Why? A million reasons, but mainly we feel that the bike blog world has grown so much in the last few years that there are now plenty of strong women out there, riding bikes and telling their stories. After 3+ years, we don’t have much more to add to the discussion and more enjoy hearing what other bloggers have to say. Also, these days we prefer to just ride, and not worry so much about taking photos or waxing poetically about potholes (It doesn’t help that we were each others favorite riding partners, and our distance means that riding is just not as blog-worthy!).

Thank you so much for all of your support and love. I can say with all honesty that when we first starting riding, it was this community that helped us keep going – helping to figure out what to wear in rain, heat and cold; decide which pedals to chose; which bike(s) to consider; how to commute over a mountain; how to handle being girls in a boys club…I could go on. You people were our biggest cheerleaders and, more often than not, more supportive than people in our backyard (luckily, that has changed and both Bham and NOLA have thriving cycling community!). We can’t thank you enough.

Don’t fret, Anna and I will still be riding. We may not see you here, but we will see you on the roads. Anna will attempt to blog more at the Bici Cooperative site, so if you’re really curious about what they have going on in the ‘ham, check it out.

For a complete list of ladies bike blogs, check out Let’s Go Ride A Bike (who I feel like are our bike blog sisters!)’s list. Those ladies did the work for us. We will be reading and cheering everyone on in their journeys!

Bike Love!

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Last weekend I rode downtown to catch the Christmas Parade with some friends. I am not sure why I was so surprised to find out that a Christmas parade in New Orleans involves hip hop music and beads and cups being thrown, but it was a lovely surprise.

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The traffic was atrocious, so riding was just perfect. My favorite part? Riding home with tons of beads around my neck and toys and cups on my rear rack and no one blinking an eye.

Merry Christmas from New Orleans, y’all!

These past two weekends had back to back cross races for us here in Alabama, but I was sick for the most recent one. I gotta tell ya, it was pretty nice just to sit back and watch the race without the stress/nerves/flutterings/hyperventilation associated with my own racing preparations. Also, that course was a bitch and I am GLAD I didn’t have the pleasure of racing on it. Ew.

But the weekend before was our annual Halloween race and it was a blast! I wore my slutty french maid costume again this year (because when else am I going to wear it), but this year I decided I was Magenta from Rocky Horror Picture Show to go along with Rossitron’s costume. You’ll see who he went as below!

The course had a fair few barriers, some steep climbing areas, and there was a long and tricky single track section through the woods, but I took it easy and just enjoyed the ride. Lo and behold, I got 5th! Wahoo moving up in the pack…or something.

There was a great showing of costumes among the women – zombie school girl won best costume of the day. A few of the Bici dudes dressed up as well (BACON AND EGGS!), but overall the dudes seemed to think that racing was more important than having some fun for once. LAME. Rossitron did greatin his race and looked mighty sexy as Dr. Frankenfurter while doing it. Delicious!

Our next race will be the Anniston night race. Things are gonna get crazy!

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Last friday was Park(ing) Day. I have always wanted to participate, and this year I got to! New Orleans had 5 sites, run and organized by The Green Project, Bike Easy, Transport for NOLA and many others. They were set up from 8a-6pm, so stopped by before work.

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The one I visited just happened to be in front of one of my favorite places, La Divina Gelateria. They are friendly, shop at the market and make AH-MAZING gelatos (peach prosecco is my fav!). I grabbed a coffee and took it to eat in the street outside. It was so fun.

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Thanks to everyone who helped make this a fun way to start the day. I loved the looks on the drivers faces as they passed by! To taking back the streets!! Hurrah!

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(The faces above are how we feel about cars!)

Did you celebrate Park(ing) Day? How was it?

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Late last week, Sugar and I had a night on the town with my good friend (and co-worker) Kelly. Working at a farmers market, I very rarely get to wear heels (or even dress pants), so I was excited to even get the slightest bit dressed up (business casual means something entirely different at a farmers market!). Even dressed up, Sugar and I looked good together.

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We went to the One Book One New Orleans kickoff party, sponsored by the New Orleans YLC. This was at the African American Art Museum in the Treme, across town from me. The weather was awesome, so the ride was enjoyable and fun.

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We stayed, listened to a brass band, had some free food and drinks and mingled. Then we were off again!

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Next up was Culture Collision, an event put on by our local NPR station, WWNO at the Museum of Art. We got there just in time for the cocktail party in the Sculpture Garden, which is not normally open at night. Again, we had some free food and drink (donations were given, of course!) and listened mingled while looking at the amazing sculptures.

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All in all it was a killer fun night. We criss-crossed all over the city, laughing and being ridiculous on our bikes. I also met a man.

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With the weather changing, I could ride and not look like I just spent hours in a barn before deciding to go out. Anyone feeling this way about the weather change? Surely I am not alone!

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Every day I see this bike, just as pictured, and am baffled by it. Why do you put it near the bike rack? Why isn’t it locked? So many, many confusing things about this.

What strange bike occurrences do you see?

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Saw this under the table at a local coffee shop I visited last week. With the heat getting to me and wishes of AC travels in my mind, this simple quote from my favorite movie, Fight Club, was just what I needed to see. A reminder of why being car-free is the best decision for me right now. No car note, insurance payment, gas costs; nothing that will end up owning me even as I own it. I may be in debt from school and youthful mistakes, but a car is not one of those monthly bills I have to pay. Freedom!!

*also a quote from the movie

so many good times...

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Every once in a while you have to do it: sell (or giveaway) a bike. I always feel so guilty about it, like I am giving away a puppy or treasured gift. However, if a bike no longer suits your needs, it is time to pass it along to someone who will use it. Especially if you live in a small place on a small budget!

Last week I did just that, selling Bruce Springstein to a young med student who wanted to start riding. It was hard, but I introduced them and they seemed to be a good fit. I hope to see them together on the road sometime soon.

With 2 road bikes on crappy roads, I decided it is more practical (and comfortable) to sell 1 and get a “city” bike. While I haven’t gotten one yet, this is the one I have my eye on: Schwinn Coffee. I’ll be saving and hopefully have it soon!  Who else gets emotional when a bike leaves the house?

Kid Gives Speech After Learning To Ride A Bike – Watch more Funny Videos

Learning to ride a bike: what is better? Nothing!

On the agenda: eating Alligator sausage po-boys, riding bikes, drinking beers and sitting on the levee or bayou. Did I mention riding bikes and eating?

Full report to come. Squeeeee!!!!!