Tiny Helmets Big Bikes
Check us out!
  • Home
  • Us
  • Blog: We Ride
  • FAQ
  • Our Fleet
  • Adventures
  • Getting Started
  • Contact Us

Summer playtime

6/30/2016

0 Comments

 
Rolling back into real life was difficult after my work-ation. It's never easy to sleep on the overnight train even though it's so much more relaxing than driving. Big Brother finished up first grade last week and Little Brother still had a few days before he graduated preschool (today!). Biking has always been the way I'm able to find my balance again after busy times so I was really excited to have some fun bikey adventures with my biggest monster this week. 
Picture
Three generations on a HaulaDay!
Picture
First gravel grinding
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Didn't want to drive on a Spare The Air day, we decided to bike the dentist for the first time. 20 miles roundtrip
Picture
Spruzza air conditioning to keep my stoker happy.
Picture
Picture
Then we almost got creamed by this bus driver whose excuse was that she didn't have to yield because there was a bus stop ahead.
Tomorrow, we're celebrating having Little Brother join our silly summer by taking him on his first dirt ride. It'll be one of his longest rides so far as well so I'm a little nervous about taking them both on my own, but I can't wait! 
0 Comments

Columbia River Gorge-Adventure Cycling Style

6/18/2016

1 Comment

 
I just got back from a week of working on the Adventure Cycling Columbia River Gorge tour. While I didn't get much riding in, the whole trip was incredibly beautiful and the group was super fun. It was a lot of work but it didn't feel that way.

I carpooled up to Portland with Cindy, another staff member, and stayed at my brother's for a couple days, getting coffee with Kath, and stopping in to Gladys Bikes to get Oscar a functioning front brake and kickstand.
Picture
Loaded up Oscar for the 10 mile ride to the starting location.
Picture
Awesome reminder as to why I love doing these trips.
Picture
Bonus riding up Lolo Pass, 1800' of climbing and 20 miles.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Zip line adventure at one of our campsites.
Picture
We're working, I swear!
Picture
Picture
One of my new favorite people: Sarah! Check out her blog: honoringmycompass.com
Picture
Picture
Mt Adams
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
It was my job to keep everyone well fed and happy at water stops.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
A beautiful rainbow shone through on our last night.
This job is incredible! The participants ranged from 23-73 years old, rode 387 miles, and climbed over 25,000'. I was so impressed! The routes were mostly quiet rural roads. Despite the challenging ride and chilly (sometimes pretty wet) weather, everyone stayed in high spirits and got along well. There were mountains, waterfalls, and so much food to eat.

​I loved getting to know the riders and their interesting stories. I think I had as much fun being on the staff as the participants. Plus, the bonus riding I got to do up Lolo Pass and in Trout Lake was amazing. I definately look forward to coming back and riding it all myself. Although I'm not sure I'd be able to do all the climbing, yet! Certainly something to start training for. If I can get the legs those riders had at 60+ years old, I'd be thrilled!
1 Comment

Bike adventures are the best adventures

6/8/2016

0 Comments

 
Last weekend was the national Bike Travel Weekend! We arranged an overnight camping trip to Camp Pollock but I was offered a chance to go mountain biking and didn't have the boys to enjoy the family overnight with so I decided to just head over with the small Kidical Mass group from the Capitol for the afternoon.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Even though it was hot, there was a nice breeze. The five mile route took us through the Pride festival downtown and along the American River Parkway where even the youngest rider was able to pedal on his own.
Picture
You Trollop!
Then, I just couldn't give up the opportunity for more dirt! I can't seem to get enough of trail riding. There's a possibility that I have a full suspension bike coming my way, but for now, I've been bouncing along on a beautiful Surly Troll (affectionately known as the Trollop now).

I dragged another friend up to Cronan Ranch (again) and we checked out a longer loop along the South Fork American River Trail. The next day, we headed up to the Confluence Trail in the Folsom State Recreation area. This section was mostly too steep and too technical for me but it was some good practice on harder trails at a slow speed and extra hill climbing. I don't have any photos of these areas as I was hanging onto my ergonomic cork grips for dear life! My friend did give me his full suspension Trek to test out and I have to admit that it was pretty lovely for those rocky chunks. The weekend rides ended with Olmstead Loop in Cool which somehow managed to be uphill in both directions. We were tired and hot and there was a lot more bike pushing than before. Somehow, I magically avoided most of the poison oak that encroached the trail on both sides. A very satisfying weekend of bike playing!
Picture
I would like to go everywhere!
Picture
My favorite photos are the ones that show me winning as I ride uphill. (Olmstead Loop)
Picture
Shh, don't tell him he's sitting in poison oak!
Picture
Now, I'm headed up north for the first of my big summer adventures: working the Adventure Cycling Association Columbia River Gorge tour! Today was a long day of driving up but tomorrow I have a day to repack, organize, and grab breakfast with a friend. Then, it's off down the road to meet up with the rest of the CRG crew to explore the gorge for the next week!
Picture
Carpooling in luxury.
0 Comments

    Author

    This is us. We're fun. 

    Picture

    Archives

    April 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012

    Categories

    All
    30 Day Challenge
    365 Days Of Biking
    Adventure Cycling
    Amtrak
    Big Brother
    Big Brother
    Bike Camping
    Bike Camping
    Bike Friday
    Bikes!
    Bikes!
    Bionx
    Breakfast Club
    Breezer
    Bullitt
    Car Freedom
    Car Freedom
    Carrying Kids
    Carrying Kids
    Carrying Loads
    Carrying Loads
    Cycle Truck
    Cyclofemme
    Daily Errands
    Diy
    Family Rides
    Family Rides
    Hauladay
    Isla Bike
    Kidical Mass
    Little Brother
    Little Brother
    May Is Bike Month
    Mobic
    Overnights
    Positivity
    Practical Cycle
    Sacramento River Parkway
    Safe Routes To School
    Safety
    School Commute
    Solo Kids
    Strider Bike
    Sun Shade
    The League
    Tour De Whine
    Weather
    Whimsical Cycle
    Yuba Mundo
    Yuba Mundo

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.