Ride to Visit Little Free Libraries

In early May, seeking another motivational ride challenge, I visited registered Little Free Library boxes in Burlington, VT. The map displayed 16 locations. I found 12; 3 were missing; and one I could not visit one because of it's location inside a closed university building. During these strange times, many sites are offering cleaning wipes (with little trash cans for waste), puzzles, food items, stands offering local newsprint editions of Seven Days, bee polinator plants adorned one lawn complete with educational material, and another place even cataloged clothing for those in need (see yellow boxes in next photo). Each box was uniquely designed, the only commonality was their official labeling as a Little Free Library. I restrained myself to carrying home two books.

What became clear, after stumbling onto other non-official sites since my quest, is that there's an equal variety of undocumented sites with their own flair that are bright spots in our community. 

Little Miss Sunshine library is also a community resource for clothing and food.

Errandonnee 2016 - Confidence this Time Around

For Louise Penny fans, locating not one but two copies of desired book  in local library
 is a major coup. March 4 errand.

There's something about the longer daylight and geese migrating north that proves perfect timing for the Errandonnee, motivating participants to try something new and jump-start spring riding and/or kicking others out of a commuting rut.

Unlike the first Errandonnee where I attempted and failed, (10 of 12 errands complete, so rather a near miss), because the challenge was held in February then, thus it was difficult to stay warm plus I was afraid to ride in the dark (another 2013 prerequisite). However, this time around I'm well equipped for cold weather and have a rockin' headlight, just in case, which proves that you can teach an old dog new tricks!

Errandonnee Scorecard, Errands 1-6

March 4 (photo above)
Category: Arts & Entertainment, visiting my local library
Observation: I was pleased to find two copies of the book I was searching for.
Miles: 2

Ice along the shoreline, but it's melting fast.

March 6
Category: Personal Care, Riding along lakefront path to Winooski River
Observation: I had spring fever and needed a longer bike ride. There were still icy patches to be careful of.
Miles: 15

Errandonnee or not, twice monthly, I stop on my way home from work for more pet food.

March 7
Category: Store, Pet Store
Observation: This business badly needs a bike rack within view of the storefront. 
Miles: 2

Shifting around cargo so I can strap the bag on my back rack.

March 8
Category: Store, City Market
Observation: Riding home after dark is easy peasy now. 
Miles: 2

March 9
Category: Wildcard, Scavenging compost bins
Observation: Lots of good pickings: garlic bulb, tomatoes, lettuce for pets, broccoli
Miles: 2

This art gallery seems to change names like the wind, but it will always be the Firehouse Gallery
to me because the old firehouse was converted to multi-floor arts center.

March 11
Category: Arts & Entertainment, Firehouse Gallery
Observation: Gallery is open later on Friday evenings. Enjoyed the pottery exhibit.
Miles: 2

Mud, Sweat, and Gears Book Review

A neighbor gave me the book, having zero interest in bike
 adventures—or bikes, period. Lucky me!

I'd heard of the Metal Cowboy (Joe Kurmaskie), but never read any of his books. I enjoyed his humor, his fun-loving boys, and the guts it took to endure family 24-7—all while on a bike. Joe is an animal when it comes to pumping a bike train, toting two boys and a third in a trailer. But just as gutsy is his wife, Beth. What's truly a delight is her transformation into bike-loving touring mom. Beth adds her own quips in the form of footnotes, which tickles and teases Joe's presumptuous male perspective.

The tag line "A Rowdy Family Bike Adventure Across Canada on Seven Wheels" led me to believe I'd hear something about each Provence. In reality, most of the book takes place in British Columbia with a brief mention of the end in Nova Scotia. A simple map would be a good addition too. Aside from that, and a diversion into Joe's and Beth's relationship, it's chock full of rollicking bike touring adventure. Give it a whirl.

The Epiplectic Bicycle

Photo credit: Little Stour Books

I was introducing my youngest boy to a local music store—the kind of place that's an institution—reachable by descending stone stairs into a basement. I hadn't been in for some time so we wandered, leafing through used LPs, checking out that original Beatles records were fetching hundreds of dollars, and nearly stumbling over the uneven cement floor. Unfortunately, the ambiance of this otherworldly place was lost on my son. "Don't they have any new music, Mom?" There were new CDs, though not predominantly on display. I'm sure he'd rather be in a Barnes & Noble or f.y.e. store.

A book shelf near the counter captured my fancy. Among them was this sweet little book called the Epiplectic Bicycle. Of course I thought it said "Epileptic" but nonetheless I leafed through and read the entire book—it being all of 20 pages or so. The illustrations are very quirky and sweet. In fact, I need to look at this book again. It's that kind of book. One that demands further study. I appreciate Dr. Seuss-style made up words, so the title itself is fascinating. And, there's something about two color printing, much like Jenny and The Cat Club series reprinted by the New York Review Children's Collection, that in its simplicity, allows original pen and ink drawings to shine.

This book came out many moons ago, so humor me if I've just discovered this wonderful artist. Edward Gorey has numerous titles in print. He's developed quite a following among children—most of his books are of that genre—but the Epiplectic Bicycle is appealing to adults too and certainly worth a look to any cyclist who appreciates the marriage of art and the bicycle.

Downhill all the Way

Photo credit: Edward Enfield

I love this whimsical drawing. This guy is clearly enjoying his ride through back roads filled with sunflowers. I also like his minimalist approach, with leather pannier, baguette sticking out behind, and a little duffle bag up front—it's all one needs to enjoy a trip on two wheels.

Photo credit: Edward Enfield

Though I'm taking Downhill all the Way along with me on my trip I couldn't resist a peek inside. But I shouldn't have...as I found I started laughing right away. It's Mr. Enfield's account of cycling the width of France, and as he puts it, from Le Manche to the Mediterranean. It was hard to put down. I scanned the book to get a feel for the prose. It's chocked full of these delightful illustrations too. It'll be very appropriate for our lady trio to read while we're pedaling, but the only problem is: it's too short. I'll bring another interesting novel—if I have room. Fortunately, Edward Enfield has written many other cycling books. I'll keep this author in mind.

One week until departure...

Blog Scribbles

Sometimes it's difficult to read my own writing.

Over the past year and a half since I started this blog there are times I've struggled with the writing. I do not have a broad vocabulary. I've learned to just get the basic idea down then work on clarity and varying the words. For me, talking about bikes is a passion. Through this venue I hope to accomplish a few things: share bike ideas and meet others who are of like mind, share photos of Vermont, show others how easy it is to tour, cycling slowly is just fine, and work on my writing while sharpening my brain.

I often have 3-6 posts in the queue. Some are just titles. Some are only photos. Some are titles with phrases. It's common that while I'm in transit, specific words or ideas pop into my head. The other day I had three things I wanted to remember, so as I pedaled I recited the items out loud. And hoped no one noticed! After a while I stopped, pulled out my little notebook, and scribbled, clearing my brain. I mean, what if other thoughts drifted in and the hard drive wasn't cleared? I know, it's a pathetically small capacity. (By the way, any more than 3 items on the grocery list also gets written down.)

Things I always do:

• Post a picture with every entry (I dislike blogs without pictures, even if the writing is spectacular)
• Keep the word length reasonable
• It's okay to show my failings; it's good for a laugh.
• The Synonym Finder is my friend, a thick thesaurus I find invaluable
• Post 4-5 times a week.
• Comment on at least one blog per day to support others (who doesn't like getting a response?)
• Only blog at night, after helping the kids with homework. Know when to turn off the computer and live my life.

The blogging format gives me great pleasure; it's a source of amusement and documentation that others might find just good enough to read. And if not, or at some point I fail to come up with ideas, I will stop. I love to hear how other bloggers handle this medium. What gives you ideas? How do you organize the writing?

Cyclopedia Review

I recently bought this interesting A to Z account of everything related to the bicycle by William Fotheringham. It's hardcover, though without a book jacket. The imprinting reminds me of letterpress. Simple and unpolished.

The endpapers are a lovely assortment of bikes, cogs, seats, and helmets. This print would be nice as fabric.

Inside, the layout resembles The Farmer's Almanac. It's set up in multiple columns and is designed with easy to read short quips, just enough to whet your appetite for a particular subject.

There are no photos, but old style etchings graphs, and maps. Condensed type highlights each title with bold initial capitals starting each section of the alphabet.

Can you tell that I like the design?

The content is a vast array of facts on history, bike design, racing, books, commentators, and famous people associated with the sport. I thought I would be able to read this as a novel, but it's an overwhelming amount of information, better absorbed in snippets. My book resides in the bathroom (ha!), but with post-it notes to mark items of interest.

My favorite page, so far, is a chart of the Alps prestigious ascents, complete with altitude, length of climb, and height gain. I like how the author presents their unique features. For example, did you know that on L'Alpe d'Huez there are TDF winners' names on each of the 21 hairpins turns?

Destroying Demons on the Diagonal Review

The author, Jeff Sambur, stayed with us twice through a Warm Showers connection, so as an acquaintance I feel compelled to give an unbiased review. It's also important to note that I too have written a book about a cross country journey (not published), so I appreciate the work involved in editing and organizing journals into readable text. To write, self-publish, advertise, and make money in an overcrowded market is an ambitious proposition. The best thing about digital publishing: the author can make revisions. It's important to note I read the first edition, so I do not know what changes were done in subsequent copies. My husband and I both read the book. We concur on the following review.

If one can get beyond the title and graphics, the subtitle "A Firefighter's San Diego to Maine Bicycle Ride into Retirement" gives a better clue to what's in the book.

Flipping through the novel, initially, the inclusion of maps, especially state by state is unique and well-done. It gives a sense of place that would've otherwise been lost. It lacks photos, however, of small town America that the author writes about in depth.

There is much to love in this book. The author is always on the move and even admits "a tinge of envy for those fortunate souls who can attain happiness and contentment without the need for motion. It was a foreign concept to me." He enjoys history, stopping to read plaques or quick to visit local museums. He journeys along Route 66, a particular fondness, or going out of his way to visit friends or take in minor league baseball games. The fact that Jeff rode over 6000 miles to cross the country shows his journey is not to take the shortest route and be done with it, but to truly enjoy the areas he travels through. Jeff is also gracious, bringing a gift to each host. I admire his knack for engaging strangers and is comfortable doing so—more than I would be.

As a firefighter Jeff's seen many horrific events; he starts each chapter with these narratives. However, his narratives while traveling by bike are full of sarcasm—and the fact that he meets people in bars over beers—I find uncomfortable. My takeaway from this book is the author is lonely, fighting demons that he discovers are not to be wiped out by movement—no matter how many miles under his wheels.

I would've liked more background in the initial chapter about his character: why he rides, relationships, friendships, and family. Bicycle touring is an important part of Jeff's life. The reader deserves to know this upfront.

Towards the end there are poignant events that are satisfying: visits with family and an unforeseen scare that offers Jeff a second chance. It is only then that I catch glimpses of his true character.

Destroying Demons on the Diagonal

Jeff Sambur, two-time Warm Showers visitor to our home, has recently published a novel which is sure to entertain cycling enthusiast and armchair travelers alike.

Jeff has wanderlust pegged to a T. His 20 years as a firefighter in Colorado, innumerable backpacking adventures, various cycling trips, and his love of minor league baseball set the scene for this backyard look at America.

Destroying Demons on the Diagonal can be found on Amazon, and has good reviews. Add this tale to your Christmas list this year. I know I will.

In Jeff's words:

Don’t let the title or the cover scare you off; the book is a light-hearted account of my San Diego to Maine bicycle ride into retirement

Come along with me as we pedal to: The Salton Sea, the Colorado River, Route 66, the Continental Divide, the Santa Fe Trail, the Lewis and Clark Trail, the headwaters of the Mississippi, the five Great Lakes, the highest points in three states, and fifteen baseball stadiums.

Along the way, we’ll meet farmers, felons, friends (new and old ones), vagabonds and heaps of good-natured American folks. There’s history, geography and a few of my musings and opinions. Heck! You might even learn a few fun factoids for the next Trivial Pursuit game.

Available online.
CreateSpace
Amazon

I reviewed this book in February 2012.

Bicycle Book Corner

Bicycle books come and go in our household. I've read short stories, chronicles of touring cyclists - even touring uni-cyclists. The following is our current selection:

Bicycle Diaries - David Byrne
Off-beat look at cycling, art, and music in many of the world's large cities. Recent review here.

*Miles From Nowhere - Barbara Savage
In my opinion this is the Bible of bicycle touring adventure writing. I have two copies because I feared I'd lost ours (which had an inscription from my then boyfriend, now husband) and when I went to replace it discovered that this book is no longer reprinted in hardcover. With frantic resesarch on dealoz I was able to locate a used copy. Miles From Nowhere inspired our tour across the country and, later, around the world. This says it all.

The Man Who Rode His 10-Speed Bicycle to the Moon - Bernard Fischman
Fourth book in, purple and green cover. A sweet, lyrical account of a ride through NYC and beyond. Let your imagination run wild. The only fiction tale out of the bunch. I stumbled on this gem in someone's giveaway box of books. My review.

Bicycle Touring International - Kameel Nasr
A guide to world-wide cycle touring, including invaluable facts such as prevailing wind direction, monsoon season, customs, and idiosyncrasies of individual countries - all very helpful when planning an extended tour.

Rails-to-Trails - New England Edition
Compilation of Northeast rail trails published by Rails-to Trails organisation. I've been a longstanding member of this fantastic group that converts rail right-of-ways into linear parks.. On my bucket list: to complete the C&O and GAP rail trails.

Bicycle Love - Various Authors
I love the graphical illustration on the cover, leading one to believe it's a bicycle comic, though it's not. Written by various authors, young and old, and why each loves their particular mode of  two-wheeled transit. The hub gave me the book a few birthdays ago.

The Lost Cyclist - David Herlihy
An account of two around the world cyclists in the 1800s and the interesting circumstances each encounters. Riding ordinaries and safety bicycles, it's a time when the bicycle was celebrated world-wide. I review the book here.

Riding The Desert Trail and Riding to Jerusalem (two books) - Bettina Selby
Bettina's lovely one-way quests that lead her to the source of the Nile river and from London to Jerusalem. I love how she recounts her travels with a historical flair, educating the reader in the process.

Europe By Bike - Karen Whitehill
A guide to traveling in Europe and rding with children.

*Full Tilt - Dervla Murphy
It's the best written travelogue of a woman pedaling alone in Europe and the Middle East. She's one gutsy lady and I stand in awe of her daily exploits. I want to read more of Dervla's books. Don't you just love her name?

*Books I will go to great lengths to replace. I highly recommend these.

When the weather turns dreary and cold I search for another bike tale to help me through the winter. What is your favorite velo book?

Bicycle Diaries

I had put off reading David Byrne's Bicycle Diaries because my husband tried to read it and didn't finish. "It wasn't what I had expected," he said. With that comment I let the idea of reading the book slide for months. Recently, I needed something to be immersed in and it was the one book I hadn't picked up yet from the "bike section" on our shelves.

I was immediately taken with the screaming orange cover. It was worth a look.

I was instantly captivated. It's not the usual chronicle of someone's bicycle travels, but a different approach altogether. Like many of us who cycle for that balance in our life, David has traveled with a folding bike for several years on many music gigs and art projects which take him all over the world, and back to NYC. It's his unique perspective of several cities from an on-the-ground vantage, which includes an area's politics, rough underworld, housing, art, roadways, and of course all from a musical bent, which plays a heavy part in all of this. I can see why it didn't captivate the hub, who often needs adventure/escapist novels.

The author does get a bit winded in sections, but overall it's a nice diversion from common bike genre. David Byrne is a genuine bike commuter too, riding in his hometown of New York City and has become an advocate. I respect someone - infamous or not - who is actively working towards more bike friendly infrastructure.

I leave you with an interview with David, as he pedals the streets of NYC.

Anniebikes Anniversary

Incredibly, today marks the one year anniversary of anniebikes. I can't believe an entire year whizzed by like some blazing fast bike ride. As the cycling season winds down I will embark upon a new project - one I've been thinking about for many years. 

From 1994 to 1995 my husband and I went on a global bike ride, one that emcompassed a whole year, 22 countries, and 9,000 cycling miles, not to mention a couple of long distance hiking trips thrown in for added adventure. Over the past year I have been rereading our notebooks and find myself engrossed in the journey, all over again. From both points of view, the writing paints a compelling picture of daily travel through foreign countries - all from the seat of a bicycle.

Nine journals on my bedside table.

At the risk of becoming more of a blog widow (my husband's term) my goal is to get it in digital form so the journey can be a keepsake for our children. I have written a novel about a cross country cycling trip, thus I am no stranger to the volume of material that needs to be typed. This project is two-fold: I will get the story input into Word and also turn it into a weekly blog post. Inspired by Full Tilt, by Dervla Murphy, the plan is to keep it as a travelogue, displaying mileage, monetary exchanges - all of which we were good at chronicling. It will also make it easier to type, edit, and read in small doses. We have wonderful pictures to accompany each entry. In any case, I'll take it one step at a time.

Big Thanks

I know this post is lengthy, but thanks are definitely in order: to Sue of  Bicycles in Motion for becoming my first regular reader, to Yung Falbz of Bike Fizxzit for being a fellow Miyata 610 lover, and to PaddyAnne of Pedal Talk for her constant encouragement and insightful comments. Also on the list are: Kara of Knitting Lemonade because she instills that's it's okay to have fun with the blog, to Rantwick for his frankness and foliage-lovin', to Velouria of Lovely Bicycle who sets the standard high for precise, clear writing, to S. of Simply Bike for reassuring me to include adventures with children, and to Blithe Bicyclist, for the Australian vewpoint. Because of Dottie at LGRAB I know it's okay to photograph myself on my bike (she makes it look so easy) and to all - too numerous to mention - who've added anniebikes to their blogroll. My heart is a-flutter at all your appreciation.

Thanks for the year-long ride.

The Lost Cyclist

I am deep into this tale of late 19th century wanderlust. Wonderfully rich with world history, three intrepid bicycle travelers set off—two go East and one sets off West. The single traveler, Frank Lenz, is a cocky soul who used to race high wheelers in his native Pittsburgh, but to get sponsorship for a world tour he succumbs to the inevitable popularity of the "safety bicycle".  And just a year before, William Sachtleben and Thomas Allen ride their bikes on a jaunty tour of Europe, Turkey, and across Mongolia before their trek across the United States. The two groups intersect, but never meet, on the west coast of the U.S. After 20,000 miles Frank Lenz disappears in Persia, (present day Eastern Turkey) and Sachtleben sets out to discover what happened to the iconic traveler.

The tale is a fascinating account of cycle touring through countries like China and English-occupied Burma where the natives had never even seen a bicycle. Toting a revolver, a change of clothes, spare tubes, and pounds of camera equipment, Frank Lenz hires coolies for protection, then follows telegraph lines and railroad beds, fords rivers, develops malaria, yet he also connects with bicycle clubs in Mandalay and Calcutta. The popularity of the bicycle is celebrated worldwide—hard to imagine that kind of excitement today.

Lenz chronicled his journey so the book is chock full of photos of ordinaries (high wheelers) and safety bicycles. At that time, cycling was proving it's popularity with two competing bike manufacturers in Massachusetts. Author David Herlihy knows his historical bike stuff. He is also the author of Bicycle: The History. 

The Man Who Rode His 10-Speed Bicycle to The Moon

I was attracted to this book by Bernard Fischman because of its whimsical illustrations and its unique size. The edging of the paper itself is unusual—a teal color that matches the color of the water on the cover. The book is all of 100 pages, yet it's an account of a lonely man who rides his bicycle around the streets of New York City and discovers he is truly not alone and that bicycles are often magical transportation. It is a sweetly written story, one that left me with an urge to locate more of Bernard Fischman's writing, but it appears that this is his only work.

The Man Who Rode His 10-Speed Bicycle to The Moon is hardcover, copyright 1979.

The Memory of Running

I'm not sure how The Memory of Running by Ron McLarty escaped my bike radar, except it's a work of fiction and would never have appeared on the shelves next to all the accounts of biking across the U.S., world trips, etc. It is a clever book, written with stark prose, funny and poignant, and often breathtaking.

It is an account of one man's emotional and physical journey on his red Raleigh after the death of his parents. Slovenly Smithy Ide starts riding for escape, then pleasure and finds himself far from home. Taking one day at a time he acquires supplies as needed (something I've often pondered). As Smithy rides west a cast of  hilarious characters and sometimes not quite far fetched predicaments will leave you wondering whether to laugh or cry. He often reminisces about his schizophrenic sister and is discovering, one mile at a time, who he is and where to go next. If there is anything missing in this novel (for me), it would be more of his daily riding which soars with discovery, hope, and the pure beauty of the journey.

The Memory of Running is a ride worth taking.