Go go gadget bicycle
Well, I was at work today helping with student demos -- demoing lampworking techniques to area students to try to generate more interest in the hobby of playing with fire and molten glass. So, since it's a gorgemous day and so that Chris could have the truck while I was at work, he dropped me and my bike at the Vinery. I taught for 4 hours, managed to burn myself more times in that four hours than I have in the past year of lampworking, and then hopped on my bike at about 4:45. We couldn't find my bike computer before I left home this morning, so I don't know how far or how fast I biked, but I did approximately 11 miles in under an hour and a half. Go me! I petered out about a mile from home, so Chris drove out to get me. I could have done the whole distance, but it wouldn't have been as happy-making to do that last hill. Also, I ran out of water (I only had the two 24-oz water bottles), so I was getting all dry and thirsty (note to self, chapstick!!!). But it's totally do-able to bike commute. I still think I want to get an electric assist, but almost all of the way is on commuter bike paths, so there's really no major hills. Four blocks from work is the Southwest commuter trail to the Capital trail to the Yahara river trail and then I have to wend my way through the Maple Bluff neighborhood to home. And yes, it's called 'Bluff' because it's built into a bleepity-bleep cliff, which I've mostly managed to figure out how to go around without going miles out of the way, rather than over, like I did by accident two weeks ago.
So, I don't know if I'll be doing it THIS week, but definitely soon. I need to make sure I have a full emergency repair kit first, in case of flat. And possibly mace in a little holster on my handlebars, in the hopes that I'll never have to use it.
Also, did I mention that I have huge burn blisters on my right index finger, thumb, and the back of my left 'bird' finger? They're all puffy and goo-filled. But thanks to the wonders of burn cream, not actively hurty yet. I'm really glad we packed my gloves for the bike home, tho, because I probably would have split them open if I hadn't had the gloves to wear. Now I just need to stop poking them. But they feel kinda cool, in a third-grader sort of a definition of cool==gross and icky.
Also, Chris made pulled pork while I was at work, so yay, meat!
So, I don't know if I'll be doing it THIS week, but definitely soon. I need to make sure I have a full emergency repair kit first, in case of flat. And possibly mace in a little holster on my handlebars, in the hopes that I'll never have to use it.
Also, did I mention that I have huge burn blisters on my right index finger, thumb, and the back of my left 'bird' finger? They're all puffy and goo-filled. But thanks to the wonders of burn cream, not actively hurty yet. I'm really glad we packed my gloves for the bike home, tho, because I probably would have split them open if I hadn't had the gloves to wear. Now I just need to stop poking them. But they feel kinda cool, in a third-grader sort of a definition of cool==gross and icky.
Also, Chris made pulled pork while I was at work, so yay, meat!