January 2013
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Becoming Vulnerable to Change
For the past several months, whenever I have ventured to the gym for a weight workout on my own, I’ve repeated the same routine. A routine that works the basic muscle groups, I have felt locked into doing it because it’s what I know and I was at a loss for how to switch it… Continue reading
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The Politics of Bike Parking at Work
I recently began a new job, and my lovely setup of parking my bike in my office is no more. I now work in a cube and have no space to park a bike. I could use my Tikit or Dahon folder, but I have not put the time in to make either of them… Continue reading
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Pitter Patter: Cold Winter Days in D.C.
A midday run on the Mall. A bitingly cold commute to work. The city looks different, feels distinct over a light powdering of snow. Tourists head indoors, to museums and gift shops. Runners dwindle, leaving only those undeterred by the chill. Continue reading
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Winter Weather: Testing Your Mettle and Your Wardrobe
It is unusual for D.C. to go into the deep freeze, but it happened this week. We’re experiencing the coldest weather we’ve had since March 2009, according to Capital Weather Gang. Given that we seldom have snow or ice during the winter months, the cold and wind are the primary deterrents to riding, as opposed… Continue reading
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Inauguration Weekend & Pennsylvania Avenue Bike Lanes
The city is almost ready for Inauguration Day. Yesterday I tried to capture the final preparations from a perspective slightly higher than ground level. On my commute home I took the Pennsylvania Avenue bike lanes in order to see the Art of Weiwei projection on the exterior of the Newseum. This is only on display from… Continue reading
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I’m Not Training; I’m Having Fun
Earlier this week I read a brief but informative article in the New York Times called “Training Insights from Star Athletes.” The Times interviewed three elite athletes who discussed various facets of their training, including the importance of making it focused and structured. When Felkerino and I agreed to ride Paris-Brest-Paris (PBP) in 2011, I… Continue reading
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A Run in Rock Creek with Ultrarunnergirl
A couple of weeks ago I received an email from my friend Kirstin, aka Ultrarunnergirl, inviting me to go trail running with her in Rock Creek Park. Her timing could not have been better, as I had just been lamenting my “story of sameness” and the need to mix it up with other activities this… Continue reading
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The Wheel of Influence
Why did you start riding a bicycle? Who are the people that influenced you? I’ve been giving these questions heavy consideration as I think about the reasons that I started to ride and continue to do so today, especially when I see the numbers showing how few people ride bikes. While the data I’ve come… Continue reading
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D.C. Commute Scenes: Getting Ready
It’s been a while since my last “D.C. Commute Scenes” post. Guess everything became routine landscape the past few months. Not lately, though. Right now, big things are happening right here in Washington, D.C. (Insert snide comment here if you feel like doing so.) The city is rapidly preparing for the presidential inauguration. People are out… Continue reading
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Employers: Setting the Tone for Bike Commuters
Since I began commuting nine years ago, I’ve worked for three four different employers. All have been located within five miles of my residence at the time, and that short distance encouraged me to leave the Metro behind and either bike or walk to work. Now I exclusively bike or walk to my office, something… Continue reading
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Looking Ahead Without a Spreadsheet
As mentioned in a previous post, I track the miles I run and ride. I keep tabs on the number of days I do each activity. Bike ride? Check. Trip to the gym? Check. Miles ridden or run? Write them down. I usually take great pleasure watching the trips and miles add up over the… Continue reading
Chasing MailBoxes 