Bike Blog Love - 9th Edition and Various Thoughts about Blogs

Exploring and thinking miles, 2020-21.

I have cycling friends all over the world! How cool is that?

Reading blogs during the pandemic has become especially meaningful to me, a connection with like-minded souls who are out exploring, clearing confused minds in a what-comes-next world. I have not taken this community lightly. I've appreciated everyone's thoughts about coping during the pandemic, because, surely, it has helped not only me but others across the Internet.

Waning Interest in blogs

It's not surprising the lack of interest in writing blogs, and thus, by extension, readership has fallen. Instant gratification and connection can come from abbreviated social media sources that certainly satisfies instant connection. Who knows what the longevity of the blog format will be? In a nutshell, I think of bloggers as writers, folks with a passion who enjoy the process of explanation and sharing. It's nearly impossible to do that on Instagram, though some have tried. Whatever the long-term outcome of the blogging format, we will adapt, as 2020 has proven in other aspects of our lives.

Getting back to title of this blog. At the end of this post you'll find the 9th and probably final blog suggestions (for obvious reasons) if you prefer to skip ahead.

But first, I have to ask:

For what reasons are you drawn to particular blogs?

I have been a regular reader of some blogs (the ones that survived anyway). There are key ingredients that make me a regular follower.

• Sticking with blog title or theme - If I'm following a bicycle blog, I want to hear about bikes or bike-related content. Occasional diversions accepted!
• Glimpse into personal life for context - Brief references to personal circumstances makes for better reader understanding. Personal histories, work life, family, climate, etc. affect how we see the world. 
• Writing style - Well thought out content goes a long ways. I like to see at least one photo to anchor each blog post. I can think of only one blog over the past ten years that didn't need photos - exceptional writing painted wonderful pictures!
• Regular posting - Regular blog posts are relative. Once a month, twice a month, once every six months. There are prolific writers too! I shy away from reading daily posts (I check in once a week), but that doesn't mean they're not worth my interest. It's your blog and you do what makes you happy! 
• Natural curiosity about things - I enjoy blogs where people challenge themselves, show passion, are true to themselves, admit failure, always learning and striving, ultimately growing as a human.

Without further ado, here are a few blogs that have appealed to me:

It's ALL An Adventure

A long haul driver who spends overnights on the road, the author recounts his layover excursions in new places. He is an adventurer, sometimes squeezing in long mileage starting from his home to visit family. 

Out and About on the Bicycles!

A retired couple living in Colorado Springs enjoys daily outings on the region's bike trails. They have owned various styles of bikes over the years and are currently contemplating yet another switch.

DFW POINT-TO-POINT

Splitting time between Texas and Washington State, the author espouses on anything from bike infrastructure etiquette to recent interesting stats on disappearing blog interest.

Riding through a Gauntlet of Emotions

Doing the best that I can do right now.

Leaving from my home office after a less than stimulating work day, it was imperative to get outside, (now a strange form of exercise when I used to bike commute). Indeed, 5 pm never rolls around fast enough for me. I alternate evening walks with my husband with solo bike rides on the Burlington Greenway, listening to soothing sounds of waves or relishing the quiet stillness, encountering only a few walkers. This is usually the me time that I crave.

But after wonderful cross-country ski snow, a warming trend has softened compacted firm snow on our trails to slippery mush. I came to grips with this reality this evening, fleeing local water-filled, icy trenches for roadways with cars, (so noisy!), studded tires rattling on asphalt, wondering if it was worth pedaling at all. I passed a beautiful odor-free dead skunk, weaved around puddles, feeling that I was unprepared and emotionally caught off guard after navigating frozen snow-filled paths with confidence for 3 months. Then a car sprayed me as I pedaled through a neighborhood - nobody's fault, I realize - but nonetheless it seemed like the nail in the coffin. What the heck was I doing out here on roads?

Shortly afterwards, I headed to the waterfront path, determined to take my chances heading home on a car free route. It was quite slushy and slippery at times. I had to concentrate to maintain forward momentum and keep the front wheel straight, and even so there were periods when I had to put my foot down, walk a bit, before setting off again. It was then that I realized all the balance skills I acquired from riding on packed snow came into play, lending confidence. Without pedestrians to dodge, I challenged myself to keep at it for as long as possible. There were also stretches of bare pavement - more than I had anticipated - that gave a welcome reprieve from intense bike handling.

As I crested the bridge over the Winooski River, I felt euphoric - this bridge always has that effect on me - because it's the homestretch, because it feels like I'm flying in the darkness. I could walk home from there if needed. As I navigated the last half mile home, I thought about how this particular ride, through a gauntlet of emotions (better word than "gamut" don't you think?), seemed an apt metaphor for 2020 and now 2021. We're all dealing with change, highs and lows, but we keep moving forward, as best we can.

In Love with the Bern Muse Winter Helmet

Bern Muse helmet in action.

As previously mentioned, my goal was to ride throughout the 2020-21 winter. Along with getting the right footwear and longer length windproof jacket, I found a comfortable insulated helmet: the Bern Muse. 

I tried on numerous brands of ski helmets at our local Sierra Trading Post - to keep the cost down, especially if I was adding a third helmet to my collection! I immediately fell in love with a purple colored Scott brand, but the padding was too thick, which pinched my head. The Bern Muse is geared towards burly helmet protection with a lightweight liner, in the classic visor style - indeed the overall helmet weight was half of the heavier padded options, which I knew would translate to less neck strain on longer rides. Definitely a better trade off - getting the right fit was critical as I wanted the helmet to be part of my routine winter setup.

The color scheme is not my favorite (only choice in my size), but the removeable liner and full coverage ear flaps won me over.

The back of the helmet has a clasp for goggles.

Since November, I've tried various weight balaclavas, neck warmers, and beanies underneath so I'm not overheating on rides. I've settled on a lightweight balaclava or thin wool beanie plus a thin neck warmer  to use as a makeshift mask when passing other riders. Goggles have helped during snow blinding conditions for depth perception or to keep my face warm, but generally I have a love/hate relationship with goggles in conjunction with mouth/nose coverage - feeling like I can't breathe in addition to partially fogged goggles. 

The Bern helmet completes my necessary winter riding trifecta: adequately covered head, hands, and feet - items that should serve me well for years to come.

My Favorite Winter (Cycling) Boot - The Storm Chaser

I've found the best easy slip-on winter boot that's perfect for walking, driving, and has brought my winter cycling to a new level: LL Bean's Storm Chaser Boot. 

With a thick sock the footwear is loose enough to trap heat - indeed I can wiggle my toes - yet with a stiff sole and heavily insulated interior, plus a waterproof exterior, is perfect for whatever a Vermont winter throws our way.

This is the first time that my feet are warm and dry while riding a bike. I'm amazed that I generate heat - if you're a cyclist you know how difficult it is to keep extremities warm. Yesterday, I cycled for 1.5 hours in 10F weather and was pleasantly warm, even while struggling homeward against a biting wind. Now that's a good boot!

Decent, grippy tread plus a removable inner sole that provides arch support.
Comes in a variety of styles and colors.

I'm thrilled when I discover new gear that aids in my outdoor enjoyment. What have you found that helps you appreciate winter?

DIY Purple Do-it-all Tote Bag

 

Drawstring fabric is leftover satin lining from a coat.

I'm pleased with my current project: a tote bag with added features. When I purchased the tropical-print purple fabric, I anticipated using most of it on the Dahon's custom handlebar bag, but because the purple colors clashed, I used the floral fabric as accent pieces. 

I was inspired by the Eddie Bauer Stowaway Packable Cinch Tote. With a side pocket, handles, and webbing along the upper edge, the style plus construction meant I could incorporate my own design features to accommodate an active bike and travel life. I have numerous tote bags, but I didn't own a bag that doubles as a simple backpack and pannier.

I purposely created a narrow bag to adapt well as makeshift pannier/backpack, suspended by two webbing straps that can be adjusted to various places along the top edge. The straps are also long enough to hook both sides of the bag to the rack, if needed, for extra stability. When not in use the straps can be removed and tucked into main compartment or in the external pocket. 

I like the drawstring style closure to hold odd-shaped items inside. When the string is fully opened, the interior fabric falls inward and becomes virtually hidden, creating an open top tote bag. I like this feature on my Blackburn Central Shopper Pannier.

Tuck it away in an office drawer and use as a way to carry home unexpected items, or as a travel go-to bag. There are so many uses for this wonderful, purple (of course) tote bag!