The Need for Tweed

So, finally the clouds parted – the sun was shining and the temperature wasn’t bone chilling.  This past Saturday was our winter Tweed ride  which was a fantastic success.  I’m guessing there were close to forty riders eagerly wanting to get back on their bikes.  Prior to the Tweed ride, I hadn’t ridden my bike in five days b/c of the ice still coating the side streets of where I live.

Beginning at Cup o’ Joe in the Short North we then hit off to Franklinton Cycle Works.  We hung out, I took more photos, and had coffee and fruit that was donated by Green Bean Delivery.  On to German Village we rode.  Every Tweed ride, we have a group photo at Schiller Park.  This group photo was one of my favorites taken b/c of the snow covered grounds.  It set a nice tone to our ride and of course, the picture.

Thanks to everyone who joined in on the ride.  I think everyone had a wonderful time.  One of the things I absolutely love about bikes and social bike rides is how it brings people together and how it creates friendships.  I notice that immediately and it puts a smile on my face.

Another Tweed ride will happen in the Spring so stay tuned.  Enjoy the photos

Be safe and keep riding.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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‘Swoop and Scoop.’

One of the handful of phrases a bunch of us learned last night at the ’2 Wheels & Heels’ Columbus Ladies Night.  Last night, I organized this month’s ’2 Wheels’ event at Paradise Garage.  A handful of ladies have brought up how much they would love to learn more about their bikes.  So, with winter surely upon us, why not learn the basics about your bike so that you can be prepared and as safe as possible.

Emily and Sara of Paradise Garage were pumped to educate these women.  Immediately, when I walked into the shop, I felt comfortable and welcomed as I always do at Paradise.  Women of all ages and backgrounds started showing up and the ‘meet and greet’ hour began.  Right around seven, twelve of us women went into the back repair area where chairs and pairs of tire levers were laid out for all of us.  The backroom setup was immediately inviting and it made me even more eager for the education session to begin.

The 1.5 hr session went through everything from PSI pressure, to brake pads, to chain lube, frayed cables, to learning how to fix a flat.  Fantastic questions were asked throughout the entire session.  I would look around and see women taking notes and being completely focused on what Emily or Sara were saying.

After the session, the girls changed a few flats and realized how easy it is to take the back wheel off if you have your chain in the smallest ring  It was such an empowering evening for everyone and again, SUCH a comfortable and inviting environment.  If all bike shops provided this type of comfortable and relaxed feel, women feeling intimidated when in bike shops would be minuscule.

Last night was another absolute pleasure.  Enjoy these incredible and empowering pictures.

Be safe and keep riding.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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2 Wheels & Heels – Bicycle Mechanics Style

So, the weather has been a bit of a roller coaster for us.  I personally love it that its mid – high 50′s during these months.  It makes winter less ‘meh’ for me.  Every year I think I say, ‘I need to move’ and each year its been staying milder and milder so we’ll see.

Anywho, through out the awesome rides we’ve done, I’ve asked a handful of ladies if they’d appreciate a ‘basic mechanics’ class and each of them RAVED.  So, before winter DOES hit (if it does), I thought it would be swell to hold a little class for ladies to get to know their bicycles a little more.  Like I always say ‘knowledge is power.’

This Wed. we’ll convene at the lovely Paradise Garage in the Short North where I asked a couple of my favorite bicycle ladies to teach the ladies a thing or two.  We’ll meet at our usual time – 6pm at Paradise Garage.  You can bring your bike or not.  There is a parking lot just South of Paradise Garage as well.

If you have any questions, shoot me an email.  My email address is found under the ‘About’ tab of my blog.

Be safe and keep riding!

New air pumps have been installed at certain bike shelters around Cbus.  I LOVE it.

 

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2 Wheels & Heels Columbus Ladies Ride: Large and In-Charge

This past Wednesday, I believe around fifty ladies ended up riding together ( I keep forgetting to take a head count).  It was such a beautiful sight.  We rode passed a handful of parks that evening, praising public parks and green space and all its beauty.  A lot of the gals had not been over either of the Main St. Bridge or the Rich St. Bridge – they all loved it.

We had an interim rest stop at the ‘walk up’ Jeni’s in German Village where it was one of the evening’s highlights.  Lori at Caffe’ Apropos LOVED that we began at the Caffe’ and said we were welcome back, any time.  Ya see, bicyclists are a very big positive to a neighborhood and a business.  What is more visually appealing:  cars parked all along the sidewalk blocking the scenery of the patrons lingering at the cafe tables outside OR bicycles of all kinds and colors, locked up and PEOPLE filling the sidewalks with laughter and conversations?  Which one brings life to a neighborhood??

Here are some of the photos taken from Wednesday.  I look forward to next month’s ride which I believe will be a tour of Bexley and the beautiful streets and homes.  I hope the trees will have begun to change as this was my reasoning for waiting.

Be safe and keep riding!

 

 

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Gentlemen Tuesday Two-Wheels

I know it’s Wednesday but these were taken yesterday  Busy day / evening last night so I’m posting today.

Be safe and keep riding!

 

 

 

 

I commuted with this fella for about 1/2 mile and he stopped at all the red lights.  I appreciated that  Thank you, sir!

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Hot & Humid

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keep riding!

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‘Step – through’s’ – For The Win!

Thursday afternoon commutes.  Love seeing more and more women riding.

classic cycle chic right here!

 

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One Stop Gallery Hop

This past Sat. was Gallery Hop and what a fantastic day / evening it turned out to be!  I spent most of the day in the sun and loved it.  I met my friend John down at Paradise Garage where we obtained a hefty amount of signatures for a current campaign I’m working on called ‘Connect the Core.’  It is a campaign to accelerate on-road bicycle infrastructure (bike lanes, dedicated bike lanes, etc) throughout our urban core.  When obtaining signatures, I was surprised at how many folks didn’t necessarily ‘ride’ frequently yet they were very willing to sign the petition in support of the campaign.  I was also focused on gaining ‘family’ signatures b/c I really want to work towards getting more families and women on the roads, feeling confident and secure.  If you’re in support of roads safer for ALL users go to http://www.considerbiking.org, click on ‘Get Involved’ up at the top and you’ll see ‘Connect the Core’ right after that.

Now, while obtaining signatures, I was able to capture a few fun pictures of other riders enjoying the evening.  I also rolled up to Gallery Hop in style as you will see in a couple of the pics below

A big group of BMX riders during G-Hop.  I didn’t get all of them but here’s a group of them.

Josh and girlfriend Rachel enjoying the weather and stopping by to say ‘hello.’

‘Bike thieves shot on site.’  I had to photo this up close.  I’m not sure I’d shoot them, I’d rather u-lock them in the face.

A friendly gent showing smiling big for the camera.

This is my Sophie, pre-take off to G-hop.  I had my six pack holder all ready.  My good friend Russian bought me New Belgium (I’m a fanatic for their beer) and Emily and Dan of Paradise Garage are fans as well.  Nothing like sharing a couple beers to people who really appreciate beers

The six-packer hold held up fantastic.  My sister-n-law bought me this.  I mentioned it to her a long time ago and she remembered!  I love it!

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Occupy Tweed!

Yesterday was our bi-annual Tweed Ride Columbus.  Wind gusts were between 15-30mph however, that didn’t stop 30 of us dashing Tweed fans to hop on our bicycles and enjoy a 9 mile route throughout Columbus.  It was a perfect Fall afternoon as we rode through four unique neighborhoods (Short North, Downtown, Old Town East and German Village).  We ended our ride at the very fitting, Brothers Drake Meadery and indulged in some locally made Mead.

Be on the lookout for up and coming information about our Holiday Festivus Ride – it’s gonna be wacky!

Enjoy.

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