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The Austin Mobility Plan: Sounds Nice, but Will It Fly?

~ A Dude Abikes ~ Leave a comment

Today’s main local paper Austin American-Statesman had an article titled “Austin’s strategic mobility plan hits home stretch.”  It looks at ways to improve bike lanes, sidewalks, public transit and even roads so that people can move about the city better.  The deadline for answering a poll about the plan is Sunday, January 13th, so the update is welcome.  It also reveals some cracks in the fuselage.  planes, trains and automobiles

(Is anyone getting my Planes, Trains and Automobiles reference?  Hello, anyone?  We miss you, John Candy.)  Minor things like how will it be paid for, and will people agree to give up car lanes.  A Dude has some thoughts, so let’s take off, eh, hosers? Continue reading →

Addicted to Biking (and Sugar) or Just Committed to Goals (and Earning a Reward)?

~ A Dude Abikes ~ 7 Comments

I’ve been reflecting alot about my third mega-mileage year in a row, since I’m seeming to continue a daily amount of bicycling and walking. 5,143 Miles in 2018: 4,554 Biking + 589 Walking. Pretty, Pretty, Pretty Good for A Dude! I haven’t added or subtracted any New Year’s Resolutions, so I’m wondering if it’s still healthy for me. Especially since I’m generally sleep-deprived and tired if not downright exhausted. Also having a regular if not daily or more encounter with chocolately goodness going into my grocery hole. Then I saw a National Geographic article about addiction and this post about exercise addiction from follower A Better Man 21. It’s as good a topic as any so I’m going to address it, hopefully briefly.

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Psychology of Sport: Achieving Your Goals with Your Heart & Head

~ A Dude Abikes ~ 3 Comments

This time of year is ripe for new goals, especially the dreaded New Years Resolution.  For many people they start with good intentions and by February 1st they’re ass-deep back in the ice cream (or whiskey, tobacco, or whatever your vice may be).  So while rushing around today I kept thinking about what has helped me met and exceed my own objectives.  A big point of this blog is actually about my struggle and efforts.  It’s not so much to toot my horn (though sure, that’s part of it), but it’s to log what I’m doing on the web.  (Thus, a web log aka blog.)  The hope is that I might inspire others, maybe even you.  Plenty of people tell me I do that.  They also ask A Dude, “Hey, A Dude!  How do you do that voodoo that you do so well?”  Well, since you asked so politely, I’ll tell you.

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5,143 Miles in 2018: 4,554 Biking + 589 Walking. Pretty, Pretty, Pretty Good for A Dude!

~ A Dude Abikes ~ 13 Comments

The headline is this:  I beat 2017 by 429 miles!  (4,714 Miles Bicycled in 2017 = 10,000 in 2 Years! A Recap of My “Epic Velocimania” (Day 1) 

Of course that’s not proof, for that, see below.  But I can assure you it’s accurate.  Except that maybe it’s not, because the annual strava video shows I rode an extra 100+ miles.  The point is that I biked my butt off (well, it’s still there) and added the daily walking.  So even though I biked 250 miles less, I walked 500+ miles more than last year, when I barely did any.  In addition to my daily yoga practice of 5+ years now, and writing this blog or in my book-in-progress, I had a very busy year.

The effort took me 427 hours, which is about 18 full days of biking.  The elevation was 122,700 feet, which is less than last year, but not by much.  And I definitely didn’t seek out hills this year.  I didn’t go on many group rides, either.  But still, somehow I was able to GIT ‘ER DONE!

Keep reading for more…

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Sookie’s Last Ride (Ever!) & Sophie’s Last Ride of 2018 on New Year’s Eve in Austin

~ A Dude Abikes ~ 3 Comments

Today was my last chance to add to my mileage and extend my goal of bike-riding x number of miles for 2018.  So I took the opportunity of a decently mild Central Texas winter day and did just that.  First, I took Sookie to Performance Bikes, since they’re a Fuji dealer, to see if they could do anything about her cracked frame.  However, they couldn’t, because their parent company is going out of business.  But at least I got yet another confirmation (the fifth?) that she is no longer rideable.  While not unexpected, it reminded me of how much I’ll miss this bike.  After that… Continue reading →

The Invisible or Utility Bicyclist: An Ignored Population

~ A Dude Abikes ~ 4 Comments

Tonight as I was out dutifully putting in some miles to finish up my yearly goal, I encountered a man stopped in East Austin, near downtown.  He was working on his bicycle, and observing the unwritten code of bike riders, I stopped to ask if I might help. He had a screw driver and was adjusting his rear reflector while enjoying an adult beverage.  He was also worried about his front light, which was red (illegal).  There wasn’t much I could do, but we chatted a bit.  He was friendly, perhaps due to the aforementioned drink.  He introduced himself as Tommy, I replied with my name, and he proferred an ungloved hand for me to shake in the cool temperatures.  He also said that he is homeless.  It got me thinking about the large number of people who ride bikes as transportation, but are not connected with bicycle advocacy organizations.  So here are a few thoughts. Continue reading →

How I Bicycled 22 Miles in a Thunderstorm and Tornado Watch (Shark-Free)

~ A Dude Abikes ~ 6 Comments

After two days out of town and off the bike for the holidays with family, I returned to Austin ready to get back to bidness.  I needed to take my computer into the shop and to retrieve my mail, so I had two destinations.  There was some light rain but the temperature was in the high 60’s, not much wind.  A little rain never hurt anybody (except the Wicked Witch of the West), so I suited up and headed out.  So it was not all storm all the time.  But soon after errand number one, I had to put on my poncho and shoe covers.  For a while it was fine.  And then, it wasn’t.  I felt the wind pick up from the north and with it, the temperatures dropped and gusts increased.  There was also that part about a tornado watch.  Did I wisely throw in the towel and head straight home?  No.  Here’s why and how. Continue reading →

The Rest of the Story About Rest Days for Cyclists

~ A Dude Abikes ~ Leave a comment

On May 4th (Star Wars day), I wrote a blog titled “Rainy Friday Blahg Post: The Value of Sleep and Rest Days for Cyclists“. While visiting relatives, I’m forced into at least two days off the bike, so I’m revisiting the topic. As it happens, my computer apparently needs a rest too, since it has just started shutting itself off. So this will be short post since it takes longer to write by phone and it’s a holiday.

It’s Still Important to Move On Rest Days

I traveled north to where the picture of me I use for this blog was taken. This afternoon I took the dogs for a walk. Nothing fancy, just 45 minutes and 1.83 miles on a neighborhood street then park trail. It was a three-bagger, if you know what I mean. The weather wasn’t too bad and we arrived alive.

It felt good knowing I didn’t have to suit up and pump the legs for however many miles. At the same time, the urge to ride my bicycle was still there. I felt almost guilty not doing it, especially with the extra calories I’ve been consuming. But I gave my self permission to not worry about it. Even with a revised goal hanging over my head, I’m pretty sure I’ll make it. But the point is to move the body a little so it doesn’t freeze up on you. Swim, yoga,.walk, do floor yoga — whatever you can do to move — it’s all helpful to prevent lactic acid build up. Which hurts if you don’t.

Sleepytime but Not a Sleepyhead

The challenge for me remains turning off my brain so the healing can begin. I was asked, “Why don’t you just go to bed?” Well, I can think of a number reasons, namely because: I’m on a later schedule, several health issues make it harder, because I’m not sleepy, I have things to do, and it’s quieter so I can think better (unless I’m really am too tired AND sleepy. A former female friend called it “sleepy tired”.

But to rebuild muscles that have been worked in bike riding, or any physical exercise, rest is key. Add to that attitude. The reason for this should be clear: It’s easy to burn out if youre not careful. If the whole body or even just the brain need rest, at some point you’re going to crash on your bed. Or on your bike, which would be, to quote Orwell, doubleplusungood.

Of course, I could have made myself go bike (if I had one to borrow), as I often have powered through fatigue, pain, discomfort, injury and more. In fact, right now I’m nursing a saddle sore, so not riding is a great idea. But to rest is the best so one can live to ride another day and enjoy it.

Returning from Time Off

After a day or two, I find I start jonesing for the bike. This is a key time to take it easy, however. That’s because you can injure yourself after having let your guard down. Hopefully I’ll have some really relaxed and well-rested muscles.

I also enjoy doing things off the bike, so I have more time time to explore them. I do feel a bit traitorous, but exercise is good for the mood. And you can’t bike without energy, physical and mental. In the end we all need sleep to live as healthy as possible. For me I’ll have. To keep trying to make sleep a priority and make.better choices and take sleep aids if necessary, especially an Epsom salt bath.

But now it’s Christmas, and my favorite part aside from not working and hanging with family is that we have Jewish delicatessen food. No bagels for me this year, though.  May whatever traditions you celebrate bring you comfort and joy. And oh yeah, a little peace on Earth would be great. When it’s over, rest well. Then, get back on that steel horse and ride!

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Nostalgia for My Grandmother on Winter Solstice, the Longest Night of the Year

~ A Dude Abikes ~ 4 Comments

It’s winter solstice here in Austin, Texas, United States of America, and I’m feeling nostalgic. Not only because of the holidays, or working in a place with a long history here in town and in the country that’s closing down, or because a year ago I had ridden my bike alot more, and the year before that, even more. It’s mostly because my maternal grandmother died 20 years ago on December 22, 1998. This post is dedicated to her memory. (Check back after the holidays for more photos.)

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