Let It Snow!

The snow started falling in our part of the world as my eldest was getting his coat on to leave for school. Rob and I were debating about cycling or walking to school. Actually, Rob saw no problem with biking there, but I thought it would be silly to bike there just to have to walk his bike home. I don't trust drivers around here on the best of days so there was no way I was going to trust them on the first day of real snow this winter. I was a lovely walk and I was able to have a great chat with Parker. Of course, he is almost twelve and is more than capable to walk to school on his own, but we both really enjoy our time without his siblings.

Josie is dancing around the house singing "Let It Snow" (not the real version, something she just made up). It is kind of infectious. Days like this I am so relieved to not own a car. I don't have to worry about driving on the roads, I don't have to clean off the car, I don't have to move the car to let the plows go by, etc. It takes the suck out of snow.

Bike Safety Ed

NEW!  BICYCLE SAFETY FOR ADULTS – Do you want the confidence to bicycle more often?  Would you like to learn the Rules of the Road and how to safely bicycle on local streets?  Then this class is for you!  Join local League Cycling Instructors, certified through the League of American Cyclists, to learn:  Illinois Rules of the Road, Bicycle handling and traffic skills, How to fix basic mechanical problems and Safety – common causes of crashes and how to avoid them.  This will be a two-hour classroom presentation and interaction program designed to equip you with the basic information to bicycle more confidently.  Interested students can then take the Bicycle Safety Skills for Adults class that offers parking lot drills to practice bicycle handling skills. Class meets Apr. 26. 
Thursday - 6:00 - 8:00 pm...... Room 1156 UHS
One session (2 hours)........... $15.00
NEW!  BICYCLE SAFETY SKILLS FOR ADULTS – Do you feel you lack the skills to bicycle safely?  Would you like to learn basic bicycle riding skills from a certified instructor?  Sign up for this class and you will learn and practice basic bicycle handling skills.  Local League Cycling Instructors, certified through the League of American Cyclists, will demonstrate and assist students in learning and practicing the following skills:  Starting & Stopping, Straight Line & Shifting, Scanning, Scan/Signal/Turn, Quick Stop, Rock Dodge, Avoidance Turn and Quick Turn.  This class is open to students 16 and older (16 & 17 year olds must have parental permission) who can ride a bicycle.  This is a two-hour class that will be held off-road in a parking lot.  Students must bring their own bicycle and helmet.    Class meets May 3. 
Thursday - 6:00 - 8:00 pm..........
Urbana Parking Lot #24 (near corner of Illinois & Broadway)
One session (2 hours).......... $15.00

For more info go here.

Use Your Turn Signals, Please!

This has been a pet peeve of mine for, well ever, since I learned to drive certainly. Please, please, please, please use your turn signals! I was almost hit a week ago when a car was on Washington heading west (or so I thought since he had no turn signal) and I was on Washington crossing Prospect heading east. It was dark, but I had a front light on and reflective clothing. The car ended up turning left (south) onto Prospect and came within inches of my bike. I had the right of way since we were both at stop signs and I arrived first and was going straight. I was in the street. I had a wary eye out for the driver because I know often drivers do not use their signals when no cars are in front or behind them. Use your signal EVERY time. I don't care if the place is deserted, use it.


Yes, cyclists need to signal as well. I try to, even when I don't see anyone else around. The only times I don't signal is when I can't spare a hand from my bike to keep it upright. This is an issue with a full load on my bike and making a turn. I wonder if we should have handlebar lights that can be used as signals. I wonder if cars would notice them. Sometimes I think we are completely invisible and it doesn't matter what we do, drivers will never see us or care. I mean they never seem to have any negative consequences to hitting a pedestrian or driver. Oh to live in a place where pedestrians and cyclists were respected instead of loathed.

Staying Warm

It is that time of year again when we opt for the bus more than our bikes. Here is Josie (four) waiting patiently and warm for the bus. We still ride to school and home with our 11 year old son. With all of us expending energy we can keep pretty warm. Josie starts to get cold for long trips on my Xtracycle even when she is pretty bundled up because she gets the breeze from riding, but none of the warmth producing exercise.

She does ride her own pedal bike now (she was loving her balance bike so much she wasn't interested until Thanksgiving weekend). Yet, she is slow close to the ground and not super visible (even with her bright orange bike) that she still rides on my Xtracycle for longer rides.

Skull caps are key to cycling in the winter, in my opinion. They are thin enough to fit under your helmet, but warm. Add a neck gator and you are toasty. Good gloves are also nice. Lobster gloves in sub-zero temps are great, but any quality gloves work most of the winter. Especially for the kids, make sure the gloves still allow for good bike control and breaking. Don't forget, the shorter days mean you need a light with you at all times. Be careful and be seen!

Dress for Car Free Success

What to wear, what to wear? It is that time of year in lovely C-U when the temps start to fall and so does the rain.

Yesterday I walked Josie to ballet for her comfort and mine. I stayed warmer and dryer walking with her in the Chariot trailer than if I'd hooked it up to my bike. I was completely comfortable in my Mountain Hard Wear jacket there and back in low to mid-40's temps and steady rain. I didn't even need gloves and walking/pushing Josie kept me almost too warm (I had a short sleeve shirt and thin hoodie underneath). Layers is the name of the game, I suppose. My only complaint is my shoes. The puddles were unavoidable on the walk home and I definitely day dreamed about rain boots by the time my cold toes were home since they didn't come into a nice warm house. We don't have the heat on and our sweet old home is in the 50's from now until next spring.

The bike ride to pick up Parker from school (need to cover same cycling to school soon) was not as pleasant. My Mountain Hard Wear jacket is not a good color for cycling in the dark gray rain and it was still quite soaked from my late morning walk. I grabbed my brighter colored old North Face jacket. It is really a bit to big for me. I bought it about 15 years ago on sale, but it is a men's small and really never fit right. I can bring the hood over my helmet a bit, which was nice. I'm thinking of getting a non-traditional helmet. They seem to have good coverage and be warmer. Anyway, Parker's helmet was soaked and both our seats were too by the time he was out at the bike rack. I need to remember to keep a towel in my Xtracycle for rainy days. I had fingerless cycling gloves on and my hands were cold. Parker had full cotton gloves and he was fine.  I need to find him some better fall/winter cycling gear. His Marmot coat is getting snug and really isn't waterproof. It has held up great to a lot of use and abuse for two years and will be handed down to Dema so no complaints.

I was checking out options online before Champaign Surplus has their sale this weekend. I am eyeing the Portland Jacket at Shower's Pass since it is on sale. Only smalls and XL left. I bought Rob a medium a while back and he loves it, but his is definitely too big for me. I wonder if a small will work and it really wouldn't be warm enough in winter.

 Rob wears his a lot, but usually just spring and fall (or ice skating). Is there such a thing as rain/winter cycling wear that I could use for all seasons? I also like Nau's Sussinct Trench, on sale, but can't tell if it will be warm enough and after a closer look it is actually out of stock. I was in Evanston a couple weekends ago and found a jacket I would love to have at Athleta, but I don't see it online and it wasn't a top layer for winter.

The one thing I am sure I'll be wearing from now until April is my Title Nine Pants. I bought them several years ago and the only thing I see on their website similar is this. I practically live in these pants in cooler weather. I never feel cold below the waist with these babies on, but be warned they are super warm and don't try to workout inside in them unless you want to pass out from heatstroke.

What are you wearing?

Bicycle Repair Station in Urbana

Awesome! Urbana Installs Bicycle Repair Station. Can't wait to see several other repair stations popping up around the CU area.

I Hate Cars or Maybe Drivers Who are Completely Clueless

Soooooooooo sooooooooo sick of stupid drivers in C-U. I don't want to hear people whine about the crazy cyclists or peds who come out of "nowhere", whatever, the bikes and pedestrians won't kill you. Some woman in a red car turning left onto Main St. from Neil in downtown Champaign around 1pm this afternoon almost hit my three year old. We were crossing Main between Jim Gould and Guido's with the crosswalk light and she doesn't even slow down. I had to scream stop to my daughter and luckily she stopped in time to have the car pass within a couple inches (not even slowing down). I HATE PEOPLE WHO DRIVE CARS WITHOUT REALIZING WHAT A CAR CAN DO TO A PERSON. I think people should have to look at a picture of a ped or cyclists bloody and dying after being hit by a car before they are allowed to drive...each and every time.

End of mama bear rant.

I am taking suggestions for places to move where cars actually stop when they are supposed to or better yet are not even allowed. Oh to have the money to buy an island somewhere and ban all motorized vehicles.