Just won this awesome trucker hat from Clif Bar's 2 Mile Challenge! I have been logging my miles there and on May Is Bike Month and although I mostly just do it for the swag, these are very important tools to gather data about who is riding, where, and how we can get others to join. Mostly, however, I just like the free stuff...

We've still been on the Mundo every day this month. Yesterday was BikeFest which holds a special place in my heart because I won a bike last year! Although I didn't win anything this year, we still had a wonderful time and got some good riding in, supported by some awesome Energizer Stations. There were so many great bikes out on the trail and on the road, it was wonderful. 

Since it is Bike Month, it has been nice to have extra riders around--safety in numbers, of course. I just wish they could keep it up all year. Unfortunately, there are still the uneducated drivers out there, yelling mean things like "irresponsible" out the window when I'm trying to make a proper right turn from the proper right turn lane (there were two and I needed the outside one). However, my day was not marred and we wolfed down some amazing Doughbots during our Little Loop ride and made a few other errands on the way home. I also just finished talking with a reporter from the Sac Bee who is doing an article on May Is Bike Month and I look forward to seeing it in the paper next week. I'm not looking forward to any backlash there may be, especially after Kate's letter from Mr. Brown of Ione. There will always be those who are afraid of change but there is a big difference between being afraid and being aware. I choose awareness. 

Still getting out and about by Mundo Power these days. I am loving May Is Bike Month! There is something extra exciting about logging your miles and staying accountable and seeing others doing the same. We've been able to stop at a few of the Energizer Stations to pick up little Clif Bars and chat will fellow bikers and organizers. 

I also got my awesome Go Getter Bag and started putting it to the test already. It is HUGE!!! I love the divider so I can have one side be my bike gear/tools side and the other with the kid necessities, food, and other gear. It fits well behind the Peanut shell so between that and my milk crate, I can just about take anything! 

I had another event on Sunday but luckily, I didn't have to carry anything as it was up in Fair Oaks (20 miles each direction). I was happy to discover the Fair Oaks Bridge turnoff from the American River Bike Trail. I really feel like I'm getting to know my biking way around Sacramento now and it's incredible how much you can get to by riding the Trail. It felt pretty funny to be riding with the "roadies" that morning but on the way back, there were more "normal" riders enjoying the beautiful weather as well. I feel like the complete antithesis of a "roadie" but still a cyclist nonetheless. I do wish that people would stop seeing cycling as so much of a sport or exercise and remember that it can also be used for transportation. The parking lots along the Trail fill up with folks driving in from all over just to clip in and ride up and down the river--sort of like the folks who drive to the gym just to run on a treadmill for an hour. 

One new accomplishment: I took my first passenger for a real ride! My aunt rode over to drop off her bike to get it tuned up by Jose and I jokingly offered to ride her back to her house (about 1.5 miles away). To my amazement, she not only agreed but insisted! She perched off the back of the Mundo's rack, behind the Peanut Shell and hung on for dear life. It was so fun to have a real conversation and she was such a good sport, especially since I didn't have any padding for her and went over a couple of big bumps. When I dropped her off, I ended up taking her other bike home to get that one a tune up as well. Today, I towed the trailer behind us from my mom's house. I'm getting much more comfortable with weird loads and it is opening up so many opportunities! 

Have I mentioned lately that I LOVE THIS BIKE? 

Just regular errand days these last two days. Yesterday, I was faced with a closing shop in 30 minutes and I had to immediately decide whether to go or not and then whether to go by car or bike. Quick as a flash, I was on the bike and heading over to do my business. It is becoming easier and easier the more I choose my bike over car to continue choosing my bike over the car. I would like to say that it's second nature but there is still that initial "well...maybe just this once..." It's easy to convince yourself that driving is the only way but I'm slowly peeling away that habit. I feel like my attitude towards biking switched over suddenly one day when I went from telling myself "If I can, I will bike there" to instead telling myself "If I can bike there, I will." It was a subtle shift but very effective. Biking seems a lot more feasible now that I don't give myself as many excuses not to ride. 

Had an event at the Sacramento Zoo today so I strapped and loaded up the Mundo (including the Ez-Up tent) and rode the 3+ miles to the zoo. Today was terribly windy and with all the crud in the air, the ride there was less fun than it should have been. We got through the day, catching flying papers and keeping the tent from blowing away. I ended up using the Mundo to help hold the tent down and the Yuba Straps were great to keep the tablecloth on the table. I managed to get everything back on the bike by myself and ride home. The only problem I had was that the tent was too far forward without a pedal pocket and I was too lazy to stop and adjust (both on the way and back). Next time, I will be more careful to leave room for my heel, especially for longer rides. I am certainly getting better at loading up the bike with more things and in a sturdier and more stable fashion. It did help to blast a little Michael Franti on the way home--passed a couple of cruiser riders while singing "all the freaky people make the beauty of the world." Amen. 

Found out that my kids don't melt in the rain! Today, we ran out the door without looking at the forecast to meet a friend at the Train Museum. We got there too late for her but just in time for the showers they had been predicting. We did stop over at Practical Cycle to check out tire options as my back tire is steadily and slowly going flat every few days. Instead of pushing me to buy the Fat Franks that I want, Tim set me up with some tire liners and a heavy-duty, self-sealing Sunlite tube (there was only one in stock but that will get my rear wheel protected which is more important). Riding home, we took the long way through Discovery Park and along the American River Trail. We got sprinkled on pretty regularly but Big Brother was loving it and Little Brother was asleep behind his Yepp Windshield. It's nice to have the windshield back on, even though it's still on with rubber bands. The little guy stayed relatively dry and was protected from the giant bug that landed on the shield instead. 

Jose and I also got a little date last night. At the last minute, after hearing all the rave reviews about Breaking Away (and dreamy Dennis Quaid), we decided to head over to the May Is Bike Month's showing at the California Museum. They had free bike valet parking and a raffle for "Cutters" t-shirts like in the movie (which I won!), Carsick leg bands, and some Bike Month socks (I had won some earlier by stopping by an Energizer Station and saying the magic word of the day--derailleur). Luckily, we have some awesome babysitters who work for Fiesta Burritos so we picked up a few and dropped off the boys on our way over. On the way home, we left Big Brother asleep and took Little Brother who was not happy about being woken up but tolerated the 3 miles home. I love, love, love, riding in the dark. With kiddos, not as much necessarily, but we rode safely with our lights blazing and wearing our reflective vests. Such a fun evening! 

Just some silly footage of our fun ride today. Little Brother is exhausted from his trip to the doctor's and Big Brother is helping by being my engine. So sweet! It's not surprising that they keep me pedaling. This bike is actually one of the only ways that Little Brother will actually get a nap in. He was asleep in minutes. One of the only bummers of riding with children is that you are put on display for all to see. When they are whiney and tired, everyone sees. When they have calmed down a few seconds later, you are already well past them and they are left thinking "wow, what is that mom doing to her poor children?" Just so you know, children cry in carseats, too! 

Final issue of the day: Kate Burns made the Sacramento Bee with a lovely photo of her riding away from the Bike Month festivities and sadly, not 24 hours later, there is already a scathing opinion. He is immediately shot down by Kate's fantastic knowledge of the real California Vehicle Code 21204 but it is still disheartening that people really believe that nonsense. How can anyone look at that photo and not see a happy family enjoying some good, healthy exercise and using a mode of transportation that can save the world? I guess that's why were here and working to change these opinions and show these sadly misinformed individuals that biking is safe and fun--it's driving that is the killer. 

May is my favorite month of all time. It encompasses my birthday, our anniversary, Mother's Day, and most importantly MY BIRTHDAY!!! And Bike Month, of course. Today the boys and I rode off to pick up 'Nama to go to the kick off for May Is Bike Month at Fremont Park. Bike Month is big in Sacramento. We have daily energizer stations along the various bike trails and at different bike shops, group rides, festivals, and over 1,000,000 miles already pledged! Just coming off the 30 Day Challenge, I wasn't ready to give up biking just yet so I'm thrilled to be able to keep challenging myself (and my children). We have all pledged 600 miles for the month and have started our very own team, Tiny Helmets (please join us!), with fun group rides planned. I figure that we should try to get close to 20 miles a day to meet that goal, knowing that we'll have days that go over 20, I just don't want too many that are under so we don't get too far behind. Big Brother and I logged in 18 and Little Brother got in 15 since he stayed at home with Papa while we went on a couple extra errands. Big Brother also got his own riding in at the park on his little Strider, making loops around the tree for about an hour solid. 

Probably my favorite part of the day, besides riding around in beautiful weather with my favorite people, was seeing and meeting some great new connections in the local biking community. Rick Houston and A.J. of May Is Bike Month, Monica of Carsick Designs (the totally awesome and drool-worthy and local pannier makers...is anyone wondering what to get me for my birthday...did I mention that it's this month?), our friend Cassidy from Practical Cycle, and our Yuba-Buddy, Kate, with her littles in tow, as well as all the other friendly folks out spreading the biking love. Sacramento's biking culture really makes me happy and May really brings out the best in everyone. Whether they are dusting off their bikes from the winter (really, Sacramento doesn't have much of a winter, there's no excuse for that, but I digress and won't judge) or if they are daily commuters anyway--just trying to win some free socks, they are coming out in droves! 

We are also signed up to be a part of Clif Bar's May 2012 Challenge, logging our miles in there, too. For every trip logged, Clif Bar is donating $1 to BikeWalkKC, the unified voice for active living in Kansas City. So many wonderful reasons to ride this month. 


Now, the real challenge will be keeping them riding in June, July, August and beyond. How many socks can they keep giving away? Anyway, if you see us out there, give a wave or come join us! We wear our bikeyfaces with pride and want to spread the joy.