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.

A pleasant change for New York City Bikers

 

Hubb and I experienced our first ever Summer Streets today! How freeing and liberating it was riding the streets of NYC absolutely car-free, along with fellow cyclists, walkers, skaters, and a few other crazy contraptions on wheels!

There were five rest stops along the way, I met some great chicks who work with some major organizations here in NYC, who were of course bikers! Scored some SWAG too…gotta love free shit!

Even water stations, and free bike valet parking!

NYC's fav bike shop was host to Dimitry Gudkov(the mastermind behind the BikeNYC portrait project). Dimitry was offering FREE bike portraits to all who came out for Summer Streets!! Naturally, being quite the proud owner, I relished at a chance to get our pic taken!

D turned out be so cool! And he dug my bike

Continuing along I spot all types of Lady Bikers, cruiser riders, babies, pets, families of tandems, and a few head-scratching vehicles:

It was great seeing how many people showed up:

Back home in the Bx, we visit our bike shop, and Sandra Dee receives her first tune-up! she's been getting a lot of use lately, and wanna keep her in tip-top shape

Going again next Saturday! with the lil man Hoping to burn even more calories and utilizing more muscle..

 

To my bed I go!

K.