The Wheels Have Arrived

BIG EXCITING NEWS HERE PEOPLE!!!!

I got the word that the new bike had finally hit Pittsburgh!  I headed over to the UPS store after work and got the whole thing built in no time flat.  I will say that I am super proud of myself (granted the bike came with SUPER GREAT directions, stickers and arrows).  

The bike was just as big as me, but I was able to put the seats down in the car and brig it home in one piece!

What made me feel a bit more confident was a letter from Boko Bikes saying the bike had been built, test driven around and then repacked.  I am assuming that they put the fool proof stickers to make sure that everything was lined up properly and screwed in correctly.

  

I took a picture with the hopes that I will be able to put it all back in the box and ship it to J-Ville in a few months.

The fool proof stickers:

And just a few screws later, I had a built bike!!  

I am very excited for a shake down ride (and hopefully a long ride) this weekend sometime soon as it is supposed to be 20 degrees F and snow this weekend! 

Citant Vélo de la Semaine #4

When I go biking, I repeat a mantra of the day's sensations:  bright sun, blue sky, warm breeze, blue jay's call, ice melting and so on.  This helps me transcend the traffic, ignore the clamorings of work, leave all the mind theaters behind and focus on nature instead.  I still must abide by the rules of the road, of biking, of gravity.  But I am mentally far away from civilization.  The world is breaking someone else's heart. 

~Diane Ackerman

Giant Sponsors Real Riders

I just came across this tv ad that aired in Australia.  It caught my eye because Giant is our official bike sponsor.  Giant decided that they were going to sponsor 30 "real" riders - giving them the bike, the gear and support that major cycling teams receive.  Check it out!

The Bike Has Been Ordered!!

So once each rider hits $1,000 they get an email from the B&B system saying they have been approved to order their bike.  Now that I have $3203 in the bank (thanks to everyone who has donated so far) it was time.

This year, like past ones, we are being sponsored by Giant and Bokoo Bikes.  All of the riders are given an Defy/Avail (man's vs. woman's frame) with the option of an upgrade.  I decided to take the first level upgrade which means that in a few weeks this beauty will show up at my doorstep (or the UPS store):

 It looks like I will have another red bike to add to my collection!

I am super excited to get out on the road and take it for a test spin!

Affordable Housing Stat #3

There is NOT A SINGLE COUNTY in the U.S. where a full-time minimum wage worker can afford even a one-bedroom apartment at what HUD determines to be the Fair Market Rent. (NLIHC: 2006).

Citant Vélo de la Semaine #3

It would not be at all strange if history came to the conclusion that the perfection of the bicycle was the greatest incident of the nineteenth century.  

~Author Unknown

Kicking 2012 Off Right

Alex and I (can you tell I have a biking partner in crime) decided to head out for an early, New Years Day ride.  It was definitely a little bit chilly, but we made record time despite the head wind, heading out to National Harbor.

It was originally a temporary instillation that lasted for 27 years at the end of Hains Point until the statue was sold and moved to National Harbor in 2008.  In my opinion it looked much better on Hains Point, but I don't have the $750,000 to buy the sculpture and move it back. 

From a previous trip to National Harbor

Before we headed back to the District, we found the most ridiculous statue EVER!

Rocking the Bike and Roll Jersey!!

Partner In Crime Emulating Said Statue

30 more miles to add to the training log!