Modes of transport..I hit them all today...

I started out the day on bike retrieval. I left it in University Heights for a sleepover last night. I slept in my own bed, and Baby Blue shacked up on a parking meter on Park Blvd in front of El Zarape. So, I left the house this morning on foot to hike up through the park, over the hill and into University Heights to retrieve Baby Blue. Along the way I had some objectives. I wanted to watch the Chargers game, buy a bathing suit, take photos of my car for the big car lease swap...etc. This would require going to many pockets of town in San Diego and many modes of transport including foot, bike, bus, trolley. So....off I went... 1st stop--Pizza! I went to a new place in U Heights called Gourmet Pizza Express on Park blvd. across from Small Bar. Had a panini, bottle of water and watched the start of the Chargers game. I got bored--they looked great---so, scooped up baby blue. She was in full tact, ready for the adventure. I rode down to Texas street and I TOOK ON THAT HILL!! Can you believe it?? It's a 15% grade, and cars were whizzing by me. I was a total wuss on that hill and had my breaks on the whole time. The interesting thing about that hill is that it's all down hill with a bike lane. Then POOF--just like that--the bike lane goes away and it becomes the merging on ramps for 8 EAST and 8 WEST. People fly down that hill and onto the highway....I was alert and afraid for my life...but...alas---I made it to Target. One trick about Texas street is although it is a bike lane, there are 3 HUGE pot holes in it. HUGE meaning 2 x 2 in circumference for sure. Thank goodness I was paying attention otherwise that would have been a real tire poppin' moment. I got my suit for my upcoming Mexico wedding....then...scooted across the street to the trolley. I've taken my bike on the bus, but never on the trolley. This was an experience. I had a little time on my hands and wanted to workout boot camp style down town...so...I hopped on the Green Line headed West to Old Town, where I planned to switch trolley to the blue line downtown. Trolley arrived, doors open, the stairs are steep!! So, on the trolley, there's no "rack" per say. It's every man/bike/anything on wheels for himself. I had to put my bike on my left shoulder because as we know I have a looming back injury on the right side. I had to push the button with my right hand, open the door with the same hand, use my left hand and shoulder to shelf my bike as I walked up 4 very steep and narrow steps to get into the trolley. The front wheel was flailing everywhere, it hit the guy in front of me, scraped my left forearm and I tripped up the last step. I got on that damn trolley and sat down. Getting off was about as awkward as getting on. Same story, except the door closed on me as I was leaving, and a very nice stranger pressed the button for me again. I was obviously a "challenged public transit goer". I switched over Blue Line and went to Sante Fe Depot. Off I went...ran a bunch of errands downtown, then did my boot camp. I have to practice up for the Mexico wedding. One day I am teaching the guests..."boot camp with Mandi". It will be a real treat. After boot camp, it was such a nice day with the sun blaring that I took a nice little ride on the Embarcadero. It was awesome....so flat, so pretty and riding on the water is so nice here in San Diego. Ran more errands and rode home--again--up that awesome Island hill. I also learned about my gears on the left. Kitty's brother was in town this weekend and told me the tricks of using my gears on the left. I only have used the ones of the right. Up Hill I'm at a 2. Down hill and most of the time, I'm at a 4. On 30th or 32nd street in Northpark--I'm at a 3. Adding the whole gear shabang to the left makes it much less challenging and slightly more complicated. I am still not quite sure what their purpose is, but, we'll get to know each other more over our tenure on our bike together. All & All......the trolley is super easy to use and very convenient. I was in Southpark, Hillcrest, University Heights, Mission Valley, Old Town, Downtown and Golden Hill all in 1 day in San Diego and NO CAR. It's easier than you think it is people...try it!

Florida Street--

Florida street is the best life line between SouthPark to Northpark to University Heights. It's the main vein that runs between all the coolest little pockets o San Diego. It's got a cool lil' view, a bike lane, is pretty flat and great to ride. It's only downfall is that it's under improved. It's bumpy. There's lots of pot holes. It's uneven, and it's real tough on a gal's nether regions. I met some friends for lunch yesterday after a long hike. We met at SMALL BAR. It's a cool new bar/restaurant in university heights--right on park blvd. I love that place. Getting there takes 20 min on a bike, but, wowsers, it sure is a bumpy ride. The cool thing is that the parking meters in that area have bike lock/racks too. Very bike friendly zone. If only Florida street was a little more smooth---that would make me and my nether regions much happier.

Day 50--Prayers & Blessings...

An 80 year old woman at Thanksgiving said "I am going to say a prayer for you every day". I appreciated the prayer. That sure was sweet. She said this in response to me telling her that I ride my bike everywhere and sometimes ride a bus. Who doesn't need an extra prayer or two? This spawned into a conversation about the Al Gore environment conspiracy theory. Many were of the philosophy that all the GREEN stuff is created to make money. I can see how creating an emerging market in a down economy can be a real drag.... (wink wink) Anyhoo--I had to clearly state the mission behind my bike riding was a personal choice--a lifestyle choice--a health choice and had nothing to do with GOING GREEN. This is a common misconception--one that I normally let people just have...but--in this circle--I had to clear up any misunderstanding that my bike adventure was for me to GO GREEN. I love riding my bike. I love the challenge of figuring out how to get places using a mix of bike/bus/trolley. I like it when people say they'd use public transport more if it were more convenient. Have you ever tried? If you try, you'll find, San Diego is very easy to get around using public transport. I admit--I am blessed--I live 2.5 miles from where I work. I live in a neighborhood that is walkable, safe and easy to get around. I don't have any kids that I need to transport in a car seat or to soccer practice...and I am a low maintenance gal. I don't wear make up and my hair pretty much looks the same all the time--under a helmet or out of a helmet--unless it's raining--then--my hair gets curly. Not a bad look though... So--I'm blessed and can do this journey...and I have an 80 year old woman praying for me....Thanksgiving weekend really makes a gal count her blessings:)

Day 48--Staring at people in their cars....

So, it's turkey day. I know I will eat more than I should later today. I woke up and immediately hit the streets for a workout--sans bike---we're having a "break away" today. A "break away" is a term my Aunt Dena and I coined. We use it during our vacations together. The first "break away" was when we went to Prague in 2002. She really wanted to go to the symphony and I really wanted to sit with the bohemians on town square and watch them make up songs and strum on the guitar. So, we decided we'd part ways, each do our own activity, and meet up when we were done. We called it a "break away"...ever since, we've had them. In Croatia, 5 years later, we wanted to hike over to the local farmer's market--while our traveling companions wanted to layout on the beach. What did we do???? We had a "break away". I introduced the "break away" to my cousin AARON recently. He was in town visiting for his birthday. He wanted to go see USS MIDWAY. I wanted to get my nails done. What did we do??? We had a "break away". It's a no drama, little reprieve, from something--or someone--just for a short time. So, today, I'm having a "break away" from my bike. Tomorrow I have a bazillion errands to run--so, Baby Blue and I won't be separated for long. While I was having my "break away" today, I did a 30 minute boot camp using the stairs and picnic bench in the park behind my house. My old trainer LES taught me the best routines that you can do using your own body weight, and any raw materials--anywhere---. Uneven surfaces, steps, picnic benches, parking blocks--all good things for the home made boot camp. After the boot camp, I had some extra time until turkey day festivities, so, I went for a walk. I decided I would pay close attention to what people do when they drive today. One of the biggest problems with riding your bike everywhere is that you always have to be on the defense. If you choose to ride your bike on the road--as I do--all the time--you are in constant war with cars. The biggest problems with cars while on your bike is that--drivers don't pay attention. Mom's are yelling at their kids. Dads are checking out some bodacious babe. Everyone is texting or talking on their phone illegally. New lovers are making out. Old lovers are fighting. Everyone behind the wheel is basically doing anything, except looking at the road in front of them or around them. So...today, I set out, to look into cars. What exactly are people doing while they are driving? My findings were upsurd. I spotted 4 nose pickers, 3 singers--top of lungs singing...one song was "Proud to be an American"--I endorse that one since it is Thanksgiving and all. A couple guys were talking on their phone. 2 cars were talking to each other through the window, while driving... At a stop light, one guy--didn't event stop--he just blazed straight through. The moral of the story....if you're driving--PAY ATTENTION to the road and your surroundings. If you're not driving...make eye contact with as many drivers as you can and ride/walk on the offense. Be aware and prepared that no one behind a wheel is really driving or even paying attention to the road.

Staring into people's cars today was a great reminder for me. I enjoyed my 1 day break away from Baby Blue....and am looking forward to our reunion tomorrow. Absense sure does make the heart grow fonder...

Day 46--So many questions.....

I've had so many conversations with my work peers and friends. These are the same people I've known for years and see every day. For some reason, recently, they have many questions about this bike adventure. I love it. Their questions are super interesting--quite thought provoking and even funny....

For example, my gal pals--the sisters--asked, "If you only ride your bike, and don't have a car, what would you do if you bought a mattress?" My answer: "have it delivered".
Another question: "How will you get all the things you want to sell at our garage sale to our house?" My answer: "Rent a truck" or "cook dinner for a friend and in exchange, i borrow his truck" I love the sisters. Their best and my most favorite question was, "What about COSTCO? How do you get stuff from COSTCO home?" My answer: "I don't go to Costco. I shop at the Farmer's market...". I hope I cured all of their curiosities. Since it's Thanksgiving Week, and I am all about the Gratitude Attitude....I am thankful for the thought provoking questions because it does help a gal think through these things.

My pal at work--Paul--said, "I was thinking about you the other day as I was wondering, how would Mandi do that?" He was referring to an emergency car ride OR having to take guests to and from the airport. Living in San Diego I am always having friends and family visit. The answer to that is simple--they take a cab. I am a great hostess, I'll just transfer my gracious hostessing from airport pick up to cooking their favorite meal, or having a great welcome gift when they get here--right? OR--throughout the visit, since I started this journey--Aunt Dena has come to town. She insisted we bike only. We actually rode our bikes on an awesome ride...so, it all depends on the visitor--but--I'm not afraid--there's solutions for this.

I also learned something great this past week. If you call 511 on your cel phone, SanDag will tell you anything you want to know about commuting and public transportation. Also, you can get a guaranteed FREE RIDE HOME up to 3 times a year if you pay a small fee. When I say small, I believe it's $5.00. So, crisis averted---when I get rid of the car, I am all set for all challenges. I do like to hear the questions though--it gets me thinking about all the possibilities and prepared for the future. Gratitude Attitude.

Day 45---

Today I really appreciated my bike lights. Granted---they need to be tightened up and their sorta dangling on the front and the back--they're still in tact and visible. They're much more visible than those of a fella I almost ran into today while on the ride home from work. It's dark at like 4 pm now--it's literally like December in Ireland--it starts getting dark so early..so, when I leave work at 630 on a Monday night...it's dark. I rode up Island street--in my mind I convinced myself I was being followed by someone that wanted to steal my 14 year old Jansport--which of course forced me into a pedal sprint up that hill. I was literally heaving and hoeing up that blessed hill--made it to B street finally--when an object came riding at me. It was a fellow biker on the wrong side of the street without a helmet or lights. If I had more notice I definitely would have given him a finger wag---but--no time as I swerved out of the way. I did manage to slip in a "Wrong Side of the Road--DUDE"....it was such a burn. In other news---I got an email back from Dominic at Bike Station Long Beach. He told me to email me some questions and then we'll chat live when I am up there on 12/1 in between appointments. Very excited. I also emailed my employer the fringe benefits section of the IRS Commuter page. Apparently I can claim $230 less per month if I use my bike as my only mode of transport. There are other fringe benefits. I am hoping my employer takes this as seriously as I do. Not only could it be positive tax implications for me for 2010, but, it saves them loads of money on Payroll taxes. The amount of people that ride their bikes to my work need to be aware of this and we need to join together to be sure our employer takes it seriously and takes action on it. Both my management company and parent company cultures are all about Saving the Planet, Health and Work-Life Balance--it shouldn't be that hard to convince them to read the IRS doc and advise all of us what our options are. Just for good measure, I sent an email to the fella at the IRS and at icommutesd.com just to be sure I really understand. More to follow....

Day 44--

I had a bike "date" a couple weeks ago. It was a set up/blind date. He's a friend of a friend and saw my blog. He's been wanting to ride his bike to work more so he suggested we ride our bikes in to work together in the morning before work. Pretty cool idea--and what a good sport. I warned him that I would be wearing athletic gear on the top (sports bra and t-shirt) and work gear on the bottom (dress pants or jeans). He predicted I'd look like a mullet. Party on the top--work on the bottom. He was right. We met at 7 AM on our bikes. He wore his work attire too--dress pants, dress shirt--you know--he looked like a morman cruising around town in dress clothes trying to convert people while on his bike sans The Book of Morman. We had coffee, chatted a bit then rode into work. It was a nice ride. I had to mellow out my kamikaze bike riding style a bit--you know--stop at all the stop signs--not rush through the red lights--and wag my finger at unaware drivers....for fear I'd appear like a crazy bike bandit. He did point out a very cool piece of art that is being erected on a new apartment building downtown on Island Street. It's done by a local artist and it's a big brown tree on the corner of the building. It's the prettiest brown tree I've ever seen...Every time I ride past it, one more block of the tree trunks are put up. I am excited for the finished product. He was a real looker, really smart/nice....He did ask me if I wanted to go hiking sometime at the end of the "date" but...we haven't heard from him yet. We'll chalk it up to a good bike/date story for the blog...

In other news.....I need to do some sales calls in Long Beach/LA on December 1st. I am going to visit the very first BIKE STATION which is location in LONG BEACH. Can you believe it's 3 minutes from my lunch appt. with my client? My colleague is driving and doesn't know about our Bike Station mission yet--but--I'll brief her on the ride up. Also---as far as we know right now--the biggest obstacles to getting a Bike Station in San Diego are funding and location.

If someone wanted to do this privately--any store front down town will work. Unfortunately for the former vendors and fortunately for Bike Station--there are many vacant store fronts in down town SD right now. If not private--and if looking for funding---apparently there is a renovation planned for Horton Plaza area, and a new development in motion where Sante Fe Depot is. If I had it my way, it would be over near the Hilton Bay front--I think they have open spaces there. When I go see the gang at Bike Station in Long Beach, I am going to ask him questions about funding, operating costs, etc. I am curious to see how they do it up there. Is it all privately funded? Do they get any rebates, abatement's, grants, help from local gov? Who goes there? What's the biggest challenge they face? Is membership really only $20.00 a year? It seems like a steal. In downtown San Diego, monthly parking is $65.00 per month for limited 6 - 6 p parking, and $180.00 per month for 24 hour access. All you get is a parking spot--you don't get a locker, or refresh station or bike repair, etc.... I want to see how they price it out and what they get with it. I am also curious about the square footage they have and the hours they actually staff it.... More to follow----on the Bike Station Mission...stay tuned!