Biking Journal Day 7 | The Circle Of Bike

1s Stop: Wildlife Seminar @ Shepherd Park

I can't believe it has only been a week since I resumed biking after at 20-year hiatus. There are so many wonderful benefits of riding again: the exercise, connecting with fellow bikers, and discovering new parts of my community.

Shane Farthing, WABA Executive Director (and all around nice guy!) stopped by today to bring my neighbor, Ms. Cynthia, her newly repaired bike. After a 30+ year stint collecting dust in storage her bike was now  functional. At 66 years old, Ms. Cynthia would once again be able to enjoy riding her Fuji. How cool is that?

2nd Stop: Ward 8 Farmers Market @THEARC

Before we reunited Ms. Cynthia with her bike we decided to road test it by riding through the neighborhood. We headed over to the National Park Service sponsored wildlife seminar in Shepherd's Park and then headed over to the Ward 8 Farmer's Market at THEARC. At the end of our ride I had accomplished quite a few things.

1. Riding a bike for transportation, not just recreation 
2. Riding down a big hill (Wheeler Rd)
3. Riding up a big hill (Stanton Rd)
4. Farthest bike ride 
5. Using the gears properly
6. Deciding that I absolutely, positively want to buy a bike of my own 

Once we returned back to Casa Advoc8te we called Ms. Cynthia to see her "surprise."  Ms. Cynthia was tickled pink to see the bike that she had brought IN PIECES was road-worthy once again. Soon she was planning on buying a bike helmet and getting back in the saddle bike seat again. We have already made plans to ride our bikes to the next Ward 8 Farmers Market.

Shane reintroduces Ms. Cynthia to her Fuji friend

All of this wouldn't have been possible without the efforts of the Washington Area Bicyclist Association. It started with Alex Hutchinson (WABA East of the River Program Coordinator) sending me a flyer for the free bike clinic. That led to a Twitter discussion about me getting back on a bike, and from there Shane and WABA took care of the rest. Last Saturday, on my way to the bike repair clinic I ran into Ms. Cynthia and that sparked a conversation about bike riding. That led to her wishing out-loud she could get her bike fixed. As they say, "the rest is  history."  Those  series of events led to so many great things.  I encourage everyone to please support the Washington Area Bicyclist Association. This is proof positive that small things can lead to big changes. 

The Catalyst

Today was a great day and I am looking forward to more biking adventures.  I know not everyone can get a personalized escort from the WABA Executive Director but I am proof positive that anyone can ride a bike. It's not just a fun way to get around -- it's fun!

Including pictures from my biking field trip through Congress Heights. 

I can now tell the difference between a box turtle and a snapping turtle

Now this is a great parking spot

"When I yell 'go' run like hell!"

I am so mad I didn't touch these.

Shane paying close attention to the turtle talk.

The Ward 8 Farmers Market is back!

Learning how gears work

I biked 3/4 of the way up before throwing in the towel and walking the rest of the way

You're back!!!

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