Memory Lanes

I haven't' been riding because of my unofficial short break (two weeks.) so I thought I'd post some description of past riding. Call this "memory blogging," with my most recent memory first.

My most recent significant ride was my, "Housing Task Force" Ride from the suburb of Chicago, "Arlington Heights," where the housing was proposed to Washington D.C. where we advocated for housing such as the housing we are proposing locally.

The housing we are proposing is to give people with mental illness who are living in damaging situations more independence and resources to live fuller lives. The housing has been proven to lead to more independence and more recovery. This is explained here at the Housing Task Force's Web site.
May are either homeless, or in damaging housing situations. Many people with mental illness live with their parents who might not be able to help their child anymore or in the near future. Another near epidemic is the housing of people with mental illness in nursing homes. Their is nowhere near enough housing such as what we are proposing. This will go towards creating more of a precedence for this needed treatment.

So, we rode from Arlington Heights starting May 1st until we got to Washington D.C. on May 20th. We did about 50 miles each day, one day at 25 and one day at 75. The weather cooperated and it was very windy the wrong way for the first six or seven days.



I'll be writing more about this later.
Thanks for reading,
Nate

My ideal new bike.

It's been about 5 years since I've bought a new bike. My last purchase was a Fuji Professional with carbon fork and seat stays and Dura Ace gears and such. It was a great bike. It was run over by someone who didn't like that I wove my way through the traffic stopped at the light, I'm pretty sure it was partly intentinonal. He said he didn't see me crossing right in front of his car though he knew that I had come to the light in the middle of traffic.

The bike that I've used the most is my aluminum touring bike. I've used it on about 5 shorter tours and one 1000 mile tour.

My ideal bike!
I would like a fixed gear touring bike. I'm not sure of any companies that make a fixed-gear touring bike, "out of the box." Possibly Surly or Salsa. Maybe the, "Steamroller," is an option. I need to get a little extra money for this to happen.

"Unofficial Break"

Well, I got all excited to do a blog for biking and then found that I was losing energy to ride, and the desire somewhat.

This isn't a permanent thing, but maybe about 2 weeks off the bike will give me time to recalibrate.

I have just undertaken a Vegan diet after being vegetarian for 3 years. It's been two weeks. I feel healthier, but I think I am spending so much energy learning this new paradigm, that I don't have the energy or concentration to ride. I also feel calmer.

This lack of riding will no doubt change. I did work out today for and hour and a half. I'm using body weight instead of machines with an exercise ball too.

Sincerely,
Nate

30 miles, mobile advertising.

I rode to the barn again, this time it was 30 miles trying to find another route. International road may be bikable with a good touring bike or mountain bike, but I didn't want to experiment with my dad's road bike.

Pedal Power

I found this company on Facebook and I'm trying to get in touch with them. Wish me luck.
Pedal Power

A day in the saddle.

Didn't think I'd go two days in a row? Haha. Two days of 20 miles.

Got goin' at 9:20 (about.)

Here's for day # 3.
Just for kicks, here's a gpx trace, though it's not actually a gpx file. The ride went north from VIlla Marbella (my loco) to Barefoot Landing and back.
Here's the link.
Here's the 2ndlink.

Letter in the Mail part duh.

Received a letter from Rails to Trails today. They're offering me an $18 membership with magazine and guidebook. Anyone not know what rails to trails is? I think it's a good cause. I might do it. They have 19,000 miles claimed, and have been around since 1986. Rails-to-trails Conservancy.

They also have a new website. TrailLink.com It's got a database for linking trails, duh. And google maps with landmarks and facilities on the map.

Barefoot Landing

Today I got goin' at 8:30 (really 9:30 because of the time change.) I rode 22 miles for almost 2 hours. This begs the question, "how will my riding fit in while I have a job?"

I rode to Barefoot Landing which is north out of Grande Dunes.

I'll try to do 20 miles tomorrow and the next day and then do the group ride on Sat. morning.