January 26, 2007
Since I’ve been doing a fair amount of winter biking, trying it out and really liking it so far, I thought I’d share with you what I’m doing at “my day job” as a massage therapist. Hey, a little cross-promotion never hurt anyone!
From now until the end of Winter (March 21), I’m offering a discount for anyone who bikes in winter to their appointment. You can treat yourself and your stiff muscles to a one hour massage for only $35. That’s $20 off my normal rate per hour. I really hope that this provides some incentive to some of my regular clients to hop on their bikes as well and brave the winter without burning gas in their cars on a few occasions.
For more information, how to book an appointment, and more about my approach to massage and bodywork, visit my website for A Peaceful Touch Massage and Bodywork. My office is located in the Uptown district of Minneapolis, south of Downtown on Hennepin Avenue South.
January 18, 2007
Today I decided to leave my wimpy notions behind, and brave winter atop my bike! I first went to The Hub Bike Co-op to purchase a balaclava. This “ski-mask” type of head covering made all the difference today, and I was able to bike quite a bit!
“So? How did it go?”
Quite well!!
I had to forget about sunglasses, as they would steam up from my breath rising to them, but in general, I had a great time!
I biked from The Hub down the Hiawatha Light Rail Trail, then across the Midtown Greenway to the Uptown Transit Center to surprise my partner, Michael, who is a MetroTransit driver! He was pleasantly surprised at my ambition!
A few things that I did in preparation and on the first winter bike trip:
- I cleaned and re-lubed my bike chain
- I tied a plastic bag over my seat so my own “seat” would not get wet.
- I did a lot of walking up and down steep hills. No use trying to be a super-climber, nor coast at 90 miles per hour down a hill, only to slide into a snowbank.
- I used lower gears to pedal more easily.
- I made sure my tires were a little bit less inflated for better traction.
- I took my time.
Some things I will need now will include:
- Long underwear! My thighs got REALLY cold!
- Sunglasses or Eyeware that is fog resistant
- Maybe a little bit of de-icer for my lock, should it freeze on me.
But it was cool! Really cool! I think that you garner a little more respect, as everyone I met on a bike coming the other way on the Greenway nodded their head to me or said hello.
So, for my first (of hopefully many) day of winter biking, I think I did ok!
Total Distance Today: 7 miles.
August 18, 2006
If you look back long ago on my blog, I was showing pictures of the damage that motorized vehicles were doing to the bike trail along the Hiawatha Light Rail.
I emailed my city council representative, Cam Gordon on May 20, 2006. I also attempted to find the “Bicycle Advocacy Committee” that is part of the Minneapolis Public Works Department. I was extremely late to sit in on the meeting because it took 40 minutes to find someone who knew about the committee, the meeting room, and who oversaw the committee. Yes, they need a “Meetings in City Hall Today” information sheet. Once I arrived at the meeting, they were in full swing, and about to undertake their “visioning and direction” exercise among those seated at a big round table. There really wasn’t any way for me, Joe Citizen to participate, so I left.
Anyway, almost 3 months later, here’s the response from Cam Gordon’s office.
Scott,
Cam asked me to write you back about the police cars on the bikeway.
Though police cars are exempt from the prohibition on motorized vehicles
on the bikeway (as they are in parks, on the greenway, etc), I agree
that it’s not the ideal situation. I use the path to bike to work here
every day, and I hear what you’re saying about the difficulty of passing
the cars. We’ve passed your concern along to the first police precinct
and the metro transit police, along with your request that bike patrols
be used for the bike path.
Thanks for contacting the office,
Robin Garwood
Council Aide,
Second Ward Council Member Cam Gordon
612.673.3654 (office)
651.338.7699 (cell)
http://secondward.blogspot.com
I’m frustrated that these processes dealing with government can take so long, and that in the end, you begin to feel like you aren’t meant to be “plugged in” to leaders and departments of the city. I think I will stick to my approach of working outside the power structures and institutions, and maybe finding ways to inspire at the grass roots.
July 2, 2006
Controversy. Conflict. Demeaning and sometimes violent or mean dialog. I wish that people didn’t feel the need to react so horribly at times, but they do. Any time a person cries “foul play” for almost anything, I think a knee-jerk reaction is unfortunately part of “American Culture”. I know that we all have our own opinions and feelings, but sometimes we can express them in horrible ways. We call people names, we say “they deserved that”, we make fun of others or ridicule them. Sometimes I’m just as guilty of a few of these “communication mishaps”. But I often wonder how we can get past this faster, and get to the real feelings and needs behind what people are saying in retaliation.
(more…)
June 7, 2006
My last day in Madison was a bit overcast, as the weather forecasters were calling for storms by 3pm. I decided to change my Greyhound tickets to the earlier bus departing at 2:20pm so that I wouldn’t have to be stuck walking or biking in a storm to catch the bus.
I was able to fulfill one more goal of the trip, by doing Tai Chi on the rooftop of the Monona Terrace Convention Center. When I lived in Madison, this was always something I wanted to do, but never got around to doing. The cooler weather made for an easier time doing the movements, and it gave us all some great motivation for our final exercise of “swaying in the wind like trees”. At the end of the class, the teacher came up to me and used me as an example for a point he was making about relaxing your body in order to be more stable. He had me tense up and stand aggressively, and showed students how he could push and topple even a big guy like me who had all of his muscles clenched. Then he put me in a stance and had me relax and ground myself calmly in the pose, relaxing into any muscle tension. He tried pushing me over this time but was unsuccessful.
The point of the exercise was to illustrate that in life, while so many stressors and experiences come upon us continually, that by maintaining a relaxed and grounded poise within ourselves, that we are less likely to topple and fall. I really enjoyed this class, and the metaphor of the exercise especially.
After a few moments of gazing across Lake Monona, I descended the elevator to the ground level where I had parked the rented bike. I had to wipe away a few tears while I unlocked the bike, as I was feeling a bit sad that my trip was ending. I felt like I was saying good-bye to a wonderful new friend.
I know I’ll be back.
One of the bike routes I didn’t get to take was the 18-mile commuter trail that originates at Camp Randall, circles down past the Madison beltline highway and comes back up to downtown. There is also a new portion of a bike trail being constructed that is aptly called “The Missing Link“, and I will save that one for next time too.
Special thanks are in order for this trip.
First, to my wonderful partner, Michael, who tagged along with me for a very short, less than 48-hour trip. He needed to return to work on Monday. To our friend Jason, who was so wonderfully hospitable to us. A home cooked meal on Sunday night was a wonderful touch! To Tim, my great tour guide, I will need to find a fun “object d’art” for you at some point as a thank you! To Jon and the staff at Motherfools, you all rock! I was glad to have a place to rest and geek out on my laptop! To the Madison Hostel, you run a wonderful refuge for weary travelers, and I will keep coming back. The inexpensive private room downtown was so incredibly comfortable and homey. You just don’t get that at a motel. And finally, to Machinery Row Bicycles, who rented me the best bike! The Gary Fisher Zebrano hybrid is one that I’m now considering buying for myself now! I was also glad that all of the rental bikes at Machinery Row come with a rear rack. This was so important for my commuting purposes.
To everyone out there reading:
Go to Madison and rent a bike if you can! I can see why it’s rated so high as a bicycle friendly city. Take advantage of this, and spend some time “people-powering” yourself around the town. I think you will find it incredibly enjoyable!
June 6, 2006
Pictured here is a trail on the shores of Lake Mendota, which took me to the near west side of Madison for a voice lesson. I think I took Wendy, my teacher, by surprise as I rolled in on a bicycle and not a car.
The voice lesson went very well. I feel like I’ve gotten over the hill in trusting and working with the “new voice” I started hearing around 2001. She really noted my progress in the tone staying very forward and not getting caught behind the nose and head anymore. I sang the song “Let Beauty Awake” from Ralph Vaughn Williams’ “Songs of Travel” song cycle. I’m really learning to relax into my breath, and let the energy just take the voice where it needs to go. It’s exciting. I feel like I’ve come so very far since that first day I came to see her. But, even more valuable is that we’ve come to know each other over that period of time, and we catch up on many things in our lesson.
She and I talked about my biking, my studies at Saint Mary’s University, and life in general. She uttered the word that my advisor, also named Wendy, has uttered to me to describe what’s going on. “Synthesis.”
I feel like I’m learning things so very deeply in my life. Things are deep in my heart, my body, my soul. The biking, the experiential learning, the independent nature of my studies, and my singing too - they are all growing and developing from a deeper place in me. The feeling of gliding down a hill effortlessly, and the feeling of soaring through a phrase with high G’s and A’s with my voice - they are so both like flying to me. It was great to experience this in a lesson.
Coming back from my voice lesson was much easier, as I discovered that the bike path I should have taken, almost extends from her street, through the university, to downtown Madison. Talk about convenience! I stopped to take a few pictures of Lake Mendota before going back to the hostel to unwind.
I also had a great time developing a better friendship with my friend Jason. He made me dinner one evening, and accompanied me for pizza and a bike ride the next night. The Twin Cities can get so busy and fast at times. I really can’t remember the last time I went to a friend’s house where we just simply made dinner, then did the dishes, or just casually decided to grab a pizza slice or two and then go for a bike ride. There is a calm and laid back attitude in Madison that I’m severely missing in my life here in Minneapolis.
After the bike ride in the evening, and the biking to and from my lesson with Wendy, I calculated the mileage on my bike map. Twenty-seven miles! Whoa! The bike I was riding was a huge help. I’m seriously considering a SECOND bike. Color me obsessed. But really - why not? I know couples and individuals with two cars, three or more televisions, more than one computer. Two bikes for two different kinds of riding tasks really isn’t too much of a stretch, is it?
More to come in the next post about my last day in Madison!
June 4, 2006
If there is a thought that sums up my trip thus far to Madison, it is that I was able to re-discover the beauty of this city. I never biked around this town when I lived here, and I think it’s a shame. I’ve only gone around one lake so far, and the trail was beautiful!
I may also re-think my choice of bicycles in the future. I rented a 24-speed hybrid bike, and I absolutely love it! I can climb hills faster and easier, and I don’t tire as soon as on my Breezer. It’s not as “pimped out” as my bike, but for pure utility and ease of ride, I may have to consider a bike like this in the future.
My friend Tim took me on a 13-mile ride around Lake Monona the first day I was in town. He’s a natural storyteller, so his interpretation of Madison History, trails, and the various “Objects d’Art” as he called-them along the path was both humorous and enlightening.
Sunday was a day of spending time with Michael and our friend Jason. I was able to catch a nap after Michael left for home. A $41/night private room at the Madison Hostel is such luxury at a low price. I’m right off of the Capitol Square, and a 30-second downhill ride to a trail that takes me to my favorite coffee shop, Motherfools. It’s so comfortable at the hostel.
Sunday evening was quiet, and I decided to take a bike ride at midnight. I traveled from the square down to Olin Park to catch a beautiful view of the capitol building and Monona Terrace across the shore of Lake Monona. Breathtaking and stunning.
This evening’s 10-12 mile ride made me feel as if I were falling in love all over again with the city of Madison. I lived here from 2000-2002, yet I feel so blessed to now rediscover her from a new perspective. I am beginning to feel a kind of “understanding of the terrain” when I travel by bike. There’s a connection that you just can’t feel in your car. I have no windsheild, no obstructed view of the stars above me at all angles, no sound of my car engine blocking out the sounds of nature. I feel as if I can breathe in the entire city, and feel as if I am a living part of it. It’s an exhilarating feeling!
Monday I travel to the west side of Madison for a voice lesson with my teacher, Wendy. I’ve not seen her in 6 months since last I was in Madison. Vocally, I guess I’ve been resting. So many other joys of life have been flowing in feeding my creativity, that I just hadn’t thought that it was time to have another lesson. Lessons with Wendy are like life coaching sessions or therapy. Things unlock. I let go of things. I open myself up, and she is able to find ways for me to vocally produce Art. I’m looking forward to it!
Two more days left in Madison! I’m already feeling this trip is too short.
June 2, 2006
Late this evening my partner, Michael, and I are boarding a bus to Madison, WI! I’ll be renting a bike from Machinery Row Bicycles, and exploring the town I lived in from 2000-2002 on a bike! Should be lots of fun! I plan on biking the 13 miles around Lake Monona the first day.
Other things to do include seeing great friends, eating vegan soup at Motherfools Coffeehouse, going to a concert given by Perfect Harmony Men’s Chorus, the Dane County Farmers’ Market (it’s huge!), and hopefully do some Tai Chi on the roof of Monona Terrace before I leave on Tuesday! Everything in between will be filled in once I get there!
I took a day of rest yesterday after biking 27 miles coming back from Mounds View, MN to Minneapolis. The Anoka County Mississippi Regional Trail Corridor is under construction, and is looking like it may prove to be a great trail when finished!
Today I need to run a few errands on the bike to the Guthrie Theater (I have a new part time job there!!!!), and to Saint Mary’s University, then packing! Yes I’m a procrastinator!
I’ll post pictures while in Madison! Have a great weekend!
Total Distance Wednesday: 27 miles.
Total Distance Yesterday: 5 miles.
May 30, 2006
I’m going to try from now through the month of June to take longer bike trips as much as possible. I think I would like to challenge myself to do at least three days of 20+ mile trips. At some point I would like to do a portion of the Willard Munger Trail that connects Duluth, MN to Hinkley.
In other news, Michael and I will be going to Madison next weekend, and I’ll be staying a couple more days on my own. Instead of going by car, we’ll be going by bus, and I’ll be renting a bike while I’m there.
I used to live in Madison, so it’s not unfamiliar territory at all. This year, Madison received a Gold rating from the League of American Bicyclists as a premeir bike-friendly city. I think it’s time to visit the town on a bicycle!
After the trip, I will be going to the City of Minneapolis’ Bicycle Advisory Committee to talk about the damage to the trails by police vehicles near the Light Rail. The issue was put on their agenda after I emaile some folks with Transit for Livable Communities and the Midtown Greenway Coalition.
Total distance today: 22 miles.
April 11, 2006
I’m starting to feel like riding my bicycle is more than just riding my bike. It’s beginning to feel like it’s more than being ecological and sustainable. More than me riding for my transportation, and more than the rides I go on. I don’t know how to explain it really, but maybe it’s the same thing folks go through with cars they drive and love, or their favorite pair of shoes. There’s something unexplainable about it. You have a little more love for it. There’s something bigger transpiring, and it transcends how you think of a thing in all of it’s parts. It’s as if my bike is becoming a friend, or I’ve just found a new land that’s not been discovered. Hard to describe really. I’ve not driven my car now for 10 days. Feels good.
Michael is getting into biking to work now for MetroTransit. It’s actually faster than taking transit! I biked along with him to the garage, and then up to the end of the trail on West River Parkway. I came back and did a loop across the Stone Arch Bridge, over to the University of Minnesota Campus, and then again across the Washington Avenue Bridge.
I think that tomorrow I will find a new cool route to take in this city! I’m sure there’s still more to discover!
Total Distance Today: 11 miles.
