She Loves Bicycles

Body & Soul magazine bicycle feature

2010-05-23T13:41:00.003-04:00

Have you checked out the latest issue of Body & Soul magazine? There is an entire section on cycling. I thought it was really well done.

Some of it can be viewed on the web at:
http://www.wholeliving.com/ or purchase the magazine at your local store.

Photo is from www.wholeliving.com

Check Out "The Green Riders"

2010-04-22T13:46:00.001-04:00

http://thegreenriders.blogspot.com/

Catherine and Oliver Bock are setting off on a journey across America on electric bicycles. Their two month adventure will depart from California on April 22, 2010 (Today. Earth Day). The brother and sister team are explorers focused on discovering sustainability heroes all across the country. Follow this blog and join the adventure.

The information posted above is from their blog. It will be exciting to follow their adventure and you can follow along too by clicking the link provided at the top.

Transportation's Bicycle Policy Hits Potholes

2010-04-14T09:25:00.000-04:00

http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/article/20100414/UPDATES01/100414007

Roll: Columbus Ohio

2010-04-06T09:51:00.002-04:00

These are some snapshots that I took yesterday at Roll: located in the Easton Town Center in Columbus,Ohio.

The weather was perfect yesterday (in the low 80's) so it was a great day for shopping at Easton Town Center. For some reason, I never realized there was a bike shop at the mall. Roll: has some awesome bikes, clothing (for men and women) and accessories. The staff was extremely helpful and it was a great experience. You can find them online at http://www.roll-online.com/ or at Easton Town Center, 3950 Townsfair Way, Columbus,Ohio (614) 858-0390.

They also have another store at Polaris and coming soon...a Lane Ave shop. Check out the web site for more info.

Welcome Spring

2010-03-31T11:30:00.001-04:00

The sun is shining, flowers are starting to bloom and it's time to get the bikes back out. Agatha (my vintage Hercules 3-speed) made her debut last week for a short ride around the neighborhood. Today is beautiful so I'll take a quick ride before work. I am so ready. Hibernation season is over...finally. Also can't wait to catch up on all the blogs...the great photos and posts. I've missed reading about everyone's cycling adventures.

This photo was taken at Paradise Garage in Columbus,Ohio.

Bicycle Necklace

2009-09-21T09:09:00.000-04:00

I couldn't resist this necklace. Mom bought it for me as an early Christmas present. It's a great momento of a fun day spent with my mom.

You can purchase one at: The Vintage Barn www.barnbarnbaby.com

Vintage Tandem

2009-09-21T08:47:00.001-04:00

Country Living Magazine held it's fair in Columbus,Ohio over the weekend. Mom and I went yesterday and had a fabulous time.

This old huffy tandem was at the booth of homegirlshop.com. It was too cute. Love the dice on the tires and the front of the basket has red lips.

Be sure to check her out at www.homegirlshop.com

Random Pic

2009-09-15T12:00:00.001-04:00

Just a random shot from the car.

Obama Drama

2009-09-03T10:45:00.002-04:00

Much has been made of the President's decision skip the helmet while riding on vacation at Martha's Vineyard. In June, he was criticized for his "nerdy" helmet. What's a guy to do?

So what do you think?

Is this much ado about nothing?

Do you always wear a lid?

top photo: nytimes.com (photo by Alex Brandon - Associated Press)

bottom photo: LA Times (photo by Alex Brandon - Associated Press)

New opportunities

2009-08-24T14:52:00.004-04:00

http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009908230326

My last post was about a new opportunity and I told you that I would fill you in. Well, the big news is this: I have been offered a chance to write for a couple of local publications including our newspaper.

It seems this 40 year old (wannabe) writer is being given a chance.

I have a lot to learn. Aside from research papers in college, a couple of essays and newsletter writing, my experience has been limited to blogging and fiction. Journalism is a whole different ball of wax. Thank goodness for a great and patient editor.

I have also been working on my first novel, The Geriatric Prom Queens, and still hope to finish it by the end of the year. Hopefully, someone will want to buy it once it's completed.

I always wanted to be a writer but never had the guts to "go for it". Thanks to one of my best friends, Paul, and my husband, Mike, I realize there's nothing stopping me. Being a writer is a dream come true for me and I'm so grateful for the opportunity.

Sorry that this is all about me today. I'm not really this self-centered:) Just wanted to bring everyone up to speed.

I've posted a link to the most recent article above.

~ Jen

Missing my bikes and all of you

2009-08-17T01:07:00.003-04:00

Life has been so crazy but in a good way. I have been offered an opportunity to make one of my life-long ambitions come true. I'm not quite ready to share it all yet. I might jinx myself.

I will tell you that it's exciting, nerve wracking and flattering- all at the same time. The only caveat so far is that I have absolutely no time to ride.

The weather has been so hot and humid (as I write this, I am sticking to my chair). I haven't even wanted to ride to work. I would have to leave early to allow time for the "PTA" bath and I just don't have the extra minutes right now.

I am missing my bikes and all of my fellow bloggers. I miss reading about all of you and your adventures. I wonder if anyone has a new bike, had a crash, or decided to give up their car.

Things will settle down soon and I will restore some balance to our household. At this moment, I have about two weeks of dirty laundry, a garden full of weeds, and a list of other projects that need to be done before autumn.

Just wanted you to know that I'm still here and thinking of all of you.

2009-08-10T12:52:00.001-04:00

This article appeared in the Mansfield News Journal today. I thought I would share it with all of you. Photo and story are from www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com

August 10, 2009
Livestrong honors fundraiser from Shelby

By JAMI KINTON

News Journal
SHELBY -- One Shelby man is about to take a ride he won't soon forget.
After more than two years of hard work and dedication, Jack Gray, 61, will participate Oct. 25 in his first Livestrong Challenge Ride for the Roses.
The honor is only awarded to those who raise more than $10,000 in a single year for the cancer foundation.
But that's not all.
Riding alongside the "roses" will be record-breaking pro cyclist and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong, foundation founder and Tour de France champion seven consecutive years.
"I wanted to do the Ride for the Roses since I started fundraising," Gray said. "This is a huge honor for me."
Gray, who directed the Shelby band for 30 years, was diagnosed in October 2004 with stage four prostate cancer.
After surgery, two months of radiation and three years of chemotherapy, Gray is now coming up on his second-year being cancer-free.
When treatments ended in 2007, Gray decided to do his first Livestrong cycling challenge in Philadelphia. The organization donates millions each year to cancer research initiatives and hospitals across the country.
"Many years ago, before children, I was teaching and I got interested in cycling," Gray said. "I did some serious road cycling and probably rode until the kids were born. Then life got busy and riding got away from me."
When cancer later took a toll on his body, Gray said he got back into cycling to regain strength.
After a friend suggested he read one of Armstrong's books, Gray said he was impressed and inspired.
Then visited the Livestrong Web site.
"I found out about the Livestrong challenge and felt this was a way to give back to everyone who helped me through this," he said.
In order to raise money, Gray has sold T-shirts, held raffles, mailed letters and created a bike rally in Shelby.
In just under three years, Gray has raised nearly $29,000.
"Everyone's life has been touched by cancer," he said. "Every minute, someone dies from cancer."
This month, Gray will participate in the Philadelphia challenge for the third time, then travel to Austin, Texas, in October for the Ride for the Roses.
"I don't ride, but I'm here for support," his wife Chris said. "Wherever he is, I'm there."
Chris said many participants raise money in teams.
"They can't believe he's raised all this himself," she said.
"This is just my way of payin' it forward," Gray said. "This is something I can do to really help the foundation help others."

To donate to Jack Gray's fund, visit www.livestrong.org or mail a check made out to "Livestrong" to Gray at 162 Poplar St., Shelby, OH, 44875.

Bike Trail Pics

2009-08-07T10:57:00.000-04:00

I've been out of circulation this week. I've been out a few times on the bikes but haven't had much time to be "The Bike Stalker". As usual, I was driving and saw some very stylish cyclists but didn't have the camera ready...story of my life.

Anyway, getting back into a normal routine but it's going to take me all weekend to catch up on everyone's blogs. Have a good one! ~ Jen

Library Sighting

2009-07-25T13:01:00.001-04:00

This old bike was parked outside the library.

For Lovely Bicycle

2009-07-24T14:14:00.001-04:00

I adore the blog "Lovely Bicycle". Everyday, I turn on my computer to see if Filigree has posted anything new. She's inspired me to write just a bit about my old Schwinn. The discussion on her blog was about getting used to a road bike if you normally ride a comfort or hybrid so I thought I jot down a few of my thoughts.

My Schwinn was a $10 thrift store purchase. I already owned a beach cruiser (we lived on the South Florida coast at the time) and my Specialized hybrid when I found the Schwinn. The bike was in "like new" condition but I changed out a few things at my husbands suggestion. I purchased a new saddle from Performance and had my local shop (Bicycle Sport of Vero Beach, Florida) put on new drop bars and brakes. This year, I finally changed out the pedals to Shimano's M-520's but more on that issue later.

Like Filigree, I was a little intimidated by this bike. If you are used to wide tires and sitting upright, this is a big change. I didn't have a lot of trouble adjusting to the position since I rode a boy's 10-speed during my teenage years but as you can see in the
picture, I have tilted the bars toward me rather than having them totally flat and even with the saddle. It made the transition a little easier. I also added a rear view mirror.

What I love about the bike is it's speed. Even though it's an old steel bike, it's a lot lighter than any of my other bikes. Hills are not really a big challenge when I'm riding it. What takes some getting used to is how it handles road problems such as gravel, potholes, bumps, cracks, etc. I have to be a lot more careful and skilled when I'm on it.

I had my first crash on this bike. The crash happened shortly after I started riding it and I tackled some wet train tracks in a way that only an inexperienced rider would. I was used to the handling of the hybrid and I just didn't anticipate how a skinny tire would handle the track. The back wheel went out from under me and the next thing I knew; I was on the ground. Lesson learned. The arm healed and the road rash went away.

Now I own a fleet of bikes. They all serve different purposes and which one I take depends on where I'm going, road/weather conditions and my mood. It's nice to have that choice and I love them all.

Yieldtolife

2009-07-22T10:08:00.001-04:00

Professional Cyclist for Team Garmin-Slipstream, David Zabriskie, has started an organization called Yield to Life; dedicated to promoting a safer environment for cyclists. Yield to life has a mission to increase public awareness of cyclists and to humanize them to drivers.

Please take a moment to check out the website:

http://yieldtolife.org

I Feel The Need For Speed!

2009-07-21T11:18:00.001-04:00

Christopher's new motorcycle

Not exactly the most flattering picture. It started out as a decent hair day but after the wind tunnel effect, it didn't look so hot.

While attending the party for my uncle's 60th birthday, I asked my cousin to take me for a ride on his new motorcycle. I had not been on a motorcycle in probably 20 years. I know... before you mention it... I wear a helmet on my bicycle but don't have one on while riding a machine that can go well in excess of 100 mph. We were just riding up the road and not very fast (ish). It was fun to feel the wind whipping around me but I think I'll stick with bikes that have pedals.

Do You Feel Guilty?

2009-07-20T11:24:00.001-04:00

This is a pic of the groceries that I brought home on the bike yesterday. It was a heavy load for me but I kept thinking of Sara from Full Hands who rides everywhere; toting kids and everything else. She gave me to motivation to keep going. Thanks Sara and all of the rest of my fellow bloggers for all the inspiration.

Yesterday, we had to attend a party for an uncle's 60th birthday. My assignment was to bring fruit to the party. I debated...take the car or try the bike. I knew that the melons were going to make for a heavy load but what the heck. I took Agatha because she's the bike with the basket and rack but she's also the heaviest bike with the fewest gears. The thing is... at some point, I have to practice what I preach and consistently.

I have no problem taking the bike for short distances but at the slightest hint of real exertion, traffic, or weather issues. I hop in my car and off I go. Sure, it helps cut down on car usage and I purchase carbon offsets for my car but I feel like a hypocrite. I know I shouldn't feel guilty about it since I knew it would be nearly impossible to go completely car- free in this location but I do. So I'm going to ask the question...am I the only one who feels this way?

View From The Saddle

2009-07-19T11:40:00.001-04:00

The pavement becomes a blur along with any stresses that I'm carrying around when I get on the bike. It's a great way to work out problems, clear the head, (hopefully, cure writer's block) and come back refreshed and renewed. One of the things that I love most about cycling is the sense of freedom and empowerment that I feel when I'm riding. Just another one of the benefits of riding a bike. Happy riding :)

What's Up With the New Name

2009-07-16T12:52:00.001-04:00

If you have stopped by before or you follow the blog, you might have noticed that the name has changed. The address has stayed the same but I have a new title. The reason is simple. I have started to blog on our local newspaper's website and I need to protect my privacy, just a little. I didn't worry about it so much before because most of us "cyclegirls" are spreadout throughout the world and we share a common interest but now some of my readers are in my backyard and may not be so friendly. Thanks for understanding and ride on.

Sometimes You Have To Get Off And Walk

2009-07-14T14:27:00.001-04:00

I snapped this pic yesterday morning. I was relieved to know that I'm not the only one who has to get off and walk the bike. There is a huge hill on my route from work to home. I can ride it on the hybrid or the touring bike but not on Agatha. Every time I try, I end up getting off and walking her up the hill. It's become my goal for the summer, to be able to make it to the top on Aggie.

Cycling Through The Weekend

2009-07-13T15:07:00.004-04:00

The Psycyclist giving a wave but we weren't the only ones who rode to the show.

Our bikes parked under the stairs.

This bike was parked across the street.

This weekend, the Psycyclist turned 51, a major milestone since the odds were against him making it to thirty. One would have thought that fifty would have been the big birthday since he made it to half a century but it came and went with little fanfare. He's now excited to have made it one year past the halfway mark since he's banking on making it to one hundred.

I took a vacation day on Saturday and we were headed for Shelby's Bicycle Days. The Weather Gods were not in our favor and throughout the morning it grew dark and stormy. As the clock continued inching toward 2:00 (time of the parade start), the storm began to pass. The 51 year old Psycyclist had fallen asleep in front of the television. This is something he never does. Hopefully, it's not a sign of whats to come over the 49 remaining years of his life. I hope these senior citizen naps aren't going to become a habit but he was so peaceful that I didn't have the heart to wake him.

When he finally awoke, I was vegged out in front of the TV watching a chick flick on Lifetime (I'd pryed the remote from his hands) and he was a little disappointed that we'd missed Bicycle Days. Instead he worked on bikes and "pounded some hills". He came home and announced to me, "I still have it!" When asked if he wanted anything special for dinner, he requested one of my home-made pizzas. So that was our evening; catching up on the Tour De France stages that we hadn't watched yet and eating pizza.

On Sunday, he worked on bikes again (I don't know if there is really that much work to be done or if it's just his excuse to hang out in the garage with his bikes) and we picked up his wheel from the bike shop. We also picked up a new rack for his Fuji so he can start hauling groceries on it.

Sunday night, we hopped on the bikes and rode to the Govt Mule concert that was being held downtown. We equipped the bikes with lights and off we went. We weren't the only ones who rode Eco-friendly to the show. We spotted a couple of other bikes parked around the area. It was funny...we parked the bikes under some stairs at the side of the building where most of the people had to pass from the parking lot to the theatre and it was unbelievable how many people remarked on Agatha. I didn't realize she was so cool. Older people smile and wave all the time (I always chalk it up to nostalgia) but this was a pretty young crowd and they thought she was hip. When we left, we just got on and rode. No traffic...just brilliant.

Schwinn Remake

2009-07-12T13:49:00.001-04:00

Yesterday, the Psycyclist, feeling a little jealous of all the attention that Agatha has been getting lately, wanted me to take some photos of his Schwinn turned Gios. This has proven to be a versatile bike for him. It was a Schwinn Madison frame that he resprayed. Then was a fixed gear now its a flip-flop. (a fixed/single speed).

He bartered some labor for the frame and wheels. He had a seat post and the saddle. We had the freewheel, brakes, levers and handlebars put on so we think the cost was somewhere around $70. He's been riding it now for about ten years.

The 96th Tour De France

2009-07-11T12:12:00.003-04:00

Photo from www.versus.com

Everyday, I DVR the tour so I can watch it when I get home from work (at midnight). This means that I have had almost no sleep this week and have fallen asleep on the couch a couple of times before seeing the end of the coverage.

If you haven't been following, you're missing a great show. It's anyone's tour right now and Team Astana has a rather interesting set up with several riders that could actually take the tour. We haven't had cable for five years but I had to get it with a digital sports package in order to get Versus but you can also watch footage on www.versus.com . They also have several contests with some really cool prizes including a trip to the 2010 Tour. Be sure to check out their website. It really is incredible and I am dying to get a poster of the logo pictured above.

I also stumbled onto an alternative way to follow the tour. I sometimes check out a blog called Good Things. It's about someone who aspires to a Martha Stewart type existence. I haven't looked at it for a while and when I went there today, I found that it's author is following the Tour. A map is provided along with regional information but here's the best part... they prepare a dish that is traditional for each region that the Tour rides through. The articles are fabulous and the food is tantalizing. Food & cycling. How awesome. So be sure to visit.

Good things @ http://realnobodyslikeus.typepad.com

Bikes At LL Bean

2009-07-11T11:32:00.002-04:00

LL Bean has a couple of beach cruisers in their catalog along with helmets, lights, racks, panniers and more. Most of the accessories are more sport than chic but I like the messenger bag pictured below. It comes in many color combinations and you can even purchase a stainless steel water bottle to match.

Check them out at the following link:

http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ShowEmarketingLander?storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&init=0&freeText=runaround+cruiser+lander&feat=hi

Photos are from llbean.com

Random Pics

2009-07-11T10:39:00.001-04:00

I inquired at the coffee shop about the owner of this bike and was told that he lost his license. He rode to the coffee shop to catch a ride to his job. That seems to be pretty common around here. People ride because they have to;not for the sake of riding or some greater purpose.

This can't really be comfortable for transportation but I see them all the time. Reality is... there is no bicycle chic here in Mansfield...yet.

This fellow was riding past the library and as usual, I'm a day late and a dollar short on getting the pic.

Should I Be Tempted?

2009-07-09T12:23:00.001-04:00

My friend sent me this pic yesterday. He saw this bike for sale for only $50. I just don't know. It's an old Roadmaster and you can see that it needs a little work. Might be ok for the Psycyclist. What should I do?

Bicycle Safety

2009-07-09T11:41:00.001-04:00

Yesterday, I heard about an accident where a cyclist was riding on the sidewalk (allegedly due to some road construction barrels and other debris in the street) and a car turning into a business hit the cyclist. That just drove the point home that sidewalks are for pedestrians not bikes. When I said this to a friend (who hasn't been on a bike since she was a kid) she said, "I always used to ride on the sidewalk or against traffic". My heart almost stopped. These are two sure ways to get hit especially riding against traffic. I proceeded to explain to her why this was so dangerous and she said if she was riding against traffic, she could see what was coming at her. "But cars aren't looking for you to be coming that way. Particularly, cars pulling out from a business or intersection", I explained to her.

Occasionally, I have been known to use a sidewalk but always slowly and watching for cars pulling in and out of parking lots, driveways etc. I don't like to do it but it's the lesser of two evils in some cases. I also told her about my handy rear view mirror that fits into the handlebars (I have one on my helmet but I'm not too thrilled about it).

So we've all seen bike riders pedaling the wrong way down a street on the sidewalk. Does anyone else ever get the urge to give them a bicycle safety lesson, right there on the street? It's not a superiority thing...it's just that I can picture them getting hit and quite frankly, it's gives all cyclists a bad name when they are the cause of an accident. What's the answer?

Cycling Decor

2009-07-08T12:39:00.001-04:00

Subtle cycling decor. Love it!

These were presents from my sister-in-law, Cathy. She always puts a lot of effort into finding the perfect gift.
The one in middle came from Pier One if you like it!

Bike Trail Pics

2009-07-06T10:49:00.001-04:00

This lovely couple out for a Sunday evening ride has a matching set of Electra Townies.

I love this couple. He's more of a roadie and she's in her street clothes.

The Psycyclist broke a spoke on his Gios on Saturday so we ran the wheel down to the bike shop for repair. On the way back, we checked out the bike trail for any unsuspecting models. Maybe the blog should be called "bike stalker" since I am armed with camera and on the prowl. Anyway, we spotted quite a few Electra Townies so I guess our local shop has sold a lot of them. For me, it's a bike that I like in theory but not so much in practice. I'm sure they're great for people who just want to leisurely ride along the trail. They sure do look cool!

Hope you all had a great weekend!

Vintage Pic Of The Day

2009-07-05T11:01:00.001-04:00

Gentleman rider

Around Town

2009-07-03T14:48:00.001-04:00

Nice day for a tandem ride. Her partner must have been in the bank.

At the Farmer's Market today. I love his patriotic headband!

Bike Rack is Top Design

2009-07-03T09:50:00.003-04:00

http://www.pointclickhome.com/products_appliances/articles/met_homes_top_tech

Copenhagen-based designers Ian Mahaffy and Maarten de Greeve’s design, a simple circle bisected by a crossbar, beat out more than 200 entries in a contest to come up with a secure bike rack for New York City cyclists. Almost 5,000 hoops, each costing under $300, are soon to be anchored to the pavement all over the city.—Peter Hellman
Photographer: Scott Gastel

I picked up a back issue of Metropolitan Home's Design 100 and this bike rack was one of their picks. What do you think? I would love to have one at my house for guests to ride up and lock it. It's artful and practical.

More Pics From Germany

2009-07-02T12:47:00.001-04:00

photos courtesy of B. Bogantz

Agatha At The Candy Shoppe

2009-07-02T11:45:00.001-04:00

Agatha went to a new, local candy shoppe yesterday. I think I should have placed myself beneath the "Nuts" sign.
Happy riding :)

Cyclists In Germany

2009-07-01T09:55:00.001-04:00

All Photos Courtesy of B. Bogantz

One of my co-workers spent a month in Germany a couple of summers ago. They just happened to stumble into a race and she took some pictures. I nearly died when she got back and I looked at the pics. What luck... to just find a race. She lent me her memory disk this weekend so I could look at them again and unknowingly, she captured a few other cyclists in her random shots. She has graciously agreed to let me share them with you (including the banner at the top of the page). Enjoy.

Le Tour 2009

2009-06-30T11:21:00.003-04:00

This is a pic of a poster the Psycyclist purchased for our first home.

Are you ready? Le Tour starts Saturday, July 4th. It is the most amazing thing to watch! Maybe...someday...I'll get a glimpse of it in person. In the meantime, you can follow the tour here: http://www.letour.fr/indexus.html

The Fashion Book

2009-06-30T10:04:00.002-04:00

A found a copy of The Fashion Book in a thrift store several years ago. If you love fashion.. you need a copy of this book. It has some of the greatest photographs ever taken in the fashion industry. While flipping through it the other day, I found this photograph taken by Inez Van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin. It was taken in 1994 for a Face fashion shoot.

The Fashion Book Isbn: 071483808x
Inez Van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin: www.airdeparis.com/inezvin.htm

Where Have All The Links Gone?

2009-06-29T20:55:00.003-04:00

Saxton Road started out to be a blog about our life. It was going to include all sorts of topics but things were starting to get a bit jumbled as the focus on this site became cycling. So I've started a new blog in order to mainstream this site. Saxton Road is now Saxton Road Cycling and all of the other links and blogrolls are now located on a new site. I'm sure things will spill over from one site to another on occasion, but hopefully, this will keep things a little more clear.

The new site is Eclectic Farmhouse and can be found at http://eclecticfarmhouse.blogspot.com/

More Than Cycling At Terry

2009-06-29T10:36:00.002-04:00

Photos are from www.terrybicycles.com

I received a comment from a fellow blogger about refraining from cycling themed products. I totally understand where she is coming from. You could go a little over the top with this stuff. T-shirts, jewelry, underwear, etc. So, anyway, I wanted to highlight some of clothing that is just clothing. It's nothing more. They carry several styles of shorts, cargo pants and tops. Many are organic. They even have some really cute flip-flops.

Terry has some sunglasses that are totally functional but stylish. That is an area that has been challenging to me since I started cycling. Briko's and other sport sunglasses just look ridiculous on me and Terry has the solution to that problem.

I like the idea that I can buy regular clothes from a cycling company. If you want to keep companies around, you have to support them so I thought I'd spread the word that Terry has more than just cycling.

P.S. I almost forgot... They also have Plus Size cycling gear. Important, since we aren't all size small.

What I Got In The Mail

2009-06-27T10:35:00.001-04:00

Yesterday, I opened the mailbox to find my first Terry catalog. Talk about bike porn! I have checked out the website, which is terrific but I love to have a catalog to hold in my hand. I know it's strange but I like to read magazines and catalogs in bed and it's a little hard to do with a computer since I only have a desktop.

I love that this company combines athleticism,comfort and fashion. Some of the other catalogs have only a page or two of womens products and they aren't all that exciting but this is a company by a woman for women. Georgena Terry started building bikes in her basement in 1983. She is the original when it comes to WSD. If you dismissed them because you thought it was all lycra, it's time to re-think. I might even have to get a second job because if I could, I would order one of almost everything.

www.terrybicycles.com

Giggles And Grins Bowtique

2009-06-26T12:13:00.004-04:00

Photos are by Dawn Wilcox from her etsy store.

I discovered Dawn Wilcox through my cousins boutique (ModTots). She had some of Dawn's necklaces in her store and they are really cool! I picked up her business card and it's been laying on my desk for months. Finally, I went to her online store and checked it out. OMG! She has some really cool necklaces and the prices are great. She makes them from recycled scrabble and domino tiles. I don't think I can pick just one to order since she has hundreds to choose from.

I have emailed Dawn and I'm hoping she's going to let me interview her for the blogs but in the meantime, give her some love and check out her website.

Giggles and Grins Bowtique at: http://www.dwilcox.etsy.com/

Agatha Has Sound

2009-06-25T14:15:00.001-04:00

My sister was moving and was clearing out her clutter. She didn't want this radio so she offered it to me. Never one to turn down something for free, I said, "Sure. I'll take it". It's now found a home on Agatha. I have little speakers that ride in the basket so I can listen to the radio while riding and I can still hear traffic. Much safer solution then my using headphones. It makes for a very pleasant riding experience.

Going Clipless

2009-06-24T12:05:00.001-04:00

After reading Bike Skirt's "Case For Clipless", I was inspired to post my clipless experience. I have been debating this issue for almost six years. The Psycyclist is always clipped in to his road pedals and in fact, had a little trouble riding his Fuji Mountain Bike, the other day, because it still has platforms. He has been gently persuading me to "go for it".

About six weeks ago, we stopped into our local, Y-Not Cycling, and they had this pair of Nikes on clearance for only $35. One would be fool not to. They were the right size and I liked the looks of them. I also like that they are mountain shoes so if I want to stop at a store, I'm not going to be clomping through it, like I would be in road shoes. So anyway, I bought the shoes. After looking through the Performance Bike catalog all week, I decided it would be best if we took a road trip to Columbus (about an hour away) to the Performance store. I have a thing about touching and seeing the things that I'm gonna buy. So while Psycyclist was hooked on a Crank Brothers pedal, I opted for the Shimano PD-M520's. They were on sale for $49.99.

I got home and Psycyclist put them on my bike while I put the cleats on the shoes. He thought it best if I tried to learn how to clip in and out while the bike was on the trainer. That only messed me up worse. I felt like the whole contraption was going to fall over while I was trying to clip in. So in a huff, I got the bike out of the trainer and just went for it. After a couple of times, up and down the street, I had the hang of it until... I rode up my own driveway and stopped the bike before I got my foot out. Crash..Splat...Boom! I went over, bike and all. Not a big deal. I got over the fear of falling a long time ago. It happens. Just had a couple of bruises.

Then we were off to the bike trail. I rode the fastest and strongest...ever. They were comfortable and I was so pleased. I'm still getting used to them. It's the mind telling the foot to release thing. I haven't clipped in to ride around town yet. I'm not ready and I'm not going to push myself to do it. I have two other bikes for errands and commuting. I think that knowing I'm not ready to tackle heavy traffic is a good thing. I really don't need to crash and get run over by a car. Besides I wouldn't want to mess up my bike.

I can understand Bike Skirts reasons for clipless. The extra power over a mountain is crucial. I don't think she is a trader to the urban cycling movement. You have to do what's right for you, your climate, and your terrain. As I posted the other day, I love everything cycling so I don't really get the line drawn between the lycra-clad and fashion-conscious. Anybody on a bike is a good thing... no matter what they are wearing. Remember: Form Follows Function

Advice needed from other bloggers

2009-06-23T13:33:00.001-04:00

So this is part of the fleet and as you can see by the bottom right corner (second picture up) we have added another member. Remember the vintage Huffy that I saw parked down the street? Now it's mine. The neighbor said it was sitting outside because he had no room for it in his garage. He sold it to me for $30. I started working on it today and it's quality is not nearly as good as the Hercules but it's going to be a great little bike. I'm thinking that it might be good for a loaner for friends to use when they are visiting. I need to get new tires for it, clean it up a little and it's ready to ride.

So I have to ask. How do all of you great cycling bloggers get your pics? I'm having a heck of a time. I'm feeling like the lone cyclist in town. I carry my camera with me and never find anything to shoot. Lot's of people ride at the bike trail but not many use their bike as a mode of transport. It's a little frustrating when so many of you take such beautiful pictures and post them. Oh well, I guess I'll have to work with what I've got but any advice would greatly be appreciated. Oh and when I do see something interesting, the moment has passed before I even get the camera out. I know...pathetic.

When Worlds Collide...

2009-06-22T10:10:00.002-04:00

His world/My world

Today, you are finally going to be introduced to the Psycyclist, also known as my husband. The psycyclist loves all things racing. He loves the flashy euro jerseys, gaudy shoes, and has more cycling gear than I have shoes (that's a lot). He is the one that got me into cycling. My engagement present from Psycyclist was my Specialized Hybrid. Before that, I rode around our Florida town on a single speed, Huffy beach cruiser with a coaster brake. Then all of the sudden, he had me sucked into the gear too. I had to have shorts, jerseys, shoes and a road bike. The whole bit. That was before I discovered the Chic Cycling movement.

So I confess to owning the very gear that is discouraged on most of my favorite blogs. Here's the thing, I have a road bike that is for sport. When I take it to the trail, I am there to ride like hell. I put on my gear and pretend that I am riding in the Tour de France. I clip in and go. I can, however, distinguish between riding for sport and riding pretty. I love them both.

The psycyclist is having a little more trouble embracing both worlds. Even when commuting or taking a leisurely ride, he rides like a racer. He can't seem to just slow down and enjoy the scenery. He's trying but I think it's going to take a little work.

Last night, we rode to my parents for a Father's Day cook-out. I took Agatha since we had to carry food with us. Psycho, oh I mean Psycyclist, rode his new Fuji mountain bike that is going to be his winter commuter. He wanted to test it out. I was riding at a slow steady pace, but the poor Psycyclist was chomping at the bit, so to speak, to bomb over there at top speed.

I wonder if it's a guy thing since one of my girlfriends is engaged to a cyclist and he moved in with all of his gear, too. I've been trying to get her to start riding but she was a little put off thinking that she needed all of this "stuff". I told her that all she needs is a bike and now she might be willing to give it a try.

So how do you get a lycra wearing cycling geek to embrace the slow lane? I don't know. But when we got home last night, the Psycyclist said, " I wish I could ride like you".

Vintage Bike Sighting

2009-06-21T10:20:00.001-04:00

Last night, I spotted this sitting in a driveway;a few houses down from mine. I didn't have my camera so I couldn't get a pic. I looked at it from the street and all I could see was a black metal tag on the back of the seat. I thought it might be a Raleigh because the saddle looked like mine from a distance.

When I came home from work, it was midnight and the bike was still sitting in the driveway but I didn't want to take the picture at night. Woke up this morning and it's still outside the house. I was worried that someone would help themselves to it during the night. It's a Huffy; made to look like a Raleigh. It's in really good shape. Super clean. I wonder if it's owner wants to sell.......

Tubadubjam 2009 at the Mansfield Reformatory

2009-06-21T02:06:00.005-04:00

Photos by Paul Smith

Friday August 21st and Saturday August 22nd, 2009
VINTAGE AND MODERN PORSCHE / VW CAR SHOW / SWAP MEET / CAMPOUT

Ok. So this has absofreakinlutely nothing to do with cycling but my buddy, Paul, puts on one hell of a great car show. We went out a couple of years ago and it was one of the best times that we've ever had. We went out Friday night for the camp-out and it was a blast!

If you're not familiar with The Mansfield Reformatory then you need to know that it's one of the most haunted places in Ohio and this is one of the only opportunities you'll get to camp there. You may recognize it from the movie "The Shawshank Redemption" because it was filmed right here.

Check out the link below for more info:

http://www.tubadubjam.com/

First Wheels

2009-06-19T12:04:00.001-04:00

There's really been nothing going on in my cycling world this week since Monday but Monday was a big day for us. We brought Max home (the vintage Raleigh), we met a cool cyclist and put him up for the night(see article below) and when we cleaned out our garage attic , we found my first 10-speed. It's an old Huffy but it's still in pretty good condition. I think it will be a great bike to rehab. I'm thinking of painting it bright pink and really making it unique. Should be fun but we have to finish cleaning out all of the junk in the garage first. Ride on and have a great weekend.

Vintage Pic Of The Day

2009-06-17T01:49:00.001-04:00

You Never Know

2009-06-16T09:55:00.001-04:00

Last night, Mike and I went to the library to load up on books, movies and music for the week. I grabbed my camera on my way out the door; just in case we spotted any cyclists along the way. Sure enough, we spotted this guy talking with a couple of gents along the side of the road. I pulled the car off into a parking lot, got out and went over to ask to take his picture. He asked if he might crash in our backyard for the night. We offered him a bed, shower, food and a washer & dryer. He was a perfect guest. He used our computer to hook up with a guy that he met along the way who is from Sweden and is cycling across the country. They are meeting this morning to continue the trip East together.

He just graduated from college and decided to take this trip before the next chapter in his life. We were both a little jealous and wished we were traveling with him. He was a perfect guest and this was a great experience. You never know where your love of cycling will take you. Not only have I conversed with some great people on the blogs but now we have put up our first overnight cycling guest. As he rode off this morning, he said," au revoir" and rode away. I gave him my email and I hope he stays in touch to let us know about his trip.

Meet Max

2009-06-15T16:55:00.002-04:00

This is Max. The newest addition to our bicycle family. He was given to us by a co-worker of my brother. He's a 1977 Raleigh 10-speed. Max is in need of some TLC which is just what we plan to give him. His previous owner wanted someone to love him and ride him and that's what I intend to do. This will be my first time taking a bicycle completely apart and putting it all back together. I can't wait.

Max has a beautiful Headbadge and that part will stay original but we don't think we can save the original paint job and decals. Darn it!

Max is going to look great once he gets some of his rust off.

It really is too bad about the decals because they are cool.

Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure 2009

2009-06-13T10:03:00.002-04:00

The Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure starts on Saturday, June 20th from Norwalk, Ohio with a bicycle parade. The ride is a 7 day tour with riders completing 45-65 miles per day with various stops at historic sites throughout. I am not even close to being fit enough to ride this event but I may go up to Norwalk (about 45 minutes away) to see the parade and wish the riders well.

Check out the link to read more about this event: http://www.goba.com

Off To A Great Start

2009-06-12T11:27:00.002-04:00

A Pic from the Carousel District-Downtown Mansfield

Yesterday, I rode Agatha to work. I was a little nervous taking her out for the first time and there was a serious threat of rain but I decided, "What the heck" and went for it. She was fabulous! She handled like a pro and looked quite stylish cruising through downtown. She needs a few little adjustments to her brakes but my husband/bike mechanic will look at it this weekend.

One of the things I love about riding a bike is that you can say hello to people that you pass on the street. I saw one of my favorite library clerks, sneaking out for a smoke break. I said, "hello". I got hellos from lots of people walking downtown. If I were in a car, it never would happen. I took some back alleys and roads until I got downtown and then I just merged with traffic. Going to work is a lot easier than coming home. It's downhill all the way there so I basically just sit down and coast. Of course that means that coming home is all uphill but it still wasn't bad. It just took a few minutes longer.

I work second shift so I have to be at work at 3:30 pm and leave at midnight. The plan is to ride to work and ride home on my supper break while it's still light outside. Unfortunately, I have to pass through some rough neighborhoods to get home so it's just not safe for me to ride home alone at midnight. It's still saving me one trip in the car per day and I get some exercise. When I told a couple of people that I rode to work, they said they might try it too. Hopefully, it will inspire others to do the same. Even if they only cycle to work one day a week, I'd be pleased.

Today is our downtown farmers market and tonight is the beginning of the Miss Ohio Festival so it's a great weekend to take the bike downtown. My thought is that the more people are seen using bikes and walking, the more others may be inspired to do the same.

So just a little update on the first commute on the new/old bike, thanks for reading.

Agatha Comes Home

2009-06-10T13:23:00.002-04:00

Agatha was ready in one day. She now has a new rack, a removable basket, and headlight. I think with a small adjustment to the saddle, she'll be ready to roll. Many thanks to the guys at Y-Not Cycling in Lexington, OH for the great work. They were friendly, patient and understood exactly what I wanted. The shop is located next to the Richland B&O bike trail. I was so excited that I had to take her for a spin before loading her up for the car ride home.

If you're ever in the area, check out Y-Not Cycling and Fitness

http://ynotcycling.com/

She Has A Name!

2009-06-09T09:44:00.001-04:00

My friend, Beth, came up with the name for this bike. The bike is a Hercules which led her to Hercule Poirot...Agatha Christie.. voila... the name. I think it fits her and as I am a huge Agatha Christie fan and have read almost all of her books, it's perfect.

Agatha is at the shop this week and I can't wait to get her back. I'm not sure how the commute is going to go on a three-speed but I'm going to give it a shot. My dad used to ride an old Schwinn three-speed from this very house to the same neighborhood where I work so I know it can be done but until I get in shape, the Specialized might be easier.

When I took her to the shop, I priced a Gary Fisher Simple City bike. The price was very reasonable for either the three or eight speed. I also saw a really great hybrid, the Trek 720 but here's the dilemma:

There is an issue with bike theft here. It's amazing because there are only a handful of people in Mansfield that use bikes as transportation but just last week, someone stole a guy's Trek from outside the YMCA. The Y is located in a very good neighborhood and I was surprised it was taken from there. I hesitate to purchase an expensive bike only to have it stolen. That's part of the reason that I bought Agatha. After she gets new brakes, tuned up, lights and is fit with racks and baskets, I'll only have about $200 invested in her. Yes, I'll be extremely mad if she's stolen but not out of a lot of money.

I already have three bikes and as the economy gets worse... and worse...and worse, I can't justify purchasing another bike right now. My job has been in jeopardy for months so we are trying to get bills paid off and save a little money just in case. Even if I am fortunate enough to stay employed, I could be looking at a cut in income. My husband just found out that his hours are being cut at one of his jobs and our expenses seem to keep going up. I know...one step forward...two steps back. We keep scaling back on our expenses but we're just not getting ahead. The cost of food has gone up, gas is back up, our health insurance just went up and our car insurance is up for renewal in July and I'm pretty sure it's going to go up. Hopefully things will start looking better by next summer and we can add to our bicycle family. For now, I'll have to be content with looking at all of the photos on my fellow bike bloggers sites and dreaming.

Vogue Article on Best Bikes

2009-06-09T08:25:00.002-04:00

Follow the link below to read Vogue's Guide to the best bikes. I thought they had some interesting picks.

http://www.style.com/vogue/voguedaily/2009/06/re-cycles-vogues-global-guide-to-the-best-bicycles/

Vintage Pic Of The Day

2009-06-08T09:21:00.001-04:00

How would you like to go swimming in this attire? I love the look but I know those suits are probably wool and heavy when wet.

Cycling And Wine

2009-06-08T09:01:00.001-04:00

I bought this wine because I loved the label. As it turned out, we loved the wine, too. I checked out the website for the wine and it's beautiful. This company sponsors cycling events and you can even purchase a jersey with the artwork from the label on it. The jersey is from George Hincapie's line of cycling gear and it's gorgeous. I love it. Two of my favorite things all in one.

Check out the website here:

http://www.cyclesgladiator.com/

Recycled Bottles

2009-06-07T09:11:00.005-04:00

A few years ago, I found these glasses in a rarely used kitchen cupboard. Since I live in my parents old home, I sometimes find hidden gems that they have left behind. I thought these were really cool in a Pop Art kind of way. The thing was...I didn't remember ever using these when I was a kid so I asked my mom about it. Now here's the cool part: my dad made them. I put the glasses back in the cupboard because I wanted to save them since they were made by my dad.

Lately, I've been thinking about getting them out and using them. I love them because they are made from recycled soda bottles and I think it's a clever use of something that would normally be thrown away. Also, what's the point of having something that you can't use.

Then this morning, I clicked on Vintage Indie's webpage and featured were sets of glasses made from old bottles. I immediately went to the cupboard and got the glasses down. I am definitely going to use them. They are a little dusty but after a good washing, they should be perfect. Now if I can just get dad to show me how he made them, I might set up a little cottage industry since I have a few other ideas rattling around in this brain of mine.

In the meantime, if you are interested in a set of your own follow the link below then follow the link to Yava Glass:

http://vintageindie.typepad.com/vintage_indie/2009/06/recycled-living-giving-glass-new-life.html

Farmers Market - Part Two

2009-06-06T11:08:00.001-04:00

Tired of ugly or non-descript recycle bags? Mimi's Magic Mania does a "glammed" up version that will stand out at any market.

Jewelry from Mimi's. These pictures don't even begin to do justice to how beautiful the pieces really are.

This jewelry (below) is from David and Molly Ernst and I also had the pleasure of buying some organic lettuce from them.

More Pics from the Market.

Contacts:

Handmade Jewelry and Organic Produce from David & Molly Ernst at 419-347-1084

Mimi's Magic Mania at 419-747-2521 or michele@mimismagicmania.com

Farmers Market Mansfield Ohio

2009-06-06T10:44:00.002-04:00

I don't know who did the artwork for the poster but it's great. I might have to frame this.

Peonies from Eden's Edge. Reminds me of a French Market.

Plants for sale from Eden's Edge

Yesterday was the first day of the Carrousel District Farmers Market. It's going to be held every Friday at 4th & Main in front of the Richland Carrousel Park. There wasn't a lot of produce yesterday since it's so early in the season but that will improve as the summer goes along. There were beautiful peonies for sale from Eden's Edge and I enjoyed a really nice conversation with Sue Smith, it's owner. She had herbs and tomatoes as well as some other plants for sale. They are all organically grown and were just beautiful. In fact, I purchased some herbs from her last year and they are still doing great. The street was blocked off so you could meander from booth to booth without any worries of traffic and shop to the sound of the music of the carrousel.

Eden's Edge

Eco-Friendly Farm and Greenhouse

7860 Co. Rd. 29

Bellville,OH 44813

Spring retail greenhouse sales, heirloom veggie, herb, uncommon plants in organic soil.

Farmers Market Sales

419-362-1530

419-544-2867

or email

suzherbs@embarqmail.com

Another ReadyMade Project

2009-06-05T10:30:00.001-04:00

Somehow I missed this project when I looked through the book the first time. How cool is this bicycle wheel fan? I don't know how much air it would circulate but it's a great idea for recycling a wheel.

For book and photo credits: see previous article on ReadyMade.

Recycled Cotton Towels

2009-06-04T13:07:00.001-04:00

Today, I rode the bike to Kroger for the first time. I've been a little scared to do it since the traffic is heavy in parts, the roads narrow with sewer grates at the edge. Mansfield is not bike friendly but hopefully that will soon change. I took the back roads and wound my way through a neighborhood until I only had a couple of blocks to go. I will admit that there was some sidewalk usage involved but since nobody was walking on them, I considered them fair game. When I arrived at Kroger, I was pleasantly surprised to find that they had a bike rack but I had to move some carts out of the way to use it. Overall, it was a good experience and I will do it again. I do, however, have to work out some baskets, etc. for carrying my purchases as the backpack got a little heavy and awkward on the way home.

I was impressed to find that Kroger had several displays of green items and I purchased this really cool kitchen towel for only $2.99. They had several styles that had different quotes or sayings on them such as Treehugger. They are made of recycled cotton and all the styles were cute. They also had a rather impressive display of Seventh Generation products. Hopefully, it's a sign of the times and people are starting to think more about the impact they have on the world.

Simplify

2009-06-03T10:32:00.001-04:00

In order to seek one's own direction, one must simplify the mechanics of ordinary, everyday life - Plato

Curious George Rides A Bike

2009-06-03T10:02:00.000-04:00

We found this book in a thrift store and couldn't resist buying it. I knew Curious George was cool but whodda thunk?

The Restoration Begins

2009-06-02T10:26:00.001-04:00

I don't know how much one would consider this to be a restoration as she was pretty clean when I got her home. It's not like I got her in pieces and have to put her back together but she does need a little TLC. First, I took her down to our local bike shop, Y-not Cycling and Fitness in Lexington,OH and spoke with the mechanic about what she needs to have done. She definitely needs new brakes and I'm going to have the cables changed to black. She also needs a tune-up but I think overall, he was impressed with her condition. They can't get her into the shop until next Tuesday so I brought her back home to start cleaning her. While I was there, I purchased a mahogany stained basket and we talked about putting a rack on the back. She has to be able to carry stuff since I'm going to use her for commuting and errands.

After I got her home, I began the labor of love. The chain had a ton of schmutz on it and there was a little rust. If you are worried about your manicure, I would suggest gloves because my hands took a beating on this project. Her paint has some chips but I like them. They give her character. She needed a bath and a coat of wax to try to bring some life back into the paint. She also got a cool little bell that I purchased at Paradise Garage. I'm still not done cleaning her up but she looks better already and I have all week to get it done before she goes to the shop. I probably spent more time working on her than I ever spent on a car but I don't see anything wrong with that. Do you?

Vintage Pic Of The Day

2009-06-02T09:29:00.001-04:00

Isn't she cute with her little metal sand pail?

Paradise Garage

2009-06-01T12:26:00.002-04:00

The entire reason for the trip to Columbus was to check out Paradise Garage. I found them online and couldn't wait to go there. I was dying to see the Pashley Princess Sovereign and to check out the Batavus. The girl pictured above just purchased hers and was there to pick it up. We got into quite a conversation about all of the cool blogs out there and about urban cycling. I gave her my email address and the address for the blog so I hope she stops by the site or keeps in touch. As if I wasn't jealous enough of her new ride, she's going to change the saddle out to a Brooks. The only negative for me is the weight of the bike. It was really heavy and Mansfield's just a bit to hilly for me to imagine trying to pedal it back and forth to work.

Anyway, the shop was great combining fashion with cycling and they were super friendly. I purchased a cool bell for the Hercules and made a wish list of things to save money to buy. Included on the list is a new Bern helmet for commuting. I don't really think that my sports type helmet is appropriate for riding to work.

So now I've covered the entire Sunday trip and it was great day. We purchased two bikes, went to Paradise Garage, hung out in the Short North and shared a beer and a cookie. Can't wait to go back.

Paradise Garage: http://www.paradisegarage.com

Vintage Hercules Bike

2009-06-01T12:04:00.001-04:00

So here she is. The new baby. All I know is that she's a Hercules probably from the late 1950's or early 1960's. I'd love to know her true age but it really doesn't matter. She's going to be perfect for what I want her for. She needs a good cleaning then off to the shop for new brakes and a tune up. I would like to change out the brake cables to black and eventually buy a new Brooks saddle for her in brown leather and change out the grips to match. She's going to need a rack and a basket since I need to be able to carry stuff on her. I really love it and am so happy to have found her.

Taking her for a test ride.

reTagit

2009-06-01T11:06:00.004-04:00

Yesterday, we were headed for Columbus to the Short North to check out a bike shop that I found online. I had been looking forward to the trip all week. Out of curiosity, I checked Craigslist Columbus for bikes. We were going anyway so we could always pick up a bike. I checked when I got up ....nothing ...nothing that I was even remotely interested in. I went ahead and checked email and Facebook and just before I got off the computer, I thought I'd check Craigslist again. There it was... a vintage three speed that was just what I was looking for. I called to see if they would hold the bike and found out that I could purchase it from their website and come pick it up. Perfect. They also had a deal that if you buy one item, you get the second of equal or less value at 1/2 price. (we later found out that it was on in-store purchases only but they were kind enough to give us the discount) Mike had been looking for a used inexpensive mountain bike to bomb around town in the winter so he found a Fuji that was in near perfect condition. Both bikes came to a little over $200. The Fuji even came with the manual and touch-up paint. The staff was terrific and they even have a 30 day guarantee in case you are not satisfied. We will definitely be going back and will be checking their website often. They carry furniture, bikes, sporting equipment, household items and I even saw a claw foot tub.

Be sure to check them out at:

http://www.retagit.com/

The bikes in front of ReTagit

Mike's new Fuji

My New Bike

2009-05-31T19:54:00.001-04:00

Ok, I'm in a hurry because we are going to walk to a restaurant for dinner but I wanted to post this. We went to Columbus today to look at a bike shop in the Short North that deals in Dutch bikes and Pashley's. This was my trip to price bikes for my "If I win the lottery" list. Right before we left, I checked Craigslist and found this vintage Hercules three-speed bike. I contacted the company that listed it, purchased it online and picked it up. It needs a little work but should be ready to roll in a couple of days. More of the story to follow....

ReadyMade Bicycle Rack & Messenger Bag

2009-05-31T10:44:00.001-04:00

I found this book at the library and thumbed through it. Then I was so intrigued by it's clever use of everday materials that I had to check it out. It contains do-it-yourself projects made of recycled objects. Pictured below are two related to cycling but there were many more cool ideas including an aluminum can room divider and a water bottle lounge chair. Everything in it is very urban, hip and modern. Gonna have to find a copy for purchase because this book could keep me busy for months.

Bike Rack - Made from a used pallet and requires only a couple of brackets purchased from a DIY store.

No- Sew Messenger Bag - Made from plastic bags. The only thing I would need to purchase is the webbing and buckle for the strap.

ReadyMade How To Make (Almost) Everything A Do-It-Yourself Primer
Isbn 1-4000-8107-6 Published by Clarkson Potter Publishers/New York
Text by Shoshana Berger
Photography by Jeffery Cross
Illustrations by Kate Francis
Design by Eric Heiman/Volume

Vintage Pic Of The Day

2009-05-30T09:10:00.001-04:00

Richland B&O Bike Trail

2009-05-29T13:46:00.002-04:00

Here's a nice couple enjoying a beautiful day.

Jeff and Veronica agreed to my rather strange request for a pic during their ride.
They were very nice and accommodating.

Beautiful scenery along the trail.

Enter To Win A Madsen Bike

2009-05-29T11:00:00.001-04:00

Enter to win a Madsen Bike by clicking the logo/ad in the column on the right and follow the instructions.

Vintage Pic Of The Day

2009-05-29T01:01:00.001-04:00

Velochic 1900's style

Vintage Pic Of The Day

2009-05-28T12:54:00.001-04:00

A friend gave me a bunch of old scrapbooks that were no longer wanted. There are some cool photographs of summer fun so I'll be posting them and sharing with you.

Beautiful Peonies

2009-05-28T12:04:00.001-04:00

I wish they would bloom all year.

Happy Bike :)

2009-05-27T08:47:00.002-04:00

Who says you can't be athletic and girly?

Thanks to Chic Cyclist for the inspiration.

Check out the blog here: http://www.chiccyclist.blogspot.com

Peony

2009-05-27T08:29:00.001-04:00

Peony: n. a member of Paeonia, fam. Ranunculaceae, a genus of usually herbaceous plants native to Europe and Asia, widely cultivated for their large, showy single or double red, pink, yellow or white flowers.

First Bike

2009-05-26T10:35:00.001-04:00

This was my first "big girl" bike. I was five years old and this was under the tree on Christmas morning. No wonder I fell in love with bicycles. How could you not with a sweet ride like this?

Girl Interrupted

2009-05-26T09:38:00.001-04:00

I had my third long weekend in a row and I had big plans. First, I wanted to finish cleaning out the garage. I started a couple of weeks ago by taking some stuff to Goodwill. I need to have Mike get the lawn furniture out of the garage attic (he has to do it because I am afraid of heights) and have him put the Christmas tree up. There was so much clutter in it during the winter that I couldn't even get my car in it. We are trying to rid ourselves of all clutter so we hauled a bunch of crap from the basement to the garage in an effort to go through it and determine what would stay and what would go. Most of it is still sitting there.

Second on the weekend list was preparing and planting the garden. It's finally time and the only thing that I've planted thus far are the lettuce seeds pictured above. We don't have a large garden but it supplies us with a lot of food over the summer and fall and we rely on it.

Third was to spend some time riding the bikes.

None of it happened.

About once a year, Mike has a problem with his back which renders him useless for several days. It's sheer agony for him and he can barely move. He is crabby which makes me crabby and neither of us are happy campers. After a while and a couple of stupid arguments, I realized that the garden isn't going anywhere and we can work on it this week and it will be fine. The junk in the garage has been there for years so we'll get to it. Same with the bikes.

Sometimes it's not a bad thing to have my plans interrupted. It makes me slow down and realize that the sky isn't going to fall if I don't get everything on my list accomplished. I managed to get some other things done instead and it all worked out fine. The car had a much needed bath (and was immediately shit upon by a bird), the laundry was done and hung on the line to dry and I put all of the screens in the windows. I even managed to figure out how to make some adjustments on my bikes since my mechanic was out of commission.

Living a simple life is about finding joy in whatever you're doing and not hanging on to things or ideas that, ultimately, don't matter. It's learning to let go. It's a hard thing to master but I'll keep on trying.

Budget Friendly Craft Project

2009-05-24T11:06:00.001-04:00

Take an old cutting board along with some old silverware and create a one of a kind set of hooks.

We purchased the cutting board and silverware from Goodwill. Total Price $ 1.25. With a little paint, a couple of screws and a few embellishments; we now have a place to hang our potholders.

Is your home modern and uncluttered? By leaving the board natural and using a modern silverware pattern, a streamlined, clean look could be created.

Do you favor Shabby Chic? Decoupage the board with paper in a Cabbage Rose print and find a pretty silverware pattern with roses on the handle.

The possibilities are endless for creating a unique, eco-friendly and inexpensive accent for your kitchen.

The New Issues Are On Newstands

2009-05-24T10:24:00.002-04:00

The new issues of my favorite magazines are on the newstands.

or

subscribe here
http://www.maryjanesfarm.org
http://www.bohomag.com
http://www.wholeliving.com

My Girls

2009-05-23T11:42:00.001-04:00

The top photo is my Specialized Crossroads. It was purchased by my husband as an engagement present. (The family that cycles together; stays together) The bottom photo is my 1974 Schwinn Voyageur. It was purchased in a thrift shop for $10. It was clean but needed new tires, new handlebars, brakes and a saddle. When we lived in Florida, they were my main mode of transport.

So these are the girls. Apparently, they need to be given names so I'll be working on that. Suggestions would be welcomed. I'm also keeping my eye out for a vintage bike to restore and glam up. Maybe some kind of old three speed. I love my girls so much that I'm afraid they will get stolen so I need a cheapy for errands and commuting.

Simplicity

2009-05-23T10:56:00.002-04:00

http://readymade.com/article/poster_children/

Share The Road

2009-05-22T11:41:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I took a little ride. I started out through my neighborhood and then ventured onto some busier streets. Realizing that Mansfield is not bike-friendly, in any sense of the word, I don't know why I got so upset. I'm always mindful of road rules and courteous to the drivers of the four wheeled death machines. They are not so courteous to cyclists.

I stopped at a red light, signalled, and when the light changed; proceeded to make my turn. Once said turn was complete, I moved to the edge of the road so cars could safely pass. This moron in a hooptied up car blew past me at record speed as if I had ruined their entire day.

Drivers: Share the road!!! There is room for all of us and if you're in that big of a hurry...you should have left five minutes earlier. Most cyclists are not trying to get in your way but a lot of times, there is debris or grates at the edge of the road and we have to inch out just a little bit. Take it easy. You'll get there.

Sorry for the rant and have a great day :)

Pure City Farmgirl Fantasy

2009-05-22T08:50:00.001-04:00

From Mary Janes Farm, purchase this Limited Edition Teardrop Trailer. It's easy to tow (weighs only 770 lbs) on almost any vehicle. Inside it has maple woodwook, a double bed, lighting, ceiling vent fan, and more. Outside is a tailgate kitchen, 12-gallon water tank, sink, faucet, ample cupboards, a Coleman camp stove with matching 54 qt cooler.

Purchase includes a night at MaryJanesFarm B&B getting familier with the trailer and lessons for towing and the all important- backing up.

Price: $14,425 Inquire or Order at 1-888-750-6004

I would love to have this trailer but my little, 4-cylinder Toyota SUV can't tow that much weight. Darn it! This would be great for weekend camping. Oh well.... a girl can dream... can't she? I do have one question. Where do I put the bikes?

Glamour Mailbox

2009-05-21T09:56:00.000-04:00

This old mailbox was in a carton of free items at a yard sale. Never one to pass up something that's free, I brought it home. After "glamming" it up with a little paint and decoupage, it's a perfect place to store mail and postage supplies until it's time for the unglamourous job of paying the bills.

Velo Obsession

2009-05-20T12:17:00.000-04:00

My 1974 Schwinn Voyageur

The weather is great. The bikes are out. I'm obsessed.

Great Magazines

2009-05-20T11:53:00.000-04:00

MaryJane's Farm and Boho are now my two favorite magazines.
Check out their links below:
http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/
and
http://www.bohomag.com/

Wish You Were Here

2009-05-19T11:00:00.000-04:00

My friend, Paul, is on his annual Boy's Trip to Florida. He sent me a 21st century postcard in the form of an email. It's beautiful. All it needs is the "Wish You Were Here" printed across the front. If the photo was meant to make me take a moment and daydream; it worked. Hope it works for you.

Life Is Good

2009-05-18T10:22:00.000-04:00

Fortune

2009-05-17T13:20:00.000-04:00

Life as a Weeble

2009-05-11T12:09:00.000-04:00

Do you remember the ad for Weebles back in the 70's? I remember it clearly; my sister and I were huge fans of Weebles. They were one of our favorite toys. These two survived and were located in a box of old toys in my basement. I've had them on my desk for a while and on many occasions these Weebles have helped me to put things in perspective.

In the event that the ad still hasn't popped into your brain, the jingle for Weebles went as follows, "Weebles wobble but they don't fall down".

Everyone around me seems to be going through some kind of wobbling: job loss, marital problems, financial problems, mid-life crisis problems and/or all of the above. Some have stayed focused on what's important while others have crumbled.

I used to think that I was the type of person that just attracted disaster. I was always the person who took two steps ahead and ten back. I was continually living in a state of "when is the other shoe going to drop". I couldn't enjoy anything good because I was sure something bad would follow. I was beginning to think that I didn't deserve happiness. Sound familiar to anyone?

So how do you get past that?

-Realize that life is a series of wobbles. When we learned to walk, we wobbled first. When we learned to write, those first examples were pretty wobbly. How about riding a bike? I'm sure it was dangerously wobbly that first time. Eventually, we all learned to walk, write and ride. And let's not even discuss sex.

- Weebles are what they are. They don't try to be anything other than Weebles. They don't try to be Transformers or Bratz dolls. They are Weebles.

-Weebles have a plastic coating to protect them in the event of a particularly hard wobble. We have the same protection in our faith, family and friends. Surround yourself with those that protect and lift you up.

- Fun. Does anybody remember fun? Weebles are fun! Just check out their outfits. When is the last time you just did something stupid for fun? Don't take everything so damn seriously. When life is really in the toilet, there is nothing better than putting on some really loud music and shaking your groove thing. I find it works extremely well for relieving stress and no one's going to see you.

-You won't fall down. We will survive whatever it is that's causing us to wobble but we won't fall down. Our circumstances may change and the giant shit storm that we're in may not pass quickly but we will survive. We will continue to get up, breathe air and love those that we love. That will not change.

Life as a Weeble. Not bad.

-

New Gadget

2009-05-08T11:36:00.000-04:00

I'm not a gadget person but I found this one at The Blueberry Patch, one of my very favorite shops. It was clever, inexpensive ($5.95) and practical. Now the cell phone has a place to sit instead of on the desk or the floor.

Someday My Prince Will Come

2009-05-05T11:19:00.000-04:00

I just finished this book and it's fabulous. To all of my friends that thought my Royal Family obsession was a little over the top, you must read this book. I'm not the only one. Jerramy Fine is delightful and you won't be able to put it down until you've read to the end.

http://www.jerramyfine.com/ -- Check out her website here

Obsession With A George Nelson Clock

2009-05-01T14:08:00.000-04:00

Several years ago, I started to get into mid-century modern furniture. Having grown up in Ohio, I was mostly exposed to Country decor.You know the "Welcome Friends" variety. My own house had a combo Cotswold/beach cottage look to it. Even Rachel Ashwell would have thought it too cluttered and cutesy.

After my divorce, I had to furnish my new apartment. I decided to go for a new look with my new life. I started to scour antique shops, thrift shops and eBay. I was inspired by my friend and artist, Patricia Smith, to go for a more modern Miami look. Patricia's pad has an art gallery vibe and I loved it. It was uncluttered and each piece in it could stand by itself and look great.

Somehow, I became obsessed with having my very own original George Nelson clock. It didn't matter what model. I wanted one and not a reproduction. I loved the space age feeling that I got when I looked at them. My first stop to purchase one was EBay. The prices nearly blew me away. They were not even close to being in my price range. Daily, I would check the auctions to see if I could get in a last minute bid on a clock that had just somehow slipped through the cracks and had not been bid into the $700 range. After a few weeks I gave up on the idea. It would remain a dream.

About a week passed and as I was leaving a thrift shop completely empty handed, I walked past the window. With it's back facing out, I saw the spikes out of the corner of my eye. I thought I was going to pass out. I charged back into the store nearly knocking down several customers and snatched the clock from the window. It looked it over and it was in really good shape. It even had its original sticker on the back. There was no price tag on it. Now I had to figure out how I was going to play it cool at the cash register. I walked up to the cashier hoping that she would not notice the sweat beading on my forehead and hear the anticipation and excitement in my voice when I asked, "How much is this clock?" "Myrna, this lady wants to know how much for this clock", she yelled to the back of the store. A voice came from behind a shelf and said, "$3.00". In my head a voice is saying, "Holy Shit! $3.00".

I paid the lady and got out of the store as quickly as possible. I was sure that the George Nelson clock police were going to hunt me down and confiscate it. Later, as guilt set in, I sent the charity a donation that was worthy of the clock. It was a karma thing.

Anyhow, I got my clock and six years later, it's still one of my favorite things. It looked great in our funky Florida condo and it looks great in our 1925 Ohio house. It's definitely a keeper and a classic.

Vintage Find

2009-04-28T13:27:00.000-04:00

I found this great form at a local thrift shop. Only $2.99. How cool is that?