November 15, 2021: Growing Pains

Those of you who have read past posts know that I am involved with The Pedal Factory here in Salisbury. It’s a great organization whose mission is to make bikes available to anyone who needs one, whether through a sale of a good bike or the opportunity to gain transportation through the Earn-A-Bike program. As a community bike shop, they also provide a place to learn to maintain bikes along with the use of the tools necessary to do that maintenance. For me personally, it was great therapy. It gave me the chance to help others and to exercise a little empathy. I still look forward to that part of the experience.

Since my return, it’s come to my attention that there is a need for someone to maintain the accounting. Before, all I wanted was to be able to turn a wrench or two and help out folks who would otherwise be on bikes that were unsafe if not unrideable. Now, I see that in order to help the organization grow, I should use those talents of mine. I have volunteered to act as treasurer for the organization, but have continued to emphasize that I do not want a position on the board. I know mysef well enough to know that serving on the board would feed my ego and potentially cause me to backslide. Initial reaction to my offer has been positive, but I won’t know for sure until after the December board meeting.

On other fronts, I have found a cardiologist locally and will visit with him on December 22. I continue to look for a therapist. I think I was spoiled by my therapist in Omaha. Perhaps I need to quit trying to find her doppelganger.

As I finish up this post on the 16th, I’m gettting ready to take a train trip to NoVA for the Thanksgiving holiday. I’ll be spending ten days with family there and in Cleveland OH before returning to Salisbury. I anticipate that the visits with those I love will be energizing and helpful in preparing for whatever is to come next in this crazy adventure called life. Until next time…

Roll on!

November 13, 2021: The Journal Update

So here’s an update since last month. Several things have occurred that bear mentioning.

First up: transporation. The HHR seemed like a good deal so I purchased it. Since then, though, there are a few “shortcomings.” In the rain, it leaks. I suspect it’s coming in the vents at the windshield, as it seems to get wet in the front on whichever side is downhill. I’ll figure that out when I have the time; until then cheap towels will soak up the excess. I also didn’t check the lugs on the wheels. To be honest, I’ve NEVER felt the need to check the lugs on any car I’ve ever bought. On this one, however, it seems that several were missing on the right front wheel. The remaining few almost completely sheared off, and I almost lost the wheel while driving into town. Life lesson learned at age 68.

While we’re on the topic of water, I also have a leak somewhere between the shower and the kitchen sink. I think I’ve narrowed it down and will be tighting a few connections to make sure. If that doesn’t do the trick, I’ll engage a plumber.

On November 1, I moved from my son’s property to a campgroundclose to Salisbury. Nice place with several other long-term occupants. Fairly quiet, except in the AM when all of the diesels crank up to go to whatever job they’re doing that day. Still, it’s good to be out of the kids’ hair.

Last weekend, I volunteered with another Pedal Factory regular to teach/mentor/test a Boy Scout merit badge class. TPF had been approached a few weeks back and the two of us offered our services. As it turned out, there was only one scout signed up for the class. The counselor in charge said he’d have canceled it, but wasn’t give the final count until two days before. So this poor kid had the misfortune of having to put up with two old dudes on bikes. I think he enjoyed the day; I know I did.

I’ve been trying to ride as well. The area around the campground (the main road) is not conducive to riding: narrow with high speed traffic. I went into town last Sunday for the regular social ride which was most enjoyable. This week, I’m leading the ride as the couple who normally do so are out of town.

I guess that’s it for the moment. I have found a cardiologist (appointment in December) and continue looking for a therapist without having to drive for an hour. May end up doing virtual counseling which I don’t find as helpful.

Until next time. enjoy your ride!

Roll on!

May 21, 2019 – Chasing the Promise

Good day! Hope your Bike Month has been going well. I know mine has (even if I don’t post it here more often.)

Since last we spoke, I’ve put some time on the bike, although not as much as I’d like. Stuff just keeps on getting in the way. Work, family, other endeavors. But I have taken both Shirley and Eunice out for spins.

One thing I have started to do is carry Eunice into town with me when I go. I’ll park at The Pedal Factory (as it’s a good central place to be) and run my errands by bike from there. So far it’s worked out nicely and is allowing me to get a feel for small urban cycling. This is  a good thing as I plan to be moved into town by the first of July.

Shirley and I have also taken a few rides around the house out here in the country, plus the regular Sunday Social Ride this past weekend. So I’m getting bike time in.

Sunday also saw my first visit to the Steel Bike Rendezvous in Farmville NC. This is an annual event showcasing vintage steel bikes and a flea market for parts. While I see a lot of potential here, the showing was VERY light with fewer than ten vendors hawking their wares. I hope it grows. Todd (from TPF) showed a couple of rebuilds he’s done for the experience of showing. While his are things of beauty, the competition was stiff! For some reason, I was drawn to this orange beauty.

I continue to work on my parking project, adding a couple of spots that I hadn’t yet discovered on Sunday. There’s more bike parking in Salisbury than I’d first thought, but not as much as could be needed.

That’s it for now. Until next time, keep the round on the ground and…

Roll on!

May 11, 2019 – Off to See Friends!

On one of my trips up last year, I went to visit Velocity Bike Shop, a non-profit bike shop in Alexandria. I had also planned to go see Phoenix Bikes, but the deluge that hit while I was at Velocity (just before I got there, actually) caused me to put that visit off. Today, I planned to rectify that aborted mission.

Shirley and I set out from the house shortly before 9:00am in order to arrive just after the 10:00 opening. It was a pleasurable ride, just over 14 miles each way. We took the Mount Vernon Trail through Alexandria, climbed onto the Western and Old Dominion Trail (W&OD) until we reached our destination in the Del Ray section of Arlington.

Catering mostly to kids, Phoenix Bikes offers many of the same programs that The Pedal Factory does in Salisbury. It was great to visit and see how their operation works.

About ten miles in on the return trip, I found myself at Dyke Marsh, a favorite place of mine. I stopped to take a rest/water break and ended up talking to a father and his two children for a bit. His daughter had learned to ride just a month earlier and was taking her second 11 mile trip! I commended him for taking the time to encourage them to ride. As for the kids, they were more interested in Shirley’s bamboo fenders than anything I had to say.

After bidding them adieu, I sat and enjoyed the birdsongs and watching the sailboats dance on the Potomac River. Finally, I loaded myself back onto the saddle and finished the ride home.

All in all, this was a fantastic day! How better to spend it than in doing something I love and speaking with folks who share the joy?

Roll on!

May 8, 2019 – Welcome to Bike Month!

So I figured I’d drop in to wish you a HAPPY BIKE MONTH!! #30DaysOfBiking is done, but now there a whole official month to celebrate our favorite two (or three or one) wheeled mode of transportation. So without further ado, let me recap my Bike Month so far.

First of all, I have been riding; not necessarily every day, mind you, but five out of eight split between the roads (and gravel) with Shirley and some time in the woods and fields with Eunice. I even took Trixie out for a quick little ride.

I’ve spent two official days and one unofficially at The Pedal Factory. In those times, I helped a family of eight get their bikes ready for an upcoming camping trip, another gentleman who needed sorely his brakes repaired, and a couple of earn-a-bikes refurbed. It’s hard to call this advocacy since it’s relaxing and good therapy for me, but I guess technically it is.

I’ve spent some time planning a S24O overnight trip for June 1 – 2. This will be a celebration of Adventure Cycling’s Bike Travel Weekend. We’ll be headed from The Pedal Factory shortly after the shop closes at 12:00 that day and riding to Boone’s Cave County Park. It’s a distance of about 16 miles each way, so it will be a good opportunity for those in the area interested in trying bike touring/camping to get their wheels wet (so to speak.) If you’re in the area and interested, let me know. There’s still a few spots available

Today, I’m packing up to take the Amtrak to NoVA for a visit. Shirley will accompany me (as usual,) and we’ll be riding the streets and paths of my youth. I’m also hoping to ride to Phoenix Bikes in Arlington to get a look a their operation and perhaps pick up an idea or two for Salisbury.

That’s it for now. I’m thinking I’ll take an afternoon ride just to make sure that everything is A-OK with Shirley (I’m sure it is.) I hope you’re Bike Month is going well and will post soon about NoVA and the DC area (and I promise pictures.) Until then…

Roll on!

April 17, 2019 – Days 16 & 17 of #30DaysOfBiking: And the Beat Goes On!

Two more very ( I repeat, VERY) short rides. The only differences are that on Wednesday the 17th, I spent most of the day volunteering at The Pedal Factory. As always, rewarding work as I helped to put folks on bikes. If you don’t already volunteer in some way to promote our favorite (I’m assuming it’s yours, too, since you’re still reading this) mode of transportation, you should. If not in a community bike shop, then in some other way. Can’t find an organization? Start one! I’ll bet you’re not the only one wishing for safer biking in your area.

The other thing I learned is that it’s turkey season is in session. Not a good thing for the birds in the woods around me, but good for me to know. There is at least one hunter who uses the woods on the neighboring property. He parks on my son’s land so I know when he’s around. Since the season goes to mid-May, I’ll either have to wear bright/blaze/fluorescent colors (like riding in busy cities) or stay out of the woods between sunrise and sunset. I’ll probably just stick to the road for the next month.

Other than that, it’s been uneventful. Until next time…

Roll on!

April 10, 2019 – Day 10 of #30daysofbiking: Taking Care of Business

Another busy day. Worked this morning putting out client fires, the The Pedal Factory from noon to 4. Before my TPF stint, though, I took Eunice Univega into town with me to run a short errand from the shop. That was my time on the bike.

While at TPF, we discussed where we hope to see the organization go. It truly is a pleasure to work with Todd and Mary.

Anyway that’s it for now. Until next time…

Roll on!

March 29,2018 – New People on Bikes

So the group ride with Adventure Rowan postponed from last week too place in Tuesday. I really enjoy helping others to learn the not of riding a bike, but particularly kids. Out of the total group of about 20 who attended, 9 felt comfortable enough to venture out on the roads and trails for a short trip.

Cutting behind the shopping center next to the YMCA, we jumped on the sidepath, up a couple of blocks. There we crossed a fairly busy road (the only part of the journey that have me pause) and traveled down a neighborhood street for a quarter mile. There we picked up a greenway trail for about 3/4 of a mile. 

Reaching the end that path, we crossed another road and into a park where we got yet another greenway, this one just a quarter mile or so. At this point, we turned around to retrace our way back.

It was on the way back that the highlight of the trip occurred. After the lead subgroup passed, a herd of four deer jumped out of the woods and across the path, narrowly missing the next four young ladies. After regaining their composure, the group continued on. As I rolled past the point the excitement took place, I glanced to the right an saw yet another deer standing and waiting for us to pass. More patient than the others, I guess.

We finished up the ride and verified that everyone has a good time. I expect we’ll see some of these kids and their parents at the shop before long, looking for their first bike. 

If you’re worried about the next generation of people on bikes, cyclists, or whatever label you want to throw on them, find some group in your area (or start one) and pass on what know and love.

Roll on!

March 22, 2019 – The Next Generation

One of the activities I enjoy about my advocacy work is helping others to find the joy of riding a bike. I had waited until today for this particular post because The Pedal Factory, in conjunction with the local ‘Y,’ were to have had their second day of Adventure Rowan last night. Adventure Rowan (AR) is an effort by the YMCA to get kids active and outdoors on a road to sustained better health, and what better tool for that than riding a bike!

On Tuesday, we had the first of two days of AR for this round. Meeting at the Y, volunteers from The Pedal Factory, from a service club at Catawba College, and from the YMCA got together to teach these kids and their families some of the basics of bicycle riding a bicycle safely in the city. With a total of 11 volunteers, I thought we might have help than participants. Boy, was I wrong! When we walked into the room, there were 20 – 25 kids (along with some parents) anxiously waiting for their chance to ride.

And ride they did! For the next hour or so, they wound their way around the obstacle course, on the strider/beginner track, or just generally having a great time. As we ended the evening, we all agreed to meet again on Thursday (last night.)

I had hoped to get pictures to dress up my post today. Unfortunately, bad weather set in and we postponed until Tuesday.  I’ll make sure to get pics for a post then.

On another note, as I logged into my blog, I noted that the past several posts were dated in 2018. No, I haven’t joined The Doctor in his TARDIS (points for those who get the reference,) but just fell prey to a lazy mind. I’ve corrected those dates and apologize to anyone who was using my posting to keep their own calendar (guess you’ve learned your lesson!)

That’s it for now. I’ll likely post again over the weekend as I want to show off Shirley’s new look. Until then…

Roll on!

 

March 13, 2019 – Spinning Wheels Got to Go ‘Round

Here we are mid-way through March. In just about three weeks, April will shepherd in 30 Days of Biking. Those who have read all of the entries on this little site of mine will recall that it was that particular challenge that started me posting here. It seems appropriate that I re-energize this effort.

So what can we expect? Hopefully, I’ll be posting more of the daily trips, thoughts and meditations. I’m going to expound more on the advocacy efforts here in the Old North State. I also plan to add some overnight (and maybe longer) camping trips into the mix.

My work continues at The Pedal Factory. We’ve expanded our hours to include every Wednesday from 10:00am to 4:00pm. We’ve also changed how we do some thing internally. I’ll write more about that in a future post.

This Saturday (March 16,) Adventure Cycling is coming to Charlotte for a regional gathering. I’ll be at TPF until 12:00, then to my granddaughter’s choral concert at 2:00 and, finally, off to Charlotte in time to meet up with a group and ride the final couple of miles to the gathering. I’ll post my impressions and thoughts on that as well.

So pump up your tires, strap on your helmet (if you’re so inclined,) and clip in on those pedals. Join me as I jump start this blog. Until then…

Roll on!