Tired this week July 27, 2008
Posted by vollenda in : General, Bike Commuting , 2 commentsAnother good week. I’m a little tired this week though. Not from the workouts, but from lack of sleep. Been doing good on the eating and getting my backside out the door but not so good on the going to sleep early.
Mon - bike commute -70 min
Tue - I had jury duty on Tuesday so I didn’t bike commute that day but rode for 60min.
Wed - bike commute 70 min & walk for 30 min
Thu - bike commute (90 min - I took the long way home)
Fri - bike commute (80 min - added a 1 mile hill) & walk for 30 min
Sat - rode for 90 minutes, about 1/2 on dirt.
Today was a day of rest and I went to a car show to take photos.
Same Old July 20, 2008
Posted by vollenda in : General, Bike Commuting , add a commentAnother good week. Rode to/from work every day and walked on Mon, Wed, Thu. On Saturday, I rode for an hour. Nothing today.
I got my commuter bike back at the end of the week so I’m back to riding that this week.
Slowly but surely…
Muggy Week July 13, 2008
Posted by vollenda in : General, Pictures, Bike Commuting , 3 commentsIt’s been really muggy this week, but a little cooler so I’m not complaining. It was a great week. I rode to and from work every day on the new mountain bike this week (with a few rain plops on the way home on Tues) and walked Mon-Wed and Friday for 30 minutes. I had to work a little harder on the mtn bike but it also allowed me to ride offroad a little which was fun.
Yesterday, I decided to go check out Marshall Canyon with my camera so I went for a 90 min “hike” on the trail in there. Lots of mountain bikers and a herd of high school cross country-ers. Boy, did they make me feel old the way they were flying up and down the trail and the girls were so tiny. I’ve never been that small. But it was good morning. I heard lots of birds but only saw a few.
This morning, I rode for an hour on the unpaved portion of the Pacific Electric trail which is part of the Rails to Trails program and is only feet from my door. The portion that is southwest of me is still dirt, more of a fire road than a trail. But it was nice and quiet, just one walker and other than that I didn’t see anyone. I only rode for an hour because I had some errands to do today.
This is the start of the trail.
This is the view looking back north toward home.
This is looking out over the valley. There is still a lot of stuff in the air from the fires.
Looking south.
Later, still looking south. Not a bad morning. 
My New Backpack July 2, 2008
Posted by vollenda in : General, Bike Commuting , 1 comment so farOne of the reasons I haven’t wanted to get in the pool is my left shoulder. It’s been achy for so long, I can’t remember when it wasn’t. It started to feel better when I stopped riding. Then when I started up bike commuting again, it started up with the not-so-fun aching. I figured it must be because I use a messenger bag and it’s always over my left shoulder.
What are my choices? Let’s see…
I didn’t want to go the panniers route.
A rack wouldn’t be bad but still not perfect.
So I decided to go back to a backpack. I found this one by the Banjo Brothers and ordered it. It arrived today! Woo! And I used it on my ride home.
The two grey stripes are reflective stripes. And the little tab in the lower right is a tab for a bike light. It’s also comfy and roomy and waterproof. Ok, I know we don’t get much rain around here but it COULD rain. Some day.
By the way - I walked yesterday (with 30 sec run intervals) and today (just walk) and rode both days.
I’m feeling pretty good.
One Step At A Time June 30, 2008
Posted by vollenda in : General, Bike Commuting , 4 commentsI took Saturday off, but I didn’t sleep in. On Sunday, I went for a walk with some run intervals and then a 45 min ride.
This morning I walked for 30 min then rode to/from work. It was a little hot today, but not bad. That’s the plan for the rest of the week too. Slowly but surely, I’ll come around.
No plans for swimming yet. I have no desire to get in the pool right now. Not really sure what to do about that.
Week One June 27, 2008
Posted by vollenda in : General, Bike Commuting , 2 commentsMy first week back to bike commuting is done. The weather was great this week and I feel pretty good. Not too many sore parts. Just tight muscles which means I need to start stretching again. So sad how easily you, well I, fell out of the good life.
I didn’t walk yesterday. Today I walked with a good warm up and then 1 min walk/30 sec run intervals. I bought the book Running for Mortals which arrived today. I want THIS time to be the time that sticks with no injuries.
Guess what? I’m going to Maui! While I was away, I turned *gasp* 40. The family is all going to celebrate it in Maui in October. I arrive in Maui on October 11th! (yes, I just like saying it) I was thinking too bad I couldn’t pop over to Kona to see all hubbub. Weird to think I’ll be so close, yet so far away. 
But I’m going to Maui! So who can complain. 
I’m back June 23, 2008
Posted by vollenda in : General, Bike Commuting , 7 commentsI think. I hope. I am. Amber brought me back from the great couch potato land. I have become a serious slug and I hate it.
But I’m starting over from scratch. From zip. No, I haven’t even been bike commuting…for months now. I haven’t run in months. I haven’t been swimming in even longer than that. Sigh. I’m not going to go into excuses since none of them are really worthy.
So, I’m taking it slow. Tomorrow, I start bike commuting again. I’ve been walking for the past two weeks and tomorrow I will also start to sprinkle in some runs so it will be mostly walk/little bit of running and gradually increasing the running portion.
That’s it for now. I just wanted to post some goals and throw them out here. So I will be accountable.
Bikes, Cars, and Running July 11, 2007
Posted by vollenda in : General, Pictures, Bike Commuting , 6 comments
But not necessarily mine. These are a few of the photos I’ve taken in the past month. And here’s a quick update…
First, bikes - my birthday present to myself has been great. It’s a fun, zippy ride. Not as fast as a roadbike but I’ve been conciously slowing down on my bike commutes to enjoy the scenery. It means I’m less stressed about the crazy drivers around here too.
My mom bought a new car a couple of weeks ago. She offered me her old one…free. I told her I wasn’t ready for a car yet. I thought it would be too much temptation to have it sitting in my garage. I told her next May I might think about getting one. I’m not sure. It would be nice to have a car to get places like races or the beach with all my gear and not have to stick to local races. But cars just seem like too much trouble!
Last, but not least. I finally started running again. Well, yesterday was my first run in 5 months I think. More of a run/walk really. And tomorrow morning will be my second. Nothing spectacular. They are putting in a bike/running path by my apartment but it’s not finished yet. I can’t wait.
No plans for racing this year…so far. And I’m still not swimming again. Sigh. Baby steps, right? I will be back someday.
My Birthday Present May 29, 2007
Posted by vollenda in : General, Bike Commuting , 22 commentsSo, here’s my new bike. A KHS Urban-Xcel. Slate Blue. I rode it home from the LBS this afternoon. It’s replacing my old mtb bike from Target, Kermit, as my get around town/commuter bike. No name yet.
I was thisclose to getting a Hardrock but I decided to wait until later this summer. The KHS is a fun ride. Really smooth. I have to work a little harder than with my road bike, Blue (which I will still ride sometimes, depending on my mood ). But I’m more comfortable in a more upright position around here. Especially when I’m carrying my laptop or camera gear.
So…I was thinking of Andy for a name. One of my friends thought it didn’t really fit though. Nothing else springs to mind yet. Life is rough when this is your hardest decision, eh?
3 Year Anniversary May 2, 2007
Posted by vollenda in : General, Bike Commuting , 11 commentsToday is the 3rd anniversary of my Non-Car life. And it’s also my niece Madison’s 7th Birthday! Woo! Two great reasons to celebrate today.
So, 3 years ago, I turned in the RAV4 I was leasing and started riding my bike everywhere. No more paying insurance, gas, maintenance, car washes. Ah, this is the life. I remember being a little nervous about how it was going to work out. I mean, I live in Southern California, a tried and true Car Culture area. Southern Californians practically live in their cars. Would I be able to do it? I wanted to give it at least a year and here I am at 3. Time flies when you’re having fun, eh?
Some of the benefits of living the Non-Car life:
- No possibility of getting (completely) lazy since I have to walk or ride to any destination.
- A greater appreciation of the environment and trying to be more green.
- Becoming more organized and creative. (not forgetting anything, how am I going to get there, how am I going to carry stuff home, etc.).
- Saving tons of money. Which helped me pay off a mountain of debt (and should be gone completely in less than a year). And still have money to put into savings and my 401K and buy fun stuff (like camera equipment and bikes).
- Confidence in my ability to take care of myself.
- A lot less stress!
- Never being late for work (since I have to get there early to spiff up and change).
- Not having to worry about finding parking.
- Getting to enjoy the birds and the bees and the flowers and the trees daily.
- How much is gas anyway?
I think everyone was surprised I’ve been able to go this long without a car. Do I miss a car? Sometimes. It would be nice to have one when I need to get me and all my photo equipment some place safely. But I think I’ve done all right with out one. I’m happy. I don’t feel like I’m missing out on anything. It’s just become a way of life. I’m living proof it can be done. I wish more people would do. There’s a few regulars that I see every day and we wave to each other. Maybe someday, more people will.
Here’s a photo of my daily ride, Blue. It’s a stylized view of Blue.
