Burlington Streets Challenge - ONE Complete

Another installment in the series to ride every public road within Burlington's city limits in 2015.

With 228 streets behind me, I have completed the Old North End district, otherwise known as ONE, Burlington's up and coming part of town. Once a low income neighborhood, full of derelict houses, there's a move to unite new immigrants, artsy young people and elderly folks through shifting regional identity. Enter historic signs, community meeting spaces, multinational groceries and restaurants, a marriage of Old Spokes Home and Bike Recycle, ONE events, and the second year of Open Streets, closing 3 miles of roads to host and celebrate pedestrian and cycling activities. It's a veritable whirlwind of change!

A building with lots of character.

I've especially enjoyed pedaling through this part of town because I stumble upon pop-up libraries, sweet little gardens in public green spaces, and the most interesting houses. On dead end Crowley Street I find the Champlain Club. I've discovered it's a venue for Vermont Swings, a dancing club that utilizes space from regular members-only clientele that play poker and shoot pool on Friday nights. Originally called the Goethe Lodge or German Club, it's only one of many private clubs in Burlington. For some reason these organizations tend to reside in quiet neighborhoods. 

Close up of the Champlain Club's early roots as the German Club. Look at that spectacular window!

ONE developers and builders take care to blend new construction (like the metal siding shown above, trimmed in yellow) with existing wood clapboard structures (see green building). 

Some streets are filled with colorfully painted Victorian structures, giving new life and vibrancy to dense neighborhoods. 

There are as many as 50 houses all dolled up in striking color schemes. No longer viewed as garish, they have become an accepted, defining feature of the ONE district.

The map is upfront and center as I make sure to ride particular streets.

Now that it's September, I'm concentrating on completing certain city areas, For example, I designate two parallel streets that bisect one region, then set my goal to ride all streets in between that are not yet checked off my map. This may include riding dead end streets, or pedaling one block—whatever it takes to fill in quadrants on my map. 

And where else but the ONE would I encounter a food truck on it's way to some event!

As I exit the region, I pedal by a favorite bike rack, marveling at the size of the—albeit fixed—numerical lock.

Completed Streets to date:

187. Red Oak Lane
188. Valade Park
189. Blondin Circle
190. Venus Avenue
191. Sky Drive
192. Sunset Drive
193. Meridian Street
194. Sandy Lane
195. Lopes Avenue
196. Rosade Parkway
197. Lakewood Parkway
198. Tallwood Street
199. Birchwood Street
200. Leonard Street
201. Kimball Avenue
202. South Williams Street
203. North Williams Street
204. Booth Street
205. Crowley Street
206. Myrtle Street
207. Summer Street
208. Green Street
209. Buell Street
210. Cherry Street
211. Main Street
212. North Champlain Street
213. Monroe Street
214. Johnson Street
215. Murray Street
216. Allen Street
217. Elmwood Avenue
218. George Street
219. Clark Street
220. North Winooski Avenue
221. Lafayette Street
222. Converse Court
223. North Willard Street
224. Adsit Court
225. Weston Street
226. High Grove Court
227. South Prospect Street
228. King Street

Practical Review of Upcycled Bike Bags

For several months I've exclusively used three upcycled bike bags on my daily 10-mile round trip commute. I own traditional panniers however, for reasons better explained here, I've focused on this pleasant alternative.

I appreciate the floral sling bag because of its large volume. The bag was constructed with pannier hardware - the lock down clips are it's best feature - and the deep canvas-like fabric molds to whatever I stow inside. In this case I usually stuff a book, dress clothes, and my lunch. Surprisingly, the bag holds more gear than I ever expected. The tan color is now speckled with black spots, but as with any pannier, it's difficult to keep clean.

The downsides: depending upon the weight, the bag has a tendency to sway, but I've learned to pack accordingly, stuffing heavier items towards the rack. It should go with out saying that any pannier constructed from multiple materials is not waterproof. I throw a couple plastic grocery bags inside for those days with a chance of showers.

I've used the handle bar bag for years. In its place I often contemplate zip tying a wire basket to the front rack - I love the look of baskets - but the functionality of this double fabric canvas bag with strong leather handles regularly holds a tiny tool bag, a mini pump, plus whatever else I can fit inside. It conveniently holds a gallon of milk or paint can, all supported upon the rack. This bag's a keeper!

The small-sized messenger bag has become my purse. I store the usual items plus a camera. Because it is secured to rack with velcro-type attachment, it is not designed to carry heavy stuff. This is a perfect bag and easy to sling over my shoulder when I enter the office.

I'm pleased with the overall functionality of all my upcycled bike bags and wouldn't consider returning to traditional panniers for short commutes.

What unconventional storage systems have you explored?

Ausable Chasm Ride

On my own this summer with only one boy at home, we set off on the ferry to New York state. My son's friend tagged along for the adventure.

Departing the western shore, it's only 3 miles to Ausable Chasm. A place to hike, explore the rock formations, but most especially for the tube ride through narrow cliffs.

It's a daylong adventure, especially when you count the hour long boat ride each way and an ungodly wait on busy weekend days to plop yourself in an inner tube for a 25 minute float. But somehow we look forward to this once every five years. It gets us outdoors, away from digital devices and provides a 10 mile round-trip bike ride from our doorstep. Who doesn't like a ferry ride with a beautiful view of Vermont's Green Mountains and the Burlington Harbor every once in a while?

The Ebb and Flow of Blogging

It is with heartfelt misgivings that I've watched some truly wonderful bicycle blogs end. Perhaps the intentions and priorities behind the scenes have changed over the years. Or the devotion has gone. Other writers have taken breaks. Being a writer myself, I have not totally understood these feelings or lack of commitment, until now. I must write as a form of therapy and connection to the bicycle life that has taken me many places, quite figuratively and literally over the past 30 years. And then there is being outdoors, the exercise, this glue that bicycles hold for me as an integral device for clarity.

But the shift has occurred even for me. Life happens, as the saying goes, which holds true for all of us. Priorities have changed and more important matters must take precedence. It feels right as this moment in my life to reign in my writing and time spent at the computer to devote my energies toward more important matters.

Since the spring, I have been posting less, perhaps only once a week. At first it didn't feel fair to my readers, but as the months gave way I realized it felt right for me, the person who really matters in this arrangement. And so, this is your warning that I will be writing less but also my apology to fellow bloggers for my lack of understanding over the years. I finally feel a kinship with cyclist bloggers, one I hope will continue for years to come.

It goes without saying that I will be bicycle commuting, conjuring up some new upcycling projects, and squeeze in at least one bike overnight for 2015 (cross your fingers for good weather in September). a more difficult aspect of my life now that I work full-time. And then there is my quest to ride all of Burlington's city streets, plus researching my dream bike. Rest assured, bicycles are still key to my happiness.

Patching vs. Replacing a Bicycle Tube

Photo credit: http://www.ebikeschool.com/avoid-flat-tires-six-tips/

Do you prefer to change a bicycle tube every time you get a flat? Or do you economize and decorate with 10 patches before finally succumbing to total replacement? Barring any major tears in the rubber, my practice is to patch a tube 3 times with the fourth flat or slow leak necessitating a new tube. Ultimately, whether you patch or swap a new tube is more about personal preference and what makes a cyclist comfortable and confident on the road.