Bike to work day!

What a great bike to work day, weather could not have been better. I loved seeing all the cyclists out and so much appreciated all the people volunteering at the bike to work stations! I'm so grateful to live in this wonderful state! 

BTWD 2016

Happy Bike to Work Day my fellow Commuters!!!!!!  :)

Hopefully you were able to stop by and enjoy some of the great breakfast stations this morning...I know I did!!

If you're like me, then you were probably elated to see sooooo many cyclists out and about today.  It was great!  The 36 bike path was definitely hopping this morning.  Now if we could only get those folks out there EVERY DAY to ride with us, just think of how much happier (and healthier) our country would be!

Finding new routes the Orwick way

I've truly been blessed when it comes to discovering new routes because 9 times out of 10, someone I know has already ridden the areas that I'm interested in and knows the best/safest/most fun routes.  I never realized how much I relied on the knowledge of others until I relocated for my job.  I knew that the majority of the roads around my work have bike lanes, but I wasn't really sure what roads were "cyclist friendly", what would make for a nice lunch loop or just where the heck some of the roads went.  So I'll share with you the process I used for finding new routes.

Step 1:  Look at a map. Go ahead and laugh...I'll wait.  I know, you think this would be a no-brainer, but do you realize how many people just start a ride and aimlessly wander about until they see something they recognize?  Let's just say, I'm marrying one of them, so I know they exist!  :-)  I checked out Google Maps as my first step in figuring out what's around me and where to avoid (Flatirons Mall, heavy traffic roads).

Step 2:  Strava stalking.  Ok, perhaps my goal for finding a new route was mildly geared at finding new climbs, but regardless, using the Strava Segment Explorer was super helpful in determining where some climbs were, what other cyclists thought of the route (i.e. Narrow Shoulder Sprint) and also getting some route ideas from already established segments.

Step 3:  Go for a drive!  This is something I used to do back in PA when trying to find new routes.  I would map them out, then jump in the car and drive them.  Of course, this may not work for everyone, nor may it be the best use of time if you just want to go for a quick ride, but it helps me to have a visual of the roads, intersections where I'll need to turn, and also helps to solidify which roads I definitely want to avoid in high traffic times (those without a shoulder where cars are doing 65mph).

Step 4:  Make a cue sheet.  Of course, the cue sheet is like a grocery list, it only works if you take it with you....which I forgot yesterday! 

Step 5:  Put the rubber side down and go riding!  

The best part about exploring new routes is just that.....exploring!!  I was trying to find a nice little 40min lunch time route and ended up doing some loops that I later decided didn't really fit with my plan, so I keep riding around until I found one that did!  While my riding map may look like I was drunk or lost, I was in fact completely sober and knew where I was (...well....most of the time). 

Friends + new bikes = new riding partners!

Recently, two friends from the east coast moved to Denver (trust me, we told them that they're now contributing to this crazy traffic problem....along with the other 95% of us transplants!).  While on a hike one day, they mentioned wanting to get into mountain biking.  Before long, they were sending pics and ads of bikes they found.  Luckily, my fiance knows WAY more about bikes than I do, so he was able to guide them into purchasing two sweet rides!!!  

Memorial Day came and they were so excited to take their new toys out!  After a quick tune-up in the garage and a not-so-crash-filled course on clipless pedals, a group of us, including fellow Ambassador Carrie, went out for a spin.  We were hardly out of the parking area before both newbies were smiling ear to ear!!  It was great!!!  After a short little ride, some pointers on body position, shifting, riding in traffic, and signaling, we all chatted and are now making plans to introduce our new riding partners to the local trails!  My friend commented on how extremely nice everyone in CO is and how generous the group was to give her tips and offer to take her out riding!  I told her that it's not just us Bike Ambassadors who are helpful and cool chicks, but that we're just a small portion of a much larger cult....I mean....community that is super excited to get more women on bikes!!  

More to come as Carrie and I continue to fan the flames of this newly sparked love of bikes with our new friend Janna!!