kai

Ok, so we're already half way thru this years hike & bike month.

Whose been hiking? Whose been biking?

I've done a bit of hiking this month, but nothing to really talk about- more nature walks than anything else.

I almost went mtn biking today, but the flood watches and tornado watches were issued for san antonio and i bailed out (and, as it turned out, i got a flat and had to buy 2 new tires, so my afternoon was shot anyway).

Has anyone done anything for hike & bike month yet? I am ashamded to admit that I haven't. I am guilty of complaining about the lack of bike lanes, and the lack of driver education in regards to bicycle etiquette- yet when it comes to the biking promotion month, i sit, and do nothing. I am a hypocrit I know i'm probably not the only one... I feel bad because it seems though the powers that be are TRYING to get bicycle awareness started, but myself, as a cyclist (former cyclist?) - i'm not putting in my fair share of advocacy.

Hike & bike month is only half over. Memorial day is coming up, and for most people its a long weekend (for us, its a four day weekend, and on that extra day- we are definately going for a ride). Perhaps this would be a good time to check out local bicycle clubs in your area, or just get out and enjoy spring. before it gets any hotter. Maybe we'll all have a good time. And maybe, just maybe, you'll increase awareness.

So here's an idea. If there are any cyclists in the san antonio area who would be up for a ride next weekend- as easy or challenging as you want (but right now, 40 miles or so is probably my limit)- pm me, and i'll crawl out of my little shell and we'll go do our part to raise awareness.

kai

Ok, so I finally went for a ride today, albeit a short one. but it was great. Granted, I picked the hottest part of the day (and yes, I realize that today didn't count as hot- only in the low to mid 80s), and I also picked some good hills to start on after my haitus. Because I started up a hill, cold, and out of shape, I didn't really enjoy the first 5 miles- it was all uphill, and I couldn't get my lungs to suck in enough air. I wanted to quit, and I couldn't remember why I ever enjoyed cycling. But after that- AFTER that- it was beautiful: rolling hills, beautiful wildflowers, sweet smelling grasses, courtious drivers (thank you, drivers, thank you), and wonderful sunshine. There was also a little breeze to cool you off. Oh, it was so beautiful. (I'll gloss over the part where I had to sprint past the rotting deer carcas because the stench was so bad... I could smell it for quite some time before i even saw it). I also saw a living deer, a younger one, staring at me from the roadside as I flew by- It was actually behind a deer fence on Boerne Stage Road. There were residents out cleaning brush from their land, and most of them took the time to holler hello.

It was a perfect day (well, except for the begining, where I thought I was going to pass out). The best part- one formerly extremely rough road has been rebuilt, and the asphalt is smooth & fast... a welcome blessing on those painful anaerobic uphills

I had such a good time... I think I'll be trying to go again 2 nights during the week

vettech2112 mentioned on another thread that once you buy all your cycling stuff (which isn't cheap, I'll admit), actually getting out to ride is virtually free. That is absolutely right. And to think my ride today was free... wow. The cheapest form of entertainment thats actually healthy for you. And since I just bought my new ULEV civic, I'm all about the free entertainment.