The lives of drivers must be dark indeed. Did any notice this sunrise! A February morning so clear and crisp (a bit too chilled for my runners, I should have stayed in my winter boots). Each morning is lighter 15 minutes earlier. I will soon be needing my sun visor and sunglasses as I pedal up Denny.

I left home 15 minutes earlier this morning determine to enjoy the sunrise on the Fremont Bridge. It would be good for me to leave at this time every morning (oh if I was but a morning person!), very low traffic but the same number of idiots. The lower volume does allow more space to dodge the attacking SUVs… reminds me I really need to get a helmet cam.

When I returned to cycling I wondered why I could not find a comfortable seat for my bike. I borrowed, sampled, and finally settled on one that I was comfortable up to 20 miles. But I never thought about seats before, why now?

I was never fat before. I finally lost enough fat on my butt that seats are, again, not an issue. The luck is the seat that was just comfortable enough for me to cycle on short trips is now comfortable for me to cycle the day. I don’t know if there is a seat designed for fat butts but before you pay the price remember you will loss that fat soon so focus on air circulation and craft.

At 52, with all the bikes with toe cages this is the 1st one I broke… but it is the only plastic one I’ve owned. Not having the $10 – $20 for a new set I cycled the final mile to work trying to figure out how to fix the cage or could I do without? And then the answer landed!  Yep, Duct Tape! This happened 2 weeks back and the cages are working better than the originals. BUT I have also found Metal cages for $3 a set at Recycled Cycles for the day the DT fails.

My top one-stop-gift spot is Seattle’s Gargoyles Statuary on University Way ( U-District). This week they are saluting bicyclist!!

I noticed this morning the clothes making up my work wardrobe can each be rolled and stuffed in a pannier. Thinking through the summer shopping it dawned on me that yes, I asked myself can I cycle in this or can this be rolled & stuffed then worn in a meeting.

The rest of my clothes I can cycle in. Admittedly a couple of dresses would cause traffic crashes faster than texting while driving.

I can tell how hard it is raining by the tone of the traffic. Wet, raincoat, raincoat & pants, total outfit.

Taking metro is not even an option.

I pulled muscles around my ribs carrying and weaving my loaded bike around the construction on the stairwell at work. That was on a Friday so there was this shining belief that if I kept the muscles rested and iced over the weekend I would be back on my bike Monday. Not a chance. One entire week of gorgeous Seattle Summer lost to Metro (plus $25 in fares).

I did get the chance to try out my new front light! — on the left– can’t even see my old light on the right. I felt so proud of this new acquisition … until I was passed by a woman whose light was equal to a motorcycle’s! I just might look into those $100 lights, it looks like my commute will be more long dark rides like 2010.

I was also mourning the ending of my favorite cycle pants. There was no more fabric to stitch patches on and the patches were failing to hold the newer patches. I was tempted to wear them in one last triathlon but the holes in the saddle area were too obvious off or on the bike. I have spent a year hoping to find a new pair but no one is making this style. If I do find pants that fit, have pockets that close for keys and phone, and are hobbit length I’m buying a dozen pairs (I’ll be 88 by the time I wear out the last pair

Check any city news source and you will find, every day (short of a disaster – natural or man created), a murder (or mass murder) of children, families, friends. And often the murderer leaves free of charges or, in a few cases, a small fine. I am talking about murdering   with  a   vehicle. 

I am also encouraging action! When you find a story in another community bring that story to your community! Print & post their fliers, share their loss on your social network, go Global. Cyclist and pedestrians are not mice facing the cat, WE ARE HUMANS facing the myth that a small segment of society can freely commit murder.

How many teen boys fit on a skate board? Celebrity chat while waiting for a stop light. When the sun comes out you don’t want to wear flappers on pedals for clips. Yes it is Summer on the Burke-Gilman trail.

3 teens fit on a skateboard with the 4^th pushing.

While stopped at a light on Dexter Seattle’s Mayor  Mike McGinn pulled up to comment on my panniers full of fresh veges. I was so shocked I actually chatted back about my P-Patch  in the U-District and the humor of gardening during this Climate Shift.  I still see myself as invisible and am always surprised when someone pulls up to chat, and when that someone is the Mayor of a great city all I can do is go on auto pilot and bless be my backup is the sweet, compassionate side of me

Knock on steel, so far I have never needed my 1^st aid kit for personal use. But I have used it twice for other cyclist. The latest was a young college woman who grouped up with friends for a trip on the BG trail. Problem was she was in flappers (not good shoes for cycling on any type of pedal) on a road bike with pedals for clips. She ended up with a fall bad enough to dent her helmet and was grateful for the ointment and bandages. I did talk her into returning home on the bus.

I know there are websites and blogs that state helmets do not save cyclist . But I’ve now helped at two crashes that helmets took the hit instead of the skull. The second crash was the famous Seattle SLUT  rails. She was on a racing bike and misjudged the angle and those rails grabbed her tire as snuggly as they do the SLUT.  Dexter rides like a “N” but being rail free and with marked bike paths it is worth challenging the hills, even during the Dexter repaving.

And YES! I foiled a petty thief! I always strap down my panniers, not just clip them on the rack. I was waiting for the light at 45^th and University Way when I felt a jerk. I looked back to see this Black dude dropping the handle of my pannier, leaving it connected by the strap and one clip, and running into the crowd. Not knowing if the attacker is solo or returning to his gang I ran the light and cycled a few blocks, then stopped to re-clip the pannier.  I also now stand at an angle and on 2 feet at stop lights in the more shaggy bits of Seattle.

I’ve even adapted to the almost constant wet this summer seems to be wearing this year. I can have a great ride in wet but cannot imagine cycling in 100+ 24/7. I also have to laugh at those who insist Seattle has hills therefore should not build or encourage cycling. They need to travel to places with real hills! The few challenges Seattle has (the Counter Balance, & Denny Way) can be cycled around or walked. And the wet is gentle compared to the Atlantic side of the country. Seattle is a great place to cycle!

The only time I am reminded petrol has passed the $4 mark and heading for $5 is when I pick up groceries. There is a slight increase in cost but since I switched off processed foods, except an occasional treat, I have seen my grocery bill decrease $40-$50 per week. We are eating healthier and saving money.

The BIG reward of raising petrol cost is less traffic!!  With less traffic we have quieter streets, less road rage, and less pollution (bonus in the summer when the days get hot!). The busses look crowded and more people are walking and waiting for the bus, another huge bonus! I have noticed an increase of cyclist of all ages on my commute to work. I am seeing moms and dads with 2-3 kids on their bikes! And not just the expensive  bakfiets but common road bikes with kids, shopping, & dog stacked  Asian style. What a pleasure for all!

I would love to see a study comparing the loss of tax revenue from petrol sales vs. saving on road/bridge/highway maintenance, fewer vehicle crashes, and noticeable health advantages for less pollution. Studies show the danger of auto exhaust along with serious threats from chemical leaks, disposal of vehicles and their products throughout a vehicle’s lifecycle.  We really need to become transparent on what are the real cost of car ownership!

Sláinte! Keep the price increasing!!

I’ve snoozed to the last second. I have no choice but to start
with an explosion of activity. Breakfast is double instant coffee, cocoa, single suger, and almond milk. Jump into the (still chilly enough for)double layers of cycle clothes {eehhh, maybe I’ll grab a clean Tee} and out the door for Willow’s walk [my warmup]. I can’t help but notice the change one day of spring can make.

Spring has snoozed to the last second. She has no choice but to start with an explosion of activity. Breakfast is double compost, brittle autumn leaves, and rain. Create a few more (still chilly enough) pot holes {eehhh, slow those idiots down enough to notice} and blossom!

Yesterday only a couple of birds greated the dawn, this morning I had a full chorus! As each train of vehicles pass I enjoy the long moments to see the few trees pregnaunt with buds. Very late tulips are chancing a display. Even the grass is spreading over winter’s mud.

Instead of solving work’s problems I find myself planning my P-Patch. This year I will not plan small areas for those spontaneous, just have to try, discoveries. This year I will prune and stake my tomatoes.

I just noticed I don’t really get into New Year resolutions but I get dead serious with my Spring resolutions which I tend to reach the same as the New Year ones.