First 65 Mile Ride

Alex and I had planned several weeks ago to bike ride between DC and Annapolis which would also help me to get in some good mileage, and check of my one required ride of at least 65 miles before the ride starts.

Sadly I would be riding solo because Alex was recovering from the flu.  Things started out well, but about 10 miles out, the road lost its shoulder and I had two instances where I could feel the wind from the SUVs.  Without a specific plan, I headed back to the city and decided to head out to Mt. Vernon and then piece the rest together to get to 65.

My first stop was to the Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens, one of the few places I still have not visited.  It was still pretty overcast, and not too many things were out in bloom so I will have to stop by when I go back in a few weeks.

I would have stayed longer, but it was getting cold walking around and this goose chased me away so I took it as a sign

Then over to the National Mall to stop by the I. M. Pei pyramids outside the East Wing of the National Gallery.  For those of you who have not been to DC and/or on a Bike and Roll tour, these were a practice job before the Louvre got theirs.

Click on the above link to see the whole piece

The Mt. Vernon trail was pretty quiet so I was able to zip out there without too many problems.  On my way back I met Alex for lunch in Old Town Alexandria before heading back to DC.  The Kite Festival, one of my favorite things about the National Cherry Blossom Festival, was in full swing so I walked my bike through and snapped some great pictures.  Every time I took one with the Washington Monument, I cursed myself for not being able to take a straight picture, until I remembered that last year's earthquake left it a little off centered.

Back to DC!

As soon as I landed in DC I had some time to kill before meeting up with some people for dinner so I decided to head out for a quick bike ride to hit up some of my favorite tourist hotspots.  Sadly I missed the cherry blossoms by a few weeks, but I decided to hit up the Tidal Basin anyways. 

First a visit to the FDR Memorial

Then around to the Tidal Basin

I even ran into the DC Brau truck

Affordable Housing Stat #15

24 percent of available affordable units lack a complete kitchen, 30 percent have moderate or severe physical problems and about half have less than 900 square feet of living space.

Yosemite

Just got the word that we will have a day off in Yosemite to explore!!

Check out a great video posted by one of our riders. 

Citant Vélo de la Semaine #15

I'm lazy. But it's the lazy people who invented the wheel and the bicycle because they didn't like walking or carrying things.
- Lech Walesa 

Spring Time In PGH

The weather here has been FANTASTIC (as I have previously mentioned) as a result everything here has been starting to bloom; definitely way better than the shades of gray which seem to accompany a typical winter.  Yesterday I was stuck in the library studying to after some quick review this morning, I decided to take a quick spin.  Today was the day of parks as I biked up to Frick Park and Highland Park (I rode up and down the hills behind the Zoo to get in some practice) and then back down through Oakland through Pitts' campus. 

The Cathedral of Learning in Oakland

One of my favorite things about PGH is the old architecture.  There are a ton of old churches and firehouses which have been abandoned.  One day I think it would be great to live in an old firehouses or an old school house (a lot have been converted into loft apartments here). 

Updates!!

The start date to our trip is rapidly approaching, so I thought I jot down some updates!

• The plane tickets have been purchased!  I will be arriving May 15th, the day before orientation begins.  
• Our fantastic leaders have switched around some of the ride dates which will give us a day off when we are in Yosemite so we get the day to explore (WAHOO!!)
• To date the SUS team has raised $64,222.02
• 52 Days until we are arrive in Jacksonville, FL for orientation, 56 until we hop on our bikes to start pedaling to California

Affordable Housing Stat #14

It is about twice as common for Black and Hispanic household owners have either a low or near low income (38 percent and 32 percent) compared to white household owners (16 percent). 

Where Can I Get This Shirt?

A CrAzY CoOl shirt being rocked by Ryan Duzer

Citant Vélo de la Semaine #14

What do you call a cyclist who doesn't wear a helmet?  

An organ donor.  

~David Perry

I can attest to this.  If you are going to be out there on the road, it doesn't matter if you are going 2 or 200 miles, wear a helmet.  Being doored or taken out by a pothole you did not see is not fun!  My helmet has saved my life on several occasions.

Montour Trail

Still feeling a bit tired from all the CRAZY hills from Thursday, I figured I would take a quick spin on the Montour Trail this morning before heading out to enjoy some St. Patrick's day fun.

This trail is one of the rails-to-trails project which means the pathway is fairly flat and takes you through some great scenery.  In 1984, the Montour Railroad line was determined abandoned and the Peters Township acquired the land to create the Arrowhead trail.  As time went on Allegheny County moved forward to take up other portions of the rail line and convert them into a multipurpose trail.  The trail is still under construction and will be 47 miles in total when they finish up.  Part of the trail will connect to the Pittsburgh International Airport which will allow bikers to unpack their things and hop right on the trail - it will even hook up to the Great Allegheny Passage which eventually hooks up with the C&O Canal and Washington, DC.

One of my favorite things about these rails-to-trails paths is biking through the old tunnels.  Not only are they a reprieve from the warm temperatures, but also are also fun to hoot and holler through. 

Affordable Housing Stat #13

One out of every three city dwellers – nearly a billion people – lives in a slum and that number is expected to double in the next 25 years.  Slum indicators include: lack of water, lack of sanitation, overcrowding, non-durable structures and insecure tenure.  (UN-HABITAT: 2006)

Hilly One

The weather was super nice again, so I decided to bike to our service project.  Little did I know that it was a six mile climb.

The Rules of Cycling

Over at Velominanti: The Keepers of the Cog there is a a sacred text which clearly lays out the simple truths of cycling etiquette, also known as The Rules.  Of the 89 points on the website, rule number seven really resonated because over the last few days the weather has been great, and it looks like it will remain sunny and warm over the next few days. 

Rule #7: Tan Lines Should Be Cultivated 

and Kept Razor Sharp

Under no circumstances should one be rolling up their sleeves or shorts in an effort to somehow diminish one’s tan lines. Sleeveless jerseys are under no circumstances to be employed.

To the left is something I have to look forward to having by the end of the summer ... for better or for worse. 

Great Picture from Last Year's Ride

Citant Vélo de la Semaine #13

All bicycles weigh fifty pounds.  
 A thirty-pound bicycle needs a twenty-pound lock.  
A forty-pound bicycle needs a ten-pound lock.  
A fifty-pound bicycle doesn't need a lock.  

~Author Unknown

A Girl Could Get Used to This

The weather was BEAUTIFUL here today - 65, sunny and a light breeze.  I had been itching to get out on the road all morning so I bagged studying and headed out.  Can you please note how little clothing I am wearing compared to some of my other rides? 

Today I figured I should work in some hills so before heading out on one of the river trails I ran up to Troy Hill (I should have warmed up for a little bit because the legs were not quite ready to get to the top).  It was super quiet up there and you would think that I was riding around with my helmet on fire or something - I guess they don't get a lot of bikers up there. 

Troy is home to the Western PA Firefighters Memorial

And a lone piece of great street art

 There was a great view of downtown at the top of the hill.  I snagged this one on the way up ... the best was cruzing down the hill at 30 mph saying a silent prayer that I would not hit a pothole. 

Everyone and there mother was out on the trails today (understandable because of the nice weather) so I figured I would save myself some headache and try to do the majority of my riding out on the road.  The only problem was I got a bit lost and missed a turn or two.  I did come across this great sculpture over the Andy Warhol bridge

After passing this contraption for what seems like hundredth time, I finally got a picture.   

While popping down the trail I decided to be DARING and decide to bike up to Mt. Washington.  Now for those of you who are not familiar with Mt. Washington, it is known for its steep hill and spectacular view of the city.  So I was bopping up the hill slowly making my way up the hill and after making a right turn onto the access road saw that the road was closed and my only other option was to hop a median and/or to get on the Liberty Bridge.  The second was NOT an option as cars were wizzing by at 60923840 mph so I decided to make the hop (thankfully Bernard and I made it).  From there it was further up the road to Allen Town and then back down the hill.  Thankfully I was going the speed limit so I took up the whole lane. 

The rest of the ride went pretty well except for being dumped out onto a highway again.  I also found this mural on the way home (a different route than I normal) so I took it as a sign and treated myself to some ice cream. It is a little disconcerting that the sprinkles are being spit out of the soda jerk's mouth, but for now I will look past that.

Another Saturday Ride Under My Belt

It was another chilly afternoon, so feeling bundled I set out for a longer Saturday ride.  I picked up the usual trail to head over to the South Side and on my way back decided to cross over the hot metal bridge (below).  Built in the late 1880s, the upstream side (the Monongahela connecting Railroad Bridge) carried conventional railroad traffic where the downstream side (the Hot Metal Bridge) carried crucibles of molten steal from the bast furnaces to the rolling mills on the opposite bank.  In 2000, the upstream span was converted into a bridge for motor vehicle traffic and later in 2007 the downstream span was reopened for pedestrian and bicycle traffic. 

It gives you a great view of downtown and the Birmingham Bridge. 

I headed west to head east (up that happens a lot here in PGH because of the rivers and the monsterous hills) to ride through Lawranceville.  It was my plan to take Buttler Street and Rt 130 out to Oakmont, but there was a strange divide in the road that looked like it would put me on a legit highway.  Instead of taking my chances I decided to bail and picked up "One Wild Place" and biked UP to the zoo.  Now dear readers I have always been a biker that will go and extra couple of miles out of my way to avoid a big hill.  With the upcoming ride (and eventually some Rocky Mountains) I figured that now would be as good as a time as ever to start training on some.  At the top of the first major hill there was this great mural of animal mosaics.  While the design came from two local artists, children and adults put the mosaics together during the summer of 2007.

After about 2.5 hours I decided it was time to head home.  Despite some of the major hills I was able to make some pretty decent time and finished up with 35 miles for the day. 

Completed: 151 miles
Miles to go: 349 miles

Fundraising Thus Far

It seems like the SUS12 riders are on a roll with fundraising.  So far we have raised $53,488.02 (everyone is required to have fundraised $2,000 in a few short days). 

Did you want to make a donation a few months ago, but were feeling a bit poor thanks to the holiday season?  Well there is still time (66 days until we start our trip).  For online donating, click here to be taken to my B&B page.  All you have to do is click the Donate button under my mug shot. 

Is snail mail more your thing?  Not a problem.  All you have to do is send a check made payable to Bike and Build to: Bike & Build, Inc 6109 Ridge Ave Building 2 Philadelphia, PA 19128

Remember people, it is for an AMAZING CAUSE (and totally tax deductible).  

Three Lies and a Truth

There are a lot of myths out there about Habitat for Humanity and other affordable housing organizations.  What better way to debunk some of them than right here on my trusty blog.

Myth: Habitat for Humanity gives houses away to poor people.
Fact: Habitat for Humanity offers homeownership opportunities to families who are unable to obtain conventional house financing. Generally, this includes those whose income is 30 to 50 percent of the area's median income. In most cases, prospective Habitat homeowner families make a $500 down payment. Additionally, they contribute 300 to 500 hours of "sweat equity" on the construction of their home or someone else's home. Because Habitat houses are built using donations of land, material and labor, mortgage payments are kept affordable.

Myth: Habitat houses reduce a neighborhood’s property values.
Fact: Housing studies show affordable housing has no adverse effect on neighborhood property values. In fact, Habitat houses have proven to increase property values and local government tax income.

Myth: Only African Americans get Habitat for Humanity homes.
Fact: Habitat builds houses in partnership with those in need regardless of race, religion or any other difference. Prospective homeowners must meet three criteria: need; ability to repay the mortgage; and a willingness to partner with Habitat.

Myth: Habitat homeowners are on welfare.
Fact: While some Habitat homeowners receive Aid to Families with Dependent Children, many more are working people. Typically their annual income is less than half the local median income in their community.

Myth: You have to be Christian to become a Habitat homeowner.
Fact: Habitat homeowners are chosen without regard to race, religion or ethnic group, in keeping with U.S. law and with Habitat's abiding belief that God's love extends to everyone. Habitat also welcomes volunteers from all faiths, or no faith, who actively embrace Habitat's goal of eliminating poverty housing from the world.

Myth: Habitat for Humanity International dictates policy and practices for every local Habitat organization.
Fact: Local Habitat affiliates are independent, nonprofit organizations that operate within a specific service area within the framework of the Habitat Affiliate Covenant.

Myth: Habitat for Humanity is an arm of the government.
Fact: Habitat for Humanity is not an arm of the government. Habitat is an independent, nonprofit organization that accepts some government funds and other resources to help provide houses for those in need. We accept these funds as long as they do not limit our ability to demonstrate the love and teachings of Jesus Christ. Additionally, our local affiliates insert specific guidelines as needed to avoid becoming dependent on or controlled by government funds.

Myth: Habitat for Humanity was founded by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter.
Fact: Habitat was started in 1976 in Americus, Ga., by the late Millard Fuller and his wife Linda. President Carter and his wife Rosalynn (whose home is eight miles from Americus, in Plains, Ga.), have been longtime Habitat supporters and volunteers who help bring national attention to the organization's house-building work. Each year, they lead the Jimmy Carter Work Project to help build houses and raise awareness of the need for affordable housing.

Affordable Housing Stat #12

• Owning a home, especially for lower-income households, is an important means of wealth accumulation. For low-income minority families, median average annual housing wealth appreciation is $1,712 whereas there is no non-housing wealth accumulation. This wealth is achieved both through equity and forced savings resulting from mortgage repayment. (Boehm and Schlottmann: 2004)
• Homeownership increases intergenerational wealth accumulation through improved educational achievement in children, which leads to greater earnings when these children enter the workforce. (Boehm and Schlottmann: 2002)

Hilarius

This weekend I was looking for some cheap jerseys and came across the Bicycling Hub on Ebay.  While the jerseys were a bit out of my price range, they were good for a few laughs.  Here are some favorites. 

Citant Vélo de la Semaine #12

You never have the wind with you - 
either it is against you or you're having a good day.  

~Daniel Behrman, The Man Who Loved Bicycles

Sweat Equity: Day 2

With just a handful of hours left to complete for my sweat equity, another PHC member and I decided to sign up for another build day with Habitat for Humanity.  The weather was a bit chilly this morning so Risa and I were happy to find out that we would be inside painting.  There were a lot of people running around the house (including a handful of National AmeriCorps members and alumni) so we were able to get the house painted pretty quickly.  We were definitely getting things done, AmeriCorps style.  

The house had been donated to Habitat over a year ago and when the renovations started they had a family ready to move in.  Unfortunately the adults of the family had lost their jobs and as a result the organization has been looking for someone else to take over the house.  Habitat does not give families/individuals housing.  Instead home owners must complete their own sweat equity on  their house by working on their home, at their ReStore site and/or in their administrative offices.  Families are also responsible for paying for a portion of their new home.  Instead of giving mortgage payments to a bank, the family pays Habitat instead.  The great part about this system is that if payments are late the interest rate is crazy low (.03%) and families can work with the organization to reschedule and/or adjust their payment pans. 

While I have successfully finished my sweat equity hours some other members and I are hoping to sign up for a few more build days, especially when the weather starts to get nicer. 

PGH Skyline

Last night the weather was pretty decent (light winds and 65 degrees) so I decided to bike over to my penultimate glass blowing class. Before I moved to PGH I had been quite the bike commuter. With no car and a strong hatred for riding the metro I pretty much biked everywhere I went and sometimes would supplement with walking. Now it is a fairly short distance between my house and the Pittsburgh Glass Center (7 miles), but there is a mamma jamma hill climb. Like it is uphill the whole way.

I reasoned with myself that I would have to start practicing hill climbs so why not get a jump start now. While it was not the worst, it definitely way not a piece of cake. The best part of the climb was an old yinzer telling me I looked good as I was crawling up the hill. Thankfully I did not hit any of the lights on the way up and was able to keep my momentum going.

The weather was still super nice when we wrapped up the class so I decided to do a bit of night riding. It was great cruising down the hill upwards of 30 mph. I tootled around downtown and around the North Shore. Definitely worth the late night!

Affordable Housing Stat #11

This week I have a map instead of a stat, but it is just as powerful.  For more maps and stats, visit the National Low Income Housing Coalition's website.