I have to admit that I was underprepared for my first ever Thursday Night Social Ride, but in the end that did not diminish the experience in the least.  A college friend, Andrew, was in town for diversity training with a national outdoor retailer. Upon discovering this fact, we made plans to squeeze in a true Austin experience.  Within the Baker house there was some debate about what that experience would be, with consideration given to Alamo Drafthouse, catching a live music show, or waiting in traffic.  Considering that Andrew was going to sit on his butt for 8+ hours getting more diverse by the minute, we finally decided on an evening bike ride.  I have been meaning to get out and ride one of the Thursday Night Social Rides sponsored by Social Cycling Austin, so this seemed like an opportune time.

I picked Andrew up at a local hotel and turned the car towards downtown around 7pm.  We decided to park closer to Waterloo Cycles, which was celebrating 20 years of being in business (congratulations!), because we knew that is where the ride ended up.  We were on our bikes by 7:30 and rushing down to Festival Beach to make sure we didn’t miss the group leaving at 8:00.  Looking back we should have taken our time and picked a few things up (more on that later) and possibly even grabbing a bite to eat.  We arrived at 7:45, and joined with the 200+ people already hanging out and waiting to get rolling.  As the minutes ticked by, it became apparent that there was a heavy emphasis on the hanging out and nobody seemed in any hurry to get off and rolling.  Sitting around and waiting to get going we could have used a beer or two (item #1 we should have picked up before riding) to pass the time we commented on the wide variety of bikes and people moving passed.  I personally love people watching and love bikes, and this was an excellent opportunity to do both at once.  There was everything from custom track bikes to beaters that I was positive would not make it out of the park.

As the sun went down we eventually got rolling around 8:30.  I know that some people do not particularly like riding with 400+ people, but I think it is great.  Everybody was being courteous, and the pace was very leisurely.  If you have hesitated from doing these social rides because you are worried about all the people around, I really don’t think it would be a factor. There was plenty of space to move around and stop without worrying about running into anybody.  People are overly polite throughout the ride, including the number of times somebody had a flat or a mechanical problem, and there was always people stopping and lending assistance.  Riding through downtown we eventually made our way to Pease Park, for a break.  I assumed that the break was just to let the group, which had been strung out through all the lights of downtown, get back together.  WRONG AGAIN!!!  I kept forgetting this was a social ride but was reminded as we pulled into the park.  Before I even got off the bike to take a couple of pictures, people had cracked open more ice cold beverages of their choosing and were taking the time to just hang out with their riding friends.

Eventually we did start riding again and made our way up to Waterloo Cycles where the party was just getting started.  With food, drinks, and lots of giveaways you would have a difficult time finding somebody that didn’t have a good time.  The next ride is tonight, so get out there and ride it.

1. Pack snacks and beverages
2. If you are worried about the distance, don’t be, there will be more socializing than miles
3. Leaving at 8, appears to be more of a suggestion
4. Don’t bring your trail light that turns night into day…people don’t want to be blinded
5. Follow traffic rules.
6. Don’t worry about the bike you ride, just get out and ride it.
7. You want to show somebody from out of town what Austin is about, the Social Rides are a great way to show off our beautiful city.  Andrew was glad he skipped the corporate trip to the Salt Lick in favor of a bike ride, and many of his coworkers expressed their jealously.

So, when you read about bicycling for transportation, you read a bit about planning ahead.  Planning for how long routes take (cause the bicycling takes a little longer than the car), planning for what you’ll need along the way (water, grocery bags, laundry to drop off at the cleaners…), planning what you’ll need when you reach your destination (especially if that destination is an office and you’re bicycling in Austin in July!)  Also, packing is a bit of a thing to consider when one is bicycling for transportation.  For me, riding my bicycle wherever I need to go isn’t a problem.  Planning and packing, though?  Those are definitely difficult.

This week I’ve planned three bicycling days.  The first was Tuesday.  That meant that on Monday evening I needed to get my things packed and ready to go, as I wasn’t going to want to get up any earlier than I had to on Tuesday morning.  I didn’t really feel up to packing on Monday, though, so I did a half-hearted job.  When I went to put everything in my panniers on Tuesday morning, it didn’t quite all fit.  So I had to move some stuff around and my purse got squashed, but it survived.  I also didn’t wake up quite as early as I needed to on Tuesday morning, so was in a rush to get out, and managed to leave the security card that allows me to get in to the Library before it opens to the public in the car.  I still managed to ride to work on Tuesday morning, though, and dropped off a bunch of work clothes for my husband at the cleaners on the way.

Tuesday evening’s ride home was considerably more relaxed, as I just strolled out of the Library and hopped on my bike, then took a leisurely ride home.

Tomorrow, Thursday, is likely to be another hectic morning getting to work.  I’ve done a better job packing my work clothes (I don’t like to wear slacks on the bicycle in the summer) and the hair dryer (I attempt to make my hair a bit tidier when I get there, and the hair dryer is a necessary part of the process) for the trip.  And I’m not taking a pile of clothes for the cleaners in the morning, so I’ve got more pannier space to work with in general.  BUT, I have to drop off the trailer at Iris’ school on my way.  My husband takes the girls in the morning, but I do pick-ups on non-Tuesdays, and so I’ve gotta get the trailer to Iris’ school in order to get her home in the afternoon.  Pulling the trailer always slows things down a bit, whether the girls are in it or no, and then there’s the couple of minutes it’ll take to get it unhitched and put in the trailer parking area at the preschool.  So I have to make sure I get out of bed in time to get shower, breakfast, and final packing completed with enough time to then make the pedaled journey down to the Library!

Friday will be a leisurely biking day, but will include the challenge of pedals and pedicures.  It’s time to get the toesies done, and since my off Fridays are also bicycle-only days, I’ll need to do some riding with fresh nailpolish.  Can I avoid chipping?  Only time will tell!

Day 29: Thursday.  Another beautiful, car-free day.  Ride to work, ride to daycare, bring Clara home for a Princess-Tea-Party-Playdate with our neighbor’s daughter.  On the way home, we admire the fabulous flamingo display along Redd and stop to cluck to the chickens a little further on.  We chat for a minute with some stroller-pushing neighbors who also have little ones who want to visit the chickens.  Again, this is one of my favorite things about cycling; it’s so easy to just stop and have a friendly chat.

When we get home, Clara drapes herself in a multitude of princess accessories and we walk a few houses down for her tea party.  Later that afternoon, Elliott picks up Miles in the cargo bike and stops by to retrieve “Her Majesty” from her playdate.  As always, the cargo bike draws a lot of interest, admiration, and questions.  ”Wow, that’s a cool bike!” is pretty much the standard reaction.  All the kids clamor for a ride.

Day 30: Friday.  My fabulous mother-in-law Andrea arrives in town today, and Elliott drives out to the airport to get her.  I wonder, will Austin EVER have a way to get to the airport that does not involve a car?  I’ve heard talk of  light rail going out to the airport, but I hope you’ll forgive me if I don’t have the greatest faith in Austin when it comes to alternative transportation.

Anyway, my ride for the day is my usual to and from work commute on a perfect spring day… cool morning, sunny warm afternoon.  On the way home, current and former students of mine, jumping on trampolines or shooting hoops in their driveways, holler and wave as I go past.

BONUS! Day 31: Saturday.  So this is the day I’ve been looking forward to all month: the Pampered Pedal.  The sitter arrives and I head to my friend Alice’s place.  Alice is not only my friend and colleague, she’s also my son’s teacher, and today’s ride is my Teacher Appreciation Week gift to her.  She is riding on the back of my Xtracycle, where the kids usually ride.  (Fortunately for me and my quads she is a petite little thing.) We head towards downtown along South Congress, and although I’m accustomed to the heavy traffic, Alice is not.  I remember how I felt a few years ago when I first started riding my bike around town; my first trip down South Congress was absolutely terrifying.  She tells me that she owns a bike but she’s been too scared to ride it on Austin streets.   However, once we’re on the ride… well-organized with experience ride leaders guiding us safely along well-chosen routes… this ride, she says, would make her feel safe enough to get on her bike in downtown Austin.

The ride is fabulous: we shop, we snack, we are massaged, we sip champagne.  The Pampered Pedal itself is only about 6 miles, but since I’m riding there and back, my total for the day is somewhere near 16 miles.  By the end of the day my quads are screaming (my granniest gear on my Xtracycle is not granny enough for the climb up South Congress on my trip home) but I’m relaxed and happy.  A perfect grand finale to my 30 days of bike.

30 Days of Bike: Reflections, one week later.  So other than a few days of being deathly ill, I did it.  I rode my bike (almost) every day for 30 days.  Since then I’ve ridden every day for another week, and hope to continue doing so indefinitely.  This month showed me that with a bike, a little creative thinking, and maybe some bus fare in your pocket, you CAN do a lot of the things you want to do in Austin without a car.

So how did I do on my goals?  Did I reduce my car use?  Definitely.  There were probably 3 or 4 trips a week that I previously would have used the car that I instead chose to ride my bike or take the bus.  But more importantly, this month has gotten me into the habit of asking myself, “Is there any way I can get this done without using the car?”  That is a question that more people need to get in the habit of asking.

Did I lose any weight?  I’d love to say “Yes!” but honestly, I couldn’t say.  My scale broke some months ago, and like any chocolate-loving girl I’ve been in no real hurry to replace it.  But I can feel muscles that have grown stronger, and what’s really amazing, I never once this entire month hated the fact that I was out on my bike “exercising.”  Because I wasn’t doing it to exercise.  I was riding my bike so I could get from point A to point B and have fun doing so.

How has the 30 day challenge affected me as a cyclist?  as a parent?  as a citizen?  As a cyclist, I’m stronger, both physically and mentally.  I’m willing to try distances that I wouldn’t have tried before, and my legs are more able to handle the hills I may encounter along the way.  As a parent, I want to do even more to be a good role model for my kids, and I know that the more often we take the bike, the more they will grow up understanding that the car is only one option among many.  As a citizen, I’m frustrated.  Austin has done a few things to make our city more bikeable, but there is so much more that can and should be done.

How will this experience affect me long-term?  I’m not sure yet.  But here are a few things I’ve learned: A late-night cruise is a great way to unwind.  Kids like to wave to their neighbors and they love to yell “Wheeee!” on a fast downhill.  Drivers seem to be friendlier when you smile, wave, and sport handlebar streamers.  A beautiful sunset looks even better when you can stop, take a deep breath, and admire it from the middle of the Congress Avenue bridge.  And life is pretty darn good when you’re 1 mom, with 2 kids, and 30 days of bike.

Day 24: Saturday.  Elliott is hosting The Boggy Creek Farm Picnic Tour today (another installment in the Discover the City on Two Wheels Spring Urban Living Rides series) and so I’m spending the day with the kids again.  As I load up our ol’ SUV and ferry equipment downtown for the ride, I start to wish I was going on this ride.  As I patiently wade through traffic, desparately seeking a parking space, my wishing turns to envy.  (Later when I see the amazing pictures and hear about the unbelievably good food, I start demanding that Elliott do another ride like this one soon and damn it, we better find a babysitter, because I’m going, come hell or high water.)  I leave downtown and take the kids to lunch; when we return a few hours later the traffic has gone from a crawl to… what’s slower than a crawl?  NOW I remember why I always take the bus or a bike downtown, especially on a weekend with an Arts festival.  The kids are napping in the back, and I try to zen out, but it’s no use; traffic sucks.  After literally 30 minutes of inching through downtown and searching for a place to park, I finally leave the car for Elliott.  Then the kids and I catch a bus to a neighborhood playdate in Garrison Park, and the bus is crawling through traffic, too.  By this time I am positively green with envy; yes, by helping with the logistics of this tour series I’m helping to make Austin a better biking town, but I’m not getting to do any of the biking!  More and more I’m looking forward to the Pampered Pedal on May 1st… and you better believe we have a sitter.  My ride for this day turned out to be a quick trot to the nearest Redbox to pick up a video for our Family Movie Night.

Day 25: Sunday.  So I finally get in at least a little of our church travel on my bike:  Elliott puts my bike on the bike rack, we all drive to his church together, then I ride the 3 miles to my church.  Even though walking or taking the bus can get me there, the bike gives me more flexibility than the bus and more free time than walking.  I do a little shopping at Central Market, explore the Triangle area, and stop at The Upper Crust for what is arguably the best cinnamon roll in the world.  I meet E and the kids for lunch, then he loads the bike back on the car and we head home.  Hey, it’s not much, but it’s a start.  Baby steps, I keep telling myself… baby steps…

Day 26 & 27: Monday & Tuesday.  Miles & I ride the Xtracycle as usual to school, but both days I have errands after school that require the car.  Now granted, Monday’s errands actually ARE the car; ol’ Blue is now current on her inspection and her registration, not to mention 3 new tires.  Tuesday I take the dog to the vet and then the groomer, both on South 1st.  Even though they are both within a 2 or 3 miles of our house, I decide in the interest of our safety and not wanting to scare the bejebes out of my poor sweet old dog, the bike is just not a viable option.  But at least the 30 days challenge has me thinking; IS there a way to safely get my dog to and from the vet on a bike?

Day 28: Wednesday.  Miles & I ride to school as usual, and after school I need to get home for some seriously overdue housecleaning.  But as I’m pulling out, I think, well, I really NEED a new pair a capri pants, too.  Hmmm… cleaning, or shopping.  Cleaning.  Shopping.  I point my bike towards Sunset Valley, and in about 20 minutes I’m pulling up to the bike rack outside Old Navy.  Well, I have no luck shopping, but I do grab some chinese takeout as a consolation prize.  I pick up Clara at her daycare and then Miles at school on the way home.  We feast on low mein and I bask in the satisfaction of a full, fun day on my bike.  And the best part?  It was a completely car-free day.

Day 15: Thursday. My school is hosting our 5th annual Family Fun & Fitness Night tonight.  We have about 300 people attend in spite of the rain, and I know that the door prizes are a big part of the turnout.  The grand prizes?  Two bikes, one for a boy, one for a girl, helmets and locks included.  As a cyclist, I’m happy to see so much excitement about the bikes.  I’m at school for over 12 hours, but I’m refreshed (and drenched) by a spring shower on my ride home at dusk.

Day 16: Friday.  I’m leaving town very early this morning to spend a day in San Antonio.  I’m up before everyone else and notice that we’re out of milk.  I decide to do my husband a favor and run to the convenience store for a jug of milk.  It’s still dark, and I’m in a hurry, so I grab the car keys and dash out the door.  My mind is racing through the list of all the things I have to get done before I leave town.  In a rush I pull into a dark corner of the parking lot and my headlights suddenly reveal a pedestrian only a foot or two in front of my bumper.  I swerve sharply and come to a stop, my heart pounding.  My hands are shaking as I get out of the car and look for the woman I almost hit; she’s gone.  I enter the store in a daze, then drive home with a jug of milk and a frightened awareness of the hulking mass of steel at my command.  It occurs to me that I never ride my bike as carelessly as I just drove my car; I almost killed a stranger because I was in a hurry to buy a jug of milk.  It also occurs to me that when I’m riding my bike, the only life I put in jeopardy is my own.

I’m carpooling to San Antonio today with a friend who lives about 5 miles away.  I originally thought about riding my bike to her house, but I never had the chance to try the route in the daylight, and we’re leaving before dawn.  I discover, almost by accident, that the #10 Cap Metro bus is a straight shot from my house to hers, with only about a 1/4 mile walk at each end.  Even though carpooling and taking the bus are not part of the 30 day bike challenge, they feel connected somehow; reducing my car use and increasing my social interactions.

I arrive home after a full day around 11:00 p.m.  I’m in my pj’s before I remember the bike challenge.  A quick ride around the block and then I’m off to bed.

Day 17: Saturday.  So I’m all set: today’s the day I’m going to do my big weekly grocery shopping on my bike.  I get my bike and my shopping bags ready, then get a call from my friend Nicole, who’s having a party tonight.  I ask what I can do to help, and she asks me to pick up a few things from the store.  I’m all for it, but when I see her list, I falter; Elliott is heading out with the kids in the box bike, but I circle back to get the car.  I decide that 4 bottles of wine, 3 bottles of champagne, 4 bottles of soda, and two party trays are just too much, in addition to my regular shopping, for the xtracycle, the 5 miles to my favorite store, my less than adequate quads, and the threat of rain.

However, I do NOT wimp out entirely.  Later that day, I load up all the above mentioned party supplies into my xtracycle bags and ride the 1/2 mile to Nicole’s house.  She and her other guests were duly impressed.

Day 18: Sunday.  Elliott and I again discuss the logistics of biking to our churches with the kids.  However, we’ve waited too late for such an excursion, and end up taking the car as usual.  That afternoon Miles begs us to go kite flying.  We load up, me on the Electra, Elliott and the kids on the Gazelle Cabby, and take our kites to the school playground.  The wind does not cooperate; I even try attaching the kite string to the back of my bike and pedaling across the grass, but to no avail. We have a good time anyway, smiling and waving to plenty of neighbors along the way.  A beautiful Sunday afternoon, two eye-catching bikes, and a husband willing and able to tote our two cute kids.  Life is good.

Day 19: Monday.  I went to bed with a sore throat and wake up feeling under the weather.  The numerous things in the back of the car that need to be taken to school give me a convenient excuse to drive rather than bike.  I tell myself I’ll get my ride in this afternoon, but by the end of the day I am definitely sick.  I stumble through the door around 4:30, take a shot of NyQuil, and crawl into bed.  I made it 18 days with a ride every day, but day 19 is a bust.  Damn.

Days 20 & 21: Tuesday & Wednesday.  When your head feels like a watermelon, the exertion of walking from your bed to the couch causes a coughing fit, and you feel too miserable to even watch a movie on TV, I’m sorry, but a bike ride is simply out of the question.  Besides, I could be arrested for BUI (biking under the influence) from all the NyQuil in my system.

Day 22: Thursday.  I decide that I feel well enough to go back to work, but of course I made that decision while I was still laying down.  I barely stumble through my day, trying not to cough all over the students, and again, around 4:30, find myself doped up on NyQuil and crashed out in bed.

Day 23: Friday.  Still not 100%, but my head feels more like a honeydew than a watermelon, and I decide to lay off the heavy drugs and just go with ibuprofen.  I again take the car to and from work, telling myself it’s just good sense to take it easy after being so sick, trying to ignore that little voice inside that accuses me of laziness.  It’s a warm, sticky day, and I mourn spring’s too-early surrender to summer.  Around 8:30 tonight, I decide it’s time to get back on the saddle again.  My four days away from my bike have left me overly cautious, almost fearful; don’t overexert yourself, you might trigger another coughing fit; watch out for bubbas in pick-’m-up-trucks.  All the old fears, the old excuses trying to reassert themselves.  But as I pull out of my driveway, my neighbor hollers from his pick-’m-up-truck, “Hey there, neighbor!”  I holler back, and suddenly, at least for the moment, the abyss between cyclist and pickup driver seems like a gully.  The heat of the day is dying down, and the slight breeze on my face is nice.  Then suddenly, a quick flicker of light.  Then another.  Fireflies.  As I slowly roll around the neighborhood, gliding among the fireflies, I breath. My body gets reacquainted with the familiar rhythm of pedaling.  The tension in my shoulders… releases.

Day 9: Friday.  At last, a day without a meeting, which means a day with my bike.  Maybe it’s getting in my regular morning and afternoon ride, or maybe it’s just the fact that it’s Friday, but I’m in a much better mood today than I have been all week.  Unfortunately, a bolt on my Xtracycle breaks, and Elliott doesn’t have time to fix it, so it will be several days before I can ride with kids again.

Day 10: Saturday.  Elliott is busy hosting the Taste of Downtown Ride, the first of three Discover the City on Two Wheels Spring Urban Living Rides which means I am on full-time mom duty today.  That afternoon the kids and I drive across town for  the launch party of Growing Up Austin, a great local parenting blog written by my friend Carol.  Later we meet Elliott downtown to pass him the car so he can bring home all the gear from the ride.  We arrive just as the ride is ending, and I’m jealous of all the riders, especially later when I see some of the pictures of the tour.  My only ride for the day is a very brief test drive of a pretty white Electra.

The kids and I ride the bus home.  If you’ve never ridden the bus with small kids, you absolutely must.  Some adults may see riding the bus as drudgery, but for kids, riding the bus is an exciting adventure.

Day 11: Sunday.  Another day with Elliott working and lots of errands all over town, which means a lot of time with both kids in the car.  I don’t mind driving on Sunday as much, since traffic isn’t as bad, but I still miss the open feeling of riding my bike.  Today was the first day that I almost forgot about the 30 days of bike challenge; my ride was a quick pajama-clad trip around the block right before bed.

Day 12: Monday.  Today is my last meeting (for a while, at least) at Allan Elementary, and I am summon up my courage to ride my bike there.  I get off work at 4:00, and my meeting starts at 5:00, so I borrow one of the Electras and ask Elliott to help me map a route.  I enjoy my ride there, and arrive just in time.  My quads are stiff, but my spirits are high.  My colleagues are greatly impressed that I rode my bike “all that way!”  After the meeting, a friend with a ginormous SUV offers me and my bike a ride home; I’m sorely tempted, but I decline.  Something about an SUV that is big enough to carry two people AND a bike… I don’t know, I just feel like accepting that ride would let the enormous SUV “win.”

My ride home is, much to my surprise, lovely.  I take East 5th street most of the way to I-35; it’s flat, quiet, and I frequently see other cyclists.  The few drivers I encounter are courteous, too; a route that has lots of cyclists seems to breeds drivers who understand “share the road.”  I cross the Congress bridge just at sunset.  I stop and enjoy the view, and notice another advantage of the bike: I can stop pretty much whenever and where ever I want to.  From Lady Bird Lake to home is a lot of climbing, but I put it in my granny gear and take my time.  I arrive home happy, tired, hungry, and just in time to kiss my kids goodnight.

Day 13: Tuesday.  My Xtracycle is still out of commission, but I ride solo on the Electra.  I am really starting to love this particular bike.

Day 14: Wednesday.  Elliott has repaired my Xtracycle, so Miles and I are back to our morning ride together.  My afternoon is full of more errands in the car.  The 30 days of bike challenge has made me really aware of how much time I spend in the car.  Around 5:00, Elliott and I head out on our bikes to pick up the kids.  At last, I am riding home with my kids, one of my goals for this month!  Elliott has the tag-along attached to his bike, which both kids love.  Clara’s not quite tall enough (she can just reach the pedals with her tip-toes) but she gleefully shouts out, “Look, Mommy!  I’m exercising!”

We have some new neighbors, just a few doors down, but we haven’t met them yet.  Just as we pull near our house, I see a woman leave her house and walk towards her SUV in the driveway.  I say, “Let’s go meet our new neighbor,” but before I can get there, she is already in her SUV with the door closed.   I realize that if she had been on a bike, how easy it would be to approach her and say, “Hi!  Welcome to the neighborhood!”  In her car she is literally closed off to the world around her, and I reflect on how much more social I am when I’m on my bike compared to when I’m in my car.  (Think about it; to shout out a greeting to a neighbor from your bike seems perfectly normal, but to do the same from your car would be awkward, unsafe, and unheard anyway over the noise of your engine.)  I guess all I can do is keep riding my bike and keep trying to be a friendly neighbor.

Day 4: Easter Sunday.  Hmmm.  Sundays are tough for us, transportation wise.  We are a one-car, two-church family.  If he’s going to church alone, Elliott is perfectly willing to ride his bike; it’s 7 miles each way, and even though there are lots of long climbs involved, he is undaunted.  My church, however, is 3 miles further on, 10 miles from our house… and did I mention the climbs?  I am extremely daunted.  Throw two kids in the mix and you have yourself a bike-loving family using a combination of car, bus, and walking on Sunday mornings.  Is there a way to make this work on bikes?  Maybe.  But I know better than to experiment with this when it means my kids might be late for the Easter egg hunt and all it’s sugary loot.  Today’s bike ride ends up being a relaxing roll around the block after the kids are in bed.

Days 5, 6,  7, 8: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday.  This is an absolutely crazy week, with a meeting ever day after school at a campus about 7 miles away.  Could I handle a 14 mile round trip?  Maybe.  Could I get there in time for the meetings?  No way.  On Tuesday I managed to take my bike the way I usually do in the morning, then race home, grab the car, and drive like a maniac to get to my meeting.  On Wednesday, I figure out a way to carpool with a friend.  But every afternoon, for four days in a row, I find myself sitting in my car.  One afternoon, traffic comes to a complete stop.  I just missed the off ramp.  I’m locked in a steel and glass box and I feel trapped, trapped, trapped!  A guy zooms past us on the shoulder and cuts in front of me, and I experience the worst case of road rage I have ever had in my life.

Now I know that for some folks a 30 minute commute each way is just a normal day; that used to be a normal day for me.  But now, a normal day for me usually involved no more than 10 minutes in the car, sometimes less.  More than about 20 minutes in a car and I start to feel antsy, anxious, confined.  For me, a normal day usually starts off with a bike ride; chatting with my son, listening to the birds, breathing hard on the big hill.  These 4 days I have not had that relaxing start I have become accustomed to, and I realize that not only do I enjoy it, I think I actually need it.

The silver lining?  I am developing an appreciation for the after-dark, after-the-kids-are-in-bed leisurely ride around the neighborhood.  It’s so quiet, and my familiar neighborhood is suddenly mysterious, almost exotic.  Normally my riding is utilitarian; I ride to work or to daycare or some other errand.  But on these late-night escapes, I feel the same lightness that I felt as a kid, out riding my bike just because I like the breeze in my face, wandering with no specific destination.  Some nights I go riding around in the dark in my pajamas, which feels deliciously scandalous.  The thrill of sneaking away from my sleeping children is surprisingly similar to the thrill of sneaking away from my sleeping parents so many years ago, and I suddenly feel young.  Sometimes, if it’s really late, all I can hear is the sound of the wind in the trees, and I look up to see Orion keeping watch over me.

Hi.  My name is Amy McFadden.  You may have seen me, or read about me, in some of Elliott’s other posts, such as the one about

Day 1: April 1st falls on a Thursday.  Easy day to get in a bike ride, since it’s a school day.   I work at our neighborhood school, where my son is also a student.  Here’s what a regular school day looks like for me:  I ride the one mile to school on my Xtracycle with my son on the back, then ride home at the end of my work day alone.  (He stays at school in after-school care.)  At home between about 4:00 – 5:00, I might be cleaning, cooking dinner, or just relaxing for an hour by myself (if you’re a mom, you know how precious an hour to yourself can be.)  But here’s the dirty little secret about me, a so-called bike commuter; at the end of the day, I usually – no, let’s be honest – I always pick the kids up (one at school, one at daycare) in the car.  One of my goals for this month is to get into the habit of using the bike to transport my kids in the morning AND the afternoon.

Day 2: April 2nd, school holiday.  My son is going to spend the day with his sister at his old day care, so my mother-in-law Andrea and I can enjoy a day of shopping.  I will admit, the ONLY thing that got me on my bike today was the 30 day bike challenge.  Otherwise, I would have totally taken the car.  Instead, I loaded up both kids on the back of my Xtracycle, Elliott got Andrea set up on a dutch bike, and away we went.  One of the great things about biking with two cute kids on the back is how everyone — neighbors, joggers, and drivers alike — are so friendly towards you.  (Elliott has commented on this, too; drivers treat him very differently if he has the kids on the Xtracycle or the box bike as opposed to when he is dressed all in spandex and out for a long workout on his road bike.)  After stopping at the daycare (which is about 2 miles from out house) we headed to a shopping center about a mile further on.  The shopping center didn’t have a good place to lock up our bikes; I suggested to one store manager that they ask their landlord to put in a bike rack.  The shopping fairies smiled on us, and I was able to bring home our loot on my Xtracycle.  We rode home, and, I’ll admit, traded in our bikes for the car.  We went to lunch at a downtown restaurant, followed by more shopping (and nasty traffic) in Sunset Valley.  I enjoyed our morning on bikes more than our afternoon in the car.  I realized that, with a few modifications to our plan, we could have spent the entire day out on our bikes.

Day 3: April 3rd, Saturday.  Realized early this morning (the day before Easter) that we bought the dye yesterday, but forgot the eggs.  Grabbed my car keys to head to the nearest drugstore, then remembered the 30 days challenge.  Even though this drugstore is only 0.6 miles from my house, I have NEVER ridden my bike there.  Part of the problem is that I, like most people in our country, use the car as my “default” means of transportation.  The other problem is South 1st; it is a narrow, curvy, hilly stretch near our house, where speeding is commonplace.  Debated about the shorter, scarier route versus the longer, slightly safer route.  Laziness won out, so I rode along South 1st on the sidewalk, which I know many cyclist (including my husband) frown upon.  But here’s the ironic good news; this drugstore, that is pretty tricky to get to on a bike, has a bike rack!  The whole trip took maybe 5 or 10 minutes longer than it would have in the car, but I like the fact that my kids saw me taking the bike, not the car, to the corner drugstore.

Bikes on the beach at Pace Bend

Ridge Riders in a nutshell…
When the Ridge Riders was established in 1987, mountain biking was still in its infancy. As mountain biking has grown, so has the Ridge Riders. If you ride on a trail in Austin the Ridge Riders have likely had a hand in it. Besides trail work, the Ridge Riders promote safe environmentally friendly biking, organize rides, volunteer at biking related events and work to the benefit of mountain biking in the greater Austin Area. The Ridge Riders are as passionate about giving back to the community as they are about having fun. Calling them a club may be selling them short as an organization. If it’s Austin and its mountain biking, it’s also the Ridge Riders.

An organization reflected in their president…
After spending five minutes speaking with Judi Ronkartz, you understand why she was elected club president. Her enthusiasm for mountain biking and the Ridge Riders gushes forth. Judi started biking seven years ago, after a running injury forced her to seek out a new method of keeping in shape. Her new hobby quickly turned into a passion. Like many people, Judi became addicted to the little victories you get every day mountain biking. Those victories may be that sketchy downhill section you have never cleared or that loose rocky climb that you have always had to walk up. For Judi, running is work, but biking is fun. There was a natural draw to the Austin Ridge Riders. In 2006 she was elected vice president of the club and was elected president in 2007.

Rides rides and more rides…

Group Ride at Pace Bend

It doesn’t matter what level of biker you are, the Ridge Riders has something to be involved in. If you picked up your bike yesterday, you can ride on any number of group rides organized by the Ridge Riders. Membership is not required. It is a fantastic way to get the wheels under a first time rider. Group organizers are friendly and willing to help. Feeling timid about biking? Worried about flat tires or broken chains? Group rides are perfect, everyone is there to help and show you the ropes. All of the rides are ‘no drop’, so there is no chance of being left behind.

Group rides are also a great place to meet other bikers. Some popular rides are the Sunday ride at Walnut Creek and the monthly club ride that takes place at different locations around Austin. Keep an on their website or the A2W calendar for dates and times.

Ride like a girl…
Women who are interested in mountain biking can sometimes feel intimidated by the predominately male participation in the sport. That is why the Ridge Riders have created the Ride Like a Girl program. This program is specifically by and for women riders. The volunteers will show female riders the ins and outs of mountain biking in a safe, friendly and supportive environment. Before long these girls will be showing the boys a thing or two! Ride Like a Girl generally meets every Monday through the end of September at various locations around Austin.

Ride like a kid…

Kids Trips 2008

Perhaps one of the most rewarding aspects of the Austin Ridge Riders is Kids Trips. Kids who participate are educated in mountain biking skills, etiquette and safety. The Ridge Riders work to develop the next generation of safe courteous mountain bikers by instilling in the children the six basic IMBA rules. Volunteer ride leaders engage the kids in numerous outdoor physical activities. A fleet of kid-friendly bikes and equipment for the children is provided for those who need them. Often times Kids Trips is the first exposure children get to mountain biking. All youth groups are welcome and fun is the name of the game! Visit the Ridge Riders website for more information.

Riders on patrol…
Mountain biking, perhaps more so than other activities, is prone to difficulties. Anyone who has ridden for any length of time has likely experienced a flat tire, broken chain, or a gnarly fall. Sometimes riders go out unprepared for the ride or possible problems they may encounter. The Austin Mountain Bike Patrol is there to help. With the guidance of the IMBA this group of ARR volunteers prowls the trails on a regular basis, providing mechanical assistance and first aid for bikers.

Mountain bikers sometimes get a bad reputation. They are accused of damaging trails or endangering hikers. Some of these accusations are grounded in reality. The Austin Mountain Bike Patrol works to teach riders proper trail usage rules. Prevention is always the best medicine and the more bikers following the rules, the better we all look.

Play hard, work hard…
Mountain bikers need trails. Fun, fast, technical, rideable, exciting trails! A great deal of the Ridge Rider’s efforts goes into improving and expanding the Austin trail network. At any one time they may have three or four ongoing trail projects on the burner in various parts of Austin. The work is done during trail days, often a Saturday or Sunday. It is always done with the consent of the land managers responsible for the area. Having the consent of the land managers is paramount. Rogue trail work can cause a great deal of damage to the natural habitat and it is also illegal.

Trail work is not just great for mountain bikers. It is also a boon for organizations that support it. After trails were completed at Muleshoe Park there was an increase in year round attendance, in part due to mountain bikers taking advantage of the new trails. More trails also mean that the trails are less crowded overall as hikers and bikers have more places to spread out and enjoy.

This summer the ARR has major ongoing trail work at Pace Bend Park. They are collaborating with Austin County Parks to add six additional miles of sweet mountain bike trails. Work is from 8am to noon with a tasty sandwich reward at the end. Work will be ongoing through September, so be sure and check the dates and times. Bring your bike to hit the shiny new trail afterwards.

ARR has already completed five miles of trails at Lake Georgetown. An additional six miles are planned with the help of the Army Core of Engineers. The new section will stretch from Cedar Hollow to Tejas. This will create a 26 mile trail around the lake and promises to be an awesome ride! Also in the planning stages is an additional corridor at McKinney Falls state park that will double the trail length from three to six miles.

If you would like to get involved with any of the trail work go to their website to get dates, details and contact information. Much of the work is sponsored by local bike shops, REI and other businesses. There are often prizes, food and other benefits. For all of the TMBRA racers out there, the trail work qualifies for PayDirt hours. This nets you up to sixty extra points in the series!

Membership has its benefits…
You may be asking why you should become a member of the ARR. After all anyone can attend any Ridge Rider event. Besides the simple fact that membership is awesome, there are a number of other benefits. For only $20 you get a drawstring shoe and bag as well as a subscription to Southwest Cycling News. There is also free park entry at ARR events and free food at monthly group rides.

Mountain biking is not just about riding…
Sometimes it’s about hanging out with new people and drinking a few beers. ARR will have a strong presence and be providing volunteers for Tour de Fat. This event, organized by New Belgium Ale, raises money for cycling related non-profit organizations. Besides some great beer it will be great fun! Keep October 17th open on your calendars, bring your bike and come early!

If you are interested in anything discussed here, the ARR website is a great place to start. Get your membership papers filled out and come to the Muleshoe Birthday bash on August 8th!