Fat Bike or Car???

There comes a time in your life when you have to sit down to look at the facts and decide whether you should invest your money in a fat bike or a car.

It pains me to say that my poor little VW will most likely not be up and running any time soon.  She is still quite under the weather and at 250,000 miles, she's earned the reprieve and early retirement.

We've been extensively discussing the option of purchasing a second vehicle, but as it stands right now, commuting by bicycle has actually been working quite well for me. 

 On days when I don't really want to ride because the weather looks yucky, I still have to do it because there isn't an easy way out and it's really helped me stay on track with my weekly mileage goals.

Josh has been very good about picking me up and dropping me off when the weather is severe (and then maybe on a few days when it's just convenient or I need an extra recovery day).

The pocket book has noticed the lack of gas subtraction and overall my demeanor is calmer when I get to where I need to be and know I'm not going to be hung up and unable to get a ride in that day.  Win, win!

To make the idea even more intoxicating, I read an article showing a possible carbon frame fat bike coming soon from salsa (let the salivating begin!).

So the question remains...fat bike or car?

Miles and Sunshine

Todays weather showed thunderstorms every 15 minutes for the entire day.  Fortunately,  there was only one and it hit while I was at work.

After I clocked out for the day I made my way on a nice little loop that took me through some pretty green shrubbery.

Overall the month of june has been kind to me for my daily commutes.  Hopefully the rest of the summer follows suit!

Tomorrow I should hit 2k on my mileage for the year. It doesn't look all that impressive because it's June, but technically my mileage calendar started in April, so I'm excited about it (this is the first year I'm actually tracking it (thanks to Strava!))!

Josh and I have been saving a bottle of strawberry wine to mark the moment :-)

Birthdays and Busy Days!

Last Thursday we were finishing up work and tying lose ends so we could head to Cannonsburg for the Fun Promotions 8 Hour Race.

This Thursday, we feel like we are still recovering from the travel and the racing...it was such a great weekend.

Monday was back into work and all things catch up for Josh and I both...oh Monday...you are so mean...

I did commute this week to work, but was fortunate enough to have Josh pick me up twice when the weather got really bad :-)

Yesterday was my birthday!  I had a surprise visit from my nieces and mom at work and Dr. Pope made me a fabulous cookie cake dessert (it was spectacular)!  I was overwhelmed and greatful from the birthday wishes everyone was sending my way (even my watch made me a cake!)!

It looks like more rain this morning but perhaps this afternoon the sun will return! 

Since this week has been more about recovery and less about riding, I've spent some time catching up on household activities.  Plus...RAAM and the Tour Divide started this week...live coverage has been fun to watch online for both of these events!

Hopefully everyone else is having a great week!

May...where did it go...

May went by so fast...I cannot believe it's already June! 

Today is actually Joshs birthday :-) he's getting to be an old man...(but don't tell him I said so!)!

We are celebrating with Domino's lava cakes and pizza (dinner of champions)!

I contemplated riding home with a cake on my bike, but that seemed a little tricky...

Why would I have to deliver cake by bike?

My poor little VW is on hiatus with a sick transmission,  so I've turned to commuting by bike to work and other various places until we figure out the best plan of attack.

I've found over the past month that motorists seem to show more empathy towards a cyclist with a back pack then when without...

Some days are better then others with sunshine and light breezes.

Some days are filled with drivers that honk for no apparent reason. 

My favorite is when I'm on a designated bike bath, separated from traffic by an entire island of grass and they honk like I might jump out at them like a scared doe.

Having to commute because there isn't an easy out has given me the push I needed to go by bike on the regular.

I've participated in the effort in the past when it was convenient for me, but didn't abide by a consistent commute.

Right now I like it...in six months I might feel differently. ..but that's where possibly a good snow bike might come in handy.

This weekend we are going on a little birthday vacation for Josh and I (our birthdays are a week apart).  We will be heading to the Cannonsburg Ski area for the eight hours of cannonsburg race. 

I'm looking forward to some time in the trails with some elevation.  The past few weeks have been mostly flat hundos.

My biggest worry right now is...ticks! 

How fast do you have to ride to keep them from latching on....?

:-)