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-   -   Where Did You Ride or Walk Today? (https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=921668)

Machka 11-10-13 04:27 AM

Where Did You Ride or Walk Today?
 
Here's your chance to talk about situations where you cycled or walked rather than using a motorised vehicle ... the usual and the unusual. Here's your chance to inspire others with actual examples of what's possible by bicycle or on foot.

Where did you ride or walk today?


[HR][/HR]

Today, Rowan and I cycled over the bridge, to the Sustainable Living Expo. That was interesting ... but a bit commercial. It's almost like any business that can make any sort of vague sustainable claim turns up to these things to promote their business. But we did pick up some info for various things, including a bicycle co-op type of thing. I was quite impressed that the Expo had a secure bicycle storage area on the edge.

Then we did a loop through the city, back across the bridge, and along the cycleway to it's end and back, stopping off at the local outdoor exercise equipment (little gym) to work out. That equipment is close enough so we can either walk or cycle there. It's great to be able to work out in addition to riding or as the goal of a walk or ride.

All up today ... 27.29 km.

And we went to an event, did some exploring and sightseeing, and went to the outdoor gym without using a motorised vehicle. Nothing wildly impressive or anything ... just an example of what can be done. :)

Artkansas 11-10-13 04:53 AM

I pedaled to the library about 0.68 miles away and a 90ft climb.

wolfchild 11-10-13 12:22 PM

This morning I rode my bike to Bulk Barn to pick up a couple of food items. It's about 8km round trip. On my way back from the store I stopped by an athletic/sports field to do some sprint running. It's windy as hell here today.

Rowan 11-10-13 02:58 PM

Great thread idea! Just about every other forum here has a similar thread, some running for years.

It's a great way of showing that you put into practice the principles of not owning a vehicle, or reducing the use of a vehicle you do own, so you can inspire others to do the same.

Pictures also can tell a story, so post them, too!

daihard 11-10-13 03:13 PM

Rode to a bakery to pick up some croissants and eclairs, and then visited a nearby cafe to look at a friend's photo works displayed there. A total of 13 miles.

http://home.comcast.net/~daihard/ima...ly_grounds.jpg

gerv 11-10-13 05:50 PM

I rode 7 miles through the park to attend the 4th annual Des Moines Tweed Ride. View quite great vintage bikes and an equal number of tweedy vintage riders. :)
https://www.facebook.com/events/1424814194397110/

Another 7 miles back after that finished.
2km round trip to the grocery store and back.

Nap coming on soon.

Artkansas 11-10-13 05:54 PM

Today I did my usual "commute". I rode up the hill to the top of the bluffs over the river, 300 feet down the hill to the river, over the bicycle/pedestrian bridge to Two Rivers park and spent some time sitting on my favorite bench contemplating the Arkansas river.

Then I rode the length of Two Rivers Park and the length of County Farm Rd. The park was a lush forest, changing colors and just filled with people. With its accessibility and lovely woods, it's quickly become a favorite place for people to take portraits.

County Farm Rd is straight, flat, traffic and signal free for several miles with a great view of farms, the bluffs, cows and horses. Then I stopped by the grocery store and returned back home through some nice neighborhoods and a golf course. It's about a 13.3 mile trip.

The best moment was that while riding up to the top of the bluffs, I got passed by a Jeep with 3 bikes on the bike rack. When I finally made it to the bottom of the hill and into the parking lot for the park, he was driving around in circles looking for a parking spot. I just rode into the park, unhampered by a car.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kxd4xlzeu8...+2RP+crowd.jpg
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3295/2...d098c032_z.jpg
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5iWUwwsoNX...16+2012+TT.jpg

bragi 11-10-13 11:05 PM


Originally Posted by Machka (Post 16234294)
Here's your chance to talk about situations where you cycled or walked rather than using a motorised vehicle ... the usual and the unusual. Here's your chance to inspire others with actual examples of what's possible by bicycle or on foot.

Where did you ride or walk today?


[HR][/HR]

Today, Rowan and I cycled over the bridge, to the Sustainable Living Expo. That was interesting ... but a bit commercial. It's almost like any business that can make any sort of vague sustainable claim turns up to these things to promote their business. But we did pick up some info for various things, including a bicycle co-op type of thing. I was quite impressed that the Expo had a secure bicycle storage area on the edge.

Then we did a loop through the city, back across the bridge, and along the cycleway to it's end and back, stopping off at the local outdoor exercise equipment (little gym) to work out. That equipment is close enough so we can either walk or cycle there. It's great to be able to work out in addition to riding or as the goal of a walk or ride.

All up today ... 27.29 km.

And we went to an event, did some exploring and sightseeing, and went to the outdoor gym without using a motorised vehicle. Nothing wildly impressive or anything ... just an example of what can be done. :)

I didn't do any "intentional" riding today, but still managed to put in a few miles. I went to a diner I like for breakfast. Then I went to the grocery store to buy fruit and a running shoe store to buy sweat pants. I stopped in at work for a few hours, went home, did a quick 3 mile run, then rode to a local pub to watch a football game. Over the course of the day, I ran three miles (5 km), rode about ten (16 km), and spent about six hours sitting on my a**. Oddly enough, the three miles of running hurt a little, and the ten miles of riding was so easy I might as well have been driving a car.

I-Like-To-Bike 11-11-13 12:34 AM

Rode about 3 miles R/T to pick up a gallon of gas for my yard vacuum/leaf mulcher. Also returned some deposit cans and bottles at the supermarket on the way. Mulched 14 bags of leaves for the compost pile in the back yard, took about 2½ hours. It was enough for a day. Only did about 1/5 of the yard, more work later this week.

Later I rode to Aldi's for some stuff and continued on to the local Casino, about 10 miles R/T. Usually I just watch Blackjack but today I felt like playing and put $60 down, played for an hour and left with $120. I was pleased.

Got home in time for dinner and watched a Netflix DVD 1940 movie The Return of Frank James with Henry Fonda and Gene Tierney. It was her first movie and she didn't show too much in acting chops in this oatburner but she was so astoundingly beautiful that it didn't make much difference. We then watched a DVD PBS special from the library about Albert Barnes and the Barnes Art Collection in Philadelphia. My wife and I visited the Collection last year in its new home in Center City Philadelphia. Many years ago I saw the collection in its old home in Lower Merion. The new museum does real justice to this fantastic collection of Impressionist and Modern Art.

Machka 11-11-13 05:41 AM

After work today, we decided to do a little sight-seeing and exploration. It's amazing what interesting things you can find in your own neighbourhood ... and in ours, we've found a decent-sized nature reserve practically in our backyard. Tonight we walked around the reserve and enjoyed being surrounded by nature despite the city around us. Within the reserve we saw two different types of wallabies and, of course, birds. And there were beautiful views of the bay.

We also watched a large ship pass under the bridge like a thread through the eye of a needle!

All up, we walked about 5 km.

lenA 11-11-13 07:13 AM

I walked up and down ladders nailing shingles on my humble home........figure I got in 500-600 feet


http://i.imgur.com/D4X81qn.jpg

look566 rider 11-11-13 07:31 AM

Spent 3 hours walking in circles.... Cleaning up leaves. I did feel about the same as having taken a fast 20 mile ride.

dynodonn 11-11-13 08:11 AM

Rode 10 miles in urban traffic to do some banking transactions, and pick up a part for my son's car that I'm working on.

Ekdog 11-11-13 08:18 AM


Originally Posted by lenA (Post 16236690)
I walked up and down ladders nailing shingles on my humble home........figure I got in 500-600 feet

Nice pad! :thumb:

surreal 11-11-13 09:49 AM

Rode to work today. Just like yesterday. And, most days. Actually, yesterday I rode to one job but drove to the other. Also, rode to the grocery store.

And, of course, I sometimes make stops along the way to whichever destination is my ultimate goal. Which is something I also do by car, but I'm not as conscious about combining several sub-destinations if I'm driving, as compared to riding.

Rowan 11-11-13 05:14 PM


Originally Posted by surreal (Post 16237038)
And, of course, I sometimes make stops along the way to whichever destination is my ultimate goal. Which is something I also do by car, but I'm not as conscious about combining several sub-destinations if I'm driving, as compared to riding.

One of the things I've said for a long time, based on my experience using a bike as my primary means of transport as well as observing others doing the same, is that bike riders are quite good transportation planners. They build in a little bit of a buffer so if they have to fix a flat, they can without running late to appointments. And they either plan to take the required bags, trailer or bike to carry whatever loads they collect, or equally are adaptable at carrying stuff that they haven't planned for.

It becomes second nature after a while. I was always amused that I would turn up to meetings that could be anywhere across the metropolitan area, and be on or before time, while we had to wait for people in cars who were late "because of heavy traffic".

I-Like-To-Bike 11-11-13 11:39 PM

Walked behind and pushed my yard vacuum/mulcher and gathered another seven bags of leaves. That takes care of the front of the house. Just in time too since it started to rain. I'll do behind and on the side of the house on some other days, when I feel like it and the leaves are dry.

By the time I started to ride to the hospital (12 miles R/T) for my daily swim/exercise in the heated pool it started to snow. By the time I rode home in the dark it was still snowing and there was a light snow covering on less busy streets. I like the image of snow flakes falling in front of my headlight.

dynodonn 11-12-13 12:06 AM


Originally Posted by Rowan (Post 16238269)
.....bike riders are quite good transportation planners.

.....especially since one is busting their ass getting from point A to B on a bicycle versus a car. Forget something, it usually has to wait until the next bicycle trip at a later date, rather than nonchalantly getting into the car, and driving back to get the forgotten item.

B. Carfree 11-12-13 12:13 AM

My wife and I needed some metal finishing supplies, so we set off for the industrial areas in search of what we needed. It ended up being about ten miles of mixed residential, bike path, door-zone bike lane (where we just take the lane) and what would have been sidewalk riding for a few blocks if there had been a sidewalk (just mud, but it was better to ride the mud than to argue about where we "should" be). The businesses were all helpful as can be and intrigued with what we were doing. Most of their customers work on cars.:eek:

On the way home we stopped and chatted with the city employee who takes care of the park space/bathroom/bike path near our home. While we were chatting, the Safe Routes to Schools director rode by. He's put on a bit of weight since I last saw him, and I suspect the van he purchased last year could be part of that.

Rowan 11-12-13 12:43 AM


Originally Posted by dynodonn (Post 16239265)
.....especially since one is busting their ass getting from point A to B on a bicycle versus a car. Forget something, it usually has to wait until the next bicycle trip at a later date, rather than nonchalantly getting into the car, and driving back to get the forgotten item.

This is true. You only forget something once, and then the creative solutions kick in. Leaving behind a shirt when headed for an nterview for an office job might be a bit precarious, however.

Roody 11-12-13 03:09 AM


Originally Posted by Rowan (Post 16239306)
This is true. You only forget something once, and then the creative solutions kick in. Leaving behind a shirt when headed for an nterview for an office job might be a bit precarious, however.

I used to wear cycling shorts on my commute, then change when I arrived. A couple times I forgot my underwear. I'm not saying whether I chose to wear bike shorts under my khakis... or not...

Artkansas 11-12-13 03:41 AM

To the grocery.
Watched fish in neighborhood creeks.
Sunset coming home.

Roody 11-13-13 04:48 PM

I worked 14 hours last night, back for 12 more in an hour. All I did today was sleep, shower and eat breakfast, and an hour online.

plustax 11-13-13 07:45 PM

To work then home Monday-Sunday.

Artkansas 11-14-13 09:44 PM

Groceries again.
The Sun was not setting, but
The Moon was rising.

Roody 11-15-13 12:57 AM


Originally Posted by Artkansas (Post 16248033)
Groceries again.
The Sun was not setting, but
The Moon was rising.

Haiku!

Machka 11-16-13 02:57 AM

Today, we had quite a varied experience. There were several things we wanted to see and do. That's one of the things we're enjoying about our new city ... variety!

We started with a ride across the bridge to the centre of town where we watched the Christmas parade for an hour or so. It was very good ... but I'm still getting used to having Christmas in the summer.

Then we cycled to Salamanca Market, and spent a while walking around there and looking at all the stuff. Salamanca Market is huge and runs every Saturday ... worth a look, but it tends to be a bit expensive.

Then we cycled up to the local tip recycle shop, and had a wander around there. We wanted to have a look at the bicycles, and there were some that were possible for our purposes. Not sure. However, there might be a couple old wardrobes that have some potential

Then we cycled to the Botanical Gardens, and had a wander around there. The Royal Hobart Botanical gardens are the second oldest botanical gardens in Australia, and are quite enjoyable. I especially liked the Japanese Garden section.

And finally, we cycled home.

All up ... 20 km of cycling, plus lots of walking.

[HR][/HR]

A MUP on the way up to the local tip recycle shop ...
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3724/1...6ae98d51_z.jpg

Bicycles in the Christmas parade ...
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3799/1...ece798c6_z.jpg

chewybrian 11-16-13 08:24 AM

I walked to Jimmy's restaurant with my dog Merckx

http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/...ybrian/002.jpg

for breakfast on the patio. It was a little cloudy and misty, but about 75, so still pretty nice, and I never had to open the umbrella.

It's about 3 or 4 miles each way, which the dog loves.

Artkansas 11-17-13 06:07 PM

Groceries always.
The east is dark, the west glows.
Venus rules on high.

Rowan 11-19-13 03:09 PM

On Monday, I had two separate doctor's appointments -- one an ultrasound of my heart. One in the middle of the city, over the Big Bridge, and the other nearer home. It was a wonderful day weather-wise, and I rode my venerable old Fuji Touring to both appointments. It worked out very well.

The bike rack outside the hospital was choc-a-block full of bikes, but the doctor's surgery for the second appointment didn't even have a dedicated rack -- which struck me as a bit odd, because it is a clinic that promotes healthy living. Maybe I should send a letter to suggest installation of one.


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