Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Help From a Friend




Running errands and carrying packages on my bike has always been a challenge. Small flat packages fit on my rear wheel rack, but how do you haul a gallon of milk?

It was a nice sunny day when I decided to get a few things from SunMart. The list was short and my WCI blue reusable bags tied to my bike begged for a real test. Clothes pins were the clips I used to keep the bags from flapping in the wind. They were not a pretty site, but I hoped they would be functional. I was wrong.

I was vainly stuffing two half gallons of milk, some Cilantro, two dozen hot dog buns and two cans of sauerkraut into the blue bags, when my friend Karen walked up. After a few words about bikes, exercise, this blog, and saving the world, she took pity on me and my floppy blue bags. She suggested panniers, to which I responded that I was trying use these bags and not buy new things. " But I have a set of panniers that I don't use anymore" she said.

"Really! I exclaimed, "Could I borrow them until you want them back?" The deal was struck.

Today I am the proud borrower of used panniers that don't flop in the wind and look very professional. Thanks for the help Karen.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Roadside Beautification Today

No bike ride today. It is roadside beautification day at work. This is the day we clean up the ditches on Hwy 59 north to Pelican Rapids. It is really hard to clean the ditches on a bike. So today I drove my van. Cars are great for picking up junk along the road. Cleaning the ditches will give me my exercise while we clean up America.

Here is a map of the plan . Be sure to click on the Roadside Beautification map. WCI staff can decide which team they would like to join. Greg, (our newest member of the the WCI regional planning team), feel free to offer suggestions for a better plan.

Friday, September 12, 2008

Getting to Work in Nebraska City

The second annual Rural Philanthropy conference is being held in Nebraska City at the Lied Lodge Conference Center. After registering for the conference I find out that there are no vacant rooms at the lodge. That is too bad because it is a very cool Arts and Crafts style building with exposed post and beam structure. It is part of the Arbour Day Foundation site. They use wood accents and tree products all over the place.


The challenge is to get between my motel and the conference sessions without using my car. All I do at most conferences is sit, talk, and eat. The exercise will do me good. A few calls to businesses in Nebraska City turns up a bike shop that is willing to rent me a bike. I make my motel reservations at the Deluxe Inn, flight arrangements, and use the shuttle service from Omaha to Nebraska city. So far so good.


The shuttle service doesn't stop at my motel and the schedule is too tight to make it to the conference on time. How do I pick up the rental bike, get my suitcase to the motel, and be ready for the start of the conference? My first failure of planning means I have to scratch the bike rental.


It is all about alternative ways to work. so maybe can car pool with other people staying at the same motel. No exercise, but I still save gas. The conference leaders assure me they will help with car pooling. Plan B is in put into play.


The first day of the conference is great. The last session breaks up at 9:30 PM I have been up since 5:00AM. Time to crash into my bed at the Deluxe Inn. The conference leadership have a ride ready. They connect me with Judy who has room for one more in her car to and from the Deluxe Inn then disaster strikes.


The Deluxe Inn has given my room reservation away and there aren't any rooms left in the whole city. Without a car I can't go to the near by city for a room. I am stranded. I feel like the challenge failed. Why didn't I just rent a car. I feel very vulnerable. The chairs in the lobby don't look very comfortable.


One more call to the Conference leadership. Help!


Ten minutes later my phone rings. Doug tells me to sit tight help is on its way. Lindsey one of the conference staff had booked a room at the Best Western three blocks away and a colleague had booked a room for her at the conference center. She can't use both rooms so one is mine. Judy comes down to the lobby and offers to pick me up at the Best Western and be my carpool ride each day for the conference.


Being stranded and feeling vulnerable suck, but I got to meet Judy, Doug and Lindsey. If I had my own car I wouldn't have been stranded, but I would be poorer for not knowing these helpful people. From failure came connections. Finding alternative ways to work is a good thing.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Bike Equipment Deals in FF

The morning commute is getting darker every day. If I leave by 7:00 AM the sun is just starting to come up. I need to have a light on my bike soon. Yesterday I stopped in at The Rental Store on College Way. They have helped me with bike accessories before. I noticed a big sign in the window, " Moving Sale 20-70% off." They have one set of bike lights and they are 20% off.

The owners are moving to a location on East Hwy 210 near Ottertail Glass. If you are looking for a new bike or accessories in Sept. , The Rental Store looks like a good opportunity. After a few phone calls to other bike suppliers it is clear that this may be the only bike sale in town.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Ain't Nature Grand?


One of the pleasures of biking to work is the surprises mother nature has planned for me each morning or afternoon. sometimes it is a new tree blossom smell, or a Bald Eagle soaring over the river. Today it was the morning mist on the river. The picture says it all.

Biking in the Rain

It is 7:15 AM on Tuesday morning. Time to saddle up for another trip to work on my bike. My wife reports that we had an inch and a half of rain last night and it is still coming down. I have never biked in the rain before.

My mind races through the coats I could wear to repel the soaking rain. My raincoat is lined with vinyl. It is good at keeping the water out, but it is like riding inside a garbage bag. I will sweat enough to get soaked. My wind pants aren't water proof and the wet gel seat will soak through to my pants. Too many jokes at work.

The commute to work will be by car on rain days until I find better rain gear for biking.

Here is a search of REI web site for comfortable and effective rain gear. Let me know if you have any other suggestions.