Errandonnee 2017 - Getting it Done

It all came together this week, linking work rides with after hours errands. And somehow I fulfilled 8 categories. Good thing too - tomorrow we are expecting a few inches of snow. So long Errandonnee...until next year!

Errandonnee Scorecard, Errands 8-13, 39 Total Cumulative Miles

March 28 (photo above)
Category: Arts and Entertainment, returning book to library
Observation: A little rain is just fine. I locked my bike to rack, met our sons inside, then we walked to a restaurant for dinner.
Miles: 1.5

March 28
Category: Social Call, had dinner at Gaku Ramen with our sons
Observation: I wasn't very impressed with my meal - it was too salty for my taste - but I managed to go through my first meal only using chopsticks.
Miles: 0

March 28
Category: Work or Volunteering, bike commute
Observation: Two months ago our company had approved a decent bike rack, but I'm still impatiently waiting for it's arrival. Until then, I use this wimpy (and broken) rack, which moves when I lock up my bike. At least it's in a safe spot. 
Miles: 10

March 29
Category: You Carried WHAT on Your Bike, a big bag of shredded paper
Observation: I carried home shredded paper to use for pet cage bedding. It's an inexpensive solution for one guinea pig that is allergic to wood shavings.
Miles: 0

March 29
Category: Personal Business, paying a bill
Observation: I love the irony - I drop off payment for my husband's sports car by bicycle!
Miles: 0

I'm digging these new purple sunglasses.

March 30
Category: Work or Volunteering, bike commute
Observation: Melting snow had covered sections of the path and frozen overnight. I walked a couple areas.
Miles: 10

Errandonnee 2017 - Cruising with Snow, Post Time Change

Library stop.

It's nice to hold the Errandonnee this year post Daylight Saving's Time switch-over. Early spring weather has been kind of erratic this year so when I bike commute I try to squeeze in an errand on the way home, or during lunch hour with possible weekend excursions. I was excited to discover another local lady catching the Errandonnee bug, (following her Facebook posts! Go Carmen!). The Errandonnee is Expandonneering in Vermont.

Errandonnee Scorecard, Errands 1-7, 18 Total Miles

March 21 (photo above)
Category: Arts & Entertainment, visiting my local library
Observation: I picked out two books from the Staff Favorites bookshelf to broaden my reading list. I was disappointed that I'd missed the Human Origins exhibit by 3 days...items were packed away in a huge crate, sitting in the main reading room.
Miles: 1 (tagged onto work commute)

Eggs from the convenience store.

March 22 
Category: Store, picking up eggs
Observation: It's nice to have a convenience store so close to home where I can grab something on the ride home.

Miles: 0

Parking next to sinks!

March 23
Category: Personal Business, help at Resource
Observation: I brought in glass door knobs to get an opinion on whether they carried parts to replace existing knob and cartridge assembly.

Miles: 3

March 23
Category: Non-Store Errand, previewed house
Observation: On my lunch hour I rode by a house for sale for an exterior preview. Unfortunately, there was an offer within two days on the market. It's a hot sellers' market in this region.

Miles: 1

March 23
Category: Non-Store Errand, Checking City Market South construction
Observation: Extending my lunch hour ride, I noticed the new store's girders are going up fast. 
Miles: 3

March 26th and its still balaclava weather!

March 26
Category: Personal Care, visiting my father's grave
Observation: Sunshine and 20 degrees doesn't stop this gal from a 10 mile ride, thanks to winter work commute training. Checked out one Little Free Library en route, but the book selection didn't interest me. Had to walk the snowy, icy cemetery roads. Plenty of snow and 2-foot snowbanks in Burlington, a holdover from Hurricane Stella.

Miles: 5

March 26
Category: Social Call, relaxing with coffee at Bagel Cafe, then buying bagels for our family
Observation: I planned this stop mid-ride to warm up on a 20 degree morning and found I was comfortable! However, I can't pass up a cup of Vermont Coffee's Dark Roast and a rest at a sunlit table. The Bagel Cafe should dig out the bike rack!

Miles: 5

Adapting is Key for an Enjoyable Commute in an Evolving Climate

Last week I rode to work the day before Hurricane Stella dumped 29" of snow in our region. Then spring-like conditions prevailed, melting half of the storm accumulation. This week I've endured icy bike paths - which I walked a good deal to remain safe - and this morning I bundled up for a ride in heavenly sunshine, albeit in 3 degree, windless weather.

This is not fickle March weather in Vermont. This is the new reality of global warming, where extreme weather shifts means regular bike commuters must take precautions. Expect the unexpected. Pay attention to daily forecasts and morning conditions before heading out the door. Keep a range of outerwear handy and a back up plan for getting home, should daytime weather drastically shift, causing unsafe conditions for a two-wheeled commute.

I've accepted that I may need to overdress in a down parka for frigid morning commute, but leave it unzipped in the afternoon. It's all about adapting and being safe!

How has the changing climate affected your commutes? What is your back up plan?

Rivendell's Clementine - A Brilliant US Market Move?

Rivendell's Clementine, a solid, tour-ready, step-over bicycle,
designed for those seeking long-term comfort on and off-road.

Intentional or not, the Clementine (aka Clem-L) is uniquely poised to capture folks that desire a reasonably priced (1500.00), strong step-through (or step-over) bike that can handle wider tires.

In my opinion, of course!

I believe there's a market for aging baby boomer cyclists, or for those with discomfort on a diamond frame. But only someone who is committed to research, will wade through US options and come to a similar conclusion.*

My own search for a step-through touring bike started with knowing I liked the frame geometry and low gearing of 1980's steel mountain bikes. There were a handful of models specifically marketed to women - Ross and Peugeot come to mind - but try finding those models today, especially in sizes larger than 19". Most are rarer than hen's teeth! So it was time to look beyond our borders...

The Swedish Pilen Lyx. Photo credit: Pilen Lyx

The stately Canadian Urbana. Photo credit: Lovely Bicycle

Intrigued with the Pilen Lyx, and to some degree, the stout Urbana, there was comfort in knowing that other folks were desiring a strong step-through commuter machine, if not a touring bicycle. This was in 2011, long before the Clementine's arrival in 2015, and just when I began to formulate the idea of transitioning to a step-through touring bicycle.

A couple years later, commuting regularly on Ross Mount Saint Helen's, and enjoying the ease of step-through design, this cemented my decision to seriously research my options. In early 2015, the Clementine model was pre-sold to buyers, some waiting nearly 6 months for arrival. I was skeptical of the pre-ordering concept, considering I couldn't test ride the bicycle, so I looked elsewhere, but still followed with interest the Clementine and eagerly waited riders' first impressions.

The Ross outfitted for a simple overnight camping adventure.

I looked into a custom built step-through, but as I suspected, models could not compete with my 1500.00 budget. (Calculating a "budget" based on the Clementine's pricing was a starting point - the last new bike cost me 350.00 in 1986!) However, it was interesting to note European options - none of which made sense within my price-point - but confirmed growing interest in the style, at least for Europeans.

Grant 's Clementine. Photo credit: Rivendell

It's no surprise that I eventually gravitated to the Clementine. Glowing feedback, unavailability in regional bike shops, and with much research and angst, I followed suit ordering the bike - sight unseen - and I'm now a proud owner of a Clementine. I don't regret my decision, but I'm still fine-tuning the fit and need to test the machine on hilly touring miles - a plan for 2017.

Rivendell is offering colors to please both genders, and indeed there's a growing male contingent (even Grant Peterson himself - I realize it pays to promote your own products!) who are finding the Clementine (or Clem-L) a versatile and practical machine. However, I had an interesting conversation with a Rivendell sales person who confirmed that only 1 of 5 Clems sold are the Clementine (or Clem-L) model.

Whether the Clementine becomes a sought after machine is another story. Rivendell's principles are built on producing small quantities, creating beautiful and practical bicycles, "bucking trends and making friends" without all the marketing fuss. There are only a handful of  US dealers, and unless you live in California or near Portland, Oregon, forget counting on a test ride - a deal-breaker for many people. Order online and taking a leap of faith may be your only option.

And I wonder if the model suffers from the stigma associated with a "womens'" frame, especially in the US. Baby boomer riders could benefit from this style, but it may be a big pill to swallow. And new bike riders wouldn't necessarily spend 1500.00 when they can purchase a beginner bike elsewhere for 500.00.

But for those aging regular cyclists, I believe the Clementine is the best of both worlds: a sturdy, comfortable frame with ample clearance for front and rear racks plus fenders, that can haul camping gear, water bottles. etc. - all for a reasonable price. I suspect this may be the last new bicycle I buy - at least I hope so!

*Is the Clementine the only candidate for this unique role? If not, let me know in the comments. 

Bike Blog Love - 5th Edition

Every year I seek out new bicycle blogs to follow. Here's my annual ode to a new (or at least new to me) batch of two-wheeled bloggers. Spread the link love!

Frivolous Cycling

Mr. Frivolous Cycling is a transportation cyclist in California and also enjoys unplanned outings. His goal this year is to complete a 45 mile charity ride. The heck with traditional training and hill sprints! Humorous and independent, I enjoyed his "tab" on bikes: he owns only one bicycle and it's my kind of color - purple!

Bikes For The Rest of Us

The blog has been around a while, but I've discovered it recently, stumbling on a Miyata Ridge Runner, which the blog describes as "RUB".....stands for Retro Urban Bike or Retro Utility Bike.
Bikes for the Rest of Us reviews practical bicycles - the blog title says it all.

Simply Cycle
I stumbled on this blog while researching Rivendell's Bosco bars. Marc hails from Michigan and is a part-time teacher. He taught some magic recently, opening teenage minds in The mouths of babes.

What This Bike Needs
Lizzie lives in England (I think) and has a penchant for sewing and cycling. She rides a step through bike - a woman after my own heart - and doesn't let hills stop her, last fall completing the Coffeeneuring Challenge.

It's All an Adventure
A long distance bus driver squeezing in rides wherever possible. I like his appreciation for wild life.

Riding the Mindway
Another Iowan, who rides as much as possible throughout the winter.

Citizen Rider
 A fellow New Englander, who loves the off season for skiing, works in a bike shop, and had the misfortune of thieves violating his home. While not a pleasant experience for anyone, I enjoyed his heartfelt portrayal of the awful day. May cafiend have a better 2017.

Max, the Cyclist
A gung ho young cyclist and bike packer who does his own hacks, uses practical gear and racks (basket packing), and has a spiffy blog. I discovered the Soma Lucas front rack through this blog, certainly a consideration for my Clementine.

Keep walking, even if it's steep
I've followed Jim's writing and adventures for many years. Jim owns three very practical bicycles and lives in Estes Park, CO. He's not a regular writer, but I enjoy reading his stuff when he does. Jim is not afraid to work on his own bicycles.