I have since bounced back from last Saturday's heated rant. The last couple of days have been cool and calm. There is much to do for my exchange student group but it is falling together nicely. My rides have been mellow and my children have been perfect (totally biased).
On Sunday, Kate and I held our first "New and Often Sacramento Kidical Mass." We had talked with Warren, another Sacramento Mundo buddy, who has been organizing the previous Kidical Mass events and thought that if we all worked together, we could extend these rides throughout Sacramento, expand our riders, and make them a regular occurrence. We decided on the third Sunday of each month and we'd take turns planning and setting up the routes. This one started at the Rocket Ship in Southside Park at 2pm, luckily it was not as hot as Saturday but it was pretty toasty. I was worried that no one would show up. Kate pulled up soon after on a different bike than her Mundo and kid-free, lucky her (although also necessary as this is only her second week after surgery)! Shortly after that, a new friend whom I had met the day before at the Farmer's Market, Jarod and his two daughters, rode in on their beater trike that Jarod had modified with seats, footrests, cushions and safety belts in the back for his girls. They were decked out with snack cups, an umbrella, and the coolest sunglasses I'd ever seen. Quite a sight! The trike was a used find from craigslist (as many of the best things are) and has served them well for the past couple of months as they got to know the area. However, they also have an infant son to soon add to the load and the trike is a bike more creaky and unstable than they'd like. Jarod was certainly checking out our set-up on the Mundo, even taking it out for a test ride. I think he's hooked! Next, Sol came riding by with his daughter in a WeeRide Kangeroo child seat. She was as happy as could be! Finally, John, of Cycle Trucks joined us and we were ready to ride! Since I hadn't known if there would be any kids riding on their own, our route stayed at about 2 miles max. We took a trip down T st. to the waterfront and then back up R st. to a frozen yogurt shop. The kids all got a cool treat and a nice ride. Total success, if I do say so myself! I'm already looking forward to the next! Mark your calendars and keep an eye on our Sacramento Kidical Mass Facebook page for upcoming details. Thank you all for joining us and braving the heat!
On Sunday, Kate and I held our first "New and Often Sacramento Kidical Mass." We had talked with Warren, another Sacramento Mundo buddy, who has been organizing the previous Kidical Mass events and thought that if we all worked together, we could extend these rides throughout Sacramento, expand our riders, and make them a regular occurrence. We decided on the third Sunday of each month and we'd take turns planning and setting up the routes. This one started at the Rocket Ship in Southside Park at 2pm, luckily it was not as hot as Saturday but it was pretty toasty. I was worried that no one would show up. Kate pulled up soon after on a different bike than her Mundo and kid-free, lucky her (although also necessary as this is only her second week after surgery)! Shortly after that, a new friend whom I had met the day before at the Farmer's Market, Jarod and his two daughters, rode in on their beater trike that Jarod had modified with seats, footrests, cushions and safety belts in the back for his girls. They were decked out with snack cups, an umbrella, and the coolest sunglasses I'd ever seen. Quite a sight! The trike was a used find from craigslist (as many of the best things are) and has served them well for the past couple of months as they got to know the area. However, they also have an infant son to soon add to the load and the trike is a bike more creaky and unstable than they'd like. Jarod was certainly checking out our set-up on the Mundo, even taking it out for a test ride. I think he's hooked! Next, Sol came riding by with his daughter in a WeeRide Kangeroo child seat. She was as happy as could be! Finally, John, of Cycle Trucks joined us and we were ready to ride! Since I hadn't known if there would be any kids riding on their own, our route stayed at about 2 miles max. We took a trip down T st. to the waterfront and then back up R st. to a frozen yogurt shop. The kids all got a cool treat and a nice ride. Total success, if I do say so myself! I'm already looking forward to the next! Mark your calendars and keep an eye on our Sacramento Kidical Mass Facebook page for upcoming details. Thank you all for joining us and braving the heat!
Happy riders!
Who needs a chair? I have a cargo bike!
Big Brother and Papa get to test out the Cycle Truck together.
Monday was an even simpler day. All I had planned was a visit to the Electric Bike Shop on J st. where there was a couple who had ridden electric bikes from New York were planning on stopping by and talking about their adventure. Unfortuantly, we never got a chance to talk with them. The news vans and reporters were there getting their clips and interviews. Then, another reporter or two had to talk. So, an hour and a half later, my boys were melting down too much and we had to leave. I was disappointed because I was curious about their loads and charging needs during the trip. The boys were happy because it meant we could then go to our favorite place--Artbeast! We parked our bikes next to another cargo bike--a Madsen! The only unfortuate part about ArtBeast is its lack of a bike rack. There is only one street sign close by (which the Madesen had stolen) and it takes crawling into a bush to get to. I just locked my bike on the sidewalk, not to anything because I figured my Mundo isn't really something someone can come by and throw into the back of their truck, it's pretty darn heavy. ArtBeast is nice about letting us use their locked side gate but with a bike the size of ours and with our milk crate on the side, it's not as easy to squeeze into tiny spaces. I really think that something as simple as a convinent bike rack in front could be the deciding factor as to whether a family rides there or not. If they see others riding in regularly, they could be inspired or just realize that it is safe enough to do. Midtown is very easy to ride around and has clear bike lanes on many streets, K st. included, where ArtBeast is located.
That evening, my lovely hubby let me duck out of the house early and head down to the corner coffee shop and focus on some work. I was amazed at what I could do without the wee ones screaming in the background. That quick trip was taken on our new folder--Mr. Mobic. The only downside was that the Mobic doesn't have a rack yet and I had a heavy bag on my back. I was surprised at how much that affected my riding, even just that short amount. I am so used to being able to carry more than I could ever need on my Mundo that I hadn't really thought about needing to pare down for an "appropriate" load. Needless to say, it was an uncomfortable mile even though the Mobic is so easy to ride. I must be a bit spoiled by the Mundo's brute strength.
That evening, my lovely hubby let me duck out of the house early and head down to the corner coffee shop and focus on some work. I was amazed at what I could do without the wee ones screaming in the background. That quick trip was taken on our new folder--Mr. Mobic. The only downside was that the Mobic doesn't have a rack yet and I had a heavy bag on my back. I was surprised at how much that affected my riding, even just that short amount. I am so used to being able to carry more than I could ever need on my Mundo that I hadn't really thought about needing to pare down for an "appropriate" load. Needless to say, it was an uncomfortable mile even though the Mobic is so easy to ride. I must be a bit spoiled by the Mundo's brute strength.
We just couldn't compete with the news vans.
Mundo and Madsen get to hang out while we play at ArtBeast!
Nobody wants to steal this funny looking bike.
Today, the boys and I rode down our usual route to the Train Museum where we were meeting friends. Along the way, I noticed a man crouching down on the other side of the road taking photos. It was a bit weird to me, I assumed he was getting some surveying done for the road or something but as we rode by I hear "clickclickclickclickclick." I must have shot him a weird look because as we passed by he yelled out "I'm with the Sac Bee!" Well, you have to stop for your adoring public, right? He ran across the street and asked us our names and what we were up to. He didn't know if we'd make it into the paper but he gave us a card. We haven't yet gotten a photo in the newspaper so that would be exciting. We did, however, notice a message up on Facebook a few hours later with a link to our photo on the Sac Bee website's "Day In Photos." Not too shabby! We'll see if we create the same feedback as Kate and her infamous "Tim Brown" debacle did. You'll remember that Mr. Brown decided that what Kate was doing (riding a bike designed to appropriately hold children and cargo) was against the law and felt it necessary to reprimand her and demand the immediate stop to such an unthinkable action. This was followed by a wonderful discussion regarding cyclist safety and misconceptions non-riders have of cyclists and their unfounded fears. I don't know if the link to our photo will be up after today so instead I took a screen shot.
What's super funny is the tab is still up for where I looked up how to take a screen shot and all the ads for cars because I've been researching our car's value and how to dump the poor thing. Creepy, it's like a window into my soul.
Cutest children ever at the Train Museum!
Our final exciting adventure of the last few days was a bike ride out to the Pocket area of Sacramento to do a photo shoot for the Sacramento River Parkway in hopes that we can convince the local government to order the removal of horrible chain-link fences and razor wire that has been put up by homeowners along the levee. Not only is this irresponsible and compromises the levee's efficiency and area's safety in a flood or emergency, it also breaks up the beautiful path to ride down into the Pocket area. This could be another amazing resource for Sacramento cyclists, to keep them safe and to get people more comfortable riding more often. I had never even ridden there before. It was about a 10 mile ride down and we had to keep looking up the directions because the trail would disappear and leave us scrambling for safe roads. We were actually pretty lucky and stayed on streets with bike lanes. Coming back, we were able to stick on the trail for longer. It is an incredible difference from riding on the streets (even with bike lanes) to riding on a car-free path--the peacefulness, the safety, the scenery, the relaxation--this is how everyone should feel while cycling. If this levee path can be completed, we could be unstoppable--almost literally as they are hoping to connect it all the way to Martinez and from there, possibly even to Berkeley! It would even make a ton of sense for drivers as they wouldn't have to deal with as many of us "getting in their way."
Beautiful route along the Sacramento River Parkway.
Gravel road at the chain link fence determining "private lands."
Late dinner at the Tower Cafe. We needed it!
The famous Tower. Heading home after dinner and after dark. I really love night riding!
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