Last weekend's Nashville bike brunch took us to Sylvan Park at the suggestion of Jessica and Sten. This was a new idea for me, but Google maps swore it was only about 4.5 miles from my house by bike. Once I learned that, it became an instance of, why haven't I ridden there before?
We met at the corner of Belmont and Portland (otherwise known as where Belmont becomes Portland; Nashville streets are always changing names!) and consulted on a route. Sten had come up with one that was slightly longer but avoided one m...
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My ride to East Nashville added up to more than a sunburn. I'm the worst when it comes to taking photos—especially when one has to pause to take them under the broiling noonday sun—but I did manage to capture a few images from my ride with Whitney and Raleigh a couple of weeks back.
First of all, her Raleigh and Le Peug are now serious buds. Don't they look great together?
Like all the best bike rides, the point was the journey. It was Mother's Day, so we avoided the more traditional brunch spots and ...
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Earlier this year, Trisha and I opened a Formspring account and welcomed you all to ask us questions. We've been answering the questions on Formspring individually as they come in. Now we're putting the answers together as a cohesive FAQ section, although some of the questions are not so frequent. :) This is the second half. Read the first half here.
Amsterdam is flat. Chicago is flat. Is Nashville flat? What effect does topology have on how bike-friendly a city is? I suppose Portland is not flat.
I don't...
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On Sunday I had a little bike brunch with Whitney, a LGRAB reader who recently moved to Nashville. After a hearty meal at Fido, we decided to head to the Frist to catch the new Birth of Impressionism exhibit. (Funny story -- my coworker was in Paris just after we were this Fall and went to the d'Orsay hoping to see the painting of Whistler's mother. It wasn't there—because it was on its way to Nashville.)
We got to the museum a few minutes before opening time, so we took a few photos.
The Frist used t...
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Last night I was going to a business meeting. It was nearby, but the sky was dropping spittle that seemed likely to turn into rain, and I had to transport a manuscript. As I considered the pros and cons of bike and car, I was met with this sight:
Clearly a sign from the universe, right? (The Mustang is my car.)
Scolding myself for even thinking of driving the short distance, I grabbed Le Peug and set off. We got to the meeting only minimally damp and right on time.
But apres, le deluge. Which I and my vintag...
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Last Saturday, I took a trip downtown for BarCamp. It was a beautiful afternoon, and after a few hours in tech seminars lit only by the glow of Apple computers, I was ready for some sunshine. Wanting to prolong my trip home, I swung by Riverfront Park to check out our much-touted bike share program. I was already feeling guilty for waiting two whole months to visit.
So I left Le Peug tethered and walked the two blocks to the Visitor's Center.
This is what I found.
How inviting.
A trip inside was no more...
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OK, so I'm still not sure about this statement when it comes to romantic relationships, but it does apply to me and my bikes. Every once in a while, I get in a rut where bicycle commuting seems as problematic as any other form of routine transportation. Over the past two years I've learned that if I start feeling that way, the best remedy is to not fight it. After a few days off the bike, riding it again feels like a new discovery or a special treat. That wasn't the reason for my recent break in riding, though: it ...
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For the last few weeks you may have noticed me riding Le Peug more often.
But I like to be fair (I was the kind of child who worried about stuffed animals being lonely if they didn't sleep with me every night, which is why I only ever had one), so for the past couple of weeks it's been the Bat's turn.
The minute my butt hit the seat, I thought, no wonder I brought this bike back from the UK. Smooth, stylish, sturdy, easy to shift, built-in lights and zero maintenance. Why would I want to ride something else...
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Over the past few days, spring has tipped over into full bloom.
On Monday's ride, I had to stop and take a picture when I realized that I was dressed to match the blooming redbud.
This picture taken courtesy of a 1960s Ford pickup, whose hood was kind enough to hold my camera. Obviously self-timed snaps are something I take very seriously (or maybe it's just that it was Monday morning?).
Today it's lovely and sunny, cool...it's time to give the Bat a spin.
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Another pro of the spring weather: Le Peug (or the Bat, depending on my mood) isn't the only bike at the office. My co-worker K rides her Schwinn at least once a week—and since we're more or less neighbors, sometimes we even ride together on the way home.
Until I had fellow bike commuters at the office I didn't realize how much less alone it makes you feel. It's nice not to be the only one who recognizes that riding to work can be fun. Anyone else have a commuting buddy?
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