Saturday, June 23, 2012

...aaaand we're back!

Got knocked sideways and off track thanks to an illness that had me seeing more doctors more often in the space of three weeks than I've seen in a lifetime. I'll spare you the details, but if I can sound like your mom for a minute: eat your veggies, get lots of sleep, and when your doctor says "You've got to get in here today." Do it. Had to spend a little time curled up, not unlike a certain adorable bike I own, but better now.

So, to make up for lost ground, I'm going to enlist the help of the crack team of local bloggers I follow who've been logging miles on the road and tapping away at the keyboards while I took my meds, drank plenty of fluids, took my meds, and waited for time, nature, and said meds to kick the evil spirits to the curb.

Kicking things off: the WashCycle with boatloads of information, including this very intriguing proposition from Beater Bikes a firm that literally asks you to go ahead, treat their bikes like, well, like beaters. I'm seriously tempted, but really--I've got a folder, a hybrid, a Dutch marvel and a much-neglected road bike in the stable, so I'm not gonna cave in to temptation. But if I were a broke undergrad, or  considering the current economic conditions, a broke post-grad student looking for work and wheels? I'd apply now.

For an always interesting take on biking in DC you can always count on Tales from the Sharrows. 
The bonus here, a portrait of a DDOT official as you've never seen him before.

For a great look at how biking doesn't have to end in childhood/high school/college, a lovely look back by @gypsybug in Chasing Mailboxes.

For a look at how anticipation can have a great payoff (new bike!) check out Suburban Cycling and wish her many happy miles.

And taking a look farther afield, I've just added a blog that has one of my favorite titles ever: I Do Not Despair is the European Cyclists' Federation's Kevin Mayne, whose blog has a feature I am so totally ripping off, er I mean emulating, Music to Ride Bikes By. Of course, in the interest of safety, I'm sure that means listening to the music in your head...or as some clever DC folks do, having an external speaker, like the fine folks at DC's Bicycle Space do (check out the Monkey Wagon at the start of the video here). Still, it's a great feature, and I love having music roll in my head, on and off the bike. So Kevin, forgive me, but I'm building in a regular as-yet-to-be-named segment (with a tip of the casquette of course!)

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12 comments:

  1. Jez AndrewsJune 24, 2012 at 11:09 AM

    Great Blog Kate! Looking forward to reading more from you in future.

    Love the your ginger cat by the way (love cats anyway!)

    You can check my blog out at www.followingthechainline.blogspot.com

    Jez

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    1. Kate RyanJune 24, 2012 at 11:43 PM

      Jez, thanks so much! Yes, my little ginger cat was a real find. Went to cover a story at the local shelter at Thanksgiving, and ended up bringing home the little furball (@Meisje208)when she latched on to the handle of my gearbag from inside of her little crate. Guess you could say she chose me. Lucky thing I didn't do a story at a horse rescue-would have been cramped in the car on the way home.

      I really like your blog--lots of great features. Linking now. Looks like a Want-It-Wednesday is coming up, I'll be sure to check in on it. (Personally, I try to want less...I mean really, 4 bikes and more panniers than I can count. But I do like to see what's out there, and there are times when a girl's gotta upgrade, soo....)

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    2. Jez AndrewsJune 25, 2012 at 6:31 PM

      haha ah yes but there is alway something out there to tempt us even if we can't afford it. And sometimes there are things that just make you smile. It's all good for Want It Wednesday!!

      I'll have to take a picture of my two cats....perhaps with my bike to make it appropriate!

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    3. Kate RyanJune 25, 2012 at 11:51 PM

      Very true. I've said to friends: the way some women are about shoe shops (can't walk past without stopping) I am about bike shops. I just think bikes are such lovely things. Is it a machine masquerading as art, or art taking the form of a machine? Or both? So I'm definitely looking forward to Want It Wednesday, and will post on it here!

      And do include a snapshot of the critters--who can resist images of adorable fluff?

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  2. CharJune 25, 2012 at 2:19 PM

    Kate - I see you own a Brompton! :) Very good folding bike! I have one too and I tell people it's the "Porsche of folding bikes". :) In case you're interested, I head up the Bromptong Bicycling Club in the area here (started a little over a year ago). http://www.meetup.com/Brompton-Bicycle-Club We meet once a month to ride locally and also in other states (using Megabus or Amtrak to get there). I'd love to have you along on a ride sometime!

    Sorry to hear you were injured recently. :( I've been hit a couple of times too - I guess it's bound to happen if we ride a lot. But it's not gonna stop me from riding. :) Hope you'll hop back "on the horse" again soon. :)

    Charmaine

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    1. Kate RyanJune 25, 2012 at 11:31 PM

      Note to self: don't use the phrase 'knocked sideways' on a bike blog! No, it wasn't a bike injury...and I'm feeling much better, thank you. I just felt such a slacker for being away from the blogging for so long.

      What does one call a gathering of Bromptons? A gaggle? A herd? A pod? Question: have any of your members flown with one? (No, I'm not assuming you can achieve mach 1 on them, but wondering how easy/challenging it was and whether you found you could gate-check it vs having to pack it up for transport)

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    2. CharJune 26, 2012 at 3:11 PM

      Hi - I call the members "Bromptonites" - but you probably could come up with a better term! :) I have flown my Brompton to Germany and Italy (as checked luggage). It was covered in a Brompton zipped bag. Didn't get charged til I was coming back to U.S. :( ($300!!) Another member said he has flown several times with his (as checked luggage also), and he has never been charged. I guess it depends on who you get at the counter... :/

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    3. Kate RyanJune 27, 2012 at 12:24 AM

      Thanks! Yes, I've heard that cyclists often get stung on the way BACK to the US with a bike, and that so much depends on what happens at the counter.

      Here's one story: http://blog.nycewheels.com/flying-with-a-brompton-folding-bike/

      and then there's this...

      https://sevenleagueboots.wordpress.com/2009/02/18/brompton-by-air/

      And I can't find it now, but somewhere in cyberspace, a young woman says she was able to bring her relatively naked Brompton on board and check it in the overhead cabin--can't remember the airline. Would love to know dimensions, etc.

      And of course, I've been told you can wheel it right up to gate-check, call it your personal mobility device, and have it treated just as they would a stroller or wheelchair. I didn't have the guts to try that on my last trip...

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  3. CharJune 25, 2012 at 2:32 PM

    Kate - oops - I read your post wrong - - I thought you had been injured on your bike, but I see you had an illness instead. In any event, sorry to hear it...hope you are feeling better soon. Charmaine

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    1. Kate RyanJune 25, 2012 at 11:32 PM

      Got it--I blame my poor word choice given the context of the blog, thanks again.

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  4. Melanie SuzanneJune 25, 2012 at 9:32 PM

    Aw, thanks for the shout-out, Kate. :) I do hope you're feeling even better and will be back in the saddle soon.

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    1. Kate RyanJune 25, 2012 at 11:35 PM

      Getting there...I will say, with a few exceptions, I've been able to bike back and forth to the doctor's offices, so that's not so bad. It certainly improves the mental state.

      Enjoy that pretty new bike!

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