool clips to turn my bag into something that can be secured to the rack.

These clips could be used with a variety of bags and purses. In the future, this will be super helpful as I will be removing the front rack from the Bat once I am no longer carrying Declan everywhere. I could use this set up with any of my Coach bags, my Timbuk2 purse, my backpack... just about anything. Those clips hold 25 pounds each, so I am good to go! The rack keeps the bag out of the spokes and the whole thing is easily removable and isn't as awkward as carrying around a big pannier when not pedaling.

That is enough about baggage for today. I will write about my other options at another time. You, of course, are waiting with baited breath.

Weekday Glide

It's a workday. You have things to do and stuff to carry. However you do it, do it by bicycle! Automatic style points for top tube gliding.

Ooops!

Riding home from dinner on Saturday night, I looked like this.

Despite it being July in California, I am wearing a cashmere sweater dress under my jacket and that hat is wool (as were the socks inside my knee high boots). At this point I was pedaling pretty fast to get warmed up when I noticed a throbbing in my legs.

Why? I'll show you.

Yep. That is a big, lumpy bruise (pictured three days after I got it). I have three more just like it. All my own fault, no room to share the blame.

I was riding on Wednesday night, hell bent for leather to get to the bar before everyone else so I could get my hamburger order in before the hoards (I was hungry, what can I say?). I miscalculated a driveway and slammed the curb almost head on. Over the bars I went, or rather, straight through the bars I went bending light mounts, bells and brake levers alike. Fortunately, I know how to fall and landed on my back instead of my hands and face, with no other injuries than some bruised thighs that throb when the blood gets pumping through them.

The poor guys that saw me make a complete fool of myself came flying to my aide and were amazed when, from my back on the ground, I threw up my hands and yelled "I'm all right!" I was declared "bad ass" by those who witnessed my folly (James does not agree with the title and forbids me to fall off my bicycle anymore) and went in to get my food (priorities).

Moral of the story- When you are in a hurry, do not take the driveway : ) If you do manage to throw yourself off your bicycle, patterned tights do a great job of camouflaging your ignominy.

Men Bicycle, Too

There is a lot of emphasis on getting women on bicycles these days. Maybe knowing the nice guys they could ride with would help.

black and white saturday

shark week starts tomorrow! just saying.. ^_^
happy weekend, all!

TGIF, best of craigslist style.

tip/hat to our dude patrol, this was way too funny to not share.
best of craigslist > new york > Stately Dutch MILF Magnet