I love it when I'm wrong: Biking in Kalispell

River views from the bike path

Breaking up is hard to do, and so is making new beginnings. There are the unavoidable comparisons to what came before, partially borne of wistfulness and partially borne of protection. I'm a commitment person, so I really gave my whole self to my previous home. I can see that I'm being more cautious this time around.

During my first few outings around Kalispell by car, I scanned for bike paths, wide shoulders beside main roads, and folks of all sorts using their bikes to get around. It couldn't possibly be like the college mountain town I left, I thought, where bikes were commonplace and cycle style was alive and well.

It's different, for sure, but it's just another version of good. Kalispell has miles and miles of excellent road riding on quiet byways right out my front door. There are bike paths connecting schools and neighborhoods, and some of those paths wind their way to town. A 30-ish mile paved trail takes me from the beach at Flathead Lake in Somers to brews at the Cottage Inn near Kila.

While every town has its punks, I have to say that on both solo and family rides, the drivers have overall been completely fine. My husband had his first negative encounter with some bored teens who yelled at him as they sped by, but otherwise, folks have been great. I've even gotten some unsolicited smiles and waves from people going by. Maybe it's my flowered helmet.

Whatever the reason, I'm happy to be wrong about my fears that cars ruled the streets, bikes were seen as obstructions, and no one could be bothered to give me and my dudes room on the road.

Thanks, Kalispell. Happy to be here.

More links:
Rails-to-Trails of NW Montana
Technical stuff on Great Northern trail

Cute bike/pedestrian bridge

 

Bike path through a local park and garden

Grapevines along the way. In Montana!

Back door of the Cottage Inn, where I'm hoping to raise a pint soon

That crazy Nutcase helmet of mine

Square one bike advice

Me and Elle with our new bikes, exactly two years ago today.

A high school friend who thinks I know something about bikes 'cuz I have this blog just wrote to me asking for bike-buying advice. Poor guy. If he knew how little I knew . . .

Never to let the lack of information stop me from talking, I responded, and he said it helped. Given that there are probably some biking newbies here, I decided to post an edited version on the off-chance that some of y'all might be in the same boat.

Happy bike shopping!

Mike--Pack a lunch. Not because I'm any sort of expert, of course, but because I know how to run my mouth. :)

This email will not tell you which bike or brand to buy, but mostly (hopefully?) help you hone your ideas about what you want from a bike. I know a tiny bit, but your local bike shop will be your best resource for most questions. Be nice to them, bring them treats (beer and chocolate chip cookies go a loooong way), and your life with your bike will be wonderful.

My first three rules of bike buying:
1. Do NOT buy a bike from a big box store. The low price might be tempting, but the bike will break quickly and may not be able to be repaired due to non-standard or cheap-ass parts. Some bike shops refuse to work on big-box bikes because they're junk masquerading as something useful.

2. Test-ride several bikes. Good bike shops will let you do this for free, but you'll probably have to leave your driver's license. You'll get a feel for the difference between a $500 bike and a $1,000 bike and decide if it's worth the difference in price. Fit makes all the difference between loving or feeling ambivalent about a bike. My road bike cost $525 on sale, and when I rode a $2,500 bike, I could tell the difference in shifting in a second. However, my back hurt after 5 minutes on the thing. I decided to stick with my cheaper, more comfortable bike and upgrade components (shifting mechanism) later.

3. Decide what kind of riding you'll be doing. If you're going to be riding on paved roads or bike trails, you don't need a killer mountain bike with huge knobby tires, nor will you probably need a road bike which is built for long rides on a smooth surface. Again, test ride some bikes to see what feels good.

Don't be afraid that an upright bike makes you less manly (not that you would have that problem, naturally). One serious male cyclist I know who also skis, rafts, etc. has an upright bike with a front basket for his town rides because "it's more comfortable."

A few more thoughts:
--Mountain bikes tend to be more comfortable for guys, who have the bulk of their body weight in their chest and shoulders. Unless you have issues with your wrists and shoulders, you'll probably feel fine on this type of bike, and a more forward position takes some pressure off the heinie. This is why road bikes have a very forward position; they're meant for long rides which could kill your backside if you were sitting straight up.

--If you're riding in traffic, an upright position helps you keep your head up so you can see everything that's around you. I can't wait to switch out my mountain bike handlebars for more upright ones.

--Women and teen girls will probably prefer a more upright position that cruisers offer because the bulk of their body weight is in their hips, not their upper body. Electra (http://www.electrabike.com/) makes some gorgeous ones, but most bike companies are making them because they're so popular. Three- to eight-speed cruisers will be just fine for the flatland biking, but you'll need more gears for hilly terrain. In the mountains where I live, I make sure I have at least 21 gears, though 8 would do just fine if I was mostly bike commuting.

--Expect to pay $350-$600 for a decent entry-level bike. Paying this price means you can resell it when your kids have outgrown it or you can repair it when it breaks. It's totally worth the extra $100-200.

--Biking is so good for you. Some European countries have calculated that for every dollar they invest in biking infrastructure (bike lanes), they save $10-20 in health care costs. Pretty impressive.

--Biking is great for families. During the tween/teen years, it can be hard to find things to talk about, but biking gives you the chance to do something together without the pressure of having to communicate (insert eye rolling here) while making great memories and getting some exercise. And it's a perfect getaway without having to buy plane tickets!

I think I've exhausted my meager expertise. If you have further questions, I'd be happy to try to answer them, however.

cherilyn

Why cars hit bikes. Mystery solved.

I really, truly was not expecting to write this post today.

It's been great to see that my Top Biking Myths Busted post has been enjoying more popularity than I anticipated. Now, I'm not talking Oprah kind of attention -- not for my little blog -- but it has been making the rounds in some circles.

It's not a huge surprise that some folks would read it and want to add their two cents. Or maybe ask me to link to their blog. This does happen, even to me, and I'm happy to consider it. But I was not prepared for the email I received.

A woman said her website just posted an article that my readers might be interested in and gave me a link. When I went to the article, the photo showed a possibly injured cyclist, lying on the pavement, with the front tire of his bike underneath a car's front bumper. The title was something along the lines of "Top Reasons Cyclists and Cars Don't Get Along."

What?

I kept reading, thinking I'd find something of merit, but the "reasons" were issues like:

• Bikes are hard to see

• Bikes dart in and out of traffic

• Arrogant cyclists use the roads instead of bike paths

• Cyclists ignore traffic signals

I'm still baffled. I wrote my piece as a "Go get 'em!" to anyone who decided to hop on a bike, enjoy using their body, get outside and start feeling the rewards. I bike almost every week and love it, and I want to share that with other folks who might not feel confident enough to give it a whirl.

This other article was the opposite. It should have been titled, "Cyclists, Here's Why Cars Hit You. It's Your Fault."

It was like I wrote an article titled "Women Enjoy Great Work Opportunities," and a reader sent back a link to an article on "Women Earn Less Than Men and Probably Always Will."

At this point, I don't know if I should post the link to the article so you can decide if I'm overreacting, which is entirely possible. I really don't want this website that's about self-promotion and faux information to get an increase in traffic because I called them out on a bad article. On the other hand, it's not like my blog has so much traffic that they're going to see a huge spike and then write another inflammatory article to generate more traffic.

Gimme your thoughts, folks.

P.S. I did send them a pointed email saying that I wouldn't be posting a link. Here it is.

Thanks for the link, [name].

I don't think [the article] will work for my blog because it basically tells cyclists that they're not welcome on streets because they're inconvenient for motorists. The opening photo of a cyclist lying injured on the road completely sets the tone of the article.

My blog is dedicated to empowering cyclists to have fun being attentive, conscientious riders, and I don't believe this article supports that or helps motorists and cyclists interact in a positive way.

I do appreciate you taking the time to forward the story to me, however.

Cherilyn

Night bike safety: great solution

I love it when someone dares me to think in a whole new way.

My amazing biking sister forwarded me this Utne Reader article about a developing bike light: Revolights. Wait -- it's not just another headlight and rear flasher (Oh, my!). It's a clip-to-the-wheels system that lets you see what's ahead and lets cars see you. Definitely watch the video.

No, this system isn't available yet, so I can't put my official stamp of approval on it, but I love the concept. It has many cool features, like fuss-free operation, but I think its greatest virtue is that with one glance, all of the cars around know that you are a bike.

As Revolights' Kickstarter page testifies, "Nearly 70% of all nighttime Bicycle-Car collisions are due to inadequate side visibility." (Source here) As someone who drove in a bike-friendly college town, I can tell you that I've seen a lot of night visibility systems. Nothing was standard, and there wasn't a light and reflector combo that really let me know that what I was seeing was a bike.

I've had more than a few scary moments as a driver coming up on some sort of reflector or blinking light and not knowing if it was a bike or pedestrian until I was right on top of it. Yes, I slowed down. Yes, I moved over. But it's almost impossible to tell how large or small a blinky light is from a distance.

Revolights changes all that with its LED lights that attach to the wheel rim. The bike wheels spin and the bright lights let everyone on the road know where your bike stops and starts and your direction. There's no missing you at a stop sign, either.

There are plenty of shots of the Revolight system from the side because it looks so cool, but I wish there were a few images of the bike at night from the perspective of a driver. It would be great to know what the lights look like from behind.

I also love the funding mechanism: Kickstarter. The traditional model of business financing says you have to go an investor or two with deep pockets or try to wangle a loan from a bank. Good luck with either in today's market. Kickstarter lets average, everyday people become investors for items that they believe in. Small donations keep the economic engine rolling and level the playing field. (I personally think political campaigns should be financed the same way, but that's a topic for another post. Probably on another blog.)

Funding is open until September 27, and I'm planning to kick in a few dollars this week. My donation won't get me a set of these lights, but I'm okay with that. It's my little gift to imagination.

Many thanks to Elle who designed the new logo on Bike Bliss' masthead. You're amazing, E!!

How we do weekends

Me and my man; morning light

The weekends are now ours, all ours, and it feels luxurious! Months of painting, packing and cleaning are gone, now replaced with playtime. Ahhh . . .

Hot Husband and I have been getting in a few early morning rides, starting the day on quiet roads, when the air is cool and the drivers pass with a friendly wave. It's a beautiful time for us to chat about things that have been rambling in our heads, free of interruptions.

Those idyllic moments are soon replaced with soccer games, errands, fun with the kids and a hustle to get on the river before the weather gets nippy. Our rental house in Kalispell is right on the water, so we got a little kayak so we all can play a bit.

For more laid-back fun, we get out the raft and mosey downstream, away from phones, dirty dishes, and laundry. It's just us and the river. And three crazy dudes.

I'm so very grateful for this time. Our house in Bozeman has sold. Hot Husband has a new job he enjoys. The dudes have adjusted to our new locale quite nicely. It's great to be back in the land of stability and freedom.

My favorite biking partner

 

Dragon boy ready for the ball

Monkey Boy digging in

Evening paddle

Rowing lessons

Top biking myths busted

Just me in regular clothes on an older, ordinary bike.

Since I have a biking blog and tend to get a little zealous about my bike love, people often tell me something like, "I'd really like to get into biking but . . . "

Oh, that but. I understand. It gets in the way of so very many fun things.

In case you're stuck in the buts, as I was for a few months while I was packing and moving, let me give you a few things to think about. No pressure, no guilt here. Just a little nudge to make you consider what's important.

Myth 1: I need the right bike first.
Certainly, you need a bike, but it doesn't have to be a shiny, fancy, carbon fiber or big name bike. Start with what you have. Most of the women bike bloggers I know started biking again as adults on old bikes they liberated from a basement or garage. After riding for a few months on these inexpensive starter bikes, they usually had an idea of what they wanted in their next bike, and that's when they dropped a little cash.

If you don't have a bike and want an inexpensive one, post a want ad on Freecycle, check out Craigslist posts, or hit a secondhand sporting goods store to see what they have. You should be able to get a decent bike for less than $300. If you're getting a new or used bike, I highly recommend stopping in at a local bike shop to get a sense of what size bike would be best for you.

Myth 2: You need a lot of special gear to ride a bike.
Remember those carefree days of childhood when you pedaled around in flip-flops? It can almost be that simple again if you're sticking to bike paths or quiet side streets. If you have a bike and a helmet, you're good to go anywhere.

While jerseys and padded shorts are handy on long rides--I'm talking 20 miles or more-- they're completely unnecessary for trips to the local coffee shop or a cruise around the neighborhood. Try it. Just grab a bike and go.

In biking Meccas like Copenhagen and Amsterdam, all sorts of people bike every day in any kind of weather. They ride beastly heavy bikes in everyday clothes. It's possible here in the U.S. as well, even in temperamental Chicago weather.

So what's with the focus on all of the specific gear in the U.S.? My personal whacko theory is that our culture is about performance and image. We like shopping for just the perfect thing that will prove that we are a member of the club. Lycra proves we're serious, not just some hack.

Take some pressure off yourself and rest assured that you can go biking even though you don't look like Lance Armstrong or Dottie and Trish. Wear something comfy and ride.

Myth 3: Biking is dangerous!
I hear this all the time from women my age and moms of any age, and I understand the fear.

I've crashed.

I've had dozens of near misses.

I still ride.

I can pull out all the stats saying that you're far more likely to be victim of a car accident than a bike accident (and you probably already have been), but that doesn't overcome the undeniable sense of danger when you imagine a huge hunk of metal coming at your unprotected body. A car just feels safer.

When I start feeling threatened, I simply remember that almost everyone I know has been in some sort of car accident--some with fatalities--and we all continue to drive. I also head over to Ken Kifer's excellent analysis of bike safety, which basically concludes that cycling is one of the least dangerous activities you can undertake.

You know what's dangerous? Doing nothing.

This Grist article wonderfully summarizes a 2009 study in the Netherlands that concludes, "On average, the estimated health benefits of cycling were substantially larger than the risks relative to car driving for individuals shifting their mode of transport."

Elly Blue says it best. "We never want to hear this, but we're all going to die. Why not get out there and ride your bike first?"

Kalispell town rides . . . finally

Lovely downtown side street

I'm embarrassed to say that it's taken me a while to get on my bike and explore my new town by bike. There are miles of beautiful back roads for road biking just out my front door, but I wasn't so sure if I could run errands on two wheels.

At first glance, car is king in Kalispell. There are two main drags through town, and they are busy. Not exactly the kind of safe, protected routes I would feel comfortable taking the dudes on when I'm still sorting out exactly where we're going.

Hot Husband to the rescue! One of this man's superpowers is navigation. He instantly makes a map in his head of a location and can usually get from point A to point B without a map or detailed directions. My hero!

The whole family kicked off the holiday weekend on Saturday with a ride to the local bagel shop. Except it was closed. Never fear! Hot Husband saved the day with Plan B: back roads to another coffee shop and deli.

The dudes took the extra eight miles on their backsides in stride, and we had a fantastic brunch at The Boiler Room. Great coffee, yummy sandwiches, and all-around beautiful. It's a bit off the beaten path, but definitely worth the trip.

On the way home, we hopped on a beautiful bike path that took us to a lovely park where the boys played for a bit before we headed for home.

A couple of hours later, I remembered that I needed to return a book to the library. As I was grabbing my keys, I remembered that I could bike instead. Think of it! Two trips downtown and the cars never left the driveway!

I took the same bike path downtown and made it to the library about 25 minutes later. (Definitely not the fastest way to go, but for me, it's a lot more effective than a gym membership and anti-depressants.)

While Kalispell doesn't exactly have residential areas and business districts connected via bike path, they've done a nice job of creating bike paths between neighborhoods and schools. I can testify that these paths are getting a lot of traffic outside of school hours, and I'm grateful that I get to use 'em, too.


My 10-Minute Momentum 
Two bike rides on Saturday, one glorious 13-mile early morning ride on Sunday, and 10 road bike miles that I didn't expect to get on Monday. Ohhhh, it's so good to be back in the saddle! You can post your 10 minute victories in the comments section or on Twitter using the hashtag #10minmomentum.

 

Bike path on the right connecting homes and school

 

The stately Flathead County Library

Autumn Resolutions: 30 days, 10 Minutes

One of my dear friends who thinks beautiful, expansive thoughts a matter of course offered this on Facebook yesterday.

It seems to me that January resolutions are about will; September resolutions are about authentic wants. . . . The beauty of autumnal resolutions is that no one else knows we’re making them. Autumnal resolutions don’t require horns, confetti, and champagne. September resolutions ask only that we be open to positive change.  - Sarah Ban Breathnach

This quote hit me yesterday, when I was mulling over this great lecture by Matt Cutts on trying something new for 30 days and I happened to see a tweet using the hashtag #30daysofbiking. Lots of bikers around the world use this tag on Twitter to let their peeps know that they've made a commitment to bike each day of the month.


After logging 120 miles of riding last week for the first time in my life, I was looking for a new challenge. Something manageable, something fun. Last week was a not-soon-to-be-repeated gift because I had free child care from my in-laws who were here to check out our new digs.


So what could I do? What would make me feel great, get me moving, scratch the new school year itch for a new beginning and still keep in the same vein as my New Year's resolutions, only softer?


My solution came late in the afternoon yesterday, on the first day of September. Get in 10-Minute Momentum. Anything. Any time of day. As long as it's about the happies.


Yes, I know it's now September 2, but you can still join in the fun. Whatever your secret resolution, do it, and share it if you like. You can follow me on Twitter (@bikeblisschick) and post your 10 minutes using #10minmomentum. I'll do the same.


My 10 Minutes: I hopped on my bike just before 9 p.m. with a reflective jacket and headlamp to pedal around the silent streets of a nearby neighborhood. Of course, 10 minutes turned into 20, and then I came home to do some situps while talking to Hot Husband. It feels so good to have the luxury of this time to take care of myself.

 

 

New Bike Bliss HQ: Kalispell, Montana

My men gazing at the glory that is Glacier.

That's right, folks. The long-whined about, tear-jerker of a move from Bozeman has taken place, and now Hot Husband and I, the three dudes and the pets are safely established in Glacier country.

Glacier National Park, that is. A mere 38 minutes from our door to the park gates. Eat your heart out.

While the move was emotionally wrenching, it hasn't taken me too long to realize that I have landed in biking heaven. From my front door, I have breathtaking miles to explore, both on bike path and open road. Kalispell isn't what you'd call bike commuter friendly, but the road biking is to die for.

I've never really been one for bucket lists, but I'm already making my "can't miss" list of rides nearby. So far, I've biked part of the Going-to-the-Sun Road with the fam, ridden between Kalipell to Whitefish twice (14-ish miles), taken the East Shoreline route and scoped out a few of the local bike trails.

Last week, Hot Husband and I ran off for a mini-getaway to ride the Lake Koocanusa route. I rode my Felt, and he took his brand spankin' new Motobecane cyclocross bike on its maiden voyage. I'm still pinching myself!

Looking forward to good weather and the chance to share my adventures with you, my fellow bike geeks!

Many thanks to all of you who continued to visit my blog when I was hip deep in moving boxes and to-do lists this summer, making it impossible to write. It's humbling to know that it has a place in your lives.