I put my big girl panties on today

Ever since my accident back in late June I’ve been quite the worried-wart when it came to riding solo. I did ride alone on the bike route when we were back in CT only to end up with this:
A nasty ‘ol gash..
I ALWAYS seem to hurt myself on solo journeys, so no one can blame me for being a tad intimidated. Plus here in the Boogie-down, lanes are scarce, when biking alone I feel MUCH better on a lane. I am not one post blame, but I feel like it could be my fault? I know how to ride a bike, I know the rules, the dangers and etc. So how could it be my fault? Perhaps my overall klutzy/brutish/hasty/brash/and (dare I say) toughness are to blame. I was raised to pick yourself up and keep on going…pain and all. Thanks Dad!
Last week, I received an email from Sarah, asking if I would like to be part of a oral history on Soundview Park..the ONLY riverside park in the BX. Carlos(the head of SV park) recommended me since I am new to the Bronx life, therefore being a fresh prospect for sharing what memories I had. Which were all good may I add! So I was happy talk about my new neighborhood and new favorite park. If I can help with positive change, I’m ALLL over it! We were scheduled for 11:30 in the morning. After much deliberation, conversing with Hubb about possible outcomes, and of course old fashioned self-doubt, I say “SCREW IT, I’M GONNA TRY! I’VE RIDDEN THIS PATH BEFORE, I KNOW THE ROUTE I’LL TAKE, WHATS THE PROBLEM??” well many in fact…motorists, peds, potholes, cops..bleh bleh.. But I digress….I sucked it up and DID IT!

I got there pretty fast, had my ipod hooked up to a mini speaker, and just went with the flow. No obstacles, no idiotic people..it was rather nice. I actually got a few of smiles and praise from a cool crossing guard lady..even a wave! almost like they were saying “keep going! your doing fine! and you look cute too!” Sarah and Carlos arrived about ten minutes after I did, So I took these ten minutes as a photo-op!
<---Poor Superman! The Bronx is booming with kryptonite
Once we exchanged greetings Sarah and I started getting down to work..I talked, she recorded, I signed the waiver, done and done. Then we it turned personal, where you from, how did you get this cool job, I love your ring! etc. So she is from L.A., went to Pitzer College (which btw way Sarah, if your reading, the name sounded familiar because my old pen pal was accepted there a few terms back after moving to the west coast!), lives in Brooklyn, is an intern for the NYC Dept. of parks and is a fellow Chick on wheels! She rides a road bike now after ditching her old cruiser for a faster ride on her commute. I was so tossed back by it. what are the odds!? We discussed safety. types of bikes, the live chat on the Daily News live chat yesterday(UGH! DON’T GET ME STARTED!) and peoples view on Cyclists. Carlos joined in and is appalled at how the Daily News is commenting on bike riders. It’s like they have the worst opinion on us…WTF man??? Carlos and Sarah were very cool people, and I am looking forward to working with them in the future(I will be volunteering at events real soon).

I rode the park a bit after it was all done with:

Then time to head home
This van of senior citizens escorted me for a few lights One of the nice ladies inside was one of my wavers Thanks again everyone!
I made it home intact, no new wounds..just sweaty..and proud
Special thanks to Maureen aka "The Inspired Cyclist" who inspires for the positivity and kind words last night on Twitter..YOUR AWESOME GIRL! KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR ME AT SUMMER STREETS THIS SATURDAY!

A wee bit confidence-boosting? I think so..
K.

Back to Reality!

 

In retrospect, I probably should have said something about me going on Vacation this passed week..but I am not sure how many people actually read my blog. There must be plenty of voyeurs and lurkers since I post a link to my FB page every time I post, I have a handful or two of loyal followers I LOVE YOU ALL BTW ;* Anyhow, Hubb and I went to CT for about a week to visit our bro(who was also the best man at our wedding!)and his new lady for a “End of Summer” BBQ. It was so great to get out of the City for a bit and breathe in some fresh air! We also brought our bikes! YAY!!! Sandra Dee and Myself got some good ‘ol dirt path ridin’ in She also got rained on while on the bike rack during our car ride….I cried the whole way  -_- Getting away from it all for a while is needed…regardless of how far you go! We were only an hour out of the City, but trust me when I tell you, the air is soooo different. Made me realize that being a City Girl ‘aint always something to revel. The headache and congestion me and Hubb suffered opened our eyes to how polluted our beloved “shitty” really is.

There is plenty of pics over the 4/5 days we were there..but here are some highlights _{click the thumbnails for actual size}

We went to a great park called Wolfe Park. Nature, a beach, a bike route…it was a pretty great time…although I did ride the route by myself since Hubb just had to fish(it’s been a while so I  understood) Got some pretty cool shots!

Sandra Dee seemed to enjoy the terrain…I however did not enjoy having to use OFF Deep Woods Bug spray as perfume! After getting a bit lost along the route(Im a blonde in disguise) and giving myself another terrible cut on my leg, I actually run into something interesting. A couple was standing on the side of the road ahead of me on the final stretch of the route, the woman was jumping up and down and waving her arms, I took this as they were in trouble. So I stopped, pulled out my ear buds, and asked if they were alright. This woman(who I now refer to as Sue) flagged me down so she and (Drew) could photograph me for a CT website on biking! This was such a pleasant and random surprise..I just got lost, aggravated, and cut but this totally made up for it! I cannot begin to say how cool these people were, I am sure we will cross paths again one day! Once I get the pictures I’ll post em, as well as when the website goes public !

I was buzzing my way back to where the guys were fishing, but no bikes were allowed(BOO!) at the spot they had picked..so I parked Sandra Dee w/the guys’ bikes and walked over.

We got back to the house and helped with the BBQ preparation, also to fix my bikes first major repair…

The whole damn spring!! Must have been the terrain…and constant adjustments to stop that saddle squeak….BLAHHH..but we drank beer, ate, BBQ, and chilled the rest of night

 

There was some CRAAAAZY hills down in Seymour, CT..I mean crazy, but Me and Hubb dared each other to ride down a few and explore the quaint town

More people=more chillinnnnn’

Our last night in CT and it’s party time!

I made a desert that stole the show!..with the help of Hubbs spectacular slicing skills:

I woke up with what was quite possibly my first hangover ever. I had a slight headache…that counts right? We had a great time getting away from the city, but it was time to go home…I like hanging out and all, but there’s no place like home <3

So there you go…I am up to date with posts! Hubb and I will be going to Our First Summer Streets event tomorrow morning, and I cannot be more excited! Car-free NYC streets? This is a rare occurrence! Plus the free events offered at all 5 rest-stops along the route is something I can get used too ;p

Till the next venture,

K.