Pictures from a Bike

A library is the oldest form of recycling/reusing and the best example of sharing I can possibly think of. It’s genius–you walk in find, find books on topics you’re interested in, then take them home completely free with a promise to return them in a few weeks. Well what if it were a bike library, where you checked out wheels instead of paperbacks?

Fort Collins, Colorado, has done just that. With the simple filling out of a form (and a credit card number, since the bikes are rather more costly than a book), you can ride away on a nice bike to enjoy a little bicycle ride, or maybe even consider whether you’d like to purchase your own. Not sure where to go? They can give you maps for a little historical ride or brewery tour.

What’s genius about this program is that it even allows tourists to check out bikes, encouraging them to get out of their polluting cars while exploring the town.

Sometimes I think that if it were up to us, libraries wouldn’t be invented today. While we’re happy to share information online, we’re rather protective of our physical possessions. I’m so glad to see that Fort Collins still has the sharing gene.

I didn’t post this secret on postsecret.com, but if gas prices and global warming aren’t inspiration enough, maybe a nice rump is.

My hubby and I like to camp and always enjoying bringing our extra wheels with us to roll around town. Naturally we enjoy spying on other folks’ rigs at area campgrounds to see what clever setups they’ve figured out. I spotted this fun set of classic wheels–an old VW Bug with two Cruisers on top–at the beach-front camp ground in Seacliff Beach. Can you say ready for a good time? I think so!

I spotted this great sticker on a bike parked outside my office: “My other car is a pair of boots.” Indeed, there’s nothing like good old fashioned walking!

P.S. This photo was taken with my 2 mega pixel iPhone camera. Still no good digital camera for y’all.

My folks are spending a year on the road, toting their toys along with them, including bikes, boats and even three dogs. For several weeks, they’ve been camped lake side in Canyon Lake, Texas, where they’ve just closed on a house they’ll return to when their road trip is complete. But when a truck that hauls your trailer is your main source of transportation, it’s expensive and inefficient to drive it around town to pick up your groceries or put your kayaks in the water. Well, my dad solved this little dilemma with a little bike trailer and a dash of creativity–that’s my dad to a T (I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a little duck tape involved, too).

In light of still being sans camera, please feel free to keep sending your submissions (photos, stories, ideas) my way! Rideon-at-picturesfromabike.com.

My step-mom Laura contributes this poem that fits both the newbies and experienced riders, or anyone looking for a little inspiration enduring the curves in our life paths:

Let the fire of my body
propel and warm me
and let each darkness
reveal its plenitude.

Let there be flatland, too,
and into that glittering place
let me stretch with the heart of a lover,
at full speed, blind and intent.

~ Barbara Hendryson

This was submitted by my friend Will over at Facebook. The trick is to keep your balance while riding on eight slim inches of cobblestone (God help you if you sneeze!). Think they’ll help you fish your bike out of the canal if you fall in? =)

You may have noticed my lack of posts in the last week or two. No, my love of the bike hasn’t faded, or my legs broken, it’s just that my camera is, well, dead. Unfortunately, water and cameras don’t mix. So while I try to determine what camera to buy next (I figured I might as well reassess and shop around to make lemonade out of lemons) I’ll try to keep you inspired with more Reasons to Ride and gear reviews. Happy summer!

One of the (many) things I enjoy about my daily rides is watching the changes and development of homes along the way. I rapidly notice new paint jobs, houses freshly up for sale and landscaping.

I spotted this cute home facade, complete with brightly colored flowers, just asking to be admired. Instead of putting flowers in the ground, the owners of this home took the idea of window boxes to a whole new level with this clever display(it appears on both sides of the centered front door). I appreciate how the flowers complement the exterior paint on the house and just make you like this home without even knowing the owners. I imagine only a fun and clever person would create such a display of art on their home. Wouldn’t you like to be their friend?

People often imagine that using a bike to get around town is impractical and requires special gear, like spandex, riding shoes and the like. But I was delighted to see a local leaving downtown with her basket full of gems from the local Farmers’ Market this week. Notice that she appears to be on her way home from work, donning khakis and cute leather flats. By making an effort to attend the Market via bike she not only alleviates the usual parking issues, but further supports the idea of sustainable food by eliminating unnecessary fuel use. Westi says: You go girl!