Ike is Back

Ike the Bike is back and he's beautiful.

Car Vacation

While my cousin Ben is away for Thanksgiving I am watching his cats and in exchange he is lending me his car. As you know I've been back and forth about getting some kind of motorized vehicle versus living my life with my two feet and Ike the Bike.

What I've realized this week is that borrowing a car every now and then is like having a Car Vacation. I get to go far and wide to visit my friends, run errands, and get up to the hills for hiking. However, I live my daily life just fine without a car. Finding parking, paying for gas and the stress of traffic, plus the lack of exercise, are challenges I never have to think about while walking, riding my bike or taking most forms of public transportation.

This realization definitely is coming from my new approach to goal setting. Instead of thinking about all or nothing - the ultimate success and having it now - I'm having my clients, students and even myself think about shades of reaching your goal. We all know there is the "ultimate" and then we know that there is the realistic - which can be a good stretch. I'm finding that as I use this approach in my work and life, big hairbally goals that seem overwhelming can be broken down into smaller, achievable, exciting goals.

All About Alameda

Today was Customer Appreciation Day along Alameda's Park Street. I was feeling the love on Park Avenue, the next street over and the one on which I lived up until six weeks ago. The day started with Yoga with Nancy at Alameda Yoga Station. She brought in a harmonium and we started and ended the class with chanting. I want to do more chanting - it clears your mind and creates a lasting vibration in your heart. My sister Marlene and brother-in-law Mandeep had two harmonium players at their US wedding and I will never forget the sound.

The day continued with a birthday party with my former housemates. Little Asher, has turned three. There were about 15 kids under the age of 8 running around and having fun. I so enjoyed picking apples with them and creating chalk art on the driveway. One mom said to me, "are any of these kids yours?" I told her no and she said that she could tell because I was having fun.

Next I partied with Theron and Elizabeth about 12 houses up the street from my old house. Theron and I use to work together and we both have similar Ike the Bikes. Today we celebrated Theron and Elizabeth's wedding which took place a month ago high up in the mountains of Colorado. The wedding was reenacted and we were in hysterics as they gave us the abridged version thanks to the picnic hostess Cynthia Winton-Henry, co-founder of Interplay. I caught up with friends and colleagues.

From there I biked back to Oakland in the warm, sunny, humid weather we are having this weekend. How lovely to have an extended summer.

Ike's Yoga Debut

Check out me and Ike the Bike on Nancy's Yoga in the Middle Blog.

Secret Wheels

I'll let you in on a secret - I'm driving a car and loving it. My former housemate Julie has lent me her VW Jetta for 10 days while she is back in CT. This car is so grounded, strong and wonderful (sounds like we're dating). The good news is I've been able to balance Ike the Bike riding with driving and public transit.

Biking for Leisure

Yesterday I took a morning and an evening bike ride, with Ike the Bike, along the beach in Alameda. A fantastic way to enjoy summer.

Two Wheels Win

Having had four wheels for a few days I now appreciate the freedom I have with just two. For some reason I was constantly in that car driving all over the Bay Area and running errands. I could feel the tension rising as I attempted to merge into traffic and navigate my way around streets that are so easily ridden on my bicycle.

So, my grand conclusion is that I love riding Ike the Bike. He keeps me happy, healthy, relaxed, and flexible. It is a funny thing to say but I feel like with Ike I have more time to breath. Perhaps it is the BART rides or even the cardio-focus of pumping my own way along the roads. Driving a car is so passive and I was so distanced from life on the street.

Looks like I'll keep using City Car Share when I need it and otherwise take Ike, the bus and BART.

Runover in Threes

Well, the old adage that things happen in threes holds true. This morning, when I got on Ike the Bike, I neglected to tighten the seat after having folded the bike the other day. As I headed out for my ride, down a steep, steep hill, I got up on my feet and put my weight down on the handlebars. Then I sat down to begin my descent and the seat just sank. Flip, flip, flop, skid, wipe out. Now I have my official biking war tattoos.

One: Keys run over
Two: Photos run over
Three: Me run over

Enough of that.

Morning Bike Ride in Alameda

This morning I was up at the crack of dawn because last night I lost my keys and I had to find them. They were in my hands when I locked up my City Car Share vehicle. Then I went to Alameda Bicycle to get my tires filled. From there I cycled home from Fruitvale BART. Arriving back at the house I went to open the storage room door to park Ike the Bike for the evening...no keys! I didn't fret. What's the point. They're only keys.

As soon as I opened my eyes this morning I called Alameda Bicycle to see if they found my keys. Nope. Okay, I pulled myself out of bed, put on my sporty biking clothes (what a nice change from biking in fancy business outfits) and started retracing my route back to Fruitvale BART. I figured the keys could be anywhere along the route or even on the fender of the City Car Share vehicle - hopefully.

Just a few blocks into my ride I stopped to adjust my seat and when I looked down at the ground - there were my keys! What were they doing on this side of the road? If I hadn't stopped I certainly would not have seen them. They were run over by a car and a bit mangled but most of them still work and just one was lost in the accident. Ah yes, another lesson in not fretting and just getting on with the search.

Took advantage of the beautiful morning and did some bike riding along the beach. Alameda is so beautiful. This image got a bit weird because I moved the iPhone mid-shot. But I'm liking the effect.

Two Wheels or Four?

Perhaps I should promote myself as the "consultant on wheels" since I now show up to nearly every client meeting with bike helmet in hand and Ike the Bike at my side. This works in San Francisco. People are totally fine with me parking my bike in their offices. Sure, I sometimes show up a bit less beautiful in the hair department but always have a lovely glow in my cheeks.

I keep flirting with the idea of buying or leasing a car. As an independent consultant I believe I can write off at least a portion of my rental lease. Each time I mention going four-wheels to family and friends they say "don't do it". Interesting, they all have cars. But then they remind me that there are so many hidden costs: payments, insurance, repairs, and gas.

My concern is that I am using City Car Share more often each month and the money I'm putting into that company be paying for a lease and providing me with four wheels 24/7. Then again, I nearly always use City Car Share for business and that in itself is write-off.

Cost-benefit-analysis in process.

Critical Mass

Dining last night in SOMA (South of Market) with Naomi we had the pleasure of witnessing Critical Mass cyclists from our restaurant window. Ike the Bike was locked up outside just hoping and waiting for me to jump on and join the group.

Bike to Work Day

Tomorrow is Bike to Work Day and I am a member of the Fruitvale BART BRATz team. We are competing with other Bay Area teams to accumulate points, based on how many miles we bike, throughout the month of May.

For the big day tomorrow I will be riding to BART, taking Ike the bike into the City, riding to meetings, take Ike back on BART and then ride to a board meeting in Alameda.

Ike's Leash

To ensure that no one snags Ike's seat I've attached this highly unattractive but hugely practical seat leash. Now he can was his tail.

Ike the Bike on the Angel Island Ferry

I took Ike the Bike on an Angel Island hike today with some friends and my cousin Ben. (Say that ten times fast). Angel Island sits in the San Francisco Bay very close to Tiburon on the Marin coast. Our little group met at the Oakland Ferry which we took to San Francisco Pier 41, then switched ferries to take us to Angel Island. We managed to then hook up with some of my parents friends who were visiting from Stamford, Connecticut. The most amazing thing about this day was that I only knew Ben and by the end I had six new friends.

Here's Ike on the ferry. He is just loving the views. Can you see him smiling? When we got to the Island I left him by the ferry so that he could admire the other cyclists as we hiked.

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Commuting by Ike

Today marks the official close of my first week at work. I've been riding Ike the Bike for a portion of my commute. The first three days I parked Ike at the Valet Bike Parking at Fruitvale BART. However, yesterday and today I had dinner dates in the Mission so I took Ike all the way into San Francisco, parked him all folded up under my desk at work and then biked to my dates. How cool is that?

I think I'm getting stronger at biking too. It is so easy to just tootle along since most of the ride is flat. Plus, I'm working my large Gluteus Maximus muscles which are no longer on a holiday. Since I have to carry Ike up the stairs at BART and various other places I think I'm developing some rather good shoulder muscles too.

By the way, my new title is Manager of Consulting Services. Really cool.

Ike the Bike on BART

I figured out how to send photos from my crackberry to the blog! Now you're going to see some good stuff while I'm on the go.

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Fitting Out Ike

Ike the Bike arrived the other day and I gave him an intro tour of San Francisco and Alameda. Here he is all fitted out from the Alameda Bicycle store with his new water bottle and locks. I like Ike.

You can see by this post and the previous one that the houses and businesses here in Alameda are located in old Victorian buildings.

A Half Century in DC

The big DC century bike ride went well yesterday. We started at 7.35am at Roosevelt Island in the center of the Potomac River. Here are the eight of us getting the bikes ready. The big excitement was figuring out how to carry all the fantastic sandwiches we had packed. Mine went into the back pocket of my shirt which made it super warm and delicious at snack time - cheese and avocado never tasted so good.


When we first departed from the parking lot our group began to spread out and I thought that would be the last I'd see of all of them - except my biking buddy Bernie since we had promised to stick together. But to our surprise we stayed in a group for the entire first leg out to Mount Vernon and back to DC - 30 miles. Matt did an amazing job keeping us together and moving at a good pace.


Even though Ike the Bike has smaller tires I was able to stay with the group and at one point was even leading the pack at 16.5 miles per hour! Bernie said that I falsely advertised myself as a slow cyclist. I too was shocked. I think the speed had to do with being in a group and the fact that I've been training on a deceivingly challenging route called the Capital Crescent Trail - plus, knowing that I was only going 30 miles with Bernie while the rest of the group was going for 100.


At mile 30 Bernie, who was being coerced by his buddies, tried to convince me to go another 10 miles with the group. I saw that peer pressure working its magic and said no thanks. I knew it was going to be a hot day and I was conserving energy for our DC tour. Bernie finally agreed and we split from the group. It turned out to be a good choice for us since we had a fantastic day visiting all kinds of DC sites.


First we stopped at Arlington National Cemetery. Parking our bikes at the visitor center we walked in our designer biking duds to the Kennedy Memorial and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with about 300 eighth graders.

We then visited the Korean War, Vietnam Veterans and World War II memorials. Our timing was perfect for the Vietnam Veterans memorial ranger talk and we ended up having a 40 minute private tour of the wall.


Next we tootled on our bikes along the Mall. Stopped out Teaism for lunch, stopped at The White House to call my good friend and Bernie's daughter Karen, and then made our way to the Kennedy Center and my new favorite view from the terrace level.

We were feeling strong, although hot and grubby so instead of picking up Matt's car at Roosevelt Island we decided to ride to his place and get to 50 miles on our trek record. This last 7 miles was along the Capital Crescent Trail and as I mentioned that deceivingly hard trail was very challenging. It kicked our butts. Plus, we decided to go an extra mile past Matt & Rachel's turn-off so that we could get exactly to 50 miles. Oy.


A few hours later Marlene generously acted as chauffeur and picked up the remaining riders from the 100 mile point. What a scene! Matt was delirious but still had to keep his wits while he rounded up the other riders. It was like wrangling drunken cats. At one point Matt was running along the C&O Canal tow path in his biking shoes yelling - stop here! Stop! He grabbed dad's bike and heroically peddled to catch a passing rider.

We were all so tired - I had done 50 and was brain dead and these guys were coming off of a 12 hour ride having done 100. Matt was amazing.


Marlene then hosted us all at her house with a fantastic dinner prepared by the WAGS (wives and girlfriends). We topped it off with cake for Bernie's birthday. At this point I Matt and I just wanted to sleep - and we were two of the youngest folks there. The "oldies" who had done 100 miles were chatting up a storm.

Building a Better Box

I have consolidated most of my "stuff" into two boxes to ship to Washington next week.

Poor Ike the Bike, even though he folds he doesn't fit into the box they moving company provided. Solution? They told me to build a box that fits. Ah yes, they've asked me to get creative. I've built quite a box. Ike is quite buffered with clothes. I have a feeling it will be like a tossed salad when it arrives in DC.

It may be difficult to tell but I built the box on the left. The one on the right is factory produced.

The Wonders of Sunday

It may be a bit early for Spring in London but this morning I woke up to the sound of birds chirping. What glorious music they were making. No rain today so I took out Ike the Bike and went for a ride around Hyde Park. The weather is a bit drizzly but also warm - I'd say in the mid-50s.

While on my ride I passed this port-a-potty situated outside a housing unit that is under renovation. Could you imagine having to use it? How do you get in or out and more importantly - how do you clean it?

Later in the day Stephen and I went to The Wallace Collection which is a mansion in Central London that houses a formerly-private collection of French 18th century painting, furniture and armour. The setting is amazing - each room is ornately decorated and the central courtyard houses a lovely restaurant.

On our way to our next stop - Selfridges - we passed this pink car. Super cute, super small. That wasn't the end of our amazing sites as Selfridges now has an area called the Wonder Room. I of course didn't understand that they meant jewelry so I asked one of the guys selling Rolex's where we could find the Wonder Room and he said, "Darling, this is the Wonder Room. You have arrived." One of the wonders was a 58,000 GBP mobile phone covered in diamonds. I wonder who can afford that?
The make-up expert at the Selfridges' Clinique counter made up my face as you can see in this photo. The best part was that although it didn't say Clinique bonus time they gave me two, yes two free bonus bags. One is a giant silver bag that is so over the top that I now need to get my hair done big to match.