• Cycling

    On My Wish List: Liv Flourish 2 Available Soon in US

    August 8, 2015 - By 

    This bike, which was recently featured in Bicycling Magazine, is now on my wish list. And now, it’s finally been announced in the US, with prices that seem to be lower than the article predicted! The MSRP is 580.00 on the Liv/Giant website, and it’ll be available at my local bikeshop(s). I’d have to do less to set it up for what I want it for: utility errand rides and cafe runs during daylight or early evening hours. I’d probably ruin it by adding a rear rack and baskets or panniers, though. The Flourish comes with more gearing options, with…

  • Uncategorical Weirdness

    Our Constitution Is Our Shield…

    June 26, 2015 - By 

    Never thought I’d pull a quote from a Libertarian site, but this is, after all, reasonable: The biggest sign in support of gay marriage—around five feet tall—was held by Lorence Wenke, a former Republican Michigan state representative. Wenke’s sign, shaped like a giant shield, read, “Our Constitution is our shield against Bible based discrimination toward our gay friends & neighbors.” Source: Impromptu Celebration Outside SCOTUS After Gay-Marriage Ruling

  • Uncategorical Weirdness

    Good news on Illiana, but more work to be done | Active Transportation Alliance

    June 8, 2015 - By 

    Finally, some good news coming from our state capital for people who bike, walk and ride transit.On Tuesday Gov. Rauner announced the Illiana Tollway will not move forward and removed the project from the Illinois Department of Transportation’s (IDOT) current multi-year plan. The state determined “project costs exceed currently available resources.”The proposed highway would have linked Interstate 55 with I-57 and I-65 in Will County, serving only 8,000 vehicles per day at a cost of over $1 billion. Source: Good news on Illiana, but more work to be done | Active Transportation Alliance

  • Uncategorical Weirdness

    Go Red Rider Tess!

    June 8, 2015 - By 

    A dedicated advocate for diabetes research and awareness, Tess is preparing for a 40-mile bike ride, part of the annual Chicagoland Tour de Cure, a fundraising event for the American Diabetes Association June 14 in Aurora. Source: Diabetes won’t stop active South Elgin teen – DailyHerald.com

  • Cycling

    THANK YOU To All, From A Grateful Red Rider

    June 6, 2015 - By 

    LET’S DO THIS. In just 1 week, I’m riding 40 miles on a bike named Veda to help raise funds for the American Diabetes Association’s ‘Tour de Cure’ cycling event. ONE WEEK. I’m ready; last week I rode a total of 53 miles on Saturday and Sunday (including 30 miles for Chicago’s Bike the Drive). I’ll be able to complete the whole shebang, assuming I don’t crash too many times trying to learn to ride with my new clipless pedals that I bought last week from Larry Gross at Village Cycle. So far I’ve only fallen once. WOOHOO, go me.…

  • Cycling - Uncategorical Weirdness

    2016 Liv City Bikes are Cute, Comfy, and Fun | Bicycling

    June 6, 2015 - By 

    I may have found my n+1 bike, with short trips and street-clothes style in mind. The Flourish comes with more gearing options, with three rings up front and a 7-speed Shimano IGH rear derailleur. The Flourish 2 ($620) that Sherman showed us comes with an oversize wicker basket that’s big enough to hold a full daypack and a cushioned leather spring saddle that helps smooth the ride. The swept handlebar enables you to hold on while sitting up (though the steering takes a little getting used to, it’s quicker than a flat bar), and fenders shield you from road splash. And because sometimes you…

  • Cycling - Health And Fitness - Home Improvement

    Diabetes Sucks, But My A1C Is 5.8

    May 14, 2015 - By 

    It’s a numbers game, and currently I’m on the winning side. My first A1C (long-term average blood glucose) came in at 5.8, down from 6.6 when I was diagnosed in December. So that’s great, right? Yes, and despite the claims medical hucksters who’ll sell you a cure in a kit, I still have diabetes. It’s just well-controlled at the moment. I’m lucky that at this point it’s not advanced farther. I’ve raised 1405.00 toward my goal of 2000.00 for the Tour de Cure charity ride, with just a month to go.  You can help me achieve that goal by visiting…

  • Cycling

    Re-Beginning: Buy A Decent Bike The First Time

    April 13, 2015 - By 

    Last year, I bought a perfectly adequate bike ahead of my first ride for the American Diabetes Association’s Tour de Cure. Almost immediately, I realized I might have made a mistake, because the bike I picked was a bit of a duffer – fine for errands or city riding, but a bit heavy for getting up moderate grades. This year, I bought a bike that was better suited to how I’m riding now, and how I hope to be riding for the next couple of years – smooth street riding, quick multi-use path riding, and a much more efficient fit…

  • specialized hybrid bicycle on training stand
    Cycling

    Training With Veda

    March 28, 2015 - By 

    Veda's up on the training stand because vacation's over, the weather isn't good for riding the rest of the weekend, and it's been too long since I got any appreciable exercise, and my blood glucose numbers tell the story.

  • Cycling - Health And Fitness

    The Fitness Bug

    March 17, 2015 - By 

    Something interesting seems to have happened. I’ve caught the fitness bug. Either that, or Bug has gotten into fitness (my dad’s nickname for me was either Bugginia or Bug). I spent all of last spring and part of the summer not riding the bike I bought, which was a fairly decent women’s step-through that wasn’t quite the right fit or size for me. I went for a few rides, and made it around the 20 mile course for Tour de Cure last year, and I liked it all right, but never felt very comfortable on it. Also, I wished I…