It's Finally Fall!

I had two goals for Sunday - a bike ride and thrifting.  So, in order to be as efficient as possible, I rode my bike to the thrift store.  I'd been wanting to check out a particular ARC which has been getting raves and it's about 15 miles, one way. Perfect!  The trees are finally starting to turn here in Denver and the entire route was through gorgeous, tree-lined streets.

City Park trees are lagging behind a bit.  Hopefully in a couple more days it will be "on fire".

Wash Park West

I saw several B-cycles.

Leaving Wash Park

Denver Country Club neighborhood.

Outside my office. 

Outside the Museum.

Lovely carpet!

Whew! Long day!

Just got home from a great day of talking up the Bike Depot, browsing bike stuff and buying a few things at VeloSwap.  It's one of those events where you really need to go with a purpose because there's just so much stuff.  Browsing can be mind-numbing.  I only walked through twice (takes a good hour to get all the way around) and was talking up the Depot and handing out donation cards so I didn't shop much, but that was fine.  I simply didn't have my $h17 together to do anything serious.  I spent the rest of the day selling Depot loot and gathering interest in our programs and services.

A few random pics....

Bike Depot Board Members and Volunteers talking up the merchandise.

The crowds!!

A stunning Rene Herse and a Boulder Bicycle.

Those Denver Cruisers, along with the folks at Kickstand magazine, know how to chill with style.

Arts n' Crafts...heh.

This guy is always present.  He sells sales samples of Merril and Chaco shoes for ridiculously cheap prices - $15 - $25.  If you're lucky enough to wear one of the limited sizes he has, you can score!

There's lots I didn't capture - The super high end mountain bikes were everywhere, as were road bikes, time trial bikes, cyclocross and on and on.  VeloSwap is a great place to get a slammin' deal on any ride - be it 50 years old or one year old.  Not to mention parts.  Parts, parts and more parts.

Another successful year and once I get my voice back and my feet stop throbbing I'll be ready for next year.

Tomorrow's the Day - VeloSwap!

Come on out to the National Western Complex (aka Stock Show Building) and get your bike on.  If you've never been, it's a bike lovers dreamland.  The largest bike swap meet in the country!  Regardless of what kind of rider you are, you will find literally everything you could possibly imagine and often times, you can bargain your way to the perfect price.  Bike Denver will be providing valet bike parking and I'm told shuttles will run around the vehicle parking areas to help you tote your loot.

If you're biking to the event, check out the recommended directions on the VeloSwap site.  If you've ever biked to the Stock Show, Denver Colosseum or Forney Museum you know it can be a bit tedious but definitely do-able.

Make sure you take some time to check out the various cycling non-profits booths: The Bike Depot, Derailleur Collective, Recycle Bikes, Bike Denver, Cycle Colorado, Denver Cruisers and more!

$8 at the door

$6 in advance at REI, Performance Bike or on-line

2010 Schedule of Events
Event hours 9am – 4pm, Saturday October 23, 2010
8am Bike Denver’s Outdoor Bicycle Check Opens
9am VeloSwap Opens
All Day Drop your ticket stub for the raffle at the Kickstand booth #35
10am Boulder Center for Sports Medicine Computrainer competition #116
10:30am-4:30pm Subaru Free Shuttles back to your car with all your new stuff
11am Boulder Center for Sports Medicine Computrainer competition #116
11:30am Yellow Design Stunt Team Performance
noon Boulder Center for Sports Medicine Computrainer competition #116
1:00pm Yellow Design Stunt Team Performance
1:00pm Boulder Center for Sports Medicine Computrainer competition #116
2:00pm Boulder Center for Sports Medicine Computrainer competition #116
2:30pm Yellow Design Stunt Team Performance
4pm Doors Close

A Few of my Favorite Things

Two weeks ago we were winding up the auction which effectively got rid of all remnants of my childhood that we'd not packed up and moved to Colorado with my mother's things.  I did happen on a few very special gems on this final trip though.  Nothing of any monetary value but heavy on memories.

The Coleslaw Bowl

My grandmother always served slaw in this bowl, as did my mother.

Great Grandmother's mixing bowls.  I don't have any memory of these being used but my mother does.  We found them buried deep in the back of a storage closet in the utility room.  I'm sure they are leaching lead all over that salad but they're so beautiful!

A set of Pyrex mixing bowls which were a wedding present to my parents in 1961.  They've never been used and in fact, they were still in the box they came in with the gift ribbon still attached!

I'm a little embarrassed with this lamp.  I bought it at my mother's sale.  heh.  A neighbor put some things of her mother's in the sale and this amazing 1930's lamp of her grandparent's was among the loot.  I couldn't resist and for $10, why not!  It's colored glass with a piece of copper trim around the bottom and bakelite plug and bulb housing.  It looks perfect in my living room!

Sunday's Orange Ride

You don't have to be a Broncos fan or even a football fan to appreciate this great event in Denver on Sunday!   Kudos to the Broncos and three cheers for Bike Denver and the Denver Cruisers!)

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(From http://www.bikedenver.org/news/orangeride/)

The first ever ORANGE RIDE will be on October 17, 2010 for Broncos Orange Sunday versus the New York Jets at 2:05 p.m. Denver celebrities will lead bicycle rides departing at 11 a.m. from four different locations throughout the City and converge at Invesco Field’s Broncos Barn, located outside the south side of the stadium. Please read the ORANGE RIDE poster for departure locations and times.

The Promotion and YOUR benefits: Orange Ride participants will gain free admission to the Broncos Barn ($8 value), where there will be food, drink, giveaways, and a chance to win Broncos prizes, including tickets to that day’s game. Plus, you’ll be able to kick back and watch the game (and earlier games) on their massive screen. Beers ($2 and Tacos $2) until Noon. Then the price goes up to $3, still a bargain! The event is designed to encourage fans and the bicycling community to ride their bikes to Invesco Field and enjoy a free pre-game celebration and another great experience at Invesco.

BikeDenver will operate the bike parking corrral next to the Broncos Barn. The bike corral will provide an enclosed area right by the stadium to park your bike. Please bring your bike lock! We’re looking for 60 volunteers to help out in three shifts of 20 (10am-1pm, 1pm-4pm, 4pm-7pm). No experience necessary. Volunteers get a free beverage at the Broncos Barn, a Denver Broncos t-shirt, and the opportunity to participate in one of the largest single-day bike parking corral events in Denver!

Guided bicycle rides to the event will be organized and led by the Denver Cruisers. Bicyclists who participate in these rides are encouraged to wear orange for the day and will be given Orange Sunday Game Day towels.

Most of the ORANGE RIDE locations are close to B-cycle stations. People who want to join the ride are encouraged to B-cycle for the event. Denver B-cycle will waive all usage fees for B-cycle users who ride the ORANGE RIDE.

Broncos and Sustainability : ORANGE RIDE is another example of the Denver Broncos leadership in promoting sustainable practices at Invesco Field. The team has one of the more forward-thinking recycling and energy-saving programs of any team in the National Football League.

For more details about Orange Ride or Orange Sunday, visit ‘http://www.denverbroncos.com/fans/orange-ride.html’

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In other news....I'm exhausted, thus my lack of posting.  Between the finale of my  mother's big move and being in the midst of my annual "busy time."  I'm barely keeping my head above water.  But I am biking a lot and spending a good deal of very quality time cuddling with my kids.  It keeps me sane and centered.  That and wine.  Wine really helps too.

Reflections on Bike Commuting from a Five Year Old

On our ride to school today B2 shared some deep thoughts on bike commuting and the general nature of bikes:

"When you ride your bike instead of driving, it's like giving the earth a massage.  It really makes it happy."

"When you skid to a stop it's like a bike fart."