biking – Lauren Warnecke

Ballerina on Wheels!

So remember last week when I said I’d make a big announcement?

And then, remember how I said I was working on meeting deadlines?

Oops.

Anyway, here’s what the big hubbub is all about:

This July, I’m riding my bicycle 200 miles in 2 days in the Ride for AIDS Chicago! I’ll be slipping back into those beloved padded shorts and houghing it up to Lake Geneva and back in 2 days, and serving a great cause in the mean time.

I admit that bike commuting and I haven’t been the best of friends lately. And this I intend to change. That plus a couple hard core spin classes a week.

Here’s the thing… I can take care of the peddling part, but I need your help, too. As part of my committment I’ve pledged to raise $1000 for TPAN, the organization sponsoring The Ride. This is where you come in. Perhaps you or someone you know has been affected by HIV/AIDS, or perhaps you recognize the great need for increased advocacy efforts. Or maybe you are encouraged by a group of individuals killing themselves on bicycles for a great cause. Whatever your rationale, your contribution of any dollar amount will not go unnoticed.

If 180 people donate $5, I will surpass my goal.

Plus, I’ll throw in a postcard from Lake Geneva.

So if I’ve convinced you to give the cost of your daily latte to a great cause, just visit this here little link:

http://rideforaids.kintera.org/faf/donorreg/donorpledge.asp?ievent=1033952&supId=375704118

I look forward to keeping the lovely readers updated throughout the journey of training and riding in this experience of a lifetime!

Lauren updates her “Do” with a Hoorag

My hair is not a new topic of conversation, and I really like fashion scarves. So I was excited when the people at Hoorag thought to accentuate my up do with a fashion scarf that I can wear on my head…

But let me elaborate:

I watched the video on the multitude of ways to use a Hoorag, and it’s essentially a circular bandana that doesn’t have to be tied. Not being much for duck hunting myself, I figured my best bets were to use it for biking, hiking/backpacking and yoga.

I have yet to test out the first two applications, because I haven’t been out to the woods for awhile, and, let’s face it, I’ve fallen off the bike commuting wagon. But an upcoming resolution and not one but two Hoorags in the coat closet means that I can protect my neck, nose, and scalp from the elements while riding in the winter. And that’s, as they say, a good thing (“they” meaning Martha Stuart… though I’m not sure you’d catch her in a Hoorag).

I did, manage an attempt to wear it as a headband-type-thing to yoga this morning, but the gf abruptly stopped me and told me I needed further work on my Hoorag technique.

Here’s the thing: I want to love the Hoorag, but we are still kind of getting to know one another. It could be because I have a small head, or that I just haven’t grasped the proper technique to make it look cool, but I’m still convinced that this is something that I should have in my life. I’m waiting for the chilly morning when I’m out in the woods and use it a a potholder to protect me from my hot stainless steel mug holding fresh coffee. Then I throw it over my head and warm my neck at the start of a long hike, and later to wipe my sweat as the sun rises overhead.

Call me a romantic.

What do you think? Can I rock the Hoorag in the city, or should I wait until I’m out in the woods where no one can see me…???

Perhaps you or someone you know has a big head? There’s still time to grab a few Hoorags as stocking stuffers before the apocalypse – I mean – Christmas. They come in a multitude of colors and patterns, and ship super fast! Disclosures

Two doors in two days

I received such generous support on my Facebook post yesterday regarding one idiot driver who perceived the bike lane on Halstead St. as a free ticket to exit his vehicle without looking in the side mirror. I mean, it’s not like bikes ride in the bike lane anyway.

Let me recreate the scenario:

I’m riding through Greektown during the lunch hour (against better judgement).

Car driver X opens his door at the precise moment I’m passing his car.

I swerve.

He continues to get out of his car.

I yell. “Jesus!”

He mutters “…sorry…”

“…sorry…”

I’d like to emphasize that the ellipses and all lowercase letters are meant to indicate the relaxed, nonchalant tone with with the driver responded. Awesome. However, I lived to ride again – and today I was decked head to toe in electric green. This afternoon, as I was riding home on Diversey a lady opened her door on me.

Let me recreate the scenario:

I’m riding West on Diversey wearing an electric green jersey, neon blue and green flowered helmet, matching sunglasses, and bright red shoes, with my super bright “Mr Blinky” light turned on.

Car driver Y opens her door at the precise moment I’m passing her car.

I swerve.

She continues to get out of her car.

I yell. “Jesus!!!! Lady!!!”

She mutters, “I saw you….”

Okay. Look:

*steps on soap box*

Bike lanes occasionally have bikes riding down them. Look in your mirror. Roads without bike lanes also occasionally have bikes riding down them. If you look in your mirror and see a bike coming, don’t get out of the car. Count to two, and let the bleeping bike pass.

I’m not a bike messenger. I’m not even a hipster. I’m just a girl who doesn’t have her own car, doesn’t want to pay for the bus, and likes to get a little exercise from time to time.

My very life is in your hands, drivers.

Share the road.

*steps down from soap box*

Jesus.

Bike Commuter

I admit it. Operation Bike Ride 2011 has, for the most part, been an abysmal failure.

Until now, that is.

I ran out of money on my transit card, and decided to pay for a tune-up on my bike instead of reloading my card.

It just so happened that I got my bike back from the shop on Chicago’s “Bike to Work Week”, and it also just so happened that it rained 3 out of 5 days during that week. I rode all that week, and every day since. And it’s pretty much rained every day.

The pros:

zero dollars spent on transportation in two weeks
getting my bikini body back
shaving 30 minutes off my commute time

The cons:

having to use my bike as a clothes line and publicly display my sports bra on a daily basis