October is the time when my birthday arrives, and I got myself an early present: I met my (original) bicycling mileage goal for the year! Actually, it was 2,600, for 50 miles per week, so I could cut my riding time in half and devote those hours to writing this blog and the book that is in progress. As for the rather long and unwieldy title, it got longer when the Clash song came to mind (Annie Lennox version). Alliteration appeals, apparently. Despite a decent bit of discomfort and alot of precipitation, the work paid off. I did the Mamma Jamma breast cancer ride, which was rewarding, and that might not have been possible without doing putting in more time. So it’s been a good month, and year so far. I delve a little into the statistics for those into such things. That’s you!
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Fast & Furious Fun: Ethan’s Going Away Alley (Oops!) Night Ride
This post was going to be about an open house held by the City of Austin Transportation Department which I attended. It was about the redesign of a nearby street to have bike lanes, sidewalks, trees and parking. Not terribly exciting, yet pretty interesting at the same time. But then this happened. So I’ll save that for another day (or not), and tell you about this crazy, wild-ass, scary, dangerous, and fun ride.
Check out this ride on Strava.
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40-Mile Charity Ride for Breast Cancer: No Need to SAG
Oops! I did it again. Rode my bike for charity. The 10th Annual Texas Mamma Jamma Ride to Beat Breast Cancer, to be precise; my third participation. While the ride was many things, the most important thing is that I have so far raised $1,554 for the seven area non-profits benefiting from this event. The money will go to provide services to women living with the disease. And, I’m still hoping to raise more. You can help at this link:
Give here: https://Fundraisers.MammaJammaRide.org/ADude-Abikes
Before anyone gets up in arms about the title, SAG stands for Support and Gear. (I almost said panties in a wad, but decided it was in poor taste.) SAG is the vehicle that roams around the course in a bike ride with extra tubes, tires, food, water and first aid. And while the day featured rain, wind, sun, loose dogs, crashes, tutus, and longhorn cattle (not the miraculously currently 3-1 winning University of Texas football team), and even a flat tire that the SAG car did help out with a little (so I wouldn’t get my hands oily), A Dude Abikes has a clean sheet so far of never having to SAG out.
So here’s the low down on the non-SAGging breast cancer charity ride.
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I Raised $1,364 in Two Days for the Mamma Jamma, and I Haven’t Even Biked 65 Miles in the Rain and Wind Yet!
Well, apparently the hordes have spoken, and there is support for me to ride this event, and then some! It will be my third Mamma Jamma Ride. n fact, two generous souls even put in for the whole minimum amount of $300. It’s all for a good cause, to help women in my area (Central Texas, USA), survive and thrive after a diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer. I’ve also raised $100 for my registration and bike(s) repair and had help from friends and two bike shops. I say bikes, because I don’t even know which one I’ll ride yet! So there’s lots to do and not much time, but below are a few more details of what it’s like doing a charity ride. And a way for you to donate if you can.
Give here: https://Fundraisers.MammaJammaRide.org/ADude-Abikes
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Hey WordPress & Internet, Do You Want Me to Ride the Mamma Jamma for Breast Cancer Charities This Saturday?
As I alluded to Monday, I have the opportunity to participate in my third Mamma Jamma Ride to Beat Breast Cancer this Saturday, September 22. Previously I have ridden 57 miles in 2015 and 65 miles in 2017, raising over $2,500. But this time I have waited to the last minute to decide, so I need your help. What do you think? The important thing is that if you are interested in pledging your support to let me know that, and how much, ASAP, today, because I can’t do the ride without raising a minimum of $300 by Friday. Leave a comment [which provides your email], or send me an email, which is on the About page. Thanks for your interest. More information is included below, so I hope you’ll read on.
Massage Is Good for Cyclists and Other Humans
Back in May I blogged about a massage in One Fine Day: Free Massage, Bike to Work Day, Deadpool 2. I still have some free passes left so I returned today. And boy did I need it! It may be obvious to those of us who have had massage, not everyone has had a massage. So here’s a little post about massage that you might enjoy, whether you ride a bike or not. The ending is uh, joyful.
My August 2018 Biking and Walking Stats on Strava
This post is a brief review of my walking and biking in August through pictures, courtesy of the fitness tracking application, Strava. Check ’em out, and enjoy all my sweaty efforts! I’ve added alot of additional fun facts about my riding for those of you who geek out on numbers, or are just curious what a month of disciplined, diligent bike riding looks like. Hopefully you had a few accomplishments too, and feel free to share them in the comments. All images are Copyright Strava 2018.
Continue readingWho Will Be Our Role Models, Now That Our Role Models Are Gone? Deep Thoughts on My 25-Mile Bike Ride
Although this is predominantly a blog about biking, it’s also about anything excellent (raves) as well as things I think suck (rants). Sometimes it’s chocolate, movies, or soccer. Sometimes it’s racism, jerks in cars, and politicians. Definitely in the rave column, a while ago, I went to see Paul Simon on his farewell tour, naturally called Homeward Bound, which I blogged about here. In thinking about what to write for this blog while on tonight’s 25-mile bike ride, I used title of a song from “Rhymin’ Simon’s” highly influential world music-infused album Graceland. If you guessed that this post is a rant, you win! (Your prize is continuing to read this post.) Let’s dig into the mind of A Dude, shall we? Continue reading
The A Dude Abikes Jersey Collection
Today’s post is one I have been saving for a rainy day. It’s pictures and stories that go with all my bicycle jerseys. And it’s raining in Austin finally, so feast your eyes on the colorful designs and logos, and hear about what is behind them all. Continue reading
The Return of Sophie the Sea Foam Fairdale Bicycle!
Back on February 27, 2017, I had the good fortune to collect a fantastic prize, The Fairdale Weekender Archer: A Review of My New Bicycle I Won in a Raffle! After a year, I decided to not ride the Fairdale until I Just Passed 10,000 Miles Riding My Fuji Bicycle in 2.5 Years. That’s Awesome! about a month ago. On June 25, I had An Imagined Chat With My Fairdale Weekender Archer Bicycle. And as of September 1, I’m happy to announce that I have begun riding Sophie the Sea Foam Fairdale again. So here is a post about that.
A Dude Abikes 