March #everydayonabike Review

Nothing against March, but damn, I had a hard time riding last month! The weather was the most challenging, but so was health and travel. Regardless, I still managed to ride 23/31 days - and on many days I made more than one trip by bike, so I suppose it all evens out somehow. This year, the in like a lion, out like a lamb saying certainly holds true for the month. I rode in 15 degree weather with snow on the ground earlier in the month and last night I rode in shorts and a T-shirt in 70 degree weather.

Thanks to everyone who contributed in March. I know it wasn't easy to ride anywhere (being too cold or two hot, depending on your hemisphere), so I appreciate all of the committed riders even more! Here are the stats:

53 photos tagged // 21 tagged by me // 22 tagged by others // 10 contributors

Thanks to all of the contributors this month!

@lifewithroozle // @cathope // @emfritz // @runbobbierun // @shaggybrownie

@jaynesykora // @simplybike // @ashleynicoleaddison // @familyride // @obc_benson

And congrats to @emfritz for winning The Soup Peddler! Emily lives down the street from me and is a frequent riding partner!

Also, check out #everdayonabike in the Greater Park Hill News this month! If you're in the Denver area, you can pick up a copy at any Park Hill business.

Under the Weather

I had so many positive expectations for my life on the bike this month. I thought this might be the month that I could start riding every single day. Alas, March has proven to be trickier than I could have anticipated. First, the weather has been unpredictable with five (FIVE!) snow storms mixed in with 70-degree days. Second, I have been under the weather for over a week now. I finally made myself an appointment with my doctor yesterday to make sure that I don't have a sinus infection. It's likely not a sinus infection, but I still can't quite get back to normal. That I was able to ride 9/14 days is kind of amazing with all of these challenges.

BUT, I have high hopes for the remainder of the month. It looks like the coolest temperature will be around 55, which is totally do-able (especially considering that I was riding in 15-degree weather earlier this month). Classes are finished. The sun is up an hour later. I'm not immobilized by sickness. Yes, I think mid- to late March is looking mighty fine!

Don't forget to post your GREEN photos for an extra chance to win a copy of The Soup Peddler. I finally got around to posting to that theme in the past couple of days.

Peddling for The Soup Peddler

When I was sick this week, all I wanted was some soup. Any soup would do, really. When Benny and Lila are sick, I typically make them chicken noodle soup. I don't know if it really helps, but it sure makes me feel better! I ended up finding some locally made carrot ginger soup at Whole Foods and it was amazing. The only thing that would have made it more amazing? Delivery by bike.

And so, the giveaway for contributing to #everydayonabike in March is a copy of The Soup Peddler's Slow & Difficult Soups: Recipes & Reveries by David Ansel. The book is part memoir/part recipe book by the man who has created a soup empire in Austin, Texas. He started out with a bike and a trailer and a few quarts of soup. He (and his employees) still deliver the soup by bike. I remember hearing all about David when I lived in Austin, but I never tried his soups. We're quickly approaching the end of soup weather (yay Spring!), but with this weekend's predicted snowstorm, I have a feeling soup will feel good for a few more weeks.

If you want to play along, just take a picture of you on your bike, your bike or someone else biking with you and upload it to Instagram with the tag of #everydayonabike. For every picture you contribute, you'll be entered once. But, if you post a picture with this month's unofficial theme (GREEN!), you'll be entered twice. Want to increase your chances even more? Leave a comment on this page with the name of your favorite soup . Be careful, though. If it sounds good, I'll ask for the recipe!

Good luck!

*The Soup Peddler is not a sponsor of #everydayonabike.

#everydayonabike in Australia!

Cat Hope (@cathope) has been a regular contributor to #everydayonabike for the past two months. I long to post pictures like hers - sunny skies with lots of green foliage. Alas, she's in Australia, so she's enjoying (a very hot) summer right now.

I asked Cat to share a bit about her riding habits. And now I want to bike in Australia!

ss // What kind of bike(s) do you ride?

ch // I ride a a black Electra Amersterdam Royale. It is an 8 speed and I bought it brand new. It's like a Dutch bike meets a beach cruiser. I love it. I also still have the very old junky bike that got me back into cycling. I bought it as a test bike. A no brand, no gears, very poor back pedal braked ladies bike - I thought if I stick with that for awhile, I will earn a better bike for myself. And I did! It's now the "guests'" bike and often goes out on loan. I made sure my new one had a skirt, a chain chard and internal gears so it didn't effect what I want to wear.

ss // Where do you ride? How often?

ch // I try to ride everywhere! To and from my work most days - around 15-20 minutes each way so not that far, often accompanying my 8-year-old son to school on his bike on the way. Here in Perth it can get over 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit!) (now), not great and exertion biking. I have a lot of meetings off campus (I am an academic/composer/musician) and ride my bike to those too. I have panniers for when I need to take lots of books or music. I also use (my bike) to get around to concerts in the evenings. Riding at night in summer is my favourite time to ride.

ss // Where do you live?

ch // Inner city Perth, Western Australia.

ss // How long have you been riding?

cc // After years of cycling as a school kid, and brief spates when I lived in Europe - I didn't ride for a long time. The memories of a double cog multi gear slips, greasy chain clothes munchers, racing handlebars and heavy school bags put me off. Also, there just weren't any good "ladies'" bikes to ride for awhile here, everything was too "sporty." But now there are a lot more choices and you can choose a bike that suits what you want. for me, I like to ride at my own pace (so I can drink a coffee at the same time if I so desire) and not have to make fashion sacrifices!

Thank you, Cat, for sharing a bit about your cycling! Also check out Cat's Tumblr of the Perth Slow Riders.

Bikes Are Green

We did it! We survived January and February! Every year I figure if I can survive those two months, I can survive winter. And here we are, March 1. Boy oh boy, I welcome this date with open arms.

Not all bikes are green in color. No, of course not. But all bikes are green, you know, in the carbon footprint sense. So, in this green month (new spring growth - hurrah!, St. Patrick's Day and all that jazz), the unofficial theme for #everydayonabike is GREEN! Post a bike photo with something green in it and you'll be entered TWICE for this month's drawing - yet to be announced.

I, for one, am very excited for this month. My class is over in two weeks. Daylight savings hits on March 10, which will make life infinitely easier. Mornings, while still chilly, will be bearable on bike. I have a feeling I'll be overwhelming #everydayonabike with photos just because I can! I hope to see you there too. Happy March to all of you.