I am pretty dedicated to my training, aiming for twenty miles a day and increasingly longer rides each weekend. On Saturday I completed a forty mile figure eight ride from west to east and east to west in three hours, all of it fairly flat, with only minor breaks to hammer out fitting adjustments, eat, and hydrate. The snack was preventative. I awoke before the sun and hit the road just as it was rising, feeling a little bit lovely. One of my most divine moments was hitting the Ballona Creek Bike Path and riding along a patch of fragrant chamomile flowers. Sometimes happiness is solitude, endorphins, a good sweat, and a bicycle between your legs.
I completed my ride before 10:00am, ordered a pizza, devoured it, and then took a nap.
This weekend I can't ride, but next weekend will be my sixty, and it will be a true test of my fitness.
I'm also going to try to screenprint my own jersey for the ride...preferably with reflective ink. Have to get on that soon - I ordered the jersey just the other day.
On Friday I took the day off of work to Storm the Bastille, uncertain of what to expect. I met a lot of new people and spoke before City Council. We spoke in response to the attempted hit-and-run Hummer incident - which concluded with one cyclist in the hospital and police letting the driver go without a ticket - as well as the general failure of the city to assist and protect cyclists.
Everyone spoke so well, and our voices were actually heard, with a motion signed directing "the Los Angeles Police Department to report on recent bicycle incidents and conflicts between bicyclists and motorists, as well as efforts to increase police officer training related to bicycling activities and applicable regulations and laws."
It could be just a lot of hot air, but I hope that continued visibility will push these words into action.
You can read up more on the details of the meeting at BikingInLa, or you can watch a video of the meeting itself here. And no, I don't know where my part is!
Speaking of cyclists rights, a recent article in the LA Times was pointed out to me regarding the misuse of bicycle only paths such as the one in Santa Monica. I have ridden along this path - which clearly, in several forms, states "BIKES ONLY" - negotiating hazards such as runners with their iPods blasting, mothers with twin strollers, and uncontrolled dogs and children. The most puzzling aspect of this misery is the fact that there is a pedestrian path mere yards away parallel to the bike path.
I believe that most of the conflict that arises between cyclists, drivers, and pedestrians is the result of ignorance. So, for all you drivers (And I am a driver!), please know that cyclists are indeed allowed full use of a lane and are required to ride as far right as practicably safe. Unsafe things include the door zone along parallel parked cars (If I get doored and the ambulance has to come, you're going to end up spending more time in your car), construction, dangerous road conditions, and cars turning right at an intersection. Cyclists are also allowed to take a lane when merging for a left turn (Which they are allowed to complete from the left turn lane/pocket). Bicycles are actually prohibited by law from riding on the sidewalk!
But I understand, twenty miles per hour (At my best) is a lot slower than your vehicle (And trust me here, I know, my car is equipped with the sports package!), so what you should do is pass me as you would any other car, and please consider my safety when doing so. Or sit back and enjoy the view - cyclists' rears are often firm, well-sculpted, and clad in tight clothing.
And folks, the bike path is like a freeway for bicycles, it's as simple as that. Would you let your children run out onto a freeway?
May is National Bike Month! Come on, I know you want to work on your beach body, and what better way to do so than riding your bike to work, the market, or to the beach? Why worry about driving home, changing your clothes, and then hitting the gym, when you can do it just by commuting? Think about it!
Lest you need further encouragement, let me remind you of something:
Riding a bicycle is magic.
On Saturday night, after waking up pleasantly hazy from my morning ride, I hit up Three Clubs to see Ben Oprstu spin. Ben kicked off his set with some impressive beat boxing, and I loved how he didn't shy from such sugary favorites as Britney Spear's "Womanizer" (I danced my ass off!). We're collaborating on Dance Connect, which is a movement to unify Los Angeles through good times and good vibes. Keep an eye on it!
On Sunday I worked on some brand new HappyLand merchandise! It's coming soon folks, so watch this space!
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2 comments:
i like your butt a whole lot.
i ride my bicycle on the sidewalk and everywhere in between. to me, riding a bike means i have free range. fuck everything. within reason.
My butt is popular for dubious reasons.
No, a bicycle is not = free range. But you ARE entitled to a sense of self righteousness ; p
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