My new Bike!

What happened to June-uary? A week of ice, a week of rain and now another week of rain. It is making it very difficult to want to get on my fenderless bicycle. And speaking of getting on a bike, check out what showed up on my porch yesterday!!

Giant bike box, with a GIANT bike.

Can't wait to do some commuting on this bike. I will be adding a rack so I can carry my work clothes.

I have never had to put a bike together before, and I am not that great of a bike mechanic either, so I decided to wait for some help. I also took some key photos so I could remember how to put the bike back in the box when the time comes in May.

 

 

How to zip tie and protect it all... I never would have thought of the zip ties.

And Wa-La! It was actually really straight forward to put together and came with all 3 of the tools you needed. The hardest part was aligning the handlebars, but that was because I took off the funny sticker with the arrow on it, then read the other sticker that said, "Align arrows". Oops, at least it's something I can adjust when I am riding.

This lady is going to see some miles and the beautiful South with me! (but first I will be adding some pedals)

It's February already!

Wow! Time seems to be going faster and faster. January flew by and all without me updating this blog and keeping you posted on my progress. 

30 mile ride along lake whatcom and lake samish, what a beautiful June-uary day!

Goals Achieved in January:

*Each rider get a 120 page Rider Manual and I am happy to report that I read it cover to cover and passed the safety quiz!

*I have learned more about affordable housing from the Rider Manual and I am working through additional links to continue learning more.

*I have started volunteering with Whatcom Habitat for Humanity. Unfortunately they do not have a current building project so I am helping out in the store and getting involved with Women Build.

*I reached my goal of 100 miles on my bike for the month of January and have gone through 2 saddles and am still trying to find the one that makes my bum the least unhappy.

*I have reached the fundraising mark of $1000.00 thanks to the extreme generosity of my family and boyfriend. I have more fundraising planned for February and am getting letters in the mail to additional family and friends.

Goals for February:

*Fundraise and keep fundraising: reach out to local businesses, host a movie night, be a spectacle on my trainer at events around town, attend a dinner my amazing friends are hosting as a fundraiser for me, follow up with folks I sent letters to last month.

*Find a saddle for my bike, order my new bike and be super excited for it to arrive.

*Figure out this social media thing and start meeting the other folks of SUS 2014.

A special shout out to my friend Eliza for being really excited about biking and for being my riding partner for most of the January rides! The temperatures for the first week of the month have not gotten above freezing so not much riding has happened. I can’t wait for some warmer weather and non-frozen toes.

Here are some pictures from a mini tour Eliza and I did on San Juan Island:

The ferry workers are GREAT! They gave us this delicious blueberry fritter!

Can you see us?

We made it to the girls cabin in the woods. It was beautiful riding in the moonlight.

After two days (and me not taking out my phone for pictures) we are leaving Friday Harbor with our bikes loaded down. We had an amazing weekend with our island friends, exploring beaches, riding bikes and eating delicious food!!