Lincoln's September Critical Mass Ride.

My families plans for the evening were rained out, so I was able to make it to the Critical Mass Ride.

Nearly 50 bike lovers braved the damp evening to demonstrate downtown how much fun cycling is. We met on the North side of the Capital and rode the streets downtown and in the Haymarket. Sharing with the public an awareness that bikes are vehicles and have a right to the road. As well as showing how safe, practical and enjoyable urban bike riding can be.

We were treated to some awesome vegan burritos afterward and had a chance to visit on UNL's grounds.

The Critical Mass Ride is the last Friday of each month, mark your calendar to join us and share your passion with like minded friends.

Today's miles on the commute to work and tonight's CM ride totaled 32.95 miles.

I did it! Hit my 6,000th mile on today's commute!

I basically didn't ride my bike the first few months when I bought it nearly 2 years ago. I then put 2,000 miles on during 2008. This year I had a goal of doubling last years miles. And today I did it on the ride home from work as I went past the zoo. That's a total of 6,000 miles on my bike.

I've loved every mile, and sure you would too! Here's hoping you'll take time to get out and have some fun outdoors on your bike.

Critical Mass Friday night at 6:00 on the North side of the Capitol.

Meet at 6:00 ride at 6:30. A neat event to raise awareness. I can't make it tonight, but hope you will.

A day off to bike to the 4 corners of the... well... Lincoln!

I had the day off and decided to explore the far reaches of the city's bike paths.

SE: I began by crossing the Holmes Lake Dam trail, then continued east on the Billy Wolff to the end at 91st St. & Hwy 2 near Menards and the heart hospital.

SW: Then rode west down Hwy 2 to the Old Cheney Trail and took it to the Tierra Williamsburg Trail then turned south till I reached the South Point Trail, took it west to 14th St near Lincoln S.W.H.S. And turned south to the Jamaica North Trail and continued south till I got to the Jamaica North Trailhead / Homestead Trailhead.

NW: I doubled back and headed north on the Jamaica North Trail to the Salt Creek Levee Trail and took it to Oak Lake, then rode through Roper Park to the Superior St Trail, I then went west and looped around the Highlands Trail stopping to see golfers out on the driving range.

NE: Then back on the Superior St Trail and east to Havelock, rode down Touzalin to the Murdock Trail and rode it east to the 84th St Trail near the Lancaster Events Center before turning south on the 84th St Trail and taking it to South St, turned south there and then under the fence behind the Evangelical Church and took that back to the Holmes Dam Trail and home.

It was a great way to spend a day off and totaled 54.35 miles.

Fall Nacho Ride was quiet and pleasant.

The rain stopped just before the Nacho Ride and we rode to Eagle under a rainbow on surprisingly dry trails.

The iffy weather kept the crowd at bay, but it was beautiful all the way there and back. We ran into more Nacho'ers that started later as we rode back to Lincoln.

Riding to work, then the Nacho Ride before going home racked up 39.75 miles for today.

Excuse me, are those Bugle Boy jeans your wearing?

Not only did the calendar say it was fall today. It sure felt like it! So, for the first time since March I broke out the jeans for the ride to work this morning.

The Fall Nacho Ride is here!

Summer is gone, so pull your head out of the sand and come out to see the leaves change and enjoy a cool crisp spin in the country on the Fall Nacho Ride! We start leaving the Mopac trailhead just south of 84th & O St. at 5:30 (some earlier, some later) and ride 10 miles to Eagle to eat nachos or 75 cent tacos before riding back. The Nacho Ride is every Tuesday. Everyone is a ton of fun. It's very leisurely and not athletic. Click here to read about past Nacho Rides. Or check out the official Nacho Ride site at http://www.nachoride.com/

A ride down the Homestead to Cortland.

My blog photographer/personal trainer and I started at the Homestead trail head on Saltallo Rd and rode south the 15 miles to Cortland before riding back.

The Cortland trip along with my morning ride to the office totaled 40.05 miles for Saturday.

LPD abandoned and seized bike auction.

I drove the pick-up to the LPD bike and car auction. There were around 80 bikes. Some good ones... And a lot of thrashed BSOs. I came away empty handed. But got a chance to visit with some biking friends I ran into out there though, so it was time well spent.

LES Walk held today in Lincoln.

I rode across town this morning to get the pick-up from my office, on the way I found volunteers setting up for the LES walk at Antelope Park.

Don't be fenced in, go ride your bike!

Rode to work and back today, and on the ride home I generally take some of the new Antelope Valley Project trails. Today I was greeted with a chain link fence and "sidewalk closed" sign blockng my path as they continue to work in the area.

Just a hickup in the grand scheme of the future of cycling in Lincoln. Oh well, it'll be worth it in the end. Besides, what's a bike ride without an impromptu detour? Aren't the best adventures found just off the beaten path?

For those of you who aren't regularly riding your bike, what's stopping you?

I figure I've got less than 10,000 more good chances to ride before I die of old age, and don't intend to let anything stop me from the fun of riding. Whatever obstacles (real or imagined) that are in your path to cycling bliss are only opportunities for you to find your detour and the adventure on it.

I don't care if you ride around the block or get a century in today, just dig your bike out of the garage and ride it. And be proud of yourself for doing it.

Today's miles on the commute to work = 20.06 I had a ton of fun and am proud of myself for having the ambition to leave my coffin parked and enjoy 45 minutes before and after work outdoors rather than 30 minutes each way stuck in traffic in my car.

Over 75 'hot' bikes for sale! LPD Bike auction tomorrow.

Lifted off Craigslist:

Over 75 Bicycles at the Lincoln Police Dept. auction Sat. Sept. 19 at 101 Charleston St. (Capital Towing). Gates open at 0900 on the bikes by 1040. Schwinn, Trek ,Giant to name a few brands to be sold. Bring cash -- no credit cards.

Trail users surveyed today.

If you were on the trails this afternoon you might have found volunteers posted along Lincoln's trails counting users and asking passers-by to complete a short survey about their trail use.

Rode to work and back, then later our youngest and I took a ride to the grocery store totaling 21.22 miles today.

Rats! Gnats!

This is a picture of the front of my shirt on my commute home from work today. My arms, face & legs had em too. Yuck, nasty! You definitely want to keep your mouth shut and wear glasses. Most of the summer, the bugs weren't bad, but their making up for it now. Today's miles = 19.68

Bike ride to community gardens potluck. Sunday 10-noon.

Sunday, September 20, 2009 Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm Location: Meet at Cultiva parking lot Street: 14th & South St. Lincoln, NE Bike ride to 3 Community Gardens followed by a potluck. Community CROPS is interested in collaborating with the bike community on projects and bike awareness. This event will be a meet & greet and discussion about future bike/garden events.Potluck around 11:00 at one of the gardens. Bring what ever dish/food travels well. No Cost. Click here to find out more. Or email: amy@communitycrops.org

The Nacho Appreciation Ride.

A gorgeous night was on tap for the Nacho Appreciation Ride tonight. The One Eye'd Dog Saloon handed out prizes throughout the night to lucky riders.

While my ticket wasn't drawn during the time we were there, I did come away with a 312 water bottle, thanks I think, to Cleatus strong arming D.D. On his way out of the OED.

Now that I am a documented "local cycling celebrity" (see the poll on http://www.nachoride.com/) (your encouraged to vote for me! * hint, hint *) I feel like I'm obligated to have an entourage to roll with. Well, my peeps and I got a chance to really try out our lights after riding toward the setting sun and into darkness.

The Nacho Ride was a great way to cap off the day and put today's mileage total in the books at 45.15 miles. Be sure to join us every Tuesday for the Nacho Ride!

A Big Thanks to Joyride & CROPS!

Today I got a call from the staff at CROPS about the Farm Walk event we biked to late last week. They called to tell me I had won a Specialized bike computer in the drawing held for those that biked to the Farm Walk, it was donated by Joyride Bike Shop.

This afternoon I took a spin down to their office to pick up my winnings and visit about a garden ride their putting on this Sunday. I'll have more details about this in the days to come.

A big thank you to CROPS for a great experience at the Farm Walk! And thank you to Joyride for sponsoring prizes and supporting local cycling events!

Antelope valley project work continues.

I rode home from the office, the trails were full of bikers headed from work or just out enjoying the weather. Construction workers continue to progress to the South, once it's done, the new trails running under streets will make the commute faster and much safer. I can't wait! Today's miles = 10.04

Hey! Look! the Nacho Appreciation Ride is Tuesday 9/15! Fun, Food, Prizes!

Now that the riding weather is perfect, don't lose steam, we've been practising all summer and now we're ready to have a great time on the Nacho Appreciation Ride. This should be a big one with prizes every 15 minutes and a costume contest. Click here to brush up on past Nacho Rides or click here for the official Nacho Ride site and all the details on the big Nacho Appreciation Ride.

Bike swap draws crowd to benefit Optimist.

Bike lovers gathered today to shop used bikes and parts as well as accessories. Lots of variety in the inventory and a fun chance to recycle a previously loved bicycle. Later this afternoon our youngest and I took a short spin down the Billy Wolff Trail to take in some of today's perfect weather. Today's miles = 5.70