Cycling for Libraries: Copenhagen-Berlin, 1st Cycling Unconference for Librarians

Cycling for Libraries: Copenhagen-Berlin, 1st Cycling Unconference for Librarians May-June, 2011

 I think that I was switched at birth with a Danish baby. Throughout my life my values have been more in-line with Northern Europe than my beloved United States: exercise, eating small portions of quality food, simplicity in clothing and makeup, riding bicycles/motorcycles instead of cars, and minimal living in small spaces.

 When I heard about the Cycling for Libraries Unconference taking place this summer, I literally felt my heart reach out of my chest. I wanted to attend so very much. But fiscal reality kept me from flying to Europe with bike in tow.

   I would love to be involved with the European unconference in the future or help to organize something similar in the United States. For a long time I have fantasized about organizing a bike ride to raise awareness about health and sustainability issues as they relate to librarians and libraries. The bike ride would begin in Chicago (at the ALA offices) and end at the American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference.  

Family and Motorcycles

Motorcycles and family. Many considerations.

My family back in Kansas doesn't know I have a motorcycle. Three years ago I had a motorcycle accident that left me with 20+ broken bones and four months in recovery. My mother and five siblings would rather not know that I purchased a 2009 BMW F650GS one month ago.

And now... my partner and two young adult children have just obtained their motorcycle endorsements and I'm not sure I like it.Emma, Ian, and John all succesfully completed the Motorcycle Safety course at Caldwell Community College and obtained motorcycle endorsements on their NC licenses.

And truthfully, I am nervous about my loved ones riding. But to forbid them to ride would mean an end to my riding as well. And chances are, they would ride anyway.

So here is to family togetherness, allowing loved ones to make their own decisions, and offering my beautiful BMW650GS as a sacrifical lamb to the beginning riders in my family.

RUSA, Bicycle for Life, 300K 7/2/2011

Yesterday John and I attempted our first 300K after successfully finishing three 200K events. The ride was sponsored by Tony Goodnight/ Bicycle for Life. About 40 riders, riding 200K, 300K, 400K, and 600K. The ride started at midnight, our first taste of night riding. It was fun riding in the dark with only self-provided light. Except for the barking dogs, lots of barking dogs.

Sad to say, we were DNF. My bike chain broke at about mile 86, right before the first control. Tony and his super repair-powers fixed the chain and derailleur but it put us more than an hour behind. And frankly, I am silly slow to begin with. Later, we missed a turn, due to missing street sign and following what we thought was a detour. We missed the second control and decided to stop.

Our lovely children, Ian and Emma came to our rescue while we relaxed at the local Dairy Queen. 125 miles = 5,000 calories.

After this attempt, I had a few realizations. I either need to get faster or John needs to ride at his own, faster pace. I also need to ride a different bike, the Surly LHT with Schwalbe marathon Supreme tires makes slow me even slower. Switching to my rejuvenated 1985 Bridgstone T-700 touring bike.