I am so, so tired... oh, how the night-bleeding-into-morning look clashes with my drive.
Two weeks from now is the 10th Annual Los Angeles River Ride, and as stated numerous times already, I will be riding my bicycle 70 miles. No sweat. That said, I haven't been really keeping up with good nutrition, hydration, and sleeping habits. Working and playing hard should be no excuse, but even with it being completely lame it is still a reason.
Up until about two weeks ago I was the average Jill's model of fitness and nutrition, if not sleep (trust me, if I could program my brain to let me sleep past 7:00 am after being up until 5:00 am, I would - and I'd likely look to profit off of the idea). What can I say; life got the better of me. It happens sometimes. Now that I've noticed the detour, it's time to get back on track. Get in the saddle. Set aside the time. Eat well despite any stress. Don't work through meals. Go grocery shopping. Drink water; get electrolytes. Adhere to a schedule and make it work... because the last thing I need two weeks from now is to have a embarrassing spill en route to the city of Long Beach before I hit the water station.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
"Well, at least there's no backseat."
This video was brought to my attention from one Miss Jessica Lewis from TransFormCA, an advocacy group based in the Bay Area that works in support of "world-class public transportation and walkable communities". An advertisement for their annual Car-Free Challenge - which is to take place this year from June 1 to June 7 - I found this to be super cute... probably because it features a bicycle.
Check it out:
And click here to learn more about Car-Free Challenge 2010.
Check it out:
And click here to learn more about Car-Free Challenge 2010.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Valley Metro Service vs. Over the Hill (or Slave to Oil)
As mentioned previously, Thursday and Friday last week involved my heading over the hill to the Century City then Beverly Hills region of Los Angeles for some film press coverage (said coverage that has so far taken me three hours to transcribe fifteen minutes of Q & A, but I digress). What I discovered is that as long as I have music, a book, paper, and a pen, I am fine with taking time to get where I need to go, even if it takes much longer than use of a vehicle. However, I had it kind of hammered into me as to why some people in the Valley choose to have a car over taking a part in public transit. While over-the-hill may have a lot more surface street traffic at odd times of the day than the Valley, there is one thing that it does have that the Valley would find far more valuable: more transit, more often.
Getting where I needed to go took just under two hours, with traffic. Getting home, however, took two and a half hours, without traffic. The buses over the hill came so often that there was no need for a timetable. Back in the Valley though, the longest wait involved the 165 heading west from Vanowen and Van Nuys. I must have waited about thirty minutes, because I got through a good portion of Coraline on my iPod nano. Not only was that ridiculous, but... well, I'm just going to leave it at ridiculous. Because ridiculous it was.
In talking with my friends yesterday (and riling up my feelings about it all), I am still lacking understanding in how the Valley is left with such poor service when we have as many people if not more as over the hill? Especially when you consider the amount of residential space and that perhaps it would be nice to get home under an hour at 10:00 pm, or even make it twenty blocks without having to wait a full thirty minutes for the metal contraption that will take you there. What about the West Valley? The Orange Line ends at Canoga station, just before the Westfield Topanga Mall - a mall that conveniently caters to just cars. There is no pedestrian pathway to the mall. In order to walk to any of the stores, no matter where you enter, you must walk through a parking lot. How's that for safe? In addition, there is no bike lane and no bus that won't take less than 20 minutes of your time to wait for it to arrive. So even trying to get there in a greener sense will probably make your temper burn a slight red.
I realize that I'm going off on a rant and ramble here but the issue runs mighty deep. In another example, I used to go to Los Angeles Pierce College and every night that I got out of class at 9:45pm, I had to wait an hour for the next (and last) bus of the night. It was the only option, considering the bus that ran parallel to the street I actually lived on would have stopped service about an hour and a half prior. Spring nights weren't so bad, since they meant breezy rides on my bicycle. But the winter nights were plenty irksome and uncomfortable at times, waiting in the cold.
I'm just saying, if people with cars work weird shifts or go to night school or need to make a late night run to a CVS or whatever the case may be, isn't it at all possible that people without a car might need to do so as well? "That's the way things are" doesn't cut it any more, neither does "Well if you don't like it, get a car." Forget that nonsense. Any bustling city's inhabitants should be able to span its distance with little problem or fuss. It should be a given. I hate pulling this card, but what else are our taxes going to that is making this a relative impossibility? What will it take for the car to be an option, and not something you'd be lost without?
Getting where I needed to go took just under two hours, with traffic. Getting home, however, took two and a half hours, without traffic. The buses over the hill came so often that there was no need for a timetable. Back in the Valley though, the longest wait involved the 165 heading west from Vanowen and Van Nuys. I must have waited about thirty minutes, because I got through a good portion of Coraline on my iPod nano. Not only was that ridiculous, but... well, I'm just going to leave it at ridiculous. Because ridiculous it was.
In talking with my friends yesterday (and riling up my feelings about it all), I am still lacking understanding in how the Valley is left with such poor service when we have as many people if not more as over the hill? Especially when you consider the amount of residential space and that perhaps it would be nice to get home under an hour at 10:00 pm, or even make it twenty blocks without having to wait a full thirty minutes for the metal contraption that will take you there. What about the West Valley? The Orange Line ends at Canoga station, just before the Westfield Topanga Mall - a mall that conveniently caters to just cars. There is no pedestrian pathway to the mall. In order to walk to any of the stores, no matter where you enter, you must walk through a parking lot. How's that for safe? In addition, there is no bike lane and no bus that won't take less than 20 minutes of your time to wait for it to arrive. So even trying to get there in a greener sense will probably make your temper burn a slight red.
I realize that I'm going off on a rant and ramble here but the issue runs mighty deep. In another example, I used to go to Los Angeles Pierce College and every night that I got out of class at 9:45pm, I had to wait an hour for the next (and last) bus of the night. It was the only option, considering the bus that ran parallel to the street I actually lived on would have stopped service about an hour and a half prior. Spring nights weren't so bad, since they meant breezy rides on my bicycle. But the winter nights were plenty irksome and uncomfortable at times, waiting in the cold.
I'm just saying, if people with cars work weird shifts or go to night school or need to make a late night run to a CVS or whatever the case may be, isn't it at all possible that people without a car might need to do so as well? "That's the way things are" doesn't cut it any more, neither does "Well if you don't like it, get a car." Forget that nonsense. Any bustling city's inhabitants should be able to span its distance with little problem or fuss. It should be a given. I hate pulling this card, but what else are our taxes going to that is making this a relative impossibility? What will it take for the car to be an option, and not something you'd be lost without?
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Quick and Random
I just came back from a Trader Joe's run on my bicycle, as I do every week. And as I do every week, I mention to the cashier/grocery-bagger that I ride my bicycle, so they can fill my backpack and canvas bag because I won't be needing the paper bags. And as what usually happens every week, I get into a nice conversation - usually asking if I'm from New York or Chicago.
"Nope, I've lived in the Valley my whole life."
"Really? I'm just amazed; you don't worry about toppling or feeling weird side-to-side on your bike with the groceries?"
"Nope, I do it every week (also with the hope that I'll finally win a $25 TJs gift card, but I digress)."
There's a weird sense of pride that people think I grew up elsewhere because I ride my bicycle instead of own a car at the moment. But also it made me think, well, why can't Los Angeles be known for bicycles as transportation as much as Chicago or New York? Why are we so behind? Everything has its purpose, and as I've mentioned before, I'm not against cars or eventually getting one (maybe). But as far as the day-to-day goes, I'm making do without one for now (and appreciate those who offer rides when options are limited). I don't pat myself on the back every day I do. I just ... go on as usual.
The person doing the talking was very cute, very nice. I assume they were being just that - why I always hold this fantasy that I'll pick up the love of my life at a grocery store, I don't know. Anyway, after name-dropping Midnight Ridazz for group rides, we talked about the pedestrian/bicycle path that runs alongside the Orange Line bus way. I was then recommended a movie I am ashamed I haven't heard of - Fuel, a film whose DVD apparently comes out on June 22. I'll be checking it out. Has anyone else heard of/seen it?
On my way to unlock my bicycle, I heard a customer behind me say "I can't believe it; She's... wow. I don't know if I'd be able to do that" - namely, ride a bicycle nearly everywhere. That made me feel really good. And that's all I have to say about that.
"Nope, I've lived in the Valley my whole life."
"Really? I'm just amazed; you don't worry about toppling or feeling weird side-to-side on your bike with the groceries?"
"Nope, I do it every week (also with the hope that I'll finally win a $25 TJs gift card, but I digress)."
There's a weird sense of pride that people think I grew up elsewhere because I ride my bicycle instead of own a car at the moment. But also it made me think, well, why can't Los Angeles be known for bicycles as transportation as much as Chicago or New York? Why are we so behind? Everything has its purpose, and as I've mentioned before, I'm not against cars or eventually getting one (maybe). But as far as the day-to-day goes, I'm making do without one for now (and appreciate those who offer rides when options are limited). I don't pat myself on the back every day I do. I just ... go on as usual.
The person doing the talking was very cute, very nice. I assume they were being just that - why I always hold this fantasy that I'll pick up the love of my life at a grocery store, I don't know. Anyway, after name-dropping Midnight Ridazz for group rides, we talked about the pedestrian/bicycle path that runs alongside the Orange Line bus way. I was then recommended a movie I am ashamed I haven't heard of - Fuel, a film whose DVD apparently comes out on June 22. I'll be checking it out. Has anyone else heard of/seen it?
On my way to unlock my bicycle, I heard a customer behind me say "I can't believe it; She's... wow. I don't know if I'd be able to do that" - namely, ride a bicycle nearly everywhere. That made me feel really good. And that's all I have to say about that.
"I've Got a Date with the Night"
I love twilight, mostly because it pleasantly mimics sunrise, a time of day I am normally sleeping through to appreciate fully. Summer nights seem to come a lot sooner in southern California than most any place else, another reason I might not be able to move, ever. The other night I went for a five-mile run at around 8pm and it almost felt like I was at the beach. The smell, the swirl of the breeze, the layers of color across the sky that take after an oceanic horizon. It lights me up inside, and, naturally, to quote Sheryl Crow: "If it makes you happy, then it can't be that bad."
Some of my favorite times on my bicycle involve the twilight, watching a yellow moon rise through a rose and violet sky, being framed by silhouettes of trees and lamp posts. And hell, I've a soft spot for the blinking of head and rear lights through partial darkness. For some reason during the summer I feel the most creative, the most active. There's always an unintended surge of new life. Ah, l'amour.
Some of my favorite times on my bicycle involve the twilight, watching a yellow moon rise through a rose and violet sky, being framed by silhouettes of trees and lamp posts. And hell, I've a soft spot for the blinking of head and rear lights through partial darkness. For some reason during the summer I feel the most creative, the most active. There's always an unintended surge of new life. Ah, l'amour.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Getting Around Town in a Pair of Heels
(A brief shout-out to all the women out there who ride their bicycles in high heels and skirts. I am not brave enough to do so. It sounds like it'd be fun and endearingly cute, what with the right pair of plum-colored tights. But be it a gust of wind or an odd general angle, I am not willing to give up a shot of the goods so easily. That and I can't imagine a pair of pumps fitting well within the cages on my pedals. I'll give it a whirl one of these days, though, and will report back to you.)
Every now and then something requires my getting somewhere in more formal dress than jeans and a sweater. Whether covering the opening of a dance academy in Hollywood or just heading out to wherever the bass is pumping, at times I'm inclined to wear high heels and a nice dress - and in such cases I make friendly with my TAP card and take the bus. Metro.net is my usual source for bus routes and corresponding times to get where I need to go, and while it's generally reliable, its lack of direction and non-user-friendly map makes travel a bit sketchy.
This Thursday and Friday I'll be heading to Beverly Hills for a press screening and conference, and while I won't necessarily be wearing heels, I'll not want to be a sweaty mess. In preparation, I GoogleMapped the addresses, just to make sure I knew where I was going, then noticed the Get Directions drop-down menu, which, among other options, included public transit. Not only did it tell me what buses to take and at what time, but exactly where to walk when transferring. Way to make my life easier. Absolutely brilliant; beyond sexy. I want to write someone a love letter. Metro, you need to play Catch Up, and quickly... and that's all I have to say about that.
Every now and then something requires my getting somewhere in more formal dress than jeans and a sweater. Whether covering the opening of a dance academy in Hollywood or just heading out to wherever the bass is pumping, at times I'm inclined to wear high heels and a nice dress - and in such cases I make friendly with my TAP card and take the bus. Metro.net is my usual source for bus routes and corresponding times to get where I need to go, and while it's generally reliable, its lack of direction and non-user-friendly map makes travel a bit sketchy.
This Thursday and Friday I'll be heading to Beverly Hills for a press screening and conference, and while I won't necessarily be wearing heels, I'll not want to be a sweaty mess. In preparation, I GoogleMapped the addresses, just to make sure I knew where I was going, then noticed the Get Directions drop-down menu, which, among other options, included public transit. Not only did it tell me what buses to take and at what time, but exactly where to walk when transferring. Way to make my life easier. Absolutely brilliant; beyond sexy. I want to write someone a love letter. Metro, you need to play Catch Up, and quickly... and that's all I have to say about that.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Bike to Work Week LA
Yay! Every year, like Christmas and birthday season, I so look forward to National Bike Month. Sure, every month is Bike Month around these parts (except when it's raining buckets), but this is when it's official. Cities all across the US are declaring their week in which to hold Bike to Work Day, with the hope of encouraging the use of bicycles as a lifestyle inclusion. Despite the state of the economy, bicycle infrastructure has been improving from New York, NY, to Long Beach, CA - and I guess you can say that because of the state of the economy, people are taking to bike paths and lanes like they haven't before, therefore improving their lives all around.
All this positivity makes me wonder why in the world it was so difficult to find any information on Los Angeles' Bike to Work Week, supported by Metro.net? Don't get me wrong; Metro has some great information - specialized guides on bikes and safety, and info on the 2nd Metro Bicycle Roundtable Meeting, which I myself will try to attend. However, there was no specific link on Bike to Work Week. In fact, Google 'los angeles bike to work week' and it is the fifth option down. The four preceding results are from prior years, from other sources.
I just found it a little interesting that I wasn't the only one having this problem. Seems that the key is Googling 'Bike Week LA'. I sincerely believe the name was changed to accommodate the number of persons that will not be biking to work this year as they likely were last year, if you know what I mean. The inclusiveness is much appreciated, but not everyone is going to know to search for the event as such. Also, it's May. Why is there no info on the front page?
That said, here's a flier about the week-long event, including information on prizes, sponsors, and a calendar of events:
Sounds like fun! I hope in one way or another we're all able to get involved.
Have a great weekend, everyone.
All this positivity makes me wonder why in the world it was so difficult to find any information on Los Angeles' Bike to Work Week, supported by Metro.net? Don't get me wrong; Metro has some great information - specialized guides on bikes and safety, and info on the 2nd Metro Bicycle Roundtable Meeting, which I myself will try to attend. However, there was no specific link on Bike to Work Week. In fact, Google 'los angeles bike to work week' and it is the fifth option down. The four preceding results are from prior years, from other sources.
I just found it a little interesting that I wasn't the only one having this problem. Seems that the key is Googling 'Bike Week LA'. I sincerely believe the name was changed to accommodate the number of persons that will not be biking to work this year as they likely were last year, if you know what I mean. The inclusiveness is much appreciated, but not everyone is going to know to search for the event as such. Also, it's May. Why is there no info on the front page?
That said, here's a flier about the week-long event, including information on prizes, sponsors, and a calendar of events:
Monday, May 17, 8am: Bike Week LA Kick-Off Event at LAPD Headquarters
Tuesday, May 18, 8am: Blessing of the Bicycles at the Good Samaritan Hospital (visit goodsam.org for more information)
Wednesday, May 19, 8am: Downtown LA Bike Ride starts at Olvera St
Thursday, May 20 Bike to Work Day:
6-9am: Pit stops will be distributing refreshments and sponsor giveaways.
All Day: Free rides on Metro and other carriers. Visit metro.net/biketowork/ for more information.
Friday, May 21: Bike to School Day
Sounds like fun! I hope in one way or another we're all able to get involved.
Have a great weekend, everyone.
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