tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90865681155156233162024-02-07T09:25:00.889-08:00Neva - travel with an infantHave you ever thought, "Gee, I'd like to travel more, but I'm nervous about how my infant might handle the rigors and chaos of traveling on trains, planes, and bicycles?".
This blog is meant to be a source of information for active people who either have kids, are expecting, or are planning on having kids, and like the idea of shared family experiences.
This is basically a compilation of my family's experiences, condensed down to what we've learned from traveling with an infant.Megumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497402301830103021noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086568115515623316.post-56481317700818266192018-10-09T06:00:00.000-07:002018-10-09T06:00:55.723-07:00Tips on Being Car-lessMuch of Neva's life, we have been car-less as a family. In Flagstaff, AZ it was easy to get across the 8 mile landscape by bike, an Amtrak train stops in the middle of town to take you to LA or across the country eastbound, and the airport shuttle will take you straight to Sky Harbour Phoenix Airport without the hassle driving the switchbacks yourself.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVu1RTUIz9nEjzto_HozPF3p3iHLX5HP5d_Iks3fY5O0r3T0sHb-PNdJXOUrRPsKWsKempZJ2WaME5ty1vO8Nd8iOaLIcTywBgeFuANXOqiBkZPfm8HIh416ra2cV_7-vF466_Qo32-Et/s1600/nevanordiccab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="206" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVu1RTUIz9nEjzto_HozPF3p3iHLX5HP5d_Iks3fY5O0r3T0sHb-PNdJXOUrRPsKWsKempZJ2WaME5ty1vO8Nd8iOaLIcTywBgeFuANXOqiBkZPfm8HIh416ra2cV_7-vF466_Qo32-Et/s400/nevanordiccab.jpg" width="274" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neva all bundled up for a walk-about in snowy Flagstaff, AZ</td></tr>
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Texas was more of a challenge, with the sprawling landscape as well as summer temperatures soaring above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Even though we were in the college town of Denton, the pulse of being a suburb of the DFW area was still strongly felt. Despite this, we mostly got around by bike once the 8 mile bike path that led to downtown Denton was installed, as I could get to the University for my studies. Christian took the train to work when he started working in Dallas, and with Neva's Montessori school and our local grocery being a 2 mile cycle, we often cycled as a family for the day-to-day.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A typical weekend cycling to the grocery store, or just for the fun of it.</td></tr>
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Now we are in Bray, Ireland, which is just outside Dublin; many people just call it Dublin as Bray straddles the Dublin/Wicklow county border lines. We chose the area as it was the furthest from Dublin we could get with reasonable public transport, but far enough away that the housing was (somewhat) more reasonable. Now we have a full transportation arsenal that we as a family can use to get around, sans car. Maybe some of these ideas can inspire you to take the leap to being car-less if it's been on your mind and you weren't sure what options were at your disposal.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neva and I using local pedestrian/cycle transport lanes in Amsterdam, Netherlands</td></tr>
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Cycling<br />
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Over the years, we have accumulated bikes for the whole family, as well as child trailers, cargo trailers, and a tandem which make commuting around easier and safer. The bikes we chose to bring with us are mostly cross-bikes that will work on the road, and moderate off-road conditions. I'm the exception as I couldn't let go of my 1988 Red racing bike, and I kept the fat bike for aggressive off-road touring. The Burly Nomad cargo trailer makes grocery getting a breeze, and is quite versatile as it can be used for touring as well; this item, in my opinion, would be a necessity for a no-car life if you're grocery-getting by bike.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We've had some time to accumulate, pace yourself, look for deals, buy used! (Craigslist is your friend in the USA for bikes)</td></tr>
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Biking with a child can add complexity, especially in Ireland. The roads are quite narrow, and there aren't many of them, so the traffic is often quite bad with people flocking from all over the country to work in the Dublin city centre. There are cycle paths, but many of them are non-contiguous which means regularly being in the street, or swapping to the sidewalk. The Kidz Tandem bike or the Wee-hoo child trailer makes me feel more comfortable riding around with Neva on busy roads, but it is heavy when on hilly terrain with loads of cars blocking your lane. It's for this reason, that cycling is typically reserved for weekends when there are less cars, or taking a train or bus to someplace where there is a contiguous cycling route like the Waterford Greenway we did this summer.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neva trying to usurp the steering seat in the back. Not this time m'lady.</td></tr>
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Walking<br />
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Since Ireland is a small country, it is made up of many small villages, and most areas have a grocery, pub, and school within walking distance. Our town of Bray is the 6th largest village in Ireland (14th largest urban area) so we luckily have many things at our disposal; all our base needs are met within a 20 minute walking time. This is how we live our day-to-day. The rolling shopper (purple thing shown below) is all you need for a grocery run after walking home from school. The only drawback is when you're feeling ill or have an injury, then we might opt for a bus.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Went grocery shopping with Warm Showers guest Jackie, and picked up a bike box on the way home.</td></tr>
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Public Transport<br />
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Another thing we took into consideration when moving was the public transport access. From where we are in Bray, we are a 20 minute walk to the DART train, or a 3 minute walk to a bus which drops you in the Bray Main Street to transfer to the city centre. These options are quite nice as the busses and trains are typically no more than 10 minutes apart. The drawback of the DART train being it mostly sticks to the coast, and then goes to the city centre, so your options are limited in where to go, and if you're not going to the city centre, but any surrounding area, the busses can take quite a long time. Since you can't put a bike on a Dublin bus, it's not an option to get off and cycle; the DART train you can bring your bike, but not during peak hours (7-9am or 4-6pm) so it doesn't help commuters who work near the city, but on the outskirts that take longer to get to, which brings me to our most recent addition to our no-car travel arsenal...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the ways we get around : Top left DART train, top right double decker bus to Japanese festival, bottom left Luas in the city centre, bottom right AirCoach that takes you straight to the airport. </td></tr>
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Electric Scooter<br />
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Okay, now hear me out, because I know Silicon Valley has to make everything look pretentious and ridiculous. This isn't Google glasses though. The electric scooter was the missing piece to being car-less. It filled the gap of when we aren't feeling physically capable of cycling or walking, but gives us the speed of a bike to get between busses, and it folds in half, so it's easily able to be taken onto any public transport. Neva and I can both fit on it so I can take her with me, and even Christian and I can both scoot around on it together for a date night. The drawbacks would be you can only carry so much, there's a hook we put on that can hold a shopper, and then a backpack, but that's maximum capacity. Also, in inclement weather, your hands and face need to be covered because the wind and rain will pelt you (lesson learned!).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top : folded version, Bottom left : folded version in bus, Bottom right : open version with water flask and bag on hook</td></tr>
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Hire a Car<br />
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If all else fails and you're looking for a road trip, hiring a car is always an option. We tend to use Enterprise 2-4x a year to go and explore someplace we haven't been before in Ireland. We then don't have to have the expense of annual car insurance or the maintenance of buying and keeping a car. Just make sure you have an up-to-date license, a car seat if you have a kid (we have a blow up travel one which is great and can be used for taxis in other countries), and one of those phone holders that stick to the window which makes navigation easier. Cars have their place, but using them as little as possible helps the environment and your health all at once! With all the research linking vehicle exhaust with chronic illnesses like cardiac disease and pulmonary disease, we should all strive to do what we can for ourselves and our community.<br />
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I know not everyone can physically bike, or not everyone is near public transit, but hopefully some of these tips on how we get around may help you create your own creative combination of how to better move around in your town or city without a car, or at least to minimize use when possible. The biggest benefit for us is that it's a chance to work together (when biking on the tandem or busy roads), or have a chat, meet people, or notice details of the area we live in, together, as a family.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the way home from a summer camp, we bumped into some fellow walkers, and made close friends with neighbors we wouldn't have met otherwise.</td></tr>
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<br />Megumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497402301830103021noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086568115515623316.post-51953853926658863742018-10-03T13:09:00.001-07:002018-10-03T13:39:20.487-07:00Neva Bikes and InspiresI couldn't be more proud as a cycling mum with a cycling child. I remember back to the tiny toddler that used to watch my legs pedal, passively and patiently taking in the scenery (pre-verbally), while entertaining herself with bits of nature's shrapnel and cooing to the seen and unseen animals nearby - and I wonder how her growing-up-cycling experience will shape her future, if at all.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neva taking a picture with my phone of her view from within the trailer. A typical commuting day.</td></tr>
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Neva wasn't a fussy baby, but I remember vividly when we were packing up to leave Flagstaff and needed to transport a 'too-big-for-trailer' item, and Neva sat in her <a href="https://www.bikeshophub.com/product/thule-chariot-cross-1-p-4288.html">Chariot CX trailer</a> straight away and buckled herself in. It was at that time I had to explain to a 2-year-old that "sometimes we have to use a car". Her disappointment was palpable as she fought back tears which eventually came anyway. At that moment, I realized that her experience had allowed Neva to understand that cycling was the best and most exciting form of transportation. I too wanted to cry. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neva loved her trailer so much, that even when at home, she would tuck herself in for a nap inside her familiar travel buddy.</td></tr>
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Fast forward to a 5 year old Neva. We decided the destination for our tour that year; <a href="http://www.ragbrai.com/">RAGBRAI</a> then a cycle through the Adirondacks and into Canada, over 1500 miles worth of cycling total involved. She says to me, "Mom, you're too slow, I want to cycle on my own bike". The "I'm carrying more than my body weight in gear and people" doesn't fly with Neva. We compromise and get a <a href="http://www.tandemseast.com/frames/kidz.html">Kidz tandem</a> where she sits in front and is the navigator, maybe next year Neva...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGt9xDOcAu2zMgtVoMD8ruL6U_tZTdT3cfPvK_bafdrTJWmFWeIlFNhtmfeiW0jA0Y_UlajuKD7uTK6dM5gu-NSLCcf4I_qTJxxcUcHPTnP6jY5_qNY0XpfeL60b0BDsPm9QQWoM23Dpn/s1600/IMG_20150723_110832676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="994" data-original-width="1600" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGt9xDOcAu2zMgtVoMD8ruL6U_tZTdT3cfPvK_bafdrTJWmFWeIlFNhtmfeiW0jA0Y_UlajuKD7uTK6dM5gu-NSLCcf4I_qTJxxcUcHPTnP6jY5_qNY0XpfeL60b0BDsPm9QQWoM23Dpn/s400/IMG_20150723_110832676.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neva on RAGBRAI as the navigator with her map close at hand</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlcNJG-urx30XyuR4vV5drAKOffZyG_jI07SFKfdy1u7GKUkGal3B7IkM7vLopXBfiiR7Lvh8uAyu9melpoItapaOL1LHhgmQkII_UOFfGrwEKXFwwPIKNstXM6B97-SYy_cmtbpFnfS7Z/s1600/IMG_20150812_101829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlcNJG-urx30XyuR4vV5drAKOffZyG_jI07SFKfdy1u7GKUkGal3B7IkM7vLopXBfiiR7Lvh8uAyu9melpoItapaOL1LHhgmQkII_UOFfGrwEKXFwwPIKNstXM6B97-SYy_cmtbpFnfS7Z/s400/IMG_20150812_101829.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Much more seasoned after 1000+ miles on the road, it had been a wet late summer. She was in charge of making sure gear was secured, tire pressure, and navigation.</td></tr>
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Summer rolls around again and a 6 year old Neva is ready to ride. She's prepped, she's pumped, she has a new <a href="https://www.islabikes.co.uk/product/bikes/beinn/">Isla Beinn 20 bike</a> she wants to show the world (specifically Iowa) as she unabashedly commits to riding RAGBRAI on her own bike. She insists, and we go. Neva rides as much as she feels is fun, up and down the Iowa rollers, in the heat, biking 20-30 miles per day over the whole 7 days. She cycled over 180 miles that week under her own power. I watched her struggle mentally, as every new cyclist does, with the first time being on an open road (on your own bike), going to a destination to which you've never seen or been, the daunting unknown. She grew, she pushed through it, and she kept getting on her horse again, every day. A testament to mental fortitude blossoming at such a young age. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZ544Hvgy3ItIspwJZvfb0SmaTlpHc8H23x8KLze1TkMPHTgXoriY-GA7k5XtD5MQXAC6ACmzHMkPP_p9Myy1uwgfsWwTAVOWsnF5XFdjbni05oIvh0Kg_vLLpufanUAp4GmSo6_64UNx/s1600/IMG_20160722_170057-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZ544Hvgy3ItIspwJZvfb0SmaTlpHc8H23x8KLze1TkMPHTgXoriY-GA7k5XtD5MQXAC6ACmzHMkPP_p9Myy1uwgfsWwTAVOWsnF5XFdjbni05oIvh0Kg_vLLpufanUAp4GmSo6_64UNx/s400/IMG_20160722_170057-COLLAGE.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RAGBRAI Neva : All suited up (top), riding the long open road (left), and posing with her official RAGBRAI bike plate (right)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRgl2oUjFAcG1ohOT6YH-jvVAGky5zt7jy_TkrKCvoti7NMTbntRAwMPQiJaUNgDMO6IQ0WNoRTsS81wycQjMA_9tW6Y5JpcXaf1P3MjjayD5FpTDelEBmIlFqLIGm2E2wo67LjwbPMJqh/s1600/IMG_20160725_104908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1276" data-original-width="1600" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRgl2oUjFAcG1ohOT6YH-jvVAGky5zt7jy_TkrKCvoti7NMTbntRAwMPQiJaUNgDMO6IQ0WNoRTsS81wycQjMA_9tW6Y5JpcXaf1P3MjjayD5FpTDelEBmIlFqLIGm2E2wo67LjwbPMJqh/s400/IMG_20160725_104908.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She met a friend Cy along the way and would talk and bike next to him while his dad pulled him along.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv612P3ZnAZ7BXOzqzh3f3uxzui-HeFvrCEvB7-njsB4wbv_SLM6AvqReyfjp9oR-Ku7IjUM37zgMNfL1JHNNI1SEs_zLZQDeQyJQQAwx5Jn8DYKagJ8YNDdU_5k2W4cMifrfrhzeAURXt/s1600/IMG_20160730_140354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1287" data-original-width="1273" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv612P3ZnAZ7BXOzqzh3f3uxzui-HeFvrCEvB7-njsB4wbv_SLM6AvqReyfjp9oR-Ku7IjUM37zgMNfL1JHNNI1SEs_zLZQDeQyJQQAwx5Jn8DYKagJ8YNDdU_5k2W4cMifrfrhzeAURXt/s400/IMG_20160730_140354.jpg" width="395" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neva dipped both wheels of her OWN bike that year. What an accomplishment!</td></tr>
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Now we are in Ireland, where we walk, scoot, bus, train, and bike to where we need to go. Neva comments on what she thinks works and doesn't work and why. She contemplates how our actions and the mode of transportation we use can impact others and the environment. A true steward for nature. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Oe7KrTEcsmn1npMAXg6PraklljP8jFd4_hdnHlJMkoERB1Q3EvWAivyeX_21GSoSfVtQCNrVhvrJcaOOvYxgZnfaqpt2a8G6cx5Tissv_m5v7hlKWhDUisWYK_kFgtr1B1gk12hVLOOe/s1600/IMG_20160922_082911-ANIMATION.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="730" data-original-width="972" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Oe7KrTEcsmn1npMAXg6PraklljP8jFd4_hdnHlJMkoERB1Q3EvWAivyeX_21GSoSfVtQCNrVhvrJcaOOvYxgZnfaqpt2a8G6cx5Tissv_m5v7hlKWhDUisWYK_kFgtr1B1gk12hVLOOe/s400/IMG_20160922_082911-ANIMATION.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leading the pack of scoot-ers for bike to work/school week!</td></tr>
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Not only does Neva cycle to get to and from places for commuting, but she has challenged herself and pushed her own boundaries to explore what she can do. Last year she enrolled in her first cyclocross race with children her own age; she tried her best, and despite a mud slip and route confusion, she still finished strong. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0FH9yvcdY3b95zmlt_qcsRzWFsPIfS9Jgz7Ljk0dIJF8OX5xRIMdtXU4u7sfZyX7PA1xWfZ9BRwew1P1_lAeeg_ODi4y3_3SuRRZX3XjVcOpN22DM11orOSi0G84Ye6kMF_q7xU-kcFf/s1600/PB260328-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0FH9yvcdY3b95zmlt_qcsRzWFsPIfS9Jgz7Ljk0dIJF8OX5xRIMdtXU4u7sfZyX7PA1xWfZ9BRwew1P1_lAeeg_ODi4y3_3SuRRZX3XjVcOpN22DM11orOSi0G84Ye6kMF_q7xU-kcFf/s400/PB260328-COLLAGE.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQyEob2_6im70r4Jb24aWN3S8FAfe8-mM_jPLOq2g0Ah0q3TT4cYt42q3-sjf2RbUo-jWScXLUYBwVuc5Rj-onojWVlkLiWY6PeYhHuSkB6JnBF4ZitPTN6E1h3qSAhem_BNbXACgMRcmz/s1600/PB260342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1164" data-original-width="1600" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQyEob2_6im70r4Jb24aWN3S8FAfe8-mM_jPLOq2g0Ah0q3TT4cYt42q3-sjf2RbUo-jWScXLUYBwVuc5Rj-onojWVlkLiWY6PeYhHuSkB6JnBF4ZitPTN6E1h3qSAhem_BNbXACgMRcmz/s400/PB260342.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nose to the grindstone for the final lap!</td></tr>
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Neva has also shared her cycling with other kids, encouraging me to put together a children's cycle to school during bike to work week, and convincing her friend who had never cycled further than her street to do a 55 km cycle on the <a href="http://www.visitwaterfordgreenway.com/">Waterford greenway.</a> Neva spreads her love of cycling not through proselytizing, but by being herself; and cycling is a part of who she is. She sees value and fun in her cycling experiences, and she wants to share that with others. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48_lDsU-cOmtP0B1jxsZ3hUnc-Gakmdj6nY29I93Y-j28RmUJEx2MdkSkeJMNhoXsACeKuiqeETJyI-HSgb3RXd_OBpQGUjYEjo0UzcHjs-Mn9swHv8cf_tlYMRUjPhOsnrBgwbtWDrGU/s1600/IMG_20170428_080646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1074" data-original-width="1600" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48_lDsU-cOmtP0B1jxsZ3hUnc-Gakmdj6nY29I93Y-j28RmUJEx2MdkSkeJMNhoXsACeKuiqeETJyI-HSgb3RXd_OBpQGUjYEjo0UzcHjs-Mn9swHv8cf_tlYMRUjPhOsnrBgwbtWDrGU/s400/IMG_20170428_080646.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bike to work week 2017</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1hc_2U0iDzDz8q1VOtFd5JhtCoUZq0Q4jg8INyCVryGyxJoxKUtwk5R25nFvq6je_QE8LuvJ3-hlfvi3qNNC7w2uLWPqPfEc14u6nxAjLT3mEPxg-61W7Gjd3ZhEjnTBJpHkgSPaIwenN/s1600/IMG_20180805_144836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1hc_2U0iDzDz8q1VOtFd5JhtCoUZq0Q4jg8INyCVryGyxJoxKUtwk5R25nFvq6je_QE8LuvJ3-hlfvi3qNNC7w2uLWPqPfEc14u6nxAjLT3mEPxg-61W7Gjd3ZhEjnTBJpHkgSPaIwenN/s400/IMG_20180805_144836.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waterford greenway cycle victory cheer! </td></tr>
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So, if you, as a parent, friend, teacher, etc. ever wonder if what you are doing matters, if you question whether your values come through and if your example can inspire others, know that YES, absolutely, you're doing great, keep it up. Keep being the example that will inspire others, and give our world a brighter future. I can't wait to see what the next chapter brings. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbdxP5Zg4HsLHjlCJKZv1Oo2XW0oiSSIAasSHMCmDuNunhMCJJUEdcIlu5kFEKhSFcU5p6BG-EKQ7Xb-wPilMB8N3oBeky5LHTKfpBWQGLGsZcwCVxFPr4pz2QJZEDKw_8UeilrRvS_IhW/s1600/IMG_20180805_123357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbdxP5Zg4HsLHjlCJKZv1Oo2XW0oiSSIAasSHMCmDuNunhMCJJUEdcIlu5kFEKhSFcU5p6BG-EKQ7Xb-wPilMB8N3oBeky5LHTKfpBWQGLGsZcwCVxFPr4pz2QJZEDKw_8UeilrRvS_IhW/s400/IMG_20180805_123357.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Megumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497402301830103021noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086568115515623316.post-30751958732468158842018-02-28T05:42:00.000-08:002018-02-28T05:57:01.091-08:00Ireland Snow Day!<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy Snow Day off today if you're in Ireland!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ercBGZeoEoF4HGHN-ElNa8RfE2pg990NGjEJSfQo2_wp1r1ZsECGQ1wviGAfTQhUsNDwEignVVutcQNek1_WtjBqbhmWRaQdTM5lkr47a92ZPnmDoBbvY1IAGPBdNO71Tnut_Pheg6ty/s1600/P2280155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ercBGZeoEoF4HGHN-ElNa8RfE2pg990NGjEJSfQo2_wp1r1ZsECGQ1wviGAfTQhUsNDwEignVVutcQNek1_WtjBqbhmWRaQdTM5lkr47a92ZPnmDoBbvY1IAGPBdNO71Tnut_Pheg6ty/s320/P2280155.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Arctic Siberian winds are blowing in from the north east (emphatically referred to as "The Beast from the East"), chilling down most of Europe to sub-zero temperatures. The west of Ireland breathes a sigh of relief, because for once their coast is non taking the brunt of the storm! The temperatures started dropping towards 0C this weekend after a 'heat wave' last week with temps around 10C. So without further ado, here is your super official Ireland weather update over the last couple days!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA7-oNxdyoHeLs1MM5eFc-PIgWZWfh7n1aPUdVeyG1fHgVhG_0ZzxexJDwviuR59s5oY-IJn6-R539SB61h2wh1K59anrefMtIonSAIcqhmxOghyWB2gK8ffxSI7c-BOZHv5xNKCtEGF8H/s1600/P2250051.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1261" data-original-width="1600" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA7-oNxdyoHeLs1MM5eFc-PIgWZWfh7n1aPUdVeyG1fHgVhG_0ZzxexJDwviuR59s5oY-IJn6-R539SB61h2wh1K59anrefMtIonSAIcqhmxOghyWB2gK8ffxSI7c-BOZHv5xNKCtEGF8H/s400/P2250051.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Sunday was sunny, but cold at 3C. Everyone else is bundled up, and here's Neva...in a t-shirt.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlyHBez045lylLxaQ25yvvHrD3TaNyFliGfNtAFzc0-pdELfIhWlCc8GGe45A-py3u9iQGT_FTrBux0_1QUGcdkEgCHBlgr3No1GToHl78vv0CImRQWrFr0Z2K2ugQzEUZvXtv-o62M70i/s1600/P2250053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlyHBez045lylLxaQ25yvvHrD3TaNyFliGfNtAFzc0-pdELfIhWlCc8GGe45A-py3u9iQGT_FTrBux0_1QUGcdkEgCHBlgr3No1GToHl78vv0CImRQWrFr0Z2K2ugQzEUZvXtv-o62M70i/s400/P2250053.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Since it doesn't really get warm enough here to warrant ice cream, and the Irish won't pass up a treat opportunity, any time the sun shows up it's ice cream time, as far as Ireland is concerned. That's right, there are people in down coats waiting to get some ice cream!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJFsOoQNZJE8CQk47mDuqnh3b1xnoB6yx-1U9N0Z0QSvcGETog-YJHF0kDSuItUPAAwZT2BcPmb6thCEYsV3pV74n53ol1HXKEbymJ_P50jCkALn4RO3OruWpXSy1wjzxED3nAxcja8xd1/s1600/P2250056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="991" data-original-width="1600" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJFsOoQNZJE8CQk47mDuqnh3b1xnoB6yx-1U9N0Z0QSvcGETog-YJHF0kDSuItUPAAwZT2BcPmb6thCEYsV3pV74n53ol1HXKEbymJ_P50jCkALn4RO3OruWpXSy1wjzxED3nAxcja8xd1/s400/P2250056.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I'm pretty sure the entire town of Bray was out that day, and Sammie wasn't going to miss out. She was strutting her stuff along the boardwalk, getting hemmed at hawed at, and sometimes even rubbed by passersby. Doggy heaven.</div>
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Monday we started stocking up on food as it was projected to snow for 5 days. Many grocery stores had empty shelves. Luckily, I use weird things like tahini, garlic infused olive oil, and peanut butter, so I was able to stock up. The organic fruit and veg were limited, but I got what I needed. We went back to Tesco on Tuesday, and there was almost nothing left in the fresh section, picked clean. I prepped multiple tupperwares of hummus, hard boiled eggs, boiled potatoes, and a vat of lentil soup, as power outages are also a possibility and we don't have a gas stove.</div>
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Tuesday morning : spitting</div>
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1C : Neva still dressed like this</div>
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Tuesday evening : starts coming down and sticking</div>
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Wednesday morning : our backyard</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">About 10 cm or 4" worth of snow</td></tr>
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Dublin and Wicklow counties are said to get over 25cm (around 10") of snow by the end of tomorrow (Thursday), which is a lot for Ireland. Many schools are closed, including Neva's, so we celebrate Ireland's first snow day in a while.<br />
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First thing's first in our house, check on the chooks. In the early hours, only Henrietta was willing to venture out, and took temporary residence under the outdoor sink while trying to figure out what this strange substance that littered the ground was all about.</div>
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Filling the girls' bellies with fat pellets and hard seeds helps them stay warm in the cold temperatures.</div>
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Some are more adventurous than others! While Henrietta explores the white landscape, Chicken Middle and Big Red enjoy the comfort of their coop. We check their water and bedding every few hours just to make sure everyone is comfortable. So far, so good, and 2 eggs to show for today!</div>
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Even some of the local wildlife were looking for a reprieve from the cold. This Irish blackbird was saying hello to the chickens in their abode, and a tiny Irish robin came into the house somehow (Neva...). I picked her delicate body up gently to let her outside, she perched on my finger for a moment, and flew off. I hope they're all staying warm!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirNEpc5nngWQSO1M6j1Y3V1i4OBZ3DiqyZ7QApauF8fJDn8rG1gPc_cjTR3AHS6KEZuexr8W0Vrgn_D_PwznOOTc1FBIDLiMwdTbR7bNlRYj6F2CBk9sv-fTT21ms6OPZ5Im97k79MapXg/s1600/P2280112-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirNEpc5nngWQSO1M6j1Y3V1i4OBZ3DiqyZ7QApauF8fJDn8rG1gPc_cjTR3AHS6KEZuexr8W0Vrgn_D_PwznOOTc1FBIDLiMwdTbR7bNlRYj6F2CBk9sv-fTT21ms6OPZ5Im97k79MapXg/s400/P2280112-COLLAGE.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Once chooks are sorted, it's business time. The obligatory snowball fight begins!</div>
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Followed by the obligatory snowperson</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi76EUD_hxbNDn1gs4E6HUv8W0RAKyXJUyv9vd1HtxoIGEGQlI2e7rEtsjHVBVci4ZKTs-oh_9skyeH9qosoxPqEHZMMzv3Jud2RWTxJWM37FIe3-3e3o-b67he_u2xJJLhdchpTMTcSkqJ/s1600/P2280194-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1201" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi76EUD_hxbNDn1gs4E6HUv8W0RAKyXJUyv9vd1HtxoIGEGQlI2e7rEtsjHVBVci4ZKTs-oh_9skyeH9qosoxPqEHZMMzv3Jud2RWTxJWM37FIe3-3e3o-b67he_u2xJJLhdchpTMTcSkqJ/s400/P2280194-COLLAGE.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Followed by obligatory snowball fight number two!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aaaand again, no coat.</td></tr>
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And with that, we are busying ourselves and enjoying each other's company with warm food, snow times, and indoor relaxing times. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neva moving her aloe plant clones away from the window. Hat inside? Oh brother, my backwards daughter!</td></tr>
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Happy snow day from us all here in Ireland! </div>
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Megumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497402301830103021noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086568115515623316.post-27519591134090837752018-02-07T10:24:00.000-08:002018-02-07T10:24:18.632-08:00Introduction to IrelandIreland, that mysterious green island across the pond that evokes images of everyone wearing green hats, drinking merrily while singing in a pub, and speaking in the most welcoming accents you've ever heard. Okay, some of that may be true, but I wanted to discuss a few minimum cultural and historical facts, and some general information to be aware of before traveling to Ireland. I can't get them all in one go, but here's a few... (As a disclaimer, this is a foreigner's/expat's impressions of Ireland based on my experience thus far.)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, that may be my dog Sammie and fellow biker friend Andrew having a pint at a pub in Dublin.</td></tr>
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Language : Just to get this out of the way, no one says "top of the mornin' " please don't say that...ever. There are loads of beautiful Irish colloquialisms and idioms that stem from the Irish language, but that is not one of them. And speaking of language, the native Irish language is Irish or Irish Gaelic (Translated from the Irish word Gaeilge), not English. Though only the 7th most spoken language in Ireland, Irish is part of their rich culture, and where many of the complex and charming idioms come from.<br />
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Gaeilge is typically spoken as a primary language only in the west of Ireland. Speaking Irish has a long history of oppression and wasn't allowed to be taught or spoken in many areas for hundreds of years. Through a rocky road of politics and policy to bring back Irish, starting in 1928, Gaeilge is now part of the national curriculum. Neva is currently attending a full immersion Gaelscoil, where all instruction is given in Gaeilge. It's no coincidence that Ireland has bred so many poets and authors with its Irish language roots!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neva on her way home from her first day of Gaelscoil. She wears a uniform which involves a snappy kilt!</td></tr>
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Geography : I get asked many times by Americans if Ireland is part of the UK. The answer is no, N-O. Ireland is split between Northern Ireland (part of the UK) and the Republic of Ireland (independent). Now, it's kind of a long story, but it started with the Normans invading Ireland in the twelfth century, a bunch of wars happened mostly surrounding English rule over the Irish, Ireland was then split into north (Anglo) and south (Irish) in the Irish war of independence in 1921, then officially became a republic (free from British Commonwealth) in 1949, ending with 'The Troubles'; a civil war between 1968-1998 waged on whether there should be a unification of Ireland or not.<br />
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This makes the Brexit business difficult because if Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland don't have the same rules, it makes border control difficult, and I'll leave it at that. Knowing the history and difference between Northern Ireland and The Republic is important not only culturally when you visit, but economically as well. For example, the Republic uses the Euro, while Northern Ireland uses the GBP.<br />
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Cost of Living : We live right at the border of County Wicklow (south of Dublin) and County Dublin. Dublin is one of the most expensive cities in Europe, right up there with London, however, in our daily lives, the main thing that was a notable difference as far as cost goes was the rent and housing prices. Ireland got hit much harder than the rest of western Europe in the global market crash of 2008, so interest rates are higher (eg. Ireland : 3.1% compared to France : 1.55%), banks are very cautious of mortgage approval, and the fact that Ireland is currently in a housing crisis due to high demand and low availability drives the housing prices up. Tourists aren't really affected by this, but if you're looking to move here, it should be a consideration.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We have the sea and the mountains within a 10 minute or less walk from us. The high quality of life of being easily near nature and the city was worth it for us!</td></tr>
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Part of the reason houses are so high is because lots of people want to move here. To put this in perspective, Ireland only has a population of 4 million people, with 600,000 squeezed into the capital and surrounding areas. This doesn't sound like a lot, but considering the size of Ireland, and the size of where people want to be (Dublin, see above in yellow on map), the city is quite packed.<br />
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On the flip side, many places outside of the Dublin and Cork have more sheep than people. That is part of Ireland's appeal, how quickly you can be in the city, countryside, or at the sea. The longest it may take you to get anywhere on the opposite side of the country is a 5 hour drive, taking a long, windy backroad, making it a great place to go on holiday and see lots of interesting sites!<br />
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Cost of Tourism : As a tourist, Ireland is like many popular EU cities. You only tip if you had excellent service (maybe 10%) as waiters/cab drivers/etc. get paid a livable wage, and VAT is included in everything, so no math to add on extra tax cost, it is what it is! Bed and Breakfasts are popular in rural Ireland which are quaint and reasonably priced, and the rumor that you can ask anyone on the street for directions and be met with a big smile and detailed answer is very true. The hospitals have cost caps (our local one is <strike>€</strike>500), which we got paid back in full by our insurance just a few days later. Waits can be long during flu season, but our experience has been pretty good. Many Irish may disagree with me, but having experienced US privatized healthcare, where a short hospital stay can result in a multi-thousand dollar bill, pregnancy is a pre-existing condition, etc. Ireland is pretty good. In short, you can go on holiday here, and not have to worry about breaking the bank if you break your leg.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me in the hospital with the mumps. Total cost after all said and done, $0.</td></tr>
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In the year and a half we have lived here, I can say that we have been very welcomed; the classic Irish kindness and chattiness is refreshing. It's nice to be able to fairly easily travel around the island. Though it's a small area, the history is rich, and it is a country that should be taken at the speed of the locals, with appreciation for the land and of those that came before. There is so much to see here, and I am honored to call it my current home. If you haven't been, come visit, enjoy the craic, have a pint, and experience the beauty and rich culture that has fought to preserve traditions of old.</div>
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Below is a sneak peak of some of the beautiful Irish places we have been. I'll tell you all about them, and when to go...next time!</div>
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<br />Megumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497402301830103021noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086568115515623316.post-19857233937001566582018-02-06T09:22:00.004-08:002018-02-06T09:33:22.677-08:00DaddyHello all! I wanted to share something a little personal today. The wonderful readers that you are deserve to know, so here goes. A summary of the last year.<br />
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Last summer, we decided to pack it all up and move to Ireland. It was a difficult time, selling a house, getting all the odds and ends ready for travelling internationally, finding a school from afar, but then, the unexpected happened. My father fell ill.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neva and Dad sharing a mango lassi at an Indian buffet at Christmas time.</td></tr>
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My father, J.R. Dick Fitch, is my biggest fan. He is the one who started me writing and editing at a young age. You see, he was the president, editor, and publisher of a local newspaper in Imperial Valley, CA, and had been in the newspaper business from aged 19-78. When I was 10 years old, he called me into his room to proofread one of his Sunday columns which he wrote weekly.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A proud Papa showing off his granddaughter at his job (one of 3 jobs, that is) at the Kerrville Daily Times. Dad wasn't very good at staying retired!</td></tr>
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We both lived in Texas, only 5 hours away from each other, so we were able to see each other on a semi-regular basis. We would exchange holidays with each other, and we would go to him for his classic car club rides, one of his favorite retirement hobbies. The other was writing children's books, which he ended up writing 4 of, his first featuring Neva in the "about the author" section.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top : Christmas, Bottom Left : photoshoot for "Opposites" about the author page, Bottom Right : Dad about to take Neva for a ride in the classic car.</td></tr>
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When I found out he was sick, I went down to see him right away. Things escalated and when we thought he was to be released from the hospital, he went into emergency surgery instead. I had the pleasure and the honor of nursing him back to health from a painful surgery. Flossing his teeth, combing his hair, giving him company when he was awake, all the things he did for me when I was little. After days of getting better, it seemed we were in the clear; but then there was a setback. Dad's 78 year old body was saying go, even though his heart and mind said stay. June 26, 2016, Dick Fitch, Daddy, Papa, said goodbye.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFX-V9UZLUS_Qa3HnVjoWLR_vaI78UlqyQJdq1_zCxHnFSW6jgM1hpS4PTaMS0D8c2hUJv0BTZz_ZvONhDxtkZ6V7rMGxZ5glDXHr0xX5qXPSmGapjUiorC51_ZM92ZdrOrbETvnGAIpcv/s1600/IMG_20160629_201303-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFX-V9UZLUS_Qa3HnVjoWLR_vaI78UlqyQJdq1_zCxHnFSW6jgM1hpS4PTaMS0D8c2hUJv0BTZz_ZvONhDxtkZ6V7rMGxZ5glDXHr0xX5qXPSmGapjUiorC51_ZM92ZdrOrbETvnGAIpcv/s320/IMG_20160629_201303-COLLAGE.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left : Dad's small family memorial service with a picture of him when he was 19, and some other special mementos of his. Right : One of the last times I saw dad feeling "well". Here he is laughing at the birthday card Neva got him, with donkeys on the front!</td></tr>
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All the things that you won't do flood your mind. Dad had wanted to be our SAG wagon at RAGBRAI that year, just the following month. It was Neva's first year to cycle on her own, and he was so proud and excited to drive a car for us, pulling behind him one of his classic camper pods. But then you appreciate all the times you had, and it helps the pain. And I mean ALL the times, even the not so pleasant ones are a treasure when you lose someone you truly love. Remember to gives all the hugs!<br />
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It was hard for me to write on this blog, as he commented on every post I wrote, and I knew once I wrote a post, I would expect to see his comment that wouldn't come "great pictures kiddo", "what an adventure!", "tell Neva Papa is proud." None of these will come again. But I decided I'm ready. To share more adventures, tips and tricks. From cycling, to TSA rules, to international moves and laws, I'm ready to share again.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our "backyard". The start of this trail is a 3 minute walk from our house. This is what it looks like at the top.</td></tr>
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Stay tuned as this month will be all about Ireland. The process of moving internationally, Irish customs, hidden treasures in Ireland, cycle commuting and bike culture here, as well as our personal stories. We will see you soon! Or, as my dad would say, "See you in the funny papers!"<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dad giving us a warm farewell as we venture toward the Great Divide from his house in Kerrville, TX.</td></tr>
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<br />Megumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497402301830103021noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086568115515623316.post-45840947345966383272016-05-22T21:28:00.000-07:002016-05-22T21:28:04.744-07:006 Reasons to Run if You're a BicyclistAs I'm nearing the end of my Master's program, I've become less active. Where my mind and scientific writing has gotten quite the workout, my body has gotten much less exercise. To help with the metaphor of crossing the thesis finish line, I started running again as my exercise of choice when not bike commuting. You may wonder why a bike addict would chose to go the way of the sneaker for exercise, so I compiled both biological and personal preferences as to why a cyclist should also incorporate running into their exercise regimen.<br />
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<b>1. Impact Exercise to Prevent Brittle Bones</b><br />
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There is evidence to suggest that bikers may suffer from lower Bone Mineral Density (BMD) in the femur, neck, and lumbar spine compared to weight bearing exercises. You can read the full <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3230645/">2011 study here</a>. More research needs to be done, but there is substantial preliminary research that points to low impact sports like swimming and biking decreasing BMD. For anyone that rides in traffic and has potential to get hit by a car, or for off-road bikers who can take a spill from aggressive terrain, strong bones are a good thing. Cross training biking and running is a good way to prevent unwanted premature bone deterioration.<br />
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<b>2. Quick Boost to the Cardiovascular System</b><br />
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Now, this is just from my personal experience, but I find that biking in Texas does not prepare me for climbing mountains in Colorado, lung-wise. As a long-time long distance cyclist, any time I get on a bike, my body automatically adjusts to a moderate pace, which is good for enduring long distances, but it doesn't help when I really need to be building my lung power, and working on my breathing for future mountain bike climbing endeavors. Even if it's only for 20-30 minutes a day, my heart rate stays up the whole time when running. There's no break during a downhill, when you stop moving your feet, you stop running. This really helps me to improve my cardiovascular system quickly. <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19290675">This study</a> discusses some of the physiological differences between cycling and running.<br />
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<b>3. Building Strength in Complimentary Climbing Muscles</b><br />
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<img height="180" src="https://bttgeraes.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/principais-musculos-do-ciclo-da-pedalada.jpg" width="200" /><img height="190" src="http://i60.fastpic.ru/big/2015/0503/37/ab57f1c5f4be5add029360ca3ccd5b37.gif" width="200" /></div>
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As you may (or may not) be able to see from the pictures above, there is much overlap of muscles used for both running and cycling. When mountain biking up steep grades in the Colorado Rockies, I was primarily standing up on my pedals to navigate large boulders and pull 100 pounds up the side of a mountain; and when going downhill off-road, you tend to stand up so your legs act as a shock and to maintain a strong sense of balance over your bike and load. When first starting out in the Rockies, this all too familiar position of standing up made me wish that I had incorporated running into my regimen beforehand to prevent muscle fatigue on long climbing days (which are most days in Colorado!). Also, keep in mind, the air is thinner at the high elevations, which is why a strong cardiovascular system that can get your oxygen to your muscles efficiently is important too (reference #2 above).<br />
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<b>4. More Efficient Exercise when on a Short Schedule</b><br />
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My biking need has dwindled from about 150 miles per week to maybe 30 miles per week as I finish my thesis (yay!). Between schooling and family, I have less time for extracurriculars. If I really want to get a good workout on a bike (here in mostly flat north Texas), I have to be gone for about an hour or more. With running, I feel it right away and really notice a difference from something as small as 3-5 kilometers/day, which takes only 15-30 minutes. I can run while Neva is brushing her teeth in the morning, and be home before she is dressed. I feel somewhat accomplished, and don't beat myself up too hard if I drive that day due to time constraints (the guilt is real as a biker anytime you drive over biking!)<br />
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<b>5. The Distance is Shorter, yet Effective</b><br />
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Not only does it take a while to get a good workout on the bike, you have to go quite a long distance to get in your hour-long workout. Typically you're looking at around 15 miles, and when you're in the heart of suburbia, you've very much left the neighborhood and have ventured into the next town over. That's not to say that you can't get in your weekend long-rides of 50+ miles; that's necessary for long-distance bike training. But for maintaining a daily routine, it should be something that's tangible on a daily basis, or something you can feel comfortable keeping up with. Biking to work daily also fits the bill, but currently, I work from home, so that one is out for me right now!<br />
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<b>6. You Eliminate the Morning Stress of Dealing with Cars</b><br />
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When you don't have to leave your neighborhood, the urgency of morning traffic does not exist. Our neighborhood is a 2 kilometer course that I can run 2-3 times, and not worry about the stress of dealing with cars trying to get to work. Once you leave the neighborhood on your bike at 7am, you're right in the heart of traffic here in Texas, breathing exhaust fumes, and dealing with impatient drivers. When running, I notice that cars actually see you much better because the pace is so different from them, which takes down the stress level. Lastly, stretching is a mandatory part of post-running procedure, so a post-run 5 minute yoga and meditation session is a great way to destress your morning and start the day.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Relax like the Nevatar!</td></tr>
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So, to recap, I am still a bike addict, and with many friends that are marathoners, I definitely cannot call myself a runner. However, I wanted to share the value I find in cross-training to strengthen my cycling performance. Neva also alternates between running and biking for her afternoon exercises, and we make a great team when I'm running and she bikes next to me. Since I cannot end a post without showing an adorable Neva shot, here's my biking running partner in action (with an iguana in tow)!<br />
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<img height="480" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/xAXmQENkI_JUufoqAxM_ceVC5QPOGgtI3nGCPXlkXQjk3CMNWAnn9nyZRihVJB7kVCQ14I2I94w9I36RJjsezhgsIOP-1Kl7uK5t_bkMbKwSWEu8583aLENWafcjtqMzdkYObDFT2XGHhp-1H15UXulMONYWKOalzYEr2unf4EhaLx5dUl1YP1rvQLfHkWnPF0XddqN9FoDRmwfoY43jwMmgW7DoJhHhobeuqWdgoZoo63LG4G_P54jbYC1Oar8naKDMTRS2RFA1O99WLFQJkAlNhGnD5me2OgeqP1SR1HDUKtyWa8aQ8JgDLCg1N_mrjNPp9bb_g7q9xuMMjRLcdXEsBxUDoSZoiXXxevcilHw5WVc98-FAvy47ITPhdL3C6k-aHbzN6V3arkT0j74HcRABAuphnY_z5dunrkkokn-bPGqa2V2O_xbz0ECZE4VTNMkdTxluhfZG8mpr9I5tsNNZmuxNtFRF0ZdVqIA-dZUMRwgsoX7cgnqw6dsuwaxgBZ8jVPWFDAMPnGKaJ4K2JEuBZYDb_UbUGGqWllZGI-hFflRAhSiS7V_j0R5tBKUZ6DxEA3Zy5U0tjDTv3iYnIeyA7Gjy9ysi=w842-h631-no" width="640" /> </div>
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<br />Megumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497402301830103021noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086568115515623316.post-46466596731434548912016-03-18T15:31:00.001-07:002016-03-18T15:37:27.744-07:00Quick Post : Neva's Ascent <div style="text-align: left;">
Can you all feel it? Spring is almost here, and the biking here in Texas has been great! Neva's been putting her Beinn 20 to good use over the past month, practicing her hand braking, shifting, and overall technique on her 'big girl' bike. Here she is about to hit the trail. (Note : sandals were not advised by mother)</div>
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Fun Fact : If you don't have a bike trail close by, the Beinn 20 fits nicely inside the car, only needing the front wheel removed. </div>
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The easiest riding to get to from our house is a construction site a mile down the road. On the weekends, there are no workers, and it's a tiny mountain bikers' dream! She started out walking her bike up a steep grade. I reminded her that realistically, when you start, there may be some walking involved.</div>
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She did well going over the bumps and large vehicle "rumples" left behind, but is still working on standing up so her legs can absorb the shock of a bumpy landscape. At the end of the trail was a large hill that looked over a small lake below. She made it up part way, but needed to walk the rest of the way. Downshifting uphill is also another work-in-progress.</div>
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At the top, it was the first time that she had biked to an overlook under her own power. She walked to the edge to take in the scenery. Smiling as a flock of geese crested over the horizon, honking loudly, as they usually do around dusk. </div>
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She sat down, proud of her accomplishment.</div>
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Then it was time for the moment of truth. Now that she had gone up, could she go down? </div>
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Neva left us in a cloud of trail dust, rapid-fire shifting, and speeding the whole way home! Luckily, she's got her hand brakes for speed adjustments, but this girl is not one to shy away from speed. Stay tuned for next time, there may be a GoPro Neva-cam video in the near future!</div>
<br />Megumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497402301830103021noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086568115515623316.post-30523507568516813362016-02-03T21:23:00.000-08:002016-02-03T21:34:30.552-08:00Neva Is-la Biker - First Impressions on the Beinn 20 SmallIt came today! The Islabike that Neva is going to test! After the 5 year mark last year, Neva really progressed quickly in her biking. She went from trailer, to Wee-hoo, to tandem, and she is now ready for a fully functional bike! This now-6-year-old would tell me, "Mom, do we have to take the tandem, it's soooo slow!", unbeknownst to her that the <a href="http://www.islabikes.com/product/bikes/beinn-20-small-age-5/">Islabike Beinn 20 Small</a> was on its way.<br />
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First of all, first impressions couldn't be better.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Right out of the box...seriously!</td></tr>
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As someone who used to work for an online bike company, this packaging was suburb. First of all, it came almost fully assembled! All I had to do was put on the front wheel and pedals. The nice folks at Isla installed the rack and bottle cage, cut to size and installed the kickstand, and installed the upgraded tires onto the wheels. Nothing was out of place or damaged, it was perfect. It took longer to put on my shoes and gather my biking things than for me to get this bike ready to ride. </div>
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You've gotta love the small details Isla adds for their customers. Their 'ready to go' set-up is convenient for bike nerds, but a sigh of relief for the bike novice that didn't want to pay a shop to put a bike together. In the picture above, you can see they added little stickers which say which pedal goes on, and which way to rotate the pedal properly for installation. A manual is included as well if necessary, with a variety of allen wrenches for adjustments.</div>
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I was also very impressed that Islabikes offers the option of tire upgrades since these bikes use 20" tires. <a href="http://www.islabikes.com/product/accessories/20-schwalbe-marathon-tire/">Schwalbe Marathon tires</a> are my go-to touring tire, and I was glad I didn't have to go directly to Schwalbe to get these tires. Also, they installed them, which is super cool of them. </div>
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The reason we were looking at this bike is because it really stood out from any other bikes that are in Neva's age/size range. It has front and rear V-brakes with small hand levers, it has a 7-speed shifter on the right hand (not shown here), and a cool bell on the left hand side. You can also see that there is a real headset and stem that you can adjust if necessary.</div>
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As if good brakes and shifters weren't enough, the Beinn 20 has tons of eyelets in useful places! I found some here on the front fork, giving a possible option for running a front rack. There are eyelets for a <a href="http://www.islabikes.com/product/accessories/luggage-rack-for-beinn-20-small/">rear rack</a> as well at the dropouts and seat stays, and a <a href="http://www.islabikes.com/product/accessories/bottle-cage-2/">bottle cage</a> inside the triangle. This photo also shows the high-quality, sealed bearing hubs that come on the wheels. She'll be able to ride as many miles as she wants on these wheels.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y44VvvO0pXI/VrLLkC6xRII/AAAAAAACgsM/6BVwKB2h8YU/s1600/P2030038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y44VvvO0pXI/VrLLkC6xRII/AAAAAAACgsM/6BVwKB2h8YU/s400/P2030038.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Beinn 20 utilizes a mountain derailleur and a wide range ratio cassette, which gives Neva plenty of shifting options on different terrain. </div>
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Here is the <a href="http://www.islabikes.com/product/accessories/kickstand-for-beinn-24-3/">kickstand</a> installed very securely on the bottom bracket. It's a greenfield kickstand that Isla cut down to size to fit this small frame. </div>
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The seat is a real seat with collar! It looks sleek and comfy. Even after all of my research on child bike seats, I had trouble finding one for Neva, and she did have some complaints of her 'gluteus maximus' hurting every now and again on long tandem rides, making bike shorts with shammy a necessity for her. This seat is adjustable front to back, and can be angled up or down, just like an adult bike seat. </div>
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And voila! The bike all put together! Not only is the Beinn 20 Small the best kids' bike I've seen, it's a great bike in general with all of the options that have gone into it. It's obvious that IslaBikes has an innovative production team that really considers the wants and needs of a young person who knows how to ride and is ready for a good bike. The color is also beautiful. It's a purpley-pink, almost shiny magenta, that really catches the eye. You can even get <a href="http://www.islabikes.com/product/accessories/beinn-20-small-accessories/personalized-name-transfer/">decals with your child's name</a> made and put on the bike for $14.99, how cool is that! The above pictures don't quite give it justice with the inside lighting, but the outside shots below are more true to color.</div>
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I decided I wanted to surprise Neva at school today with the bike, so I packed up the Burley Nomad trailer, tied down the Beinn 20 with 3 bungee cords (front tire removed, and inside the trailer), stuffed her windbreaker and helmet in, and was ready to roll.</div>
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We made it! (The Beinn 20 and I, that is!)</div>
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I got the bike all set up, and hid it in the corner...</div>
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She was contemplating how she would mount my bike when I called her over, camera ready, asking if she knew what this was...</div>
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She put her finger up to her mouth, in a pondering position, and asked, "Is this <i>my</i> bike?"</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jz5VryLhQCU/VrLLkHhhvgI/AAAAAAACgsM/3E-nWI5Q4tc/s1600/P2030050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jz5VryLhQCU/VrLLkHhhvgI/AAAAAAACgsM/3E-nWI5Q4tc/s400/P2030050.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The second I said yes, she was ready to ride it!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pjx43rD_yro/VrLLkA0RliI/AAAAAAACgsM/3S-detxQgCQ/s1600/P2030051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pjx43rD_yro/VrLLkA0RliI/AAAAAAACgsM/3S-detxQgCQ/s400/P2030051.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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It fits perfectly at all the smallest settings, and she has room to grow. She rode the entire 3 miles home. Walking across crosswalks, practicing her hand brakes, ringing her bell. Her first impressions were a big thumbs up!</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JFamc2HNXGE/VrLLkEYg-iI/AAAAAAACgsM/zlyXgFE1gX8/s1600/P2030054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JFamc2HNXGE/VrLLkEYg-iI/AAAAAAACgsM/zlyXgFE1gX8/s400/P2030054.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Right before we got home, she gave me a big smile. She felt very accomplished after her first ride on her new bike <i>that fits her! </i>She's already talking of the panniers she'll add on, and more, so I'll keep you all updated! Have some questions for Neva? We will start some Neva Q&A segments, so if you want it, we will give it to you straight from the 6-year-old's mouth! </div>
<br />Megumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497402301830103021noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086568115515623316.post-5814133981598850982015-11-11T15:27:00.001-08:002015-11-11T15:42:10.765-08:00Mini Gear Guide : Five Faves For all Seasons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Since I am currently in graduate school, we are down to taking one or two bike tours a year. When we return from our travels, we must face the concrete jungle that is Denton, Texas. This year, I'm lucky enough to bike Neva to school, and enjoy 25 miles of biking throughout the day. In going back and forth between touring and commuting, I've noticed a few pieces of gear that work great for both purposes,and in all seasons. There are things like bike lights, a helmet, a pump and patch kit, etc. that are a given every time you ride, but this list is of the not-so-obvious must-haves for the chronic cyclist.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSUoixsn4LsjHYmMwpKQGXf4QP5vceAq-Acxc9zAD9KXYkfVP85O1GPZevjpZ_dGAGqnD_mCS8Lc2YAoeFHY0BCZ33x7pt81AQI9fEPQYrTTXwCyVPl_IYA0YKlIq2X-76JhZmQoYuOSu/s1600/11722395_10204545795304470_1825662683379167165_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSUoixsn4LsjHYmMwpKQGXf4QP5vceAq-Acxc9zAD9KXYkfVP85O1GPZevjpZ_dGAGqnD_mCS8Lc2YAoeFHY0BCZ33x7pt81AQI9fEPQYrTTXwCyVPl_IYA0YKlIq2X-76JhZmQoYuOSu/s400/11722395_10204545795304470_1825662683379167165_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two girls attacking the concrete jungle for Neva's first day of Kindergarten. A child one day asked her, "Neva, why do you always bike to school?!" and Neva replied, "Why don't you always bike to school?"</td></tr>
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<b>1. The Buff</b><br />
- The Buff is ingenious in its simplicity. At first glance, it looks like just a stretch tube of fabric; not very exciting, but after using this product over many miles, the usefulness shines through.<br />
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For both on tour and commuting, the Buff can act as a balaclava to protect your face from the cold. On hot days, if you're touring in the desert, your mouth is protected from sand from the prevalent dirt devils of a vast and arid climate. When commuting in Texas, every morning on the bike path and around sidewalks, leaf/sand/pine needle cleanup uses blowers and weed wackers to keep the sidewalks looking nice (I guess?). Covering up with a Buff is just the thing to keep unexpected gnats, cold, dust, etc. out of your mouth. There are many other ways to wear the Buff to keep your hair out of your face as well, but for me, having quick access to an instant mouth barrier provides the most useful service.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQu7Ld-h7E5Z-QWyHtYgJLGRvfwL6dZd69fvEcqjPTaabL6KqdeZcl0LivXz1spLBut6xV9nRaBSK8KNSyId6TxG4Ub3XuwAgZhaOS1kmf-tS1rDbbwIpXEzq5qqbX43QPuqA0geFX56rD/s1600/IMG_20150815_081640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQu7Ld-h7E5Z-QWyHtYgJLGRvfwL6dZd69fvEcqjPTaabL6KqdeZcl0LivXz1spLBut6xV9nRaBSK8KNSyId6TxG4Ub3XuwAgZhaOS1kmf-tS1rDbbwIpXEzq5qqbX43QPuqA0geFX56rD/s400/IMG_20150815_081640.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neva used the Buff as a head scarf when commuting by subway in NYC.</td></tr>
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<b>2. Da Brim</b><br />
- Simplicity will be a common theme with the products I use most regularly. Da Brim is a circle of fabric that velcro tightens around your helmet, giving shade that is equivalent to wearing a 10-gallon hat.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gfax-2l7WHs/VkLBnY6jGsI/AAAAAAACYLM/9jVdBfQZ-do/s1600/IMG_20150719_060137284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="253" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gfax-2l7WHs/VkLBnY6jGsI/AAAAAAACYLM/9jVdBfQZ-do/s400/IMG_20150719_060137284.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neva and I are sporting da Brim look. Neva's is handmade by me, and mine is the $50 version available only online.</td></tr>
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Da Brim is not much more glamorous than an umbrella hat, but I got tons of compliments from people on RAGBRAI, and biking on the bike path during the Texas summer, because it looks smart. The level of protection goes all the way around, protecting your face and the back of your neck. For anyone that wears glasses, this hat addition is also helpful when it rains. The only downfall of this piece of gear is when it's really windy. Sometimes, if the wind catches da Brim just right, the whole helmet will come up. This is sometimes the case if you have a small head (like me) and your helmet just barely fits, or if you just shaved your head and now your helmet fits a little bit larger. Usually adjusting your helmet to fit properly will address this issue.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XXonXgQoEYg/VkLBnbLxn2I/AAAAAAACYLM/fy9OxPW-scE/s1600/IMG_20150714_181623656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="243" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XXonXgQoEYg/VkLBnbLxn2I/AAAAAAACYLM/fy9OxPW-scE/s400/IMG_20150714_181623656.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neva's brim is still a work in progress, but with about $2 invested in the above recycled materials, we've had fun experimenting.</td></tr>
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<b>3. A Bell</b><br />
- Ding ding. The universal cyclist communication mechanism.<br />
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A bell might not seem that important, but if you're ever on a shared bike path, you will notice that EVERYONE, runners, bikers, walkers, etc., wear earbuds and are listening to music. You can scream, "on your left" all day, and on the off-chance they hear you, they will just wonder why you're screaming at them. It's better to just have a bell to try and warn them of your presence. If no reaction, just try to go around them as safely as possible.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P26pfS3nfXI/VkN9Wo4w7_I/AAAAAAACYMk/9375D-fFR14/s1600/IMG_20150712_204830393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P26pfS3nfXI/VkN9Wo4w7_I/AAAAAAACYMk/9375D-fFR14/s400/IMG_20150712_204830393.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Off-road or on tour the bell can come in handy for a few reasons. If you're in the wilderness, sometimes it's good to have a bell just to alert the animals of your presence, if your clunky load isn't already scaring off everything in a 2 mile radius. If you're on the open road, it's a good way to say "hello!" to the elusive other-cycle tourist. Maybe they'll even stop to chat and you have made a new best friend. Good communication is key in any relationship. Since we share the roads with everyone, the bell is the least threatening way to say, "hey, I'm here".<br />
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<b>4. Super Collapsible Backpack</b><br />
- An extra bag that is so lightweight and collapsible, that you don't even remember it's there until you need it, and then you're glad it's there.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--WVbSEScYWo/VkO8HWcUSoI/AAAAAAACYOo/HuPeK3GQudo/s1600/IMG_20151111_115451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--WVbSEScYWo/VkO8HWcUSoI/AAAAAAACYOo/HuPeK3GQudo/s400/IMG_20151111_115451.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Collapsed version</td></tr>
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When on tour, the stashing of a tiny backpack that's smaller than my fist is best used for grabbing some groceries when you are in town. You don't want to go fully loaded to the grocery, and most of your bags are filled with gear anyway, so you need an extra bag. Since you won't be getting more than a grocery bag full anyway, usually just 1 or 2 meals worth of food and some snack bars, one bag works well. I prefer the backpack form so that I don't have to do the ol' 'hold it on your handlebars' thing, though a plastic bag or reusable shopping bag would work too, as they are just as light an collapsible as the backpack.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BBxF0EEJMxA/VkO8HfnwJfI/AAAAAAACYOo/qY9Qi1bvhKA/s1600/IMG_20151111_115603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BBxF0EEJMxA/VkO8HfnwJfI/AAAAAAACYOo/qY9Qi1bvhKA/s400/IMG_20151111_115603.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Open bag, with tiny attached mini bag sewed to the inside.</td></tr>
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When I'm commuting, I typically use the backpack when I am going to grab lunch. Again, so I don't need to bring my school supplies with me. Sometimes I may even use only the backpack instead of panniers if I just need my wallet and phone, with the possibility of an unforeseen purchase. The great thing about it is you don't have to lug around a pannier which goes on your shoulder once you arrive, you've got your necessities comfortably on your back. The bag is so light, I typically forget I am wearing it, and it doesn't cause the unfortunate sweaty back syndrome.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzECXZ6g3zn5rohYZMPXFq5jjpQGyp2PeMgdzq9dT8_vkSavmQSSPusXTe2l8m_w-tLz4gP5fwwdHMD0f8YzvvqT0Sx45QIzEO4soMiS6cBcEZzB1wRzDf8vsKRwJ3OjcBgN0H2X7UyQh/s1600/IMG_20151111_115709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzECXZ6g3zn5rohYZMPXFq5jjpQGyp2PeMgdzq9dT8_vkSavmQSSPusXTe2l8m_w-tLz4gP5fwwdHMD0f8YzvvqT0Sx45QIzEO4soMiS6cBcEZzB1wRzDf8vsKRwJ3OjcBgN0H2X7UyQh/s400/IMG_20151111_115709.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very simple : one top main zipper, one small side zipper (made to fit keys and things), adjustable straps, and a loop on the mini inside bag so you can carabiner it to a belt loop or large bag when it's in collapsed mode.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In use for holding snacks and necessities when on a bus in Costa Rica. All the other gear is stuffed under the bus. Oh look, the Buff made a second appearance!</td></tr>
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<b>5. Pockets...Anywhere</b><br />
-I'm not picky, pockets on your back, on your shorts, on your shoulder, wherever, I just want some pockets.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4Dp2r1B_rtZmUHTC8u3n2z7IS-JrqrJXXxgIaNNkBKMKRNcjOJ_hQWxuYyraZE2u59MyN_Px2wA2XZ2y3K5tK9YZoz3mAl_dvE2WbJ7jO-8ADBqXZ2AsGzo3TTyhfXMnOvc1P0Ko3iAs/s1600/IMG_20150711_204551744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4Dp2r1B_rtZmUHTC8u3n2z7IS-JrqrJXXxgIaNNkBKMKRNcjOJ_hQWxuYyraZE2u59MyN_Px2wA2XZ2y3K5tK9YZoz3mAl_dvE2WbJ7jO-8ADBqXZ2AsGzo3TTyhfXMnOvc1P0Ko3iAs/s400/IMG_20150711_204551744.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Mostly, this comes in really handy so that you can put your phone within hearing range when you're biking around a city, trying to find a place you've never been. The most handy that I've found is the velcro breast pocket found on adventure style shirts.<br />
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Some ladies might find it uncomfortable to put anything in the breast pocket, and that's when cycling pockets come in handy, or a sleeve pocket/phone holder. Short/pants pockets can work, but you can't quite hear directions as well if you're in a high traffic situation. You of course can put anything in your pockets that you wish (Neva likes rocks, leaves, etc.) but I have found phone directions are the most useful. </div>
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Give yourself a high five, just for being awesome, and let us know any necessities you like to always have handy when biking. My next post I'll discuss an in depth list of my first aid kit, and when some of my odd choices can come in handy.<br />
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<br />Megumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497402301830103021noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086568115515623316.post-54256172794864041192015-09-04T21:15:00.001-07:002015-09-04T21:15:07.830-07:00Summer Bike Tour 2015 - Where'd we go?Hey all, we made it through our trials on the trails! We got back a few days before school started (for both of us), with Neva starting Kindergarten, and me finishing my final year of my master's. Just to catch you up on where we went, I have a few maps to share. First, we biked across Iowa, on the world-renowned RAGBRAI.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhOK-uERHuGjGKdEKppn7f0wuEOCCVb2Ogw3f5vedAywcWs58k1oCGoc-uUSEQW_p72T-Cul9Mbp_Tb6pQx6XtaX8iuQR2KUsTnjxo3cTCYuR5Q3E1zjqC37wGvkQa-LjXv1jyHSd6OMXC/s1600/Screenshot+2015-09-04+at+7.58.36+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhOK-uERHuGjGKdEKppn7f0wuEOCCVb2Ogw3f5vedAywcWs58k1oCGoc-uUSEQW_p72T-Cul9Mbp_Tb6pQx6XtaX8iuQR2KUsTnjxo3cTCYuR5Q3E1zjqC37wGvkQa-LjXv1jyHSd6OMXC/s400/Screenshot+2015-09-04+at+7.58.36+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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This was a great year for Neva's first year of pedaling. The terrain wasn't too difficult, the weather stayed comfortably in the 80's most of the trip, with even a few welcomed showers, and we had a tail wind most of the time! We were even recognized and interviewed by a local Iowan news, <a href="http://whotv.com/2015/07/22/ragbrai-riders-jump-aboard-some-bring-kids/">Channel 13</a>: </div>
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And that's the rig all set up. We decided to take the Kidz Tandem for this trip. Neva felt large and in charge being up front, and both her and the bike got lots of attention. The question I got most often is "Is she steering?!". No, she is not steering, there is a long steer tube for me that goes down to a linkage bar which attaches to the front wheel, so I'm able to steer from the back. It's a similar idea to the dutch cargo bikes.</div>
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<img height="266" src="http://www.workcycles.com/workcycles-bakfietsen-images/bakfiets.nl-images-08/bakfiets-nl-cargobike-lang-buiten-480.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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Neva did great. She definitely passively pedaled most of the time (don't get your hopes too high for them pulling their own weight!), but when we were going uphill, she would stand up on her pedals and work it! If she got tired, she would put her head down on the handlebar bag in front of her to keep her eyes out of the sun, and she would hydrate herself with the easy-access water bladder tube that I attached to the handlebars. Through rain or shine, she didn't complain...much. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg19ZIipr8qeQ2FskbC-aX_NHDkGvmbqr2ItZrJS2efbl4T9ES5oaSvQpktwXfGmJ0pEr9vXH9SkS9aneweFOILfrbOK_6IWpap_MXuOngwhPrX-kNPZQ3Wkm_WFc1_wNiGmL-MRww1QEE7/s1600/IMG_20150720_092720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg19ZIipr8qeQ2FskbC-aX_NHDkGvmbqr2ItZrJS2efbl4T9ES5oaSvQpktwXfGmJ0pEr9vXH9SkS9aneweFOILfrbOK_6IWpap_MXuOngwhPrX-kNPZQ3Wkm_WFc1_wNiGmL-MRww1QEE7/s400/IMG_20150720_092720.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neva navigating on a rainy day. She had the maps up front and loved pointing to the next town.</td></tr>
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Well, she complained less than any adult, and that's pretty good. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcktT6clT61S4-gmmv8h-WluwQkEqowr5bQ63nytGfYXELpQUokqo_Zp2EA3mWGdu1ObnUBbLFfhduczdzQIlIvCQ7_EKvLIYqsdCfjt4sfvcGuhscJIRGeV4rzJ57MsYU7nh-qkHXx9rF/s1600/IMG_20150721_194713025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcktT6clT61S4-gmmv8h-WluwQkEqowr5bQ63nytGfYXELpQUokqo_Zp2EA3mWGdu1ObnUBbLFfhduczdzQIlIvCQ7_EKvLIYqsdCfjt4sfvcGuhscJIRGeV4rzJ57MsYU7nh-qkHXx9rF/s400/IMG_20150721_194713025.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neva not wanting to sleep in the tent again; confused as to why there are homes with people around us, and wondering why we are not staying in those homes.</td></tr>
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As mentioned in the previous post, we did have some trials with transportation, but thanks to many favors of Warm Showers friends, we eventually made it to New York to start the Adirondacks tour. Here is a rough map of where we went : </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrwPg6pI1cRbZ8CHUjAyImc6YXz5f35fau5-pxYrAwZK9DIBORSrw5GJOYOETGEPeiguT9oPdf3whMYCzcpi9eIWzN2rSlVfDJ59km8BuBlrhLYu175h66itCMj57HoTUUoiQixnuetCsl/s1600/Screenshot+2015-09-04+at+8.48.12+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrwPg6pI1cRbZ8CHUjAyImc6YXz5f35fau5-pxYrAwZK9DIBORSrw5GJOYOETGEPeiguT9oPdf3whMYCzcpi9eIWzN2rSlVfDJ59km8BuBlrhLYu175h66itCMj57HoTUUoiQixnuetCsl/s320/Screenshot+2015-09-04+at+8.48.12+PM.png" width="279" /></a></div>
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And here are most of the places we went : </div>
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Schenectady, NY</div>
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Speculator, NY</div>
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Indian Lake, NY</div>
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Inlet, NY</div>
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Long Lake, NY</div>
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Tupper Lake, NY</div>
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Saranac Lake, NY</div>
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Keene Valley, NY</div>
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Plattsburgh, NY</div>
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Isle la Motte, VT</div>
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Saint-jean-sur-Richelieu, QC, CAN</div>
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Chambly, QC, CAN</div>
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Montreal, QC, CAN</div>
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Ingraham, NY</div>
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Ausable Chasm, NY</div>
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Burlington, VT</div>
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The Adirondacks are nice to bike around with the picturesque lakes and forest scenery, but know what to expect! Those mosquitoes are no joke; little syringes with wings, they hurt! And the ticks, they are smaller than the dog ticks that I'm used to seeing in CA, AZ, and TX, and Lyme disease prevalence is increasing at an alarming rate. This is thought to be from temperature changes affecting their life cycles, creating larger numbers. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcI2wlZbtTskEbl7m7CQ63AY7Epi0DtFDjQmIktECFb3qbABZb5WamXMVXpI0jIEESirC7jQjmv0R5k-9QANmrkiuiAvrpr-qBVwr7GMWffGLYvaUbL4MwoTwAjEXycDhSSuEKUOOP5eH3/s1600/IMG_20150804_140344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcI2wlZbtTskEbl7m7CQ63AY7Epi0DtFDjQmIktECFb3qbABZb5WamXMVXpI0jIEESirC7jQjmv0R5k-9QANmrkiuiAvrpr-qBVwr7GMWffGLYvaUbL4MwoTwAjEXycDhSSuEKUOOP5eH3/s320/IMG_20150804_140344.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What the locals use for small critters. This stuff is sold all over the local shops. </td></tr>
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The temperatures were ideal, the terrain wasn't too aggressive, and the views were nice. The shoulders, for the most part are pretty wide, but many of these areas are frequented as a getaway by many New Yorkers, so you will see a high volume of people within a tiny area in many of the lakes, especially around Inlet and Lake Placid. We enjoyed many of the things that draw the tourists, visiting the museums in the areas, kayaking when we could, and taking the time to eat lunches by the lake. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8APNbVAaelEnWAmrob5q6Jf-tr0ctnwQlbIDPzAdV1nIZriP7_JV1HTToLJu-1ssZHkmVBqz1h0VDi71oBUxSWlEDbrz7eaLpvTo_3Xi12CQjt2YRy4Qpv97kosbYPQC84b1DRdQ_1FJ/s1600/IMG_20150803_121943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8APNbVAaelEnWAmrob5q6Jf-tr0ctnwQlbIDPzAdV1nIZriP7_JV1HTToLJu-1ssZHkmVBqz1h0VDi71oBUxSWlEDbrz7eaLpvTo_3Xi12CQjt2YRy4Qpv97kosbYPQC84b1DRdQ_1FJ/s400/IMG_20150803_121943.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neva at the Wild Center in Tupper Lake, NY</td></tr>
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We left the Adirondacks, and headed up to Canada via the Champlain Islands. We had officially hit the flatlands on our trek north, with terrain that (oddly enough) looked a lot like Iowa. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F65q9gVphb8/VdOW922-ZVI/AAAAAAACSSE/HGXb6fTcwXE/s1600/IMG_20150808_114557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F65q9gVphb8/VdOW922-ZVI/AAAAAAACSSE/HGXb6fTcwXE/s400/IMG_20150808_114557.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quiz : is the above A. Somewhere in upstate NY, B. Champlain Islands, VT, C. Somewhere over the Canadian border, or D. Iowa. Hint, it is NOT Iowa!</td></tr>
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The answer to the above question is 'all of the above.' Corn fields, farm houses, and tractors as far as the eye could see. I knew I had raised my girl on RAGBRAI when we stop to use the restroom and Neva wants to take a picture with the corn. (And yes, the picture above does show her resting on the handlebar bag!) </div>
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Though the populations are tiny, we did come across some bike-friendly places that cater to this common bike route (which is different than charging cyclists high prices because they're the only service around). Luckily, on Isle La Motte, we found a quaint little community style bed and breakfast to stay at to break up the trek from Plattsburgh to Chambly. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRtiEVnwZAm1-vVU45Qzz8fekScWkcoewDkHPDWHyt9bnWriX0HN2al9m5IEJ3tX0vXMMyS4kEsKMawgnYuLZtSRai3EB_LQc_RqNmitougFRzrHWelPdgsJA8sIDGgQwhMT5ShCh895u/s1600/IMG_20150808_101708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRtiEVnwZAm1-vVU45Qzz8fekScWkcoewDkHPDWHyt9bnWriX0HN2al9m5IEJ3tX0vXMMyS4kEsKMawgnYuLZtSRai3EB_LQc_RqNmitougFRzrHWelPdgsJA8sIDGgQwhMT5ShCh895u/s400/IMG_20150808_101708.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://theoldschoolhouseofilm.com/">The Old Schoolhouse</a> is run by Carol, one of the warmest persons I've ever met! She has a beautiful garden outback which we were able to pick from for fresh kale, tomatoes, squash, etc. to have for our dinner that night. There were also chalkboards in the rooms so you could write friendly notes for her. Carol is also an amazing baker, and we awoke the next morning to the aroma of lemony fresh baked scones. The Schoolhouse also draws a fun crowd. There were two other couples that stayed that night, and we had a community style breakfast, and shared stories. One man made killer eggs and serenaded us all with his melodic tunes on the violin. What a great way to start a biking morning!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfu7aeLrR5cLY_1MjNTLnlqvJETij4PV8Ifz62-qFiWKcITstXYFpLBySUZlgLNs7YQ9-YpbcqV__8suOqk2LTB7G91sBeGmzoisCERdWyoS1ImVsBAG1jCkT2ymvxACU9dT8znNrYXhUF/s1600/IMG_20150808_091234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfu7aeLrR5cLY_1MjNTLnlqvJETij4PV8Ifz62-qFiWKcITstXYFpLBySUZlgLNs7YQ9-YpbcqV__8suOqk2LTB7G91sBeGmzoisCERdWyoS1ImVsBAG1jCkT2ymvxACU9dT8znNrYXhUF/s400/IMG_20150808_091234.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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We then ventured into Canada. Once we got to Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, the corn fields faded away, and we were back in civilization with beautiful bike paths and buzzing town squares, centered around water and green parks. Everyone was out and about. We were no longer the lone rangers, but joined by an extended community of active people smiling, sweating, and speaking french. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgam3gnhfI9YbwmT6TBBARSUuXG33v7faonHNOUoxq-ue1twjt8BuCC9X39B7ES8E5mHl6IuOcejZlSp5pfKlnlwVfQwrgQNXGVk5z4W6_Uq40BxXt-BZvUv9tMq41mBY9RKw3SCXEivo_4/s1600/P1011608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgam3gnhfI9YbwmT6TBBARSUuXG33v7faonHNOUoxq-ue1twjt8BuCC9X39B7ES8E5mHl6IuOcejZlSp5pfKlnlwVfQwrgQNXGVk5z4W6_Uq40BxXt-BZvUv9tMq41mBY9RKw3SCXEivo_4/s400/P1011608.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Chantale and her family welcomed us into their home in Chambly, Quebec. They took us to the park for a picnic lunch, and we sat next to the falls enjoying the water, and looking at the tiny life seeking refuge amongst the rocks. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxpoUOchif4/VdOTfDgMVdI/AAAAAAACSNY/Bw-9p7L7V78/s1600/P1011623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxpoUOchif4/VdOTfDgMVdI/AAAAAAACSNY/Bw-9p7L7V78/s400/P1011623.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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They also took us kayaking. Chantale's husband Martin had just finished building two of his own simultaneously and was anxious to try them out.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="238" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Z60qaKR2L_6R44JpHZYKJkDivk94T303vAs-IG4K_JwB66UQdNkfBLjGElAFiDXKqU2LKGIUL6WR5v2ObaIGeJwpWBrtMVtJz1CtRAkLQg72-E6LLldOFxJ1g1Du4mbASD0CHh7rWz7xA6huVBmeUjZlWbEzKYitnfEYV1ohFkucDUBuqhHfvrLApvQ8qE8eDoGDvmt8pEHtAlrpsdFOjV--JsZWOwESeiqTCfswSoxwphNodbOGrgi0N-3X3gCxQXxhnUjwdjLiHqfkOvrmvaG3Jvm-T5F6g4s3AgA0aedH-f4aX4rAiNqQXXkcvIEg49-_H5p854iaEVkC1RAstdF6LIeTnGtTput_ywMk8PbUJ_Bebw701WWaSeiLOV_AtHMGGwpgLlfQ8Wii-_HK78jXXgX6zkYiP2JgCFEgpThJ-5Ax9B3T9GOR8mXslouuar2RoKgxm-ypV_jt-ARXyXMihIpC6LhIeHu8b74WSiR8QORKxTbUqp-7nKxQpyuvL1QkKJyt-pXXVvgRzFjgVRl9=w986-h587-no" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Martin teaching son Remi how to flip upside down and right himself again with his handmade kayak, in their pool in the backyard.</td></tr>
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Afterwards, we headed back over the border, and finished our tour in Burlington, VT. It was a great way to end our tour. We stayed in a community house of 8 people, three of which work at different organic farms in the area. After our long day of biking, we were met with tempura vegetables over quinoa with fresh picked greens and handmade dressings. The next day, we were able to head out to the goat farm and join in the children's summer camp, focused on teaching children sustainable practices for farm life, and how to work within a community. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQCJUCJkn13aZKqphu64H-cT8bckZrsqhUvl8B-SqMfC5jD9OnJU6zukD37Wcq1PCJAGrM5TvXWbWXBvXHDW32-aZLAEk9qEdfyvBG-tUQ7gIuUlhW2n6qSksmPuUqavyHdmoRRjKz387/s1600/P1011797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQCJUCJkn13aZKqphu64H-cT8bckZrsqhUvl8B-SqMfC5jD9OnJU6zukD37Wcq1PCJAGrM5TvXWbWXBvXHDW32-aZLAEk9qEdfyvBG-tUQ7gIuUlhW2n6qSksmPuUqavyHdmoRRjKz387/s400/P1011797.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Neva fit right in and instantly made friends with human, chicken, and goat alike. Also geeps. Did you know this was a thing? Sheep + Goat = Geep. Yes, even I learned something new that day!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7OvjIBd4wKYXtm-VoRewq1bM4JGBlhxQrWcHvOAiKPCDJ2b6Gdo3Xb5cb35QXXx-BzhUETjDGgwkjWb_fs_8GGdn0LxevaH-uMVnC51_Hi-eOd2yJ1XHyD-Yq4pUqZrL0A8R8tKvWzRH4/s1600/P1011793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7OvjIBd4wKYXtm-VoRewq1bM4JGBlhxQrWcHvOAiKPCDJ2b6Gdo3Xb5cb35QXXx-BzhUETjDGgwkjWb_fs_8GGdn0LxevaH-uMVnC51_Hi-eOd2yJ1XHyD-Yq4pUqZrL0A8R8tKvWzRH4/s400/P1011793.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This morning they had chicken chores. Neva's group was in charge of watering the chickens. </td></tr>
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We then went to the ECHO museum, dropped our bike off at Old Spokes Home in Burlington, a non-profit which houses an impressive bike museum in the attic, and then we had dinner with our good buddy Ed, a long time friend from our days in Flagstaff, AZ. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Cb0AIhmKsHsEN-39m_kCYn-z74V857vv4-6oVtpI68jRm9--p6pCSVWpq335GkvhTycThmPfT2sf3iVDOTy6H9VTVMzWJSogKMFawBZPAkI1voRKGAx4_QS7z8HuTE2AfcqTroRcoKqTZ38r3H-dTygD_pMJkRXM88hMPDrfvZpejptWcspbfbn-qDhchKFd4yp-qdmV71fPGPlV7lMIlU2gL28aYxRf-_hmYjZEr10ZxDTufPl2pIQ1J7CKRFbcfw9iT6QF7w0fMEnSt6atU1obBBrqIPI2HMfBihCxbAuntFXIobZ0SAotKMExsfAtFHqQ7eW6f4keUPC_o-QxYwF5Ei9WUC0Jp7YGNkYWS2KU0tG9PIswIjbH0zXsGgtwmBDzdNfKTdepPh0WypAkagr0Jg0RFdA7U01GIVhagWuPcW4x66jycaLUAF-0PoD6gcgBdZOdTXF-ursVQGgGy65HKVRjnSiypceEke0_CTOOkYKEKkNR2efd_cIgLa0z-jsuhI9QGw2afzf3xC-oCNz2=w465-h587-no" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="316" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me at Old Spokes Home bike shop, basking in the coolness of old ordinaries, safeties, chainless bikes, early tandems, and the like. </td></tr>
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We ended our tour visiting family in NYC and Philadelphia. Neva talked about seeing Grandma Stephanie the whole trip, and got to end with some much needed grandma spoiling, after 5 weeks of a rigorous 1000 mile biking schedule. The grandparents threw her an un-birthday party since we probably won't see them on her actual birthday this year. Stephanie pulled out her cake making tools, and we all had a ball making her cake. Here's the result :<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-27LA200_11Y/VdOW9vpC5kI/AAAAAAACSRw/FOu3qq9Iy1E/s1600/IMG_20150818_135133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-27LA200_11Y/VdOW9vpC5kI/AAAAAAACSRw/FOu3qq9Iy1E/s320/IMG_20150818_135133.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cf26ZrLbaYY/VdOW9qDSzMI/AAAAAAACSRw/dKx1397xz6U/s1600/IMG_20150818_152942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cf26ZrLbaYY/VdOW9qDSzMI/AAAAAAACSRw/dKx1397xz6U/s320/IMG_20150818_152942.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eAkVDxUT1PY/VdOW9pbHtGI/AAAAAAACSOk/ey7TB-bxmWA/s1600/IMG_20150818_135631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eAkVDxUT1PY/VdOW9pbHtGI/AAAAAAACSOk/ey7TB-bxmWA/s320/IMG_20150818_135631.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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In the end, I think Neva concluded...<br />
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<img height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-gRRazfPWaj8Y9JDYXiHcAUjaAcYrT4AGldRXf3NP7aSFyPc665ePWl3So0GPrmkTQWTj5wE4CJcceSJbsaT9cx0z4Ew31X3p6d6ZNSNTBKA3biI0ouCkfiqyGu-pUYGsJP6AJznQDJ43/w491-h587-no/" width="334" /></div>
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(and VT, PA, and QC)...but, I'm ready to go home...for now.</div>
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<img height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzf11jKSHdC94gbkxDPDXesaIPc7KGyOMJQB-ehdzXArobhpab1YNkZk14EckY4lOynIvcl6RY9vVVOBx5unoYcxz1FC_ktVgpMARB-iCGm1BlRXjs1ReCeXBPYyns2_0lufjOBYXuKR6H/w783-h587-no/" width="400" /></div>
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Total trip; planes, trains, bicycles, etc. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCcrMDxJMXi-T5JeLBwqJakHNkYPoj6gOnejso0_ZzOQ7QlUWXNJ73cN3k5m05y-qvzZ_b1E_aWfQPw2SnzwCQsj4obP1IKARNZDQx3C7q2rIddIXAIRO7e41JjzcCHFIb_UcCV695xK_5/s1600/Screenshot+2015-09-04+at+8.01.33+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCcrMDxJMXi-T5JeLBwqJakHNkYPoj6gOnejso0_ZzOQ7QlUWXNJ73cN3k5m05y-qvzZ_b1E_aWfQPw2SnzwCQsj4obP1IKARNZDQx3C7q2rIddIXAIRO7e41JjzcCHFIb_UcCV695xK_5/s640/Screenshot+2015-09-04+at+8.01.33+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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My favorite [bike] things coming up in the next blog...</div>
Megumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497402301830103021noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086568115515623316.post-70493859658637883412015-08-01T09:17:00.003-07:002015-08-01T09:20:31.500-07:00Quick Post : Adirondack TourHey folks! It's been a little bit since we've had a chance to post because the service is pretty scant here in the Adirondacks. I have lots of things I want to post about, but don't quite have the time now as it's almost noon and we haven't left yet.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAYQuUe5hQ77Ek943DHsGTLlguew2uvpjwdFTZ7zXvhypHluenKM_1SeNIGRFkCwEwEg8NNLiNyAHGWjRChtVNly8dFpq-IqOjWTVwcq_XKlckJxZoYPg8UoZ87OP_bZmJ9G7C7Uoh6n4C/s1600/IMG_20150730_122229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAYQuUe5hQ77Ek943DHsGTLlguew2uvpjwdFTZ7zXvhypHluenKM_1SeNIGRFkCwEwEg8NNLiNyAHGWjRChtVNly8dFpq-IqOjWTVwcq_XKlckJxZoYPg8UoZ87OP_bZmJ9G7C7Uoh6n4C/s400/IMG_20150730_122229.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neva at the beach at Camp Fowler in Speculator, NY</td></tr>
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We did RAGBRAI, that was fun, and I have a post of that to come. You can take a quick look at the <a href="http://whotv.com/2015/07/22/ragbrai-riders-jump-aboard-some-bring-kids/">small interview</a> we had. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzNEb5cZ9t4fKvemXEB7g4ZMdrC7UFa0X80w2bTJ8bMuYzijYDysv5Et8Y_C47Nh0pFowPs8xtbx5FB9so7o1ywUlufkdIxjsfJlrvHBEB8_CEyKOy3Y98nIZry6iNYV4a4a7iDmhAEZPP/s1600/IMG_20150719_075901428_TOP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzNEb5cZ9t4fKvemXEB7g4ZMdrC7UFa0X80w2bTJ8bMuYzijYDysv5Et8Y_C47Nh0pFowPs8xtbx5FB9so7o1ywUlufkdIxjsfJlrvHBEB8_CEyKOy3Y98nIZry6iNYV4a4a7iDmhAEZPP/s400/IMG_20150719_075901428_TOP.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neva fits right in at RAGBRAI! She did about 350 miles of the total 470. </td></tr>
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We had some troubles on buses and trains which delayed us by 3 days, but luckily there were many kind warm showers souls to help us out when we were down on our luck. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjssp5KsJSuPljizh1PnRgEsVw2QusNcr1MUDoQK-55ryF5shQdjkFEaCT83eHfKHzi1v50UXBfZUYCk9OpMuy1UO5ES53S4EeXmOQAzZRmO0uTN7zJ3TTVBGoEpxa10tfDA6kiHEi_Tt1/s1600/IMG_20150727_200457388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjssp5KsJSuPljizh1PnRgEsVw2QusNcr1MUDoQK-55ryF5shQdjkFEaCT83eHfKHzi1v50UXBfZUYCk9OpMuy1UO5ES53S4EeXmOQAzZRmO0uTN7zJ3TTVBGoEpxa10tfDA6kiHEi_Tt1/s400/IMG_20150727_200457388.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks Carla!</td></tr>
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Thanks to Carla, we got on our way, and kept a smile (mostly) on our faces.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQr2WEhCnQdyPMOP_DPdMJnHLIS8hRn7ObMRjzb4SPxLT1BNAd8lG8lFztdOt290gDpDspVrnMrtdKgvW5c6QZ7dklv-l1i45-klH_acQzUdv5kLH8gHHEtyuSd7SAWrAe0T-dUqMlYRR/s1600/IMG_20150728_075342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQr2WEhCnQdyPMOP_DPdMJnHLIS8hRn7ObMRjzb4SPxLT1BNAd8lG8lFztdOt290gDpDspVrnMrtdKgvW5c6QZ7dklv-l1i45-klH_acQzUdv5kLH8gHHEtyuSd7SAWrAe0T-dUqMlYRR/s320/IMG_20150728_075342.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Um, well, she was smiling...</td></tr>
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Currently we are in Indian Lake, and hope to go a little west through Raquette Lake to Inlet, NY to check out some mountain bike trails there.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWRXtJygBpgiT62lougLvp_RHMVtEkfX7hI6C_-PDOaJXRAZXDkLv-LAm0tppsTnBmN-_qIBg3Fo00goITRrH_aMZBR6GWHdJx1Dc9WA45C9LtjhuhtHvrUpWklsF3pOKEr-4bxVjtb5u/s1600/IMG_20150801_102047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWRXtJygBpgiT62lougLvp_RHMVtEkfX7hI6C_-PDOaJXRAZXDkLv-LAm0tppsTnBmN-_qIBg3Fo00goITRrH_aMZBR6GWHdJx1Dc9WA45C9LtjhuhtHvrUpWklsF3pOKEr-4bxVjtb5u/s400/IMG_20150801_102047.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This morning when we woke up, Neva touched a slug and it got fatter, and left goo on her finger. She would touch it and then go, "Eeewww", and proceed to touch again...</td></tr>
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We've had some issues with brake rubbing, clunky shifting (a derailleur that doesn't want to stay in place), and a slightly squirrely linkage bar, but overall we are doing okay. Six different people have looked at it, but it seems that things are just tight with a triple chain ring and disc brakes, even though it has a Santana spacing in the rear (145 mm). Maybe the Inlet bike shop can offer a good fix.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGRLpVD5AK0c2Fn5U2dHareZeUJOriJBiu5nhat4DyaE5meb6tK8WmTw6bLD2Bq9QcCFwqk5NiOMT8KcbEyyJjuK4qVsnDvuFipYMuCC1OCKufc3uYGLuDrSVKeQTkgtFgH2fsDmKEQZ8e/s1600/IMG_20150731_112904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGRLpVD5AK0c2Fn5U2dHareZeUJOriJBiu5nhat4DyaE5meb6tK8WmTw6bLD2Bq9QcCFwqk5NiOMT8KcbEyyJjuK4qVsnDvuFipYMuCC1OCKufc3uYGLuDrSVKeQTkgtFgH2fsDmKEQZ8e/s400/IMG_20150731_112904.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's us as we headed off yesterday.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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I don't want to leave you guys thinking it's all doom and gloom! It can't be all bad when we have days like this...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqQuUnB8GgZgp2KAZHGQLKYRok2Ji5r-PUM9Ocv-mbeExSdvBtmJ68xtagL16FCOrRX4C2vCuSoyBMnRFv8gktSz94RKek4X4UaOyzrPBFN-ggceECFvO1Q9Ol7m54PofyP1oDH1NsNXKV/s1600/IMG_20150729_182239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqQuUnB8GgZgp2KAZHGQLKYRok2Ji5r-PUM9Ocv-mbeExSdvBtmJ68xtagL16FCOrRX4C2vCuSoyBMnRFv8gktSz94RKek4X4UaOyzrPBFN-ggceECFvO1Q9Ol7m54PofyP1oDH1NsNXKV/s400/IMG_20150729_182239.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our warm showers host in Schenectady had a farm, and Neva got to pick fresh blueberries for dessert that night. Happy trails, and I'll try to write soon. Back on the ol' asphalt trail again!</td></tr>
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<br />Megumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497402301830103021noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086568115515623316.post-21892485258342730692015-07-08T07:14:00.003-07:002015-07-08T07:14:48.601-07:00Mistakes and Lessons Learned on Bike Tour<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Just like with anything else, starting long distance touring can have a steep learning curve. It is even steeper if you've never really camped before and don't have the right gear. Earlier this week I bumped into a fellow biker named Christopher who is just getting started and he said my story was inspirational. Well him being inspired got me thinking back through some of the things I've learned from my experiences touring, and I was inspired to share. Here are some tips that I learned (sometimes the hard way) when I was just starting out, and some that I've learned recently, even after years of experience.</div>
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<br /><img height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvwoe8xRvtkE10igaTLqh9oVyI2ffPWzql5dLVUECZSUdtps3LplsT0BoBMQd9W2fJSdOPcvf6_dXH6L7jv3CkhwFtiTzmVz3B_YJCWinXeNjP7GQGoalAb8dLtfhaxbbnLFxO3XUqnJ5R/w844-h633-no/" width="400" /></div>
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1. Don't settle for crappy gear.<br />
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Yeah, we know that you're not going to have any gear, you're just starting out. Don't make things harder for yourself and try to spend $3000+ dollars on new gear or DIY everything (that you're not even sure how to use yet) and have it break on you, just ask a friend. We all have at least one active friend that has all kinds of gear, and they aren't camping year round, so just ask them to borrow stuff. Each tour you'll get a nice hand-me-down sleeping bag because someone bought a new one, or a tent at a super cheap price from steepandcheap.com, or you lucked out by going to a thrift store; and soon enough, you'll be the friend with a bunch of cool gear.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJvW5-US-YTab25TpQJ5bUUylMpIribd5DLfBfHLF-VuTwHNqtoD7YVHSYcCXztX9GZofF-9lvaNsKl4updC-o3uEtK-r1ITZ233xYtxpIy4Vbyt2C5j7LY1T7YIOd-JOZZX9lkr2rxtuF/s1600/1483959_10201058621647308_947444341_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJvW5-US-YTab25TpQJ5bUUylMpIribd5DLfBfHLF-VuTwHNqtoD7YVHSYcCXztX9GZofF-9lvaNsKl4updC-o3uEtK-r1ITZ233xYtxpIy4Vbyt2C5j7LY1T7YIOd-JOZZX9lkr2rxtuF/s400/1483959_10201058621647308_947444341_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my outdoorsy friend Matt. He was the Cross-fittiest, adventure racering, bike/mountain/hikey guy I knew when I was building my gear. He loaned me many a gear for many a trip. </td></tr>
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Because you can't build up to this overnight </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Ts662x2goY/UYAI6PCl7HI/AAAAAAABmL4/js0xSZ2mRCU/s1600/IMG_20130424_134710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Ts662x2goY/UYAI6PCl7HI/AAAAAAABmL4/js0xSZ2mRCU/s320/IMG_20130424_134710.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It may not look like much, but these are all the basics, the idea is to travel light, right? (Que #2)</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kAt-1Uk11oA/UYAI6Eqf-oI/AAAAAAABlt0/iO-6Mq3qMMU/s1600/IMG_20130424_134723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kAt-1Uk11oA/UYAI6Eqf-oI/AAAAAAABlt0/iO-6Mq3qMMU/s320/IMG_20130424_134723.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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2. Don't carry too much (or too little).<br />
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Carrying too much is actually inevitable, so accept it, BUT while you're riding, evaluate what works for you and what doesn't. Don't get caught up in being too light either, especially being new to the game. It's okay to start off heavy because the remedy is easy : ship everything you don't need back to yourself or friends. If you are starting in cold country, and going to hot country, swap out gear at a "pick up" spot which can be a friend's house or a postal service pick up. For small things (under 1 lb), use US Postal Service, and for larger items, use FedEx. For shipping bikes, you can use bikeflights.com for less than $60.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiGnqa4ldkoNUxI8B-Ijknc3q064G2V5I3qlWrYG9mLOCbVBmSRV5DPiDy1v1L4XpHjXstCUoLTlKMRHDMpR3GAT9mdQ6X7zaI9SApgzIuc_Cvihmabh4EMMHm_oFNe21c_LFoxL8AiP4u/s1600/ragbrai+2013+xtracycle+loaded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="357" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiGnqa4ldkoNUxI8B-Ijknc3q064G2V5I3qlWrYG9mLOCbVBmSRV5DPiDy1v1L4XpHjXstCUoLTlKMRHDMpR3GAT9mdQ6X7zaI9SApgzIuc_Cvihmabh4EMMHm_oFNe21c_LFoxL8AiP4u/s400/ragbrai+2013+xtracycle+loaded.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just please don't carry as much as this guy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNYNI5R4YBs7E-CXLfPgdBtWNq2Jhg3yam13syyao70F5KDTRrbbwXCPyZj9ZKWtDlwSQuWyxOQVu87HCda_nY5w6qx-NX9CvQxK13_GiSytdyw4iQsTIO9DKEj2wsViv9CEXQS0nk5P9L/s1600/chyell+in+pie+town.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNYNI5R4YBs7E-CXLfPgdBtWNq2Jhg3yam13syyao70F5KDTRrbbwXCPyZj9ZKWtDlwSQuWyxOQVu87HCda_nY5w6qx-NX9CvQxK13_GiSytdyw4iQsTIO9DKEj2wsViv9CEXQS0nk5P9L/s400/chyell+in+pie+town.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eventually, you may even look like this guy. This is Cjell Mone, and he rides the Great Divide Race, and many of the adventure tourers pack ultra light like this because they're riding 200+ miles per day on aggressive terrain. Amazing! Cjell actually yo-yos, where he does the entire 2768 miles, and then turns around and does it again...taking around 2 weeks each way. Someday...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
3. Research your area.<br />
<br />
Adventure Cycling maps make it pretty easy for you, but make sure you know your route, alternate routes, where the nearest greyhound is, water sources, food sources, etc. There are so many things that can happen, you want to leave your options open. It's especially important if you're remote or off-road, where you definitely need an accurate odometer.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgml2A6z8_Ibm7g6gt_iTo5VrORhhgejwx7DDWR0TQw_IJ6IyWquiVzbpT7ks4eOGhDJ4bAqA94iLrspJM8T7d5wu09pKeSsiz5W2GZJbcCAcikmbYdgny5WQ4nAifRbHUKdfn279l-7ZNR/s1600/chris+showing+us+a+map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgml2A6z8_Ibm7g6gt_iTo5VrORhhgejwx7DDWR0TQw_IJ6IyWquiVzbpT7ks4eOGhDJ4bAqA94iLrspJM8T7d5wu09pKeSsiz5W2GZJbcCAcikmbYdgny5WQ4nAifRbHUKdfn279l-7ZNR/s400/chris+showing+us+a+map.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I collect maps from on the road. This is one from a local firefighter, and he is giving me advice on route options. Firefighters are your friends, especially when you are very remote. They may be the only humans you come into contact with for a few days, and they obviously love wilderness, so they're great companions when you bump into them. They also watch out for us whether you know it or not. Someone out in the back country noticed me biking, and called the man to which the fingers above belong. He followed my bike with trailer tracks to make sure everything was okay and that I had enough supplies. I love these people!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWREidpVR-D2qy-ycTRGtGBsV7iMOuX9B5RHQk9qAOKwkQth9Tx-7fR5lHC09O1G5oGIQqNcyigmNSmZbxNobjfdjJ9WMC9nzwmGyQWKqtjPU668eaKnxymyafnAaVWy1rDlZGrSjcfWjC/s1600/cuba+to+el+rito+profile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWREidpVR-D2qy-ycTRGtGBsV7iMOuX9B5RHQk9qAOKwkQth9Tx-7fR5lHC09O1G5oGIQqNcyigmNSmZbxNobjfdjJ9WMC9nzwmGyQWKqtjPU668eaKnxymyafnAaVWy1rDlZGrSjcfWjC/s400/cuba+to+el+rito+profile.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you've never seen an Adventure Cycling Map, here is part of one above, though this portion doesn't give it justice. This is a section that shows elevation changes. The maps are geared toward bike friendly long distance touring routes, and include campsites, places to get water, streams, places to get food, local bike shops, hotels, etc. They even have a list of phone numbers to the bike shops, hotels, campsites, local emergency areas for each town that you go through. Most maps cover around 300-400 miles, and really anyone who lives should have these maps.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
4. Become part of a Bike Network.<br />
<br />
I recommend using warmshowers.com to find a place to stay at the start of your tour. This site is made up of a cycling network that offers other cyclists hospitality, but the people involved also are a great source of local knowledge and can lead you in the right direction (literally) for starting out. Consider that most times you will start out from a big city, because you will fly/train/bus to a larger hub, and the locals will know the safest way to pick up the ACA routes, and anything weird within a 100 mile radius or more.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XRn4doTZdGbTBm5y4QvnM1q0w1QWCfSINnfis5S80Wz_Mi2m7OP2-OMbNYaXnKBRaWJaGM2IEBQ7dL1hmqS7DNlBK0tTyS2ZxiLd0Pd0dWJVWxpPR7eOcXszMd1CEf8SOaZfROqmEPe9/s1600/P7290447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XRn4doTZdGbTBm5y4QvnM1q0w1QWCfSINnfis5S80Wz_Mi2m7OP2-OMbNYaXnKBRaWJaGM2IEBQ7dL1hmqS7DNlBK0tTyS2ZxiLd0Pd0dWJVWxpPR7eOcXszMd1CEf8SOaZfROqmEPe9/s400/P7290447.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my good friend Chris. He hosted us last minute when we were first riding the GDT. We've stayed in contact because our personalities were very similar. Warmshowers opens up a door to extending your family, and meeting lifelong friends like my buddy Chris and his wife Mary. </td></tr>
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5. Know your body.<br />
<br />
We may not all be nutritionists, but you want to listen to what your body needs while you ride. This is an endurance sport, so it's necessary to maintain a diet that will sustain long days. For emergencies, always carry a quick source of sodium like pickle juice, mustard packets, or salty smoked fish. There is also a powdered food called soylent that has come out which contains all of the nutrients that you need in a day. Also consider the climate that you're in. For instance, in very hot climates, I eat lots of raw fruits and vegetables as a way to carry extra water, and forwent anything dehydrated (like raisins or granola).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZWOm8RAe6kpxi-SBNWlS9WJ0f6h3IJy9qFUk9RLgwijjm9OnF-vzIQl-2YSzb4cRSN_ekHYaaLsK8JDfLeG7Vihc7Wo7lNXdfcU7RR2Dywjsc5h6tTL0qkK2TjOsdC18q63s_fgRWalc/s1600/marshall+pass+tuna+lunch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZWOm8RAe6kpxi-SBNWlS9WJ0f6h3IJy9qFUk9RLgwijjm9OnF-vzIQl-2YSzb4cRSN_ekHYaaLsK8JDfLeG7Vihc7Wo7lNXdfcU7RR2Dywjsc5h6tTL0qkK2TjOsdC18q63s_fgRWalc/s400/marshall+pass+tuna+lunch.jpg" width="371" /></a></div>
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6. Know your tools, and use them regularly.<br />
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Multitool, pump, extra spokes, etc. Make sure you have some basic tools and replacement parts for anything that could prevent you from biking, but can be fixed well enough to get you to a bike shop. Tighten all of your bolts, panniers, etc., check your tire pressure, and do a quick look-over your bike daily, once before you head out, and once when you get to where you need to be. Carry extra bolts. Carry zip ties, duct tape, and velcro straps of various sizes in case everything above turns into a worst case scenario.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxqtNPPADqV7VcumFLncSdR1XCivHYV9vlcWZbNkKN5x5NW6b9gOJqWJaadN4MLOTBzBMiLxRPMdijJUvkjrIQPCSGR6yCc3Q_CQnC_lgFKKynpQ56atd3Sgvd7pdEBvcJtfIX2Ae0uZcL/s1600/neva-with-troll-nicaragua.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxqtNPPADqV7VcumFLncSdR1XCivHYV9vlcWZbNkKN5x5NW6b9gOJqWJaadN4MLOTBzBMiLxRPMdijJUvkjrIQPCSGR6yCc3Q_CQnC_lgFKKynpQ56atd3Sgvd7pdEBvcJtfIX2Ae0uZcL/s400/neva-with-troll-nicaragua.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Be like Neva, this is her looking my bike over before we leave.</td></tr>
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7. Always carry sunscreen.<br />
<br />
I use Super Salve, which is handmade by Denise in Silver City, NM. It's all natural, and uses titanium dioxide as a natural barrier for protection. Also, it smells awesome, isn't greasy, and doesn't leave you bright white and looking like a ghost.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilAhuculV_-lQpql_KRZ_Vh1QGGxrbHcJC8jBrBx0NhSoJLuYfZPuJEEyS9144Rrc1CO4Zj2ErAYVPvybA-KygopHRkGhQWa98oelA08wkAa1LtqYC5epO_g2sauf4FtqQhnnzDIjPUNrk/s1600/meg+legs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilAhuculV_-lQpql_KRZ_Vh1QGGxrbHcJC8jBrBx0NhSoJLuYfZPuJEEyS9144Rrc1CO4Zj2ErAYVPvybA-KygopHRkGhQWa98oelA08wkAa1LtqYC5epO_g2sauf4FtqQhnnzDIjPUNrk/s320/meg+legs.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Because you will get sun, and lots of it. Thanks to Super Salve, I don't get burned though!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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8. Trailers and accessories<br />
<br />
I've only been stranded once out of my 7+ years of touring and it was last year. I was given a trailer to test, and I had tested it about 100+ miles off-road locally in Texas, but not on any 4x4 trails. The trailer busts a spoke the moment we get to a semi aggressive portion of the GDT. It was because I did not go over the trailer with the same eye that I go over my bike. The wheel had only 16 spokes, while my bike wheels have 40 spokes, and I wouldn't ride with much less.<br />
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If you're going to carry a trailer, make sure you consider everything that you would on a bike that would make it tour-ready. Can it handle the bumps (wheels, tires, hitch articulation, etc.) over bumpy surfaces. Can it carry the weight required for your purposes and still maintain its integrity. This type of scrutiny should also be done on bags and racks, and always, always pretest your gear before you go.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-Qz4g2IfTTcJaN2aTh47lGQKhUktYKiwg8Nfks85UK0JxiYRiFgSg9GDDF89rb2euiPaVXLaGRQw2Dk4hyphenhyphengMs5YTPDZiCJaVI9kdBsFhPLrAWQN_WC_coKVg0_xOKfNL0j20HY9JYuC6/s1600/P8030835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-Qz4g2IfTTcJaN2aTh47lGQKhUktYKiwg8Nfks85UK0JxiYRiFgSg9GDDF89rb2euiPaVXLaGRQw2Dk4hyphenhyphengMs5YTPDZiCJaVI9kdBsFhPLrAWQN_WC_coKVg0_xOKfNL0j20HY9JYuC6/s400/P8030835.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's us walking after a trailer failure. Eventually, I just biked to the closest town while these two watched our stuff and fended off mountain lions. </td></tr>
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Summary of resources :<br />
Cheap gear : <a href="http://steepandcheap.com/">Steepandcheap.com</a><br />
Cheap way to ship bikes : <a href="http://bikeflights.com/">Bikeflights.com</a><br />
Maps : <a href="http://www.adventurecycling.org/routes-and-maps/adventure-cycling-route-network/interactive-network-map/">Adventure Cycling Association</a><br />
Bike Network : <a href="http://warmshowers.org/">Warmshowers.org</a><br />
Soylent : (I use) <a href="http://www.spacenutrientsstation.com/buy">100% food</a><br />
Sunscreen : <a href="http://www.supersalve.com/creams.html">Super Salve</a><br />
Place to buy quality bike gear : <a href="https://www.bikeshophub.com/">Bike Shop Hub</a><br />
<br />
I hope this list is helpful to all you potential tourers out there! Let us know if there any lessons you've learned from bike touring that I missed.<br />
<br />Megumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497402301830103021noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086568115515623316.post-55515965789937446832015-07-05T20:23:00.000-07:002015-07-05T20:23:37.079-07:00A Weehoo 4th of JulyI hope everyone had a great Independence day weekend! We sure did! Family time, new friends, and some fresh air and we were happy campers.<br />
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Neva couldn't wait to get back in the Weehoo, and I was happy to oblige. The hitch system is easy to use, and gives my wheel plenty of clearance.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo0m5YhEki40o3LJ_bBbhxZP5jOepbfxOSRHqti87ZUpCHF7nOMiulErIOfHxaSCUOUi32vM-pzX6JyXsWpP2lxnbQ0WqV1tMeLlB-Beh2t2RyDxqBqj3Z03tA8WnC6CBIm2aFHaPv2GqB/s1600/IMG_20150704_124906257_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo0m5YhEki40o3LJ_bBbhxZP5jOepbfxOSRHqti87ZUpCHF7nOMiulErIOfHxaSCUOUi32vM-pzX6JyXsWpP2lxnbQ0WqV1tMeLlB-Beh2t2RyDxqBqj3Z03tA8WnC6CBIm2aFHaPv2GqB/s400/IMG_20150704_124906257_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The trailer comes with 6 different sized shims to fit a variety of seat tubes, and the hitch pivots around really nicely, not hindering turns or movement. The trailer arm (left) slides over top of the hitch piece and locks into place with the pin. </td></tr>
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As many of you may have seen in the news, the Dallas/Fort Worth area (we are in Denton, TX) has been having lots of flooding with all of the rains over the past couple months, meaning that all of the trails are currently underwater or super muddy. So, with all of the construction around, and it being a holiday (ie. no one is working) we decided to explore where the new portions of the neighborhoods will go.<br />
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First we made sure that Neva was properly buckled in, and her feet were inserted into her cages. The seat slides forward and back along the central bar to adjust to a growing child, and the cages have bungees on the back to secure the foot in place. </div>
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Yup, that's the signal that it's go time!</div>
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The back of our cul de sac backs a wooded area, we have to climb over a big birm, but then have some dirt trails to explore. While we are re-situating, Neva tells me about how big the bike tube was at the bike shop that she saw when we dropped off the tandem the other day that was for a 29er fat bike. We continue on our way, and find a nice cement path. Unfortunately, it was for a golf course, so we quickly biked our way to the nearest road. There's a road extension that we use to get to our neighborhood grocery, so we decided to explore that instead. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_JePT7rR8L2vdJBheQGN11tSiuNDyF0s6YrxMhzuvotTajn6LuLR7X5xvk5XYYFvHt-TzZkeM_YkQqJXpzq54z2vcITssNne8t246MQT-_aC3zDs6cEHl9WAb3zXkYn5uE0v0__k_jzR/s1600/IMG_20150704_114717051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_JePT7rR8L2vdJBheQGN11tSiuNDyF0s6YrxMhzuvotTajn6LuLR7X5xvk5XYYFvHt-TzZkeM_YkQqJXpzq54z2vcITssNne8t246MQT-_aC3zDs6cEHl9WAb3zXkYn5uE0v0__k_jzR/s640/IMG_20150704_114717051.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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Here's the start of the path to get to the grocery store, but we will continue forward instead of turning, to see where it goes. Apparently, Neva says this is her "biking" face...hmmm, do I do that?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh10sO5yLe6QSARsx0rW3fiHKbLiN44fee3QGHkjQnOQmplB0AbObr77MFWlLshOjRio69rodJuFSGXnCGxcpVQuA9NX9agQrqisSGAVxeM7kR6CwoWMzwhJWFRViyBGGXoCPbk1uy8ge7N/s1600/IMG_20150704_115721768_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh10sO5yLe6QSARsx0rW3fiHKbLiN44fee3QGHkjQnOQmplB0AbObr77MFWlLshOjRio69rodJuFSGXnCGxcpVQuA9NX9agQrqisSGAVxeM7kR6CwoWMzwhJWFRViyBGGXoCPbk1uy8ge7N/s640/IMG_20150704_115721768_HDR.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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And neither one of my children could resist sitting in the big crane. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxGZw0GoRu_WnlSBz9MJfewizgDXyf0pgL594J6QJ5Lwd0ti4a8AR3SJd93PmV3UYNuu-8BrzrzpjcpP5A5H8ZXl-pOd8weE6nN3ofgzAra3UGR6Xf9P5CCVsBVtLDe2kSdjBV4D4AEDUC/s1600/IMG_20150704_121402115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxGZw0GoRu_WnlSBz9MJfewizgDXyf0pgL594J6QJ5Lwd0ti4a8AR3SJd93PmV3UYNuu-8BrzrzpjcpP5A5H8ZXl-pOd8weE6nN3ofgzAra3UGR6Xf9P5CCVsBVtLDe2kSdjBV4D4AEDUC/s640/IMG_20150704_121402115.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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Near the end of the construction work, we bumped into a lake with some trails around it within the trees. Yes, shade was a welcome friend, as 11am was approaching, and temperatures were rising here in north Texas. Here's a picture of Neva among the newfound foliage. I'm not sure exactly where we were, but at least there was a sign...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVj3Jm3kFLudG0Gj6DEazrCVbyGb7D-AXLmxOZlGyyIp4nxS9Wdefw5eLq2eO1e0bXFVR5yzJPWwnodFzcOHVit2E4yfWd8WWstycAE0Gj6NKu1NLZThu5d3zngAYu5OcFZ7k2dkez83I-/s1600/15+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVj3Jm3kFLudG0Gj6DEazrCVbyGb7D-AXLmxOZlGyyIp4nxS9Wdefw5eLq2eO1e0bXFVR5yzJPWwnodFzcOHVit2E4yfWd8WWstycAE0Gj6NKu1NLZThu5d3zngAYu5OcFZ7k2dkez83I-/s400/15+-+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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So was the end of our trail, so we pedaled our way back towards home. Neva wanted me to take a picture of these because she said they looked like large Lego blocks. Indeed Neva, indeed. </div>
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We managed to find a firework show nearby, near Lewisville Lake, so we went there for an evening of fireworks. Neva made a few friends and ran around with glowsticks and bubble guns for an hour after the show ended. Tip to parents : glowsticks are a great way to see your child in the dark. Flashlights, glow in the dark shirts, whatever, just tape them to your child and let them run!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghiFvb_FBSQyRGlImqu0lVGnhjxU3ZEOYsv7gabXrG5HaoWjIxYizBJlrP48aMEQFYjQkRGtQ3xiSmbV3e3XY-stDQtarjfgsLNfF9TmmNGbecZRyMmWEm_GxXyrGSGH0667Wsf0EFhLLt/s1600/IMG_20150704_211905297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghiFvb_FBSQyRGlImqu0lVGnhjxU3ZEOYsv7gabXrG5HaoWjIxYizBJlrP48aMEQFYjQkRGtQ3xiSmbV3e3XY-stDQtarjfgsLNfF9TmmNGbecZRyMmWEm_GxXyrGSGH0667Wsf0EFhLLt/s400/IMG_20150704_211905297.jpg" width="312" /></a></div>
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Though this picture doesn't do it justice, this was one of the better shows I've seen. The fireworks were huge and practically overhead, giving a 3-D look to them. There were sparkly ones, and golden ones (Neva's favorite color), smiley faces, and ones that were shaped like Saturn or looked like nebulas. Neva squealed the whole time, so I was happy. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqGD5F8jPhzWXZ4cAsBP5pUj4ZqBqlZnCurWl43LinpyuE2aNwCVQuLx0wVC-5DZJ4X7-m1TWMT1USAmmf4UAAZBnYly9mDI-HGmypdrQZci9TDkl1H9NKZrBV6tBAvkFCJqsHpaV8C4k/s1600/IMG_20150705_112758962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqGD5F8jPhzWXZ4cAsBP5pUj4ZqBqlZnCurWl43LinpyuE2aNwCVQuLx0wVC-5DZJ4X7-m1TWMT1USAmmf4UAAZBnYly9mDI-HGmypdrQZci9TDkl1H9NKZrBV6tBAvkFCJqsHpaV8C4k/s640/IMG_20150705_112758962.jpg" width="392" /></a></div>
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Sunday morning, and Neva was rearing to go again! She biked with me 2 miles of my 4 mile run, and when I got back, sweaty and looking for water, she said she wanted to give me a surprise. The surprise was that we were going to run from our house, back behind the cul de sac, around some of the trail/construction area we had been. Here she is in the lead, wearing one of her new exercise shirts. That's my girl!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMlLbcmsgq9cOD7_yJVhXzf5fo3wE_nWSAyfAbhnC9FUwF_JSj4sbOM6x_QaSUYLAJ-BJCJdc-zm6q-Lcvm8obbtiaWjxtGUPO5TMoLQQDRMhh1S6Wy5obsNtAFDrYkYjBqh170fVx-ef/s1600/IMG_20150705_155842413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMlLbcmsgq9cOD7_yJVhXzf5fo3wE_nWSAyfAbhnC9FUwF_JSj4sbOM6x_QaSUYLAJ-BJCJdc-zm6q-Lcvm8obbtiaWjxtGUPO5TMoLQQDRMhh1S6Wy5obsNtAFDrYkYjBqh170fVx-ef/s640/IMG_20150705_155842413.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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After her shower, Neva wanted a haircut, so the whole family (except Christian) got their ears lowered. Neva picked out this haircut out of some pictures online. Even our dog Sammie got a trim. </div>
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And so ended our holiday weekend, with biking, running, and haircuts. I guess the weekend kind of went like an "If you give a Neva a bike ride, she's going to want a run to go along with it" story. Oh, and I can't forget, the ever so popular face painting!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQH_UzbpjbY7hN4MaTuJfwwA_hAxmnO0endRjutChI1ud6-MJzz_AGACrNaKzQYXpyFn6-hWBuOAt_iSrs5T2hlPBbJhOhBnNd7FMX6035pCTfrTJFQ7eQa0GtdlVsbZ4scliV0VXYHZa/s1600/IMG_20150705_190713192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQH_UzbpjbY7hN4MaTuJfwwA_hAxmnO0endRjutChI1ud6-MJzz_AGACrNaKzQYXpyFn6-hWBuOAt_iSrs5T2hlPBbJhOhBnNd7FMX6035pCTfrTJFQ7eQa0GtdlVsbZ4scliV0VXYHZa/s640/IMG_20150705_190713192.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Happy Independence day everyone!</div>
<br />Megumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497402301830103021noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086568115515623316.post-78333866929388485242015-06-29T18:00:00.001-07:002015-07-03T19:22:35.543-07:00Austin Frankenbike Swap <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Last weekend, the family took a quick trip to Austin to visit friends, and visit Austin's <a href="http://austinot.com/frankenbike-austin">Frankenbike</a> bike swap. It was the 10th anniversary, and there was live music and an oyster bar, as well as beer since it was held at the Independence Brewing Company. With Austin's purported strong bike culture, I was excited to see a big turnout with lots of mountain biking bits and bobs to look at. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJKnLQ5fDcWJecFbpNl-U2c-QhPK5cJlVJAqtc_3ypJKG5TVmtauRfDnhhWGFBi9JRIpebq4qr0IB3ZOiTd-VRCm3vHekfxvQxdb6OEUWVWRSgbG3SsblJhI_LiQANv0vqeRWpQ9zT4lr/s1600/IMG_20150627_122709666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJKnLQ5fDcWJecFbpNl-U2c-QhPK5cJlVJAqtc_3ypJKG5TVmtauRfDnhhWGFBi9JRIpebq4qr0IB3ZOiTd-VRCm3vHekfxvQxdb6OEUWVWRSgbG3SsblJhI_LiQANv0vqeRWpQ9zT4lr/s400/IMG_20150627_122709666.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I don't know if it was the possibility of rain in the forecast, or that Frankenbike is held monthly, but most of the people there were vendors, and I didn't really see many other bikers around. I also expected there to be a wider variety of bike gear, but mostly people had things that were geared towards road cycling, townie bikes, or cross bikes. There wasn't much in the mountain bike realm, but we did find a few interesting things. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnZYKuZuvxrRH6AWaSSLwJXdiQ25pjkhArRcZe3N2Rht1UGXg3L0riwPtbRgTlcov8ZWpHJsAwEB7qMFnf41fI94BnWM-Qqz4IbWIgOLpf_Jx3zAFVRLQz6OIO7wEBmo7Rgjs4dl2YvEN/s1600/IMG_20150627_102052997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnZYKuZuvxrRH6AWaSSLwJXdiQ25pjkhArRcZe3N2Rht1UGXg3L0riwPtbRgTlcov8ZWpHJsAwEB7qMFnf41fI94BnWM-Qqz4IbWIgOLpf_Jx3zAFVRLQz6OIO7wEBmo7Rgjs4dl2YvEN/s400/IMG_20150627_102052997.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Neva found this bike. It reminded me a little bit of the banana seat bike I had when I was a kid, though mine was much bigger and had tassels on the handlebars. This bike also had solid tires, so you don't get flats, but it sure was heavy. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwPmeiB7dAfvyiJBnq1koeCZANaKBBrtSv7DZBgYE24Lg8T4Zkhj6cTBlLnbhlPYZsUhZllK2vtZcUd2lw1irfx96JXaP4SXT-H1EL6NyAQj4xjfoCeSQkhcKaw1Xjd4azL6gaO2rGfxr/s1600/IMG_20150627_102303573_TOP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwPmeiB7dAfvyiJBnq1koeCZANaKBBrtSv7DZBgYE24Lg8T4Zkhj6cTBlLnbhlPYZsUhZllK2vtZcUd2lw1irfx96JXaP4SXT-H1EL6NyAQj4xjfoCeSQkhcKaw1Xjd4azL6gaO2rGfxr/s400/IMG_20150627_102303573_TOP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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It took Neva a few go-arounds to get used to it, but she quickly adapted, and overall enjoyed her first cruiser bike experience. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_rNLKAkyYhLQt0x0CqE1vASc5EdjQ8hQ2DN7CJriTIYOeoOZjc7Fmwq6ufhVlsWIhSPQ3dNCc0-y3iUVnQP2A_SnEhqExXX9J6vlosX9Q09Yt0CnlBFI0QTPyU5dc-Dy0H_KeEOmXgB9/s1600/IMG_20150627_102707822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_rNLKAkyYhLQt0x0CqE1vASc5EdjQ8hQ2DN7CJriTIYOeoOZjc7Fmwq6ufhVlsWIhSPQ3dNCc0-y3iUVnQP2A_SnEhqExXX9J6vlosX9Q09Yt0CnlBFI0QTPyU5dc-Dy0H_KeEOmXgB9/s400/IMG_20150627_102707822.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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I also found a "bike". It's called a Skate Bike. It's like a unicycle with training wheels, except the training wheels come from the truck of a skateboard with skateboard wheels. </div>
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I liked it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJmKOXlP6KERDGqzS-x7nTYuPouUN6imcgAlouP7bDJ9l6IQ8Uw79sJAd60kZwXSJCKXelzmuPI7lPtxc2ZeDDjl6BnvYSe6B0PN1b1IOpQf_cgVjoLUjJaz-rgAoJOmIN9udTJ3SalGA/s1600/IMG_20150627_103151692.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJmKOXlP6KERDGqzS-x7nTYuPouUN6imcgAlouP7bDJ9l6IQ8Uw79sJAd60kZwXSJCKXelzmuPI7lPtxc2ZeDDjl6BnvYSe6B0PN1b1IOpQf_cgVjoLUjJaz-rgAoJOmIN9udTJ3SalGA/s400/IMG_20150627_103151692.jpg" width="268" /></a></div>
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And with the seat all the way down, Neva can almost ride it. Maybe next year sweetie. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1LEFAjpAv-8rmr9wNrSclg6gxX_RRV15S5oEn2MD0JbdPmjtF5Zf1JfUaOVxpa16qCPLMWzbHrqpMRGbtV60I-KHn7j7BTIHQQcpQuCdyzuAFlAJOm7KVghL6w9r96DVO7R42V-mWx_H4/s1600/IMG_20150627_105330989.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1LEFAjpAv-8rmr9wNrSclg6gxX_RRV15S5oEn2MD0JbdPmjtF5Zf1JfUaOVxpa16qCPLMWzbHrqpMRGbtV60I-KHn7j7BTIHQQcpQuCdyzuAFlAJOm7KVghL6w9r96DVO7R42V-mWx_H4/s400/IMG_20150627_105330989.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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We also saw this bike with 24" wheels, eyelets on the single post seat stay, and a crazy shifting/braking set up. Way cool. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8ca6L0ssJuJDv5MKrCUg87JNdL86aoUdF0bbdrNKLDjw0K-3xDxgiQqv1Rr_l_-2AfkmAlixZKTg3vi1FzEIeMRFYepRnnjyEn6CUIwYy0DuaEl5EzssnWsQlyNme_ryq1zQzY8XSCcp/s1600/IMG_20150627_120545508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8ca6L0ssJuJDv5MKrCUg87JNdL86aoUdF0bbdrNKLDjw0K-3xDxgiQqv1Rr_l_-2AfkmAlixZKTg3vi1FzEIeMRFYepRnnjyEn6CUIwYy0DuaEl5EzssnWsQlyNme_ryq1zQzY8XSCcp/s400/IMG_20150627_120545508.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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This one was an old Raleigh folder bike, possibly for commuting around in a big city. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3qRbRqGslOXFUMlfWdv0Xv0qYlxQj_jaTQKPJ-Ns3bq4NxDAked4cpgWAj76zNa8AaKS9NLF2TcHqbKzFtcGSiKg3lQFt3z_SE5jsIAfdk9T1HIYna3k7Jnb7RybIHKyGMwzPrvaNdnXl/s1600/IMG_20150627_120551724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3qRbRqGslOXFUMlfWdv0Xv0qYlxQj_jaTQKPJ-Ns3bq4NxDAked4cpgWAj76zNa8AaKS9NLF2TcHqbKzFtcGSiKg3lQFt3z_SE5jsIAfdk9T1HIYna3k7Jnb7RybIHKyGMwzPrvaNdnXl/s400/IMG_20150627_120551724.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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By today's standards, it may be considered bulky and heavy, but it has all the functions of a city folder, set up with a rear rack, 20" tires, and a quick release fold right in the center of the bike. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfRzo5g-wQ2DCgpN1VzOXZPVpPkGFB1l540Iig7wPdp_CE7SN__W1nBE3_8np75Nu2rIRyiD2GaQq4LlaqaymCVGzsEKxUqy_ZTQFiXg282xkWQ9FI7y9hJT5l5eccuQFtvebkOwBmXzbl/s1600/IMG_20150627_122100686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfRzo5g-wQ2DCgpN1VzOXZPVpPkGFB1l540Iig7wPdp_CE7SN__W1nBE3_8np75Nu2rIRyiD2GaQq4LlaqaymCVGzsEKxUqy_ZTQFiXg282xkWQ9FI7y9hJT5l5eccuQFtvebkOwBmXzbl/s400/IMG_20150627_122100686.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This bike's wheels were about as tall as Neva! I'm not sure who this bike is meant for, but it sure was fun to look at!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4qhfAux5n5tcpBrOoPB5T6XlUs3SuWG4cV1zYFE1vVk3rxJ2KFxp9TdkJPy4q8AsREPkqKbXzqniwxGDJkXkB5cThjaxNC13Ke4tnyWoy7xXiChuIx-S9x-pkPltiHxZmxLg1f0dbZwCN/s1600/IMG_20150627_111937842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4qhfAux5n5tcpBrOoPB5T6XlUs3SuWG4cV1zYFE1vVk3rxJ2KFxp9TdkJPy4q8AsREPkqKbXzqniwxGDJkXkB5cThjaxNC13Ke4tnyWoy7xXiChuIx-S9x-pkPltiHxZmxLg1f0dbZwCN/s400/IMG_20150627_111937842.jpg" width="367" /></a></div>
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Okay, I know this is a terrible shot, but I think it was a shot Neva accidentally took when holding my phone. I didn't realize I had the picture, but wanted to spread the word of our new bike friend. This is <a href="https://fundraise.1400miles.com/fundraise?fcid=378809">Davis Tucker</a>, and he had a booth called "Don't Fear the Finger". It is in reference to spreading awareness about prostate cancer, and to remind men to get checked out regularly. This is their logo : </div>
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Bryce helped put together a sponsorship ride called <a href="http://1400miles.com/">1400 miles</a>, where you bike from Austin to Denver (which is 1400 miles) in 14 days (100 miles a day), and all proceeds go to prostate cancer awareness and research. Bryce was very laid back, and had a friendly smile on his face during our entire conversation. It was refreshing to talk to another tourer at the bike swap. </div>
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And you can't go to Austin without enjoying the delicious food. It's one of those towns where you could blindfold yourself, spin around, and throw a rock, and hit a tasty food establishment (um, don't try doing that, please). After a warm day at the swap, we joined friends at <a href="http://www.dimassi.com/">Dimassi's Mediterranean Buffet</a>. It was the first place I'd ever been that actually had a salad bar packed with real salads! Tabouli, cucumber salad, avocado salad, and greek salad, oh my! Not to mention all of the other delicious fare that you would normally see, hummus, babaganoush, falafel, yellow rice, a bunch of meat stuff, and of course, baklava. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6Q-FejfjzQ0Yf3KlMUgRiVHAiBBW_W9Otj8BKH6ke2tnrkSdEB1yfIetZTSWkGnzV7RbzEWC6hnS8zmfyeu7IS7QBXm75FoN2JGAlvMG6Ib3zlwxGNQ0lTUl3NrqylPC2bri-afuKj4B/s1600/IMG_20150627_185840840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6Q-FejfjzQ0Yf3KlMUgRiVHAiBBW_W9Otj8BKH6ke2tnrkSdEB1yfIetZTSWkGnzV7RbzEWC6hnS8zmfyeu7IS7QBXm75FoN2JGAlvMG6Ib3zlwxGNQ0lTUl3NrqylPC2bri-afuKj4B/s400/IMG_20150627_185840840.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Wait, did I mention it was a buffet. Yeah, all you can eat for $13. We hit the pescatarian family jackpot. (And yes, they had baked fish there too).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKU8KZokKKR9zJ65JzLaes9aqs-slOthIpIRqhv5IZzN66rTcXSQAOG5u4c0UhYOuTTD6HDIIjpl9PlkrB6coRtt_ZiQcLvEO4mhamMeFZucxYmVJh-UeOq8VVipT_j15o8mW3GZOJPcun/s1600/IMG_20150627_190129220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKU8KZokKKR9zJ65JzLaes9aqs-slOthIpIRqhv5IZzN66rTcXSQAOG5u4c0UhYOuTTD6HDIIjpl9PlkrB6coRtt_ZiQcLvEO4mhamMeFZucxYmVJh-UeOq8VVipT_j15o8mW3GZOJPcun/s400/IMG_20150627_190129220.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here is my (ahem, first) heaping plate of food filled with salads, dolmas, baked cauliflower, fish, rice, eggplants, and baba. Yummy! Note : not all Dimassi's are created equally. I hear that some of the locations in Dallas don't quite meet up to the standards of the Austin location. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioRBSasUTrODaGIxPO3OCw2j4QaQ_KuAJDaQ7EmNQfXZfgHsOpCNuzpnXy7ZvNekxf_vNsebMI87zw4HdwRKzeqCofR6qGbRa2yg7LTuk987mCXZpUTPlk2W6z5erKibPOHtDPy7zr2FqE/s1600/IMG_20150627_215613666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioRBSasUTrODaGIxPO3OCw2j4QaQ_KuAJDaQ7EmNQfXZfgHsOpCNuzpnXy7ZvNekxf_vNsebMI87zw4HdwRKzeqCofR6qGbRa2yg7LTuk987mCXZpUTPlk2W6z5erKibPOHtDPy7zr2FqE/s400/IMG_20150627_215613666.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I also must talk about our friendly hosts who graciously took us in last-minute. This is Danielle holding our dog Sammie. Yes, Danielle is always that cheerful, and her smile is wonderfully infectious. We miss you guys!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG13bjspjJ6zv-iIAN8tXRzx9XjUYJkmPckC0dDEIfsWjqGfby-S00_xGbq-iKKUfz5uusu1raLsx2X5Wq6EHP9adMFeOO-X4Mv8cm9aRekzbho2rYVASxls-hRQclZhOycsk78gt1Bt9-/s1600/IMG_20150629_182251032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG13bjspjJ6zv-iIAN8tXRzx9XjUYJkmPckC0dDEIfsWjqGfby-S00_xGbq-iKKUfz5uusu1raLsx2X5Wq6EHP9adMFeOO-X4Mv8cm9aRekzbho2rYVASxls-hRQclZhOycsk78gt1Bt9-/s400/IMG_20150629_182251032.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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So, what did we take home from the swap? 2 shirts for me, including a super cool reflective shirt, 2 tri shirts for my training friend Laurie (you guys remember her), a triangle bag for the new tandem, 2 bottle cages, white and pale green, to match Christian's new bike, 1 kids wireless odometer/speedometer for Neva when she's biking around the neighborhood, and I may have gotten the skate bike...all for the whopping total of $65!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY00sND1d_He1U5vKzUgyobCypXnl0cviczoNIKmUDhicnrB_4jCe84S7sMChGn1IFNuaw3cUNFork5_wxseai12pxhuKPUTqevqVaxeteF9mYWyAbFx27twITaAlJLV3gXgVYea4nVMAQ/s1600/IMG_20150627_110404366.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY00sND1d_He1U5vKzUgyobCypXnl0cviczoNIKmUDhicnrB_4jCe84S7sMChGn1IFNuaw3cUNFork5_wxseai12pxhuKPUTqevqVaxeteF9mYWyAbFx27twITaAlJLV3gXgVYea4nVMAQ/s400/IMG_20150627_110404366.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Oh, and a guy just handed me these at the bike swap, saying his wife wanted them to be given to someone. A "new" pair of Birkenstocks for me!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfEnnlCKNTzkqUvBYnQ0kAXkPXvZvU1qrMFQuZtddfOYQsePqTwJIKoRWHphrelxe9_Y9pVzSl-HrZTfsjtJy_O1EmkkpbVkrMhQDD8-MujsHyLAFo9jCIep964rdk85LA-gN7jKHfI2q5/s1600/IMG_20150629_182036540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfEnnlCKNTzkqUvBYnQ0kAXkPXvZvU1qrMFQuZtddfOYQsePqTwJIKoRWHphrelxe9_Y9pVzSl-HrZTfsjtJy_O1EmkkpbVkrMhQDD8-MujsHyLAFo9jCIep964rdk85LA-gN7jKHfI2q5/s400/IMG_20150629_182036540.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I'm excited to get the KT all put together. Here is a taste of what the new bag looks like on. We have some last minute gear coming from the <a href="https://www.bikebagshop.com/">Bike Bag Shop</a>, my old place of business, and we still have to install the cranks, but hopefully we will have something set up to show everyone this weekend. I'm also still planning our route, and will have news of our rough route soon so you can give us a shout out if we will be in your area. Write to you all soon!</div>
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Megumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497402301830103021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086568115515623316.post-31555900386242565712015-06-28T14:46:00.001-07:002015-06-28T14:51:57.070-07:00Christmas comes early : A Kidz Tandem and Weehoo storyWe are ramping up for our bike tour. I have maps out, am getting our bikes set up, and am on the phone tying up any loose ends. This weekend, we decided to go to Austin for the Frankenbike bike swap, and to visit friends, of course. About 30 minutes before we left, we got a few presents from FedEx.<br />
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We got our Kidz Tandem that we bought on Craigslist for $1200 from a John in Utah. It's super cool. It is set up with mountain components (including disc brakes, knobby tires, etc.), and allows the child to sit up front, while you navigate in the back with a long steer tube.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOIpOrGCXj5JJKiFhE0D939KpZWXXjOuRIbnmO3lJIuYAou1ckHmIMF5v3qmwfFde3ScySycOQfEdi3sthvP3x2QqthxuorOGv3RFvpBr3A_rTWbZBLqMkAU3jJr0WF8T6FaOhuziyWIbj/s1600/IMG_20150626_155146252_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOIpOrGCXj5JJKiFhE0D939KpZWXXjOuRIbnmO3lJIuYAou1ckHmIMF5v3qmwfFde3ScySycOQfEdi3sthvP3x2QqthxuorOGv3RFvpBr3A_rTWbZBLqMkAU3jJr0WF8T6FaOhuziyWIbj/s640/IMG_20150626_155146252_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Thanks to John for sending me detailed dimensions, and Chris Brown from <a href="http://www.browncycles.com/tandems.htm">Brown Cycles</a> who makes these bikes in Grand Junction, CO, I decided that we were going to try out the Kidz Tandem setup for our next bike tour. A few things sold me on this set up :<br />
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1. I talked to 4 people who had owned a Kidz Tandem, and they had all used it on single track terrain in areas like Moab, Colorado, and the hilly east coast, with their child, and all raved about how it handled. Three of these people were bike shop owners, and could have directed me to the 3x as expensive CoMotion tandem which I inquired about too, but they all suggested the KT.<br />
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2. I really liked the idea of Neva being able to be up front and be engaged in the action, instead of passively pedaling from behind.<br />
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3. This bike new is about $2400, and it's ready to go. No need to add something for Neva to fit, it's already her size. No need to get new parts because it's mountain ready, unlike many used tandems which are mostly for road biking, and many new tandems set up as mountain bikes start at $6000.<br />
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4. The bike actually fits me. Most tandem smalls are even too tall for me since I am only 5'2". It is assumed that the captain (front rider) is over 5'6" tall, and probably male. It makes sense that many couples will ride this way, male in front, woman in back, but it sure makes it difficult to find a good fit for us!<br />
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Here's what the KT looks like put together :<br />
<img alt="image 1" src="http://images.craigslist.org/00A0A_h5FAsr2f0pk_600x450.jpg" /><br />
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The only downsides to the KT is that Neva will eventually outgrow it, but we can then sell it, and get another set up at that point. The other downside is it does not fold up, making it more difficult to transport, but we did attach it to our bike rack, and it does fit pretty well with both wheels off. Lastly, it is 55 pounds, which is 20 pounds lighter than our Chariot set up, but 20 pounds heavier than other tandem set ups (potentially). Considering this is a solid off-road machine, I think many of the weight estimates for tandems are maybe road set ups, or do not consider the total weight when fully put together, so it seems like a reasonable weight for what we are doing.<br />
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We were also sponsored by <a href="http://rideweehoo.com/">Weehoo</a>, which was the other package that showed up...<br />
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This is the bike trailer that attaches to the seatpost of the bike, and allows the child to recline. We got the 2015 IGO Venture model which includes a rear rack and light panniers in the back. <br />
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Originally, I went to see a Weehoo trailer at REI in Flagstaff, AZ. It appeared that the hitch was cumbersome and stiff, and that the trailer was heavy and overbuilt, with 4 large metal pieces at the bottom, so I was unsure of it's capabilities off-road.<br />
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The trailer we received was a completely different animal. Beautiful in every way. It was very easy to put together. Note this came 30 minutes before we were going to leave, and it's already completely put together. The metal bits were replaced with one thick plastic piece that is strong and adjustable, and the hitch came with different inserts, and is a much improved design.<br />
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There were also many details of the trailer that I like, for instance the chain is covered to help prevent clothes from getting stuck, and possibly to protect the chain from excess dirt exposure, the pedals have cages with little rubber ties around back to hold the child's feet in place so they don't fall off the pedals, and adjusting the seat as the child's legs get longer is very quick and easy to do.<br />
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Neva and I look forward to trying out both of our new toys, and will keep you updated on the progress. I will also be posting soon a "how to" put together the Weehoo, as it is so quick, it won't take me long to take it apart and put it back together so you guys can see how it's done. Happy trails and write to you soon!Megumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497402301830103021noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086568115515623316.post-84953485882824903672015-06-21T22:30:00.003-07:002015-06-22T19:13:46.192-07:00Family Road Trip! - A Driving tour of the SouthwestWe hadn't visited family and friends in a little while, so we decided to do one of our annual road trips, seeing as many people as possible while enjoying what the southwest has to offer. Below is our 2,300 mile driving tour mapped out.<br />
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Our first stop was Flagstaff, Arizona. The place where Neva was born, and where I called home for 8 years. We were able to make it to our friend's house warming party, and Neva was reunited with her longest-known friend, Logan (they've known each other their whole lives). And they picked up just where they left off!<br />
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Here is Logan and Neva playing with the chickens.</div>
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And jumping on the trampoline... Rinse and repeat!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Logan is very trusting during the game of "popcorn".</td></tr>
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And no trip of ours would be complete without a little bit of biking around!</div>
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We made a trip out to visit the Ft. Tuthill mountain biking recreational area. Flagstaff won the Bell Built Program for the west coast, bringing in $33,000 toward trail development. Bell is a bicycle helmet company, and the Built Program goes towards bicycle trails to be built in communities who vote on prospective bike trail expansions. Flagstaff beat out communities in California, Oregon, Washington, etc. and won the grand prize for the western states. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neva attacking the kiddie slopes. </td></tr>
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There was so much stuff to do here, from the kiddie roller circle to the advanced mountain course to catch serious air. For a fee, there are also activities like zip lining and rock climbing around the area too.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bigger slopes</td></tr>
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Neva got to meet up with her friend Izzy at the bike park, another cycling kiddo who loves the outdoors. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post riding snacks with Matt, Kori, and Izzy.<br />
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Biking was followed by not one, but two wonderful potlucks! Flagstaff is a very community-based town, and you can always count on a vegan or vegetarian potluck within walking distance whenever you arrive.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neva and Izzy after an afternoon of biking.</td></tr>
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We also were lucky enough to have the grandparents and uncle come up and visit from southern California and Phoenix, Arizona. We enjoyed the beautiful Flagstaff weather, attending the farmer's market, having a nice lunch, and of course, a horse-drawn carriage ride.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We escaped the torrents of rain in Dallas just in time to enjoy the 70 degrees C clear weather of Flagstaff. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Kisses for</span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Grammy!</span></td></tr>
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Neva loves her grandma! They were twinsies that day, and grandma made her a french braid. </div>
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To end our stay in Flagstaff, we got all dressed up to see the comedian Eddie Izzard, a self-proclaimed "action transvestite" from England who incorporates historical events into his comedy. He also was part of the brilliant pilot called "1515 Mockingbird Lane", playing Grandpa in the modernized version of the Munsters.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Please tick one : cake or death" referencing one of<br />
his most famous skits on the Church of England <br />
fundamentalism<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neva intently watching the show<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eddie Izzard killed it with a full standing ovation in Flagstaff, which was part of his world tour called Force Majeure. It was the best work of his I have seen, already being a huge fan. Here he is giving a hilarious play-by-play of his take on the sport of dressage.<br />
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Moving on from Flagstaff, we journeyed to the idyllic scenery of Sedona. We got a good rate at a hotel using a Groupon, and awoke to the view below, outside of our window. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not bad for a $66 hotel room. Groupon is a great way to save money on long trips!<br />
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We had to take Neva to one of the great creek "spots" we used to go to in our college days. We ended up taking her to Wet Beaver Creek. The one passed the high school. You can get a pick up a trail guide from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fat-Tire-Tales-Trails-Mountain/dp/0966476980">Cosmic Ray</a> (he lives in Flagstaff), but have a regular map too if you're not a local because his directions are written for locals.<br />
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Neva and Christian enjoying the rope swing. The water was cold, but refreshing!</div>
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After swimming, we decided to hike around and explore the scenery.</div>
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Leaving Sedona, we had a long stretch to Benson, stopping along the way to visit friends. We were heading towards Neva's favorite natural formation, a cave. Kartchner Caverns in Benson, Arizona was her first tour of a living cave, which means that the cave is still able to make formations. We camped out in the Kartchner Caverns State park ($25). There are other more primitive camping options nearby, but those require a 4WD vehicle, and we have a tiny Scion. Prior to our tour, which needs to be scheduled at least a day in advance, we visited our friend Joe's organic farm <a href="http://www.southwindsfarm.org/">SouthWinds Farm</a>.</div>
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That's Joe (left), and that's his farm (bottom). Joe is a humble man who has worked as a geologist and mineral economist for over 15 years. After a struggle with some life-changing circumstances, Joe decided he wanted to start offering people good quality, locally farmed food, and that's just what he did. He has got 1/3 of an acre of delicious food that feeds many of the farmers markets around the Tucson area. He never fails to sell his lot of food, as his succulent vegetables, somehow filled with water in the desert setting, are irresistible.<br />
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Joe put us in charge of the beet crop, something easy for us newbies to decipher what is ready to be harvested. He had a long row of golden and red beets that we probed the ground for to see if they were large enough to pull. We then clipped off the tops, as they were too wilted to sell, and washed them off to prep for the market. We harvested over 20-30 pounds total. Organic farming is not easy! Since Joe doesn't use any sort of pesticides, there are regular casualties. We came across evidence of rats (below), but luckily no fungi or insect damage. </div>
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As a thanks for our help, he sent us off with tons of fresh veggies. Joe had managed to grow delicious spring greens in 100 degree Fahrenheit southern Arizona weather, filled with arugula, baby mustard greens, and others. He also included the coveted Tokyo turnips (right) which are filled with water, slightly spicy, and can be popped like cherry tomatoes. We of course got some beets, and large carrots, of which he estimated to have another (literal) ton left in the ground. Though large, they weren't woody, and were so sweet they could almost double for candy for Neva. Into our cooler they went, and off we went to continue our adventure. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisl6OLlrXphmTvWLMkyq3BVEHON4Zsv_tKO8td8XdQiIQC253uJJETH0AupaAY3V0Nu2lOtai30qvsk-YBL2WX9cjtzNR0pHU9dv88RThSNW2SItrdJzR73gvmG8vFRHUfq5Q5wRrfHBuD/s1600/P1011314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><img height="280" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/uDtctw239N_jMHUwM7Hwf5wiM1SKMMHUnumqFRWQjqtj=w903-h633-no" style="text-align: center;" width="400" /></a></div>
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We weren't allowed to take pictures inside the cave, but the tour was great. Led by a knowledgeable guide with a dry sense of humor. We did the <a href="http://azstateparks.com/Parks/KACA/tour_info.html">Throne Tour</a>, as Kartchner takes great pains to keep the cave pristine. The Big Room Tour is closed during the summer months because bats still use the cave for breeding and raising their young from May to October. They also have an impressive museum which talks about different formations, the importance of the whole ecosystem (including the role of microorganisms) using interactive devices, as well as exhibits made to give perspective like the bat ears mimicking what echolocation is like (above) and the wall with small cavities in them showing you how a caver would have to navigate through a cave (below). </div>
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Where else could I get a book called "Who pooped in the Sonoran Desert"?</div>
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From Benson, we went to visit our friend Ben in Silver City, New Mexico. Ben is my long-time biking buddy from Flagstaff. He makes delicious bread, is a guy who draws together wonderful community, and has known Neva since she was born. You guys might remember him from Neva's and my first RAGBRAI tour or his guest appearance on our GDT tour in 2013. </div>
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Though Ben doesn't live at the famous Bike Haus anymore (a great pit stop for anyone biking the GDT or hiking the CDT), we stopped by to say hello to Jamie, Neva's other best bud. So, the excitement went like this. Neva noticed this duck guarding a bunch of eggs ...</div>
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Jamie had harvested eggs 2 days prior, and had guessed the (7) chickens had laid most of the eggs, and the duck was doing all of the work. She was very intent on protecting all of those eggs in there, so Neva and Jamie went in ...</div>
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...Don Quixote style, Jamie donned a colander on his head, wielding a shovel (for intimidation purposes really), with Neva holding a bucket. </div>
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They made it out alive, harvesting 24 eggs! There was one casualty duck egg that went to the dog. And the duck had lain at least 8 eggs all on her own, so it's no wonder she was feeling very motherly (even with no males around). </div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">And it wouldn't be a Bike Haus visit without large puppets or bikes/GDT bikers. </span></div>
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Jamie entertained Neva with masks, and I was sidetracked by the bikers from Albuquerque who were sporting some handmade frame bags that they sewed themselves out of boat sails (above). We said our goodbyes and headed towards <a href="http://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/balmorhea">Balmorhea State Park</a> for another night of camping. On the way, we stopped in El Paso for food at <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/pho-tre-bien-el-paso">Pho Tre Bien</a>. Everything was unique and tasty, and we got to sit outside next to a coy pond. It was quite convenient being right off the the freeway, and the food set up was so authentic, it was easy to imagine you were in a foreign land. I can't tell you exactly what we got, but Christian got some sort of crispy noodle (third down), Neva got a veggie stuffed omelette (second down, left), and I got a glass noodle dish (second down, right), and everything was delicious. </div>
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We chose Balmorhea because we wanted a place between Silver and Kerrville that had water sources, and Balmorhea has swimming streams nearby. I was much more impressed once I was there as it was a lot more beautiful and remote than I had expected, considering it did offer a pool and cabins.</div>
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Neva chased around some roadrunners while I enjoyed the view of the mountains in the background. We also observed a large colony of harvester ants. Upon further inspection, I noticed that some of them had white stuff coming out of their heads, and those ants were the ones holding still for the camera while the others sped around at tiny highways speeds, being nothing more than a fuzzy line. I suspect that some of the colony was infected with some sort of parasitic fungus. </div>
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Harvester ants are very strong, and have large mandibles because they feed on large hard seeds usually, and are a very important part of seed dispersal in the southwest. They usually aren't aggressive, but in Silver City, one accidentally found its way into Neva's pants and, probably out of fear, gave her a good bite. It left a large red spot on her leg for a few days. Being a little wiser for the wear, she enjoyed watching them from a safe distance, respecting their space, and being cognizant of where she stepped. </div>
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We spent the rest of the morning near the creek just a short walk from our tent, and catching butterflies. When it was time to pack up, we made sure to make some delicious sandwiches for the road, made only from the fresh vegetables acquired from the Flagstaff farmer's market and Joe's farm. </div>
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Our last stop was to see Papa Fitch in Kerrville, Texas, and boy did Papa have a weekend planned out for us! It started off with picnic dinner at a community wine event and Shakespeare's Twelfth Night in the park. Malvolio stole the show, especially the part where he is wearing the yellow stockings, cross-gartered. </div>
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We then got to enjoy the first annual chalk festival. She wanted to go in style, but Papa's fancy El Camino, but it doesn't have a back seat. </div>
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The artists at the festival ranged from children to famous artists, all delighting the crowd of onlookers. Neva even got to color a square of her own. Can you tell which one is hers? </div>
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Signing the masterpiece</div>
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Afterwards, we had a culinary feast at the local <a href="https://plus.google.com/114540794442462169273/about?gl=us&hl=en">Taqueria Jalisco's</a>, where you can sit outside and watch the Guadalupe River go by from the outside dining patio. I highly recommend the fish tacos. I would rank them among the top in the world that I've experienced, competing with San Diego fish tacos, and fresh mahi mahi tacos near la Playa Gigante in Nicaragua. </div>
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We ended our afternoon with kayaking on Papa's lake, where Christian and I got married about one year beforehand. Neva wanted to swim all day, catching pollywogs, and absorbing the sun's rays in a healthy ecosystem. </div>
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And so, we headed towards home, back towards the daily hustle and bustle. Me teaching summer school, Christian to work, and Neva to school. Here's Neva's take on returning home...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How cute, she fell asleep reading her poop book!</td></tr>
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As we prepare for our summer bike tour, I want to say happy father's day to all of the dads out there. To my father and step father who support my biking lifestyle, to my husband who is not only supportive of my biking, but is willing to go along for the ride, and for all of those who have had their dads pass away, hold those memories close of the father figure that made you who you are today. We love you dads, and thank you for everything you do!</div>
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Megumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497402301830103021noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086568115515623316.post-29831648506003374492015-02-25T10:16:00.001-08:002015-05-12T14:27:30.922-07:00Prepping for Neva's First Bike TourSo, Neva is that age where she has been riding for over two years now, and she's outgrowing her trailers. Our ever so <a href="https://www.bikekidshop.com/">trusty trailers</a> that have carried her over 50,000 miles over these last five years, it's kind of hard to believe. It's thanks to my friends over at the <a href="https://www.bikeshophub.com/">Bike Shop Hub</a>, and brands like Chariot Carriers, Burley, <a href="http://www.nordiccab.no/">Nordic Cab</a>, and <a href="http://www.en.tout-terrain.de/">Tout Terrain</a> that have allowed us to test their trailers in the past and be experts on child trailers, and now it's time to get out of the comfort zone and into the uncharted territory of Neva assisted bike-touring!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiv2fDKvEKmdAs0hhiLAIGJ00ZYYsgOc4VlBu0TnZyNmhuuSHEdVh1M8z38hAUlD229W5BrcOEuf75dJQO8ZOJGtR5nuFE7uCH3vYUUYjiKULmBd2ABL_S0AmvLDBcc6BnL-rivGg3_Gq5/s1600/P7041125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiv2fDKvEKmdAs0hhiLAIGJ00ZYYsgOc4VlBu0TnZyNmhuuSHEdVh1M8z38hAUlD229W5BrcOEuf75dJQO8ZOJGtR5nuFE7uCH3vYUUYjiKULmBd2ABL_S0AmvLDBcc6BnL-rivGg3_Gq5/s1600/P7041125.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfF9Vd9GSN0XVvG2eva3XRp9xnM_iATiDvPI-UAawEegnJym9gI1yqD3xQQyH9-B7tnt1K2S4awfEhtoNyigyxAz7TKge1suvhslltqdb29DboQC-c5zKzWAs92fA8DhEXj_2GReb0kiI/s1600/megandnevaflag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfF9Vd9GSN0XVvG2eva3XRp9xnM_iATiDvPI-UAawEegnJym9gI1yqD3xQQyH9-B7tnt1K2S4awfEhtoNyigyxAz7TKge1suvhslltqdb29DboQC-c5zKzWAs92fA8DhEXj_2GReb0kiI/s1600/megandnevaflag.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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What are the options then?<br />
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There's the long tail bike with seat, like the <a href="https://www.biketrailershop.com/xtracycle-cargo-kits-c-145.html">Xtracycle</a>. Now, I haven't ridden a longtail bike in a while, but they can be very heavy if it's all one bike frame (Yuba), and wobbly if it's an added attachment (Xtracycle) and you're carrying a lot of weight. These are popular around beaches, and bumming around town, and though people do use them for long touring and may like them, they can be cumbersome, and Neva wouldn't be able to pedal. They also are a bit of an investment, so it might be worth considering a tandem if you're willing to spend the extra money and have the extra frame weight.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Pros</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Cons</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Holds a lot of gear</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Heavy and cumbersome, difficult to travel with</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Has a seat and harness when child wants to sleep (extra cost)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Neva can’t pedal</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Need to either redo whole bike, or buy new bike ($500-$1300)</span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-fb518279-c172-bb79-d5a3-64627828e2cb">The tandem is a possibility, but a very large investment, so we would have to calculate out realistically how many years we might be able to get out of a set up like that. I like the idea of a tandem, but I would want Neva to be able to stop pedaling when she wanted to, and that set up is also costly. It could be a very good set-up, but it would need (off-road capable) tandem + <a href="http://www.rodbikes.com/articles/kidback.html">kidback</a> (so she could reach the pedals) <complete id="goog_1318129726">+ <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Trail-A-Bike-140268-01-Back-Rest/dp/B000SMS7IC">seat</a> (so she could fall asleep) + clipless pedals/shoes (again, for sleeping).</complete></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Just like a regular bike, but longer (ie. familiar for repairs, can transfer <a href="https://www.bikebagshop.com/">rack/pannier</a> set up, etc.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cumbersome, difficult to travel with (even with S&S couplers, which add $600-$1000 to cost of bike)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Seat and harness potential</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cost : $3500 (bike) + $300 (kidback) + $60 (backrest) + etc. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Neva can pedal for years if she wants to</span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-fb518279-c172-bb79-d5a3-64627828e2cb">There is also the trail-a-bike option. This style bike typically hitches to your seat post, and it trails similarly to a trailer. The child can chose to pedal or not, and you can add the additional seat for if they want to fall asleep. You would probably also want to get clipless pedals for this set up so their feet aren't dangling. This seems like a good option, but may be limiting depending on the terrain, and length of the ride. </span></div>
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Most trail-a-bikes aren't meant for off-road use, and don't have shifting capabilities, though a few do, like the <a href="https://www.bikekidshop.com/burley-piccolo-trailer-cycle-p-1307.html">Burley Piccolo</a> which is a 7-speed, and lets the child learn about how to shift. The Piccolo is also unique in that it attaches to an included rack instead of to the seat post. This means that you will be able to mount your panniers without worrying about clearance from the hitch arm. The concern I might have is how the trail-a-bike might lean if she does nod off and if the hitch is made for that kind of use. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tracks similarly to a trailer, fits child with adjustable seat and handlebars, can add seat</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Short lifespan, depending on how quickly child grows (though possibly a good 3 years)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Has shifting capabilities for learning and rack so you don’t lose storage options (with Piccolo)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leaning potential for when the child is sleeping</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Detachable, small, light (aluminum) potentially easier to travel with</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Unknown capabilities for long, off-road trips</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Reasonable price : $359 + backrest</span></div>
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Lastly, there is the Weehoo IGO Venture Trailer. This trailer has not only shown to do extremely well off-road, but it also is the leader in safety since the child is able to fall asleep due to the recumbent position. No additions necessary. The chain is also covered to prevent tiny pant legs from getting caught. The seat adjusts back as your child grows, so it does have long lasting potential, and there is a cargo space, and we always need more cargo space! They really have thought deeply about the construction of this trailer and hit all of the major issues I've seen in trailers. My only potential issue with this trailer is that with my short stature, I may not be able to mount a rack, though the newer IGO has full panniers which may give me all the space I need. Out of all the trailers, it seems like it fares best for both functionality and value.<br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Good ergonomics and safety. Neva can fall asleep, and no extra gear is needed as she is in full recumbent position</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Unsure of rack compatibility (for short riders like myself) with seat post mounted hitch</span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-fb518279-c172-bb79-d5a3-64627828e2cb">So these are the options that our family is looking at now. It all depends on how much we want to spend, and what kinds of trips we will take with Neva over the years. Our first trip (most likely) will be with Neva doing <a href="http://neva-travelwithaninfant.blogspot.com/2013/08/what-is-ragbrai.html">RAGBRAI</a>, which is an all-paved ride that is supported. The trail-a-bike would be good for that scenario because if there was a day she didn't want to ride and I did, we would un-hook her bike and SAG with Christian, as opposed to me riding a tandem. But having a sturdy tandem for off-road might be the best answer for the Great Divide ride, but for when she's older, as she would probably be more comfortable in the recumbent-style Weehoo during her younger years. I'll keep you tuned-in and let you know what we decide for our summer tour. If you have any great family riding stories or photos, please post and share!</span></div>
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</span>Megumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497402301830103021noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086568115515623316.post-32929146364870997152014-09-29T20:54:00.002-07:002014-09-29T20:56:20.007-07:00Quick Post : College CommuterHey everyone! Just in case you didn't know, I'm working on a graduate degree in environmental science and Neva is now in school. With the structured school year lifestyle, we will be talking a little bit about commuting, though I still have plenty of travel tales to regale and pictures to share. I wanted to do a quick post so you didn't think I forgot about you! My Olympus is in the shop right now, so the photos are phone-tastic!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHxK0JdIEm2ix-g5mbxDKjIh8dg5MBu-xBI65GTixvMWILDJg8VYNU0AsifQjm9hWeIDfgFrptVbNbxSQ9ajbQRVYSC7cQek88t74bXF9TaoIjCYP8Ta5RAzSDpXlHCcBJaFgRrNPNBLbE/s1600/IMG_20140825_075709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHxK0JdIEm2ix-g5mbxDKjIh8dg5MBu-xBI65GTixvMWILDJg8VYNU0AsifQjm9hWeIDfgFrptVbNbxSQ9ajbQRVYSC7cQek88t74bXF9TaoIjCYP8Ta5RAzSDpXlHCcBJaFgRrNPNBLbE/s1600/IMG_20140825_075709.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neva's first day of school.</td></tr>
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Neva's school is far away for now, so no biking to school yet. She is trail-a-bike ready when the time comes!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0g251-mUuH0Uh8BGllMJcM0Wr8HmZSXXpbErrdLH14r64-JgjztsguXk4rhe7Gx9yOtitYB0iTzsUAhQTa9zHm73rIySaSOBu36ghpoagEW8KJKhaEIJs8saZRdh5LZ29iqLh0Vuz7DNT/s1600/IMG_20140821_205136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0g251-mUuH0Uh8BGllMJcM0Wr8HmZSXXpbErrdLH14r64-JgjztsguXk4rhe7Gx9yOtitYB0iTzsUAhQTa9zHm73rIySaSOBu36ghpoagEW8KJKhaEIJs8saZRdh5LZ29iqLh0Vuz7DNT/s1600/IMG_20140821_205136.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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My first night at school. After graduate orientation, someone locked their bike up to another bike's brake cables! That bike belonged to a girl, and she was unable to leave. After over an hour of waiting, the parking police were called in with (very) large bolt cutters. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkHBadsho-la0UCahLobsK-HFII9SbBWMXlo9_iFtrLsFDAglzgylV8LexLeL4C7cIkMau1Q8cYvhlN5QYdCsgAVE_LIOA0Ve5FrDACpKAlBvq52wGRLVhRYKj0piJwValp3oFiwXn4NxQ/s1600/IMG_20140904_123632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkHBadsho-la0UCahLobsK-HFII9SbBWMXlo9_iFtrLsFDAglzgylV8LexLeL4C7cIkMau1Q8cYvhlN5QYdCsgAVE_LIOA0Ve5FrDACpKAlBvq52wGRLVhRYKj0piJwValp3oFiwXn4NxQ/s1600/IMG_20140904_123632.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first day of school. Can you spot my bike? Me neither!</td></tr>
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My first day of school I got to lock my bike up with a slew of other bikes, I made sure to pay special attention to other people's stray brake cables. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitEt7e04ni-vzazqIlRkBXQzCLiumwRZVvc7w5f34nvRqoJTRYYOoHV4G-eG0DEAudANpzmjWHU3rQoJ0nil6IO8jPVu0Kw5EG5gcqrbSYkeR6i5aqvHYQd37i2ENGwz3-0rUgM_IoavNY/s1600/IMG_20140929_215945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitEt7e04ni-vzazqIlRkBXQzCLiumwRZVvc7w5f34nvRqoJTRYYOoHV4G-eG0DEAudANpzmjWHU3rQoJ0nil6IO8jPVu0Kw5EG5gcqrbSYkeR6i5aqvHYQd37i2ENGwz3-0rUgM_IoavNY/s1600/IMG_20140929_215945.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'll do another post on it, but that's me in Da Brim. <br />
A must have for Texas summers.</td></tr>
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Here's the bag I carry. It's a <a href="http://www.bikebagshop.com/chrome-mini-metro-bike-messenger-bag-p-2003.html">Chrome mini metro messenger bag</a>. I've tried other Chrome bags, and I feel like they're just too big for a 5'2" girl, but this one is just the right fit. The mini metro has the classic clasp in the front, waterproofing, and two clips and velcro closure up front.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFKpwq19PfjaLK8X5xC4wZ7-mUivgxWG0orkvR40ajl-teaVAC23zf8-uyS4GQTvsTybLA2cML9sTBLNMVbqHNNBq5xL989zbLLUgJtLSR-gETKgDVGPqk98yZCsvGPIWlHPgFg-aC3BTY/s1600/IMG_20140929_215719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFKpwq19PfjaLK8X5xC4wZ7-mUivgxWG0orkvR40ajl-teaVAC23zf8-uyS4GQTvsTybLA2cML9sTBLNMVbqHNNBq5xL989zbLLUgJtLSR-gETKgDVGPqk98yZCsvGPIWlHPgFg-aC3BTY/s1600/IMG_20140929_215719.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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It holds all of my stuff too. I love the organization in this thing. Usually you have to compromise with waterproofness and organization, but this bag has both. There's a separate slot for my computer, a main compartment for my notebooks and grade organizer, a front zipper section with lots of pockets and slots for pens and miscellaneous items, and two medium pockets in the very front where I put my wallet, keys and phone, for quick access. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6HntqrYQKgHPfG_sx_CH5d3X0wHsX6_JIvRlsXf2MeXfiY3FSN6kQh772UD_cBeo79OQOjuFwfpMbv8BbWPVZD6WRg1cfORp2ti__L1UOTjnEu48tUkPKrDEpdNJMoIGhTPqovWKZn1qM/s1600/IMG_20140925_101119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6HntqrYQKgHPfG_sx_CH5d3X0wHsX6_JIvRlsXf2MeXfiY3FSN6kQh772UD_cBeo79OQOjuFwfpMbv8BbWPVZD6WRg1cfORp2ti__L1UOTjnEu48tUkPKrDEpdNJMoIGhTPqovWKZn1qM/s1600/IMG_20140925_101119.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I despise sweaty back, and am a huge proponent of panniers, but I didn't want to give up my messenger bag. I decided to make use of all those straps and buckles and attached the Mini Metro pretty easily to my rack. Now, I do have lots of experience, so it takes a little ingenuity, but it all worked out.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1BGq80193irCKKWn0JvIRO5u4LrnIEgzOhwmALdIfZt3-0f_HG14uyJ1q6qHxquxQ35l6E5OcV93WQx89ZIgYPajcmj2D778iQdGnc66WbDM3ZBRj84KdP2Nr8Idra77k0Y4wWwUKFDE1/s1600/IMG_20140925_101111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1BGq80193irCKKWn0JvIRO5u4LrnIEgzOhwmALdIfZt3-0f_HG14uyJ1q6qHxquxQ35l6E5OcV93WQx89ZIgYPajcmj2D778iQdGnc66WbDM3ZBRj84KdP2Nr8Idra77k0Y4wWwUKFDE1/s1600/IMG_20140925_101111.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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The issues I ran into at first were dealing with the heal clearance, but after fiddling with the multiple straps (the underarm strap velcros on and off if you need extra leverage there) I got it to fit pretty securely.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhRw6o0LgtYpIXiPy96KtBz1dp_pN3hWqiuxHRmQsTx_mgVB7MNffAmHsGoW4AJ_8DBxdNCUpJLb4G18TeMPdyKiQ1xOeWete8WPOMR5zo1a46Tx-J_qy2t3NgmSMICDZeVpdRbqffBMcC/s1600/IMG_20140925_101100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhRw6o0LgtYpIXiPy96KtBz1dp_pN3hWqiuxHRmQsTx_mgVB7MNffAmHsGoW4AJ_8DBxdNCUpJLb4G18TeMPdyKiQ1xOeWete8WPOMR5zo1a46Tx-J_qy2t3NgmSMICDZeVpdRbqffBMcC/s1600/IMG_20140925_101100.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have lots to share about China, but wanted to say hello. If anyone has any questions about commuting, please post. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRI93t77WYP68qNIUCwIuraQcM3g0pZ5_umI1cOK3J6oiQucFoIXJX6E4RpE3GIi94D9E2ZJrOcztR0ogyyklYdbLpbSe0TP-HrTR7fa_R-3ocVu1TqZb_PR6KYA5eVm0du6u-vld9RA2V/s1600/IMG_20140826_222757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRI93t77WYP68qNIUCwIuraQcM3g0pZ5_umI1cOK3J6oiQucFoIXJX6E4RpE3GIi94D9E2ZJrOcztR0ogyyklYdbLpbSe0TP-HrTR7fa_R-3ocVu1TqZb_PR6KYA5eVm0du6u-vld9RA2V/s1600/IMG_20140826_222757.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With 3 night classes a week, I do this quite a bit.</td></tr>
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And everyone really just reads the blog to see Neva, so here's your moment of zen, Neva biking 6 miles a day on off-road terrain... to be continued.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_FQsKvN7IR_RYBq_RLW9dKEbckIdhHteMTwaBbu_D2XtWkEudNPMDW3iWCfv3w7r7-3SvGOhVgx1k3fJci1mTkewJijNjTKv9XdlNf3wsivyDFSf_Z4F9M6oKDNj2a05DhQx285K-wBt/s1600/IMG_20140707_170014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_FQsKvN7IR_RYBq_RLW9dKEbckIdhHteMTwaBbu_D2XtWkEudNPMDW3iWCfv3w7r7-3SvGOhVgx1k3fJci1mTkewJijNjTKv9XdlNf3wsivyDFSf_Z4F9M6oKDNj2a05DhQx285K-wBt/s1600/IMG_20140707_170014.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6bgY_SE-QIg/U8NkVoq8_GI/AAAAAAABmNA/b7La3PHiPbs/s1600/IMG_20140629_140307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6bgY_SE-QIg/U8NkVoq8_GI/AAAAAAABmNA/b7La3PHiPbs/s1600/IMG_20140629_140307.jpg" height="227" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Megumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497402301830103021noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086568115515623316.post-48678019906708524282014-07-22T17:14:00.001-07:002014-07-22T17:14:40.365-07:00Off-road Bikepacking List - FULLOkay, so you want to go on a bike tour? After about 7 years of touring (half of that with a child may get me bonus points) I have compiled a list for people wanting to undertake a bike tour. This is just a list, and I will follow up this post highlighting each section and talk about specific brands and the like, but for now, this is just a copy, paste, print style list of things to bring on a bikepacking tour.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXceyCzdg_nG-TTEo1Zk1TsWng63orQ-jJc-QpDeazVhMqWytN6HSbFk6mLPENNjq-Xnbo8_pPnLOqzan41ZpCNSr_IvNKHRmia14Mn0vNBWoZz29YpF9MbRt7p6YLbvKWgQRkPfkyw_W7/s1600/P7220267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXceyCzdg_nG-TTEo1Zk1TsWng63orQ-jJc-QpDeazVhMqWytN6HSbFk6mLPENNjq-Xnbo8_pPnLOqzan41ZpCNSr_IvNKHRmia14Mn0vNBWoZz29YpF9MbRt7p6YLbvKWgQRkPfkyw_W7/s1600/P7220267.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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The thing to remember is you don't have to be fancy, just creative; and you can never have all of the gear because :<br />
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1. There's always new technology coming out that's lighter, faster, better<br />
2. It would cost a fortune if this is your first rodeo, so borrow, scour thrift stores or Craig's list, check the web for DIY's, etc.<br />
3. You learn as you go. You won't know what your perfect set up is until you've done it...a lot. Just get everything together enough to be safe and well-supplied and over the years, you'll accumulate the gear that's right for you.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1wq2v6-0UoBbikh_5uyqBoafF1rYUKyMug-8gbd9hznnKoKkmYtp2m8PMOv8EZA_W7POFtUft8uaQELXpWxY35OHOWFvV8Jf23HJMJ2yCtan6phxuTvw33aCGfNoHvivinfIbIf44JKDY/s1600/kitty+panniers+-+Edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1wq2v6-0UoBbikh_5uyqBoafF1rYUKyMug-8gbd9hznnKoKkmYtp2m8PMOv8EZA_W7POFtUft8uaQELXpWxY35OHOWFvV8Jf23HJMJ2yCtan6phxuTvw33aCGfNoHvivinfIbIf44JKDY/s1600/kitty+panniers+-+Edited.jpg" height="242" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are lots of bike DIY options like these kitty litter panniers.</td></tr>
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So here it is, my list (which does not discriminate against bicycling with a baby) :<br />
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BIKE<br />
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<ul>
<li>Bike - Pick one suited for the terrain; consider frame material, style of brakes, gear ratio, eyelets and tire width capability</li>
<li>Racks - Front, rear or both depending on how long you will be out and how much you want to carry</li>
<li>Panniers - 2 panniers or 4 panniers</li>
<li>Top tube bag or saddle bag - for quick access to bike supplies </li>
<li>Handlebar Bag - I think a necessity for any kind of touring. You can put your map on it and always have access to where your going, hands-free AND you can pop the bag off easily and keep all of your valuables close</li>
<li>Water bottle cages - put as many of these on your bike as your bike/setup will allow</li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_aJl3xFJTWXwgFlsl_Lqf7J8KZqSFnE2kJlFIPRRL-Jo7qIthU6QGdR1orVng31DslLTO0d9tNvRRhhSsjK0LuwtX78SZ7X0W-RdcDTWd2CDejyspTv99D6fiIwkgDIyjIZRball5qhEc/s1600/IMAG1675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_aJl3xFJTWXwgFlsl_Lqf7J8KZqSFnE2kJlFIPRRL-Jo7qIthU6QGdR1orVng31DslLTO0d9tNvRRhhSsjK0LuwtX78SZ7X0W-RdcDTWd2CDejyspTv99D6fiIwkgDIyjIZRball5qhEc/s1600/IMAG1675.jpg" height="400" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Um, this one seems a little small, refer to bike picture at top.</td></tr>
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BIKE OPTIONAL</div>
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<ul>
<li>Front end dry bag holder - for lightweight off-road touring, can be used in lieu of rack/pannier setup</li>
<li>Triangle bag - also popular among lightweight mountain bikers doing the GDT</li>
<li>Trailer - if you have a child, or road touring. I wouldn't recommend for off-road touring (sans child), as you want the weight to be as close to your bike as possible.</li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNYNI5R4YBs7E-CXLfPgdBtWNq2Jhg3yam13syyao70F5KDTRrbbwXCPyZj9ZKWtDlwSQuWyxOQVu87HCda_nY5w6qx-NX9CvQxK13_GiSytdyw4iQsTIO9DKEj2wsViv9CEXQS0nk5P9L/s1600/chyell+in+pie+town.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNYNI5R4YBs7E-CXLfPgdBtWNq2Jhg3yam13syyao70F5KDTRrbbwXCPyZj9ZKWtDlwSQuWyxOQVu87HCda_nY5w6qx-NX9CvQxK13_GiSytdyw4iQsTIO9DKEj2wsViv9CEXQS0nk5P9L/s1600/chyell+in+pie+town.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cjell has a typical GDT lightweight mountain bike set-up. And the bike, he made it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
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<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
BIKE TOOLS</div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Spare tubes - have 2 for each style tire you have (ex. my bike is 26" and the trailer is 20" so I carry two of each size)</li>
<li>Bike pump</li>
<li>Multi-tool</li>
<li>Tire levers</li>
<li>Patch kit</li>
<li>Front and rear bike lights</li>
<li>Bike bell - good to let both humans and wildlife alike know your coming</li>
<li>Helmet</li>
<li>Extra M5 bolts - these are the bolt size that your eyelets are, and attach your racks and cages to your bike. On bumpy terrain, they will come loose, so bring extras in case any fall out before you get to them.</li>
<li>Zip ties of all sizes- trust me on this one</li>
<li>Duct tape/electrical tape - I like electrical tape because it doesn't leave a residue</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2LhEXAuMC0w/USgNMeROrUI/AAAAAAABlts/i2JXUKK2vrQ/s1600/IMG_20120719_161737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2LhEXAuMC0w/USgNMeROrUI/AAAAAAABlts/i2JXUKK2vrQ/s1600/IMG_20120719_161737.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Standard bike multi tool...with a broken handlebar bag clamp.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
OUTDOOR (basically the same list as a normal camping trip)</div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Tent and fly with extra stakes</li>
<li>Sleeping bag - appropriate to the weather. I use a 30 degree bag and Neva uses a 20 degree bag.</li>
<li>Ground pad</li>
<li>Stove and fuel</li>
<li>Lighter</li>
<li>Compass</li>
<li>Safety whistle</li>
<li>Some robe - for clothes line, to hoist food, tie things down, etc.</li>
<li>Knife</li>
<li>Sunscreen</li>
<li>Insect repellent</li>
<li>Camping towel</li>
<li>Headlamp</li>
<li>Mace/pepper spray/bear spray - depending on the area you are in</li>
</ul>
<div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Ts662x2goY/UYAI6PCl7HI/AAAAAAABmL4/js0xSZ2mRCU/s1600/IMG_20130424_134710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Ts662x2goY/UYAI6PCl7HI/AAAAAAABmL4/js0xSZ2mRCU/s1600/IMG_20130424_134710.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
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<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
FIRST AID</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Chapstick</li>
<li>Desitin - for those of you who have issues with chafing </li>
<li>Neosporin</li>
<li>Pain killers</li>
<li>Slow release iron supplements</li>
<li>Anti-histamine</li>
<li>Anti-inflammatory</li>
<li>Anti-flu - Day AND Night-time </li>
<li>Band aids</li>
<li>Safety mirror</li>
<li>Sting relief</li>
<li>Antibiotic ointment</li>
<li>Super glue</li>
<li>Scissors</li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s-JB-tB48c0/U8Nq9OW-OhI/AAAAAAABmMg/dJf4ut_Z-Yk/s1600/P6300043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s-JB-tB48c0/U8Nq9OW-OhI/AAAAAAABmMg/dJf4ut_Z-Yk/s1600/P6300043.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So much beauty and sooo much pollen!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
FOOD AND WATER</div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Water bottles - as many as you can fit on your bike</li>
<li>Extra water bladder - depending on local resources available</li>
<li>Water filter</li>
<li>Bowls/Utensils/Mess kit</li>
<li>Energy bars</li>
<li>Emergen-C's - or other powdered electrolyte</li>
</ul>
<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9F6k5vwsyvzzE01ZXdJ2rYsDtuFX80Hu54ck6oye7TmVYpzwsSAjk0yMbN9z9G8wMYIUDJKrSoJT53inAui2fJHFjhgWaAsgxNys5vPXBSz2OT07Mz8AEVWqQuyiGVSHTFm-jALecU02k/s1600/neva+filters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9F6k5vwsyvzzE01ZXdJ2rYsDtuFX80Hu54ck6oye7TmVYpzwsSAjk0yMbN9z9G8wMYIUDJKrSoJT53inAui2fJHFjhgWaAsgxNys5vPXBSz2OT07Mz8AEVWqQuyiGVSHTFm-jALecU02k/s1600/neva+filters.jpg" height="400" width="331" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clean water is important, even if you have to work for it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
EXAMPLE OF TYPES OF FOOD I BRING</div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Chia seeds</li>
<li>Oatmeal pre-mixed with raisins and brown sugar</li>
<li>Honey</li>
<li>Packets of mustard, mayo, and other condiments you like</li>
<li>Tuna - packets if you can get them, they're lighter than cans</li>
<li>Oil - sealed very well</li>
<li>Powdered hummus - just add water and oil</li>
<li>Pesto and pasta</li>
<li>Flat bread</li>
<li>Packaged Tasty Bites Indian food</li>
<li>Cous cous - it's lighter to carry than rice and cooks in about 5 minutes</li>
</ul>
<div>
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</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-354vd69v160/U8Nots_do4I/AAAAAAABkfk/4xUio5LAKt4/s1600/P6240155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-354vd69v160/U8Nots_do4I/AAAAAAABkfk/4xUio5LAKt4/s1600/P6240155.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div>
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<div>
CLOTHES (all of this depends on weather you'll be in and how many days, but this list shows clothing for 3 days - 2 weeks worth, and in temperatures from 80 degree highs to 40 degree lows)</div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>6 underwear</li>
<li>6 socks </li>
<li>2 riding bike shorts</li>
<li>2 riding bike shirts</li>
<li>1 sleep outfit/long underwear</li>
<li>1 lightweight rain coat</li>
<li>1 buff - or something to cover your neck and head to protect from sand, cold, smog, etc.</li>
<li>2 pairs sun sleeves</li>
<li>1 around people outfit - I choose a dress because it is only one clothing article</li>
<li>Around camp sandals</li>
<li>Comfy all hike/bike shoes</li>
<li>Biking gloves</li>
<li>Lightweight gloves - if necessary</li>
<li>Sun hat</li>
<li>Sunglasses</li>
<li>Swimsuit - optional, I usually will wear my bike gear</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDK3ezFQbtViCTJ2DP1zCC6A-uohYa8aTpzkVpCCfQUqRp6pYwBa5cjVELBdRBmJ_nhxA-eb7Zktny8kGKyOCWf1630AC1dw1YrgIKbpae2yEIBS7pgekqpUtEX2c1BDUcgJyTIszcBOBI/s1600/IMAG1975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDK3ezFQbtViCTJ2DP1zCC6A-uohYa8aTpzkVpCCfQUqRp6pYwBa5cjVELBdRBmJ_nhxA-eb7Zktny8kGKyOCWf1630AC1dw1YrgIKbpae2yEIBS7pgekqpUtEX2c1BDUcgJyTIszcBOBI/s1600/IMAG1975.jpg" height="400" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A good balance of comfy, layered and lightweight is a good idea. Fight the urge to overdress, but be prepared for local weather.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
TOILETRIES</div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Toilet paper</li>
<li>Biodegradable soap</li>
<li>Diva cup - this one applies to women only</li>
<li>Wipes - I know, very mom-like, but these things really can come in handy</li>
<li>Toothbrush and paste</li>
<li>Comb</li>
<li>Hair ties</li>
<li>Nail clippers - You'd be surprised how fast your nails grow on the road</li>
</ul>
<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyKE6MxcRygI0h2UaSb9cW_swtRRsNrW4rtQ8mRNGgMwRTuCpFGeW1NG1_mVhc6gh0RcbSTfPT83A_PUHlzWbJqXTW3ibptNZBgfX1ajn9y7OAqTWcWeRG1c-fLsZpYdZRlKZIed07KIwP/s1600/P6100018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyKE6MxcRygI0h2UaSb9cW_swtRRsNrW4rtQ8mRNGgMwRTuCpFGeW1NG1_mVhc6gh0RcbSTfPT83A_PUHlzWbJqXTW3ibptNZBgfX1ajn9y7OAqTWcWeRG1c-fLsZpYdZRlKZIed07KIwP/s1600/P6100018.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As they say, keep your sunscreen close and your toilet paper closer...no, that's not it...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
ELECTRONICS (Most of these are optional depending on your lifestyle and the type of tour experience you're looking for)</div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Phone/phone charger</li>
<li>Camera/SD card/battery</li>
<li>Tripod</li>
<li>GoPro/Battery</li>
<li>iPod/headphones/charger cord</li>
<li>Netbook/charger - Optional, good if you download photos often, write, or watch movies. Probably not necessary for short tours</li>
<li>E-reader/charger - They're lighter than books</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6bgY_SE-QIg/U8NkVoq8_GI/AAAAAAABmNA/b7La3PHiPbs/s1600/IMG_20140629_140307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6bgY_SE-QIg/U8NkVoq8_GI/AAAAAAABmNA/b7La3PHiPbs/s1600/IMG_20140629_140307.jpg" height="283" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neva biking with a Go Pro attached to a DIY GoPro belt.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
EXTRAS</div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Small pad of paper and pen - Handy for taking down fun tips from locals and phone numbers from people you meet</li>
<li>ID/money/cash - Keep these with you at all times. Always carry cash if you're going through small towns.</li>
<li>Measuring tape - In case something breaks and you need a bike measurement</li>
<li>Extra bag that packs in on itself - Even just a small canvas shopping bag works for when you're buying a small amount of groceries, or just walking around town for a day. I have a backpack that folds down smaller than the size of your fist</li>
<li>Ear plugs/face mask - Both cities and nature can be loud, if you biked hard, the sounds probably won't matter as much, but if it's really cold or you're at high elevation and you want to sleep in, you better use the mask so that you won't get woken up by the 5am dawn sunlight.</li>
<li>Neck coolers</li>
<li>Reuseable hankys - There's pollen in nature.</li>
<li>Microfiber cloth - For your sunglasses/prescription glasses/camera</li>
<li>Carabiners - it's always handy to be able to attach something like sandals to the outside of your bags </li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiDcPUYJD1IhCY_SJSuthUwY-3iuCe8FvtOWHML8Nk46-Ge48FPoYOYKEh5jtjgGcLk6O19_uCge2O-t-lXFifSFefJ_aXRr6O9sEGJRis1xKD4cNp3P5dJnjcYmDMpfuPw4bh1HZ1RDON/s1600/206152_766860084358_27705453_38250214_26138_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiDcPUYJD1IhCY_SJSuthUwY-3iuCe8FvtOWHML8Nk46-Ge48FPoYOYKEh5jtjgGcLk6O19_uCge2O-t-lXFifSFefJ_aXRr6O9sEGJRis1xKD4cNp3P5dJnjcYmDMpfuPw4bh1HZ1RDON/s1600/206152_766860084358_27705453_38250214_26138_n.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neck coolers are a must in warm climates in the southwest and were a life-saver on RAGBRAI</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
FOR FUN!!! Yes, after biking and eating, you may wish to do other things while you're enjoying your time in the woods.</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Hammock</li>
<li>Book/e-reader</li>
<li>Photography</li>
<li>Binoculars for bird watching or general wildlife viewing</li>
<li>Movies on lap-top</li>
<li>Instrument</li>
<li>Writing</li>
<li>Fishing pole (remember to get a local permit!)</li>
<li>Drawing</li>
<li>BLING - You'll want to spruce up your ride with a few trinkets along the way. Neva acquired some dutch ceramic shoes from a couple driving a Model-T around the world, some Smokey the Bear stickers from some fire fighters, and some oragami birds for her trailer flag. Give your rig your own flare</li>
<li>Toys - We can't forget about baby toys!</li>
</ul>
<div>
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</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7jJ27V0o6r9cg9CrgXeugs569hQIMzece3-kyTKmeklh7DonNDPSEpdv1ppmFWisGko96oi4L7KCf-lVQUIcKts4P0aoTvv5___JNDimqAFb9oimfaYOGRWSsnYo_aVeo6tSMQb88xmRa/s1600/P7030094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7jJ27V0o6r9cg9CrgXeugs569hQIMzece3-kyTKmeklh7DonNDPSEpdv1ppmFWisGko96oi4L7KCf-lVQUIcKts4P0aoTvv5___JNDimqAFb9oimfaYOGRWSsnYo_aVeo6tSMQb88xmRa/s1600/P7030094.JPG" height="400" width="281" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes socks with rocks works. This was a Neva invention.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Okay, I think that's the list. Oh wait. I forgot one thing. Remember to include EXTRA SPACE! You will meet so many fun people who will want to give you things, you'll see strange things that you just have to have, and maybe you want a bike shirt souvenir. You can always mail stuff back to yourself too, so it's okay to overload a little bit and adjust to unforeseen climate, terrain, or wackiness later. </div>
<div>
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<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikTAWk1_k2LHfEaEWBQVY63f8GUtjHsZp3SvceJpz70W7d2l7ql_UTeZbDvoq0gpSf_Gb_5uY9QPArMO2zaMEFc3KjHOJF2isnsaI85HXVdIPRxQV6qhj91oGhwLFb4ueCcUXhIq6OQBVf/s1600/neva+eating+peach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikTAWk1_k2LHfEaEWBQVY63f8GUtjHsZp3SvceJpz70W7d2l7ql_UTeZbDvoq0gpSf_Gb_5uY9QPArMO2zaMEFc3KjHOJF2isnsaI85HXVdIPRxQV6qhj91oGhwLFb4ueCcUXhIq6OQBVf/s1600/neva+eating+peach.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Like pie. Always make room for more pie from the Pie Lady in Pie Town.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
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<div>
I hope this is a good start for any beginners out there who might be overwhelmed with touring details. I'm here to remind you that you can do it, and it's easy to figure out details along the way. Get out and ride and you'll be fine! I'll follow up this blog detailing each section of this list with brands, preferences, and personal experience. Let me know if there's anything you prefer to ride with. Is there a special trinket you keep with you on tour?</div>
Megumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497402301830103021noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086568115515623316.post-82057852242311465682014-07-16T21:59:00.001-07:002014-07-16T21:59:42.580-07:00Quick Tips for a Last Minute Bike TourSo your quirky bike friend wants to take you on a bike tour, but she only gave you 3 weeks notice, what do you do? No need to fear, I have some quick tips that may ease your fears. And don't worry, I do it too. T-minus 9 days until Laurie, Neva and I leave for a driving and biking tour of the southwest. I will be posting some of our prepping and packing over the next week, so you all can get an idea of what goes into planning and packing, and what the absolute necessities are (for adult + 4-year-old). But, first thing is first, getting your bike tour-ready. Today was a beautiful day in north Texas, and a great day to clean the ol' bike and chain. If you treat your bike well, she'll treat you well too (or something like that).<br />
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Man, there was a lot of grease, grime, and dirt in my chain and cassette, but now it looks pretty good. Once you scrub off all of the build-up, then you can lube your chain and wipe off the excess. You'll also want to check your tires (ALL of your tires) and tubes, and make sure you have spares. Depending on the terrain, you may want to purchase thorn resistant or slime tubes. You will definitely want good quality tires if you plan on putting lots of miles on them, or if you're riding in a remote area. It sure is a pain to have to stop regularly to change a tube, so just invest the money into good tires like Schwalbe or Specialized.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NEqAmvwywQs/UYAI6A24C5I/AAAAAAABltU/LHLv6EbhvlU/s1600/IMG_20130424_134815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NEqAmvwywQs/UYAI6A24C5I/AAAAAAABltU/LHLv6EbhvlU/s1600/IMG_20130424_134815.jpg" height="270" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, I even put Schwalbe tires on the trailer.</td></tr>
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Once you're pretty sure you can stay moving, then it's brake time. No, not "time to take a break", but "time to make sure you're capable of stopping" kind of brake-time. It's also good to make sure your brakes aren't rubbing on anything because you definitely don't want extra drag, or to put extra wear on your brakes and rims. If you ride regularly, you will know what needs fixing or adjusting. Don't worry if you don't ride that particular bike regularly, just take it for a spin, and take note of if you're comfortable and that all of the moving parts are working like they should. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QeZnEeyqL4k/U8NkVi4ifwI/AAAAAAABltk/mfTeqveD7mI/s1600/IMG_20140707_170305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QeZnEeyqL4k/U8NkVi4ifwI/AAAAAAABltk/mfTeqveD7mI/s1600/IMG_20140707_170305.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laurie and Neva testing their bikes out on the gravel roads.</td></tr>
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If you don't have the time to do things yourself, just drop it at a local shop you trust, but let them know the date you need it by, especially if you decide to do your last-minute tour during the busy season (summer-time!). And speaking of busy season, you will want to decide what gear you want asap and have it sent by a reliable service. Take into consideration too that lots of high quality bike stuff comes from Europe, so you may have to do some investigation. If you have to call REI to check stock numbers, do it. Check the tracking numbers daily to make sure your packages are moving and nothing has happened in shipping, etc. It's nice to reuse when you can, but it's always those small, unexpected parts that break, or had been a forgotten project that now is an important part of your set up.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2LhEXAuMC0w/USgNMeROrUI/AAAAAAABlts/i2JXUKK2vrQ/s1600/IMG_20120719_161737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2LhEXAuMC0w/USgNMeROrUI/AAAAAAABlts/i2JXUKK2vrQ/s1600/IMG_20120719_161737.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mounting a handlebar bag, and this happened. Small, niche parts can be hard to track down, so phone calls are the way to go if you're down to the wire.</td></tr>
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But, usually everything arrives on time, and you end up with a nice pile of the new, the old, the borrowed, the gifted, and the wacky inventions made out of desperation, from zip ties and old bike parts.<br />
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Then, put all of that gear on your bike, and ride on the intended terrain. This sounds like a simple step, but it is probably the most important and time-consuming of them all. Every rattle you'll want to check, every light battery, every bolt for anything attached to your bike. Is your seat just right to sustain you for hours? Does your rack rattle or move at all? Does your heel hit your rear panniers? If you're riding with children, assess their comfort too. Do they complain, or are they engaged with the scenery followed by a long nap? Comfort and safety are key.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimf1y7T9dh4ZSb7jqGCdJ__vzpdD_Toi8tNKnfnDOnC9SV9nStHSnMAdQchdk5bmmezQhcAdi8FaYI7s3884V9juDDrvXFRhYJ4dKmLtLlBvs-LuvUlPdvabg7UkNSeTq68m85ef6hKV5M/s1600/P7041222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimf1y7T9dh4ZSb7jqGCdJ__vzpdD_Toi8tNKnfnDOnC9SV9nStHSnMAdQchdk5bmmezQhcAdi8FaYI7s3884V9juDDrvXFRhYJ4dKmLtLlBvs-LuvUlPdvabg7UkNSeTq68m85ef6hKV5M/s1600/P7041222.JPG" height="222" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's me practicing with the Tout Terrain Single Trailer, and front and rear bike racks to make sure the trailer arm that attaches to the seat post will clear the rear rack.</td></tr>
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Okay, so just a refresher. Things to do for a last-minute bike tour :<br />
1. Get the bike road ready<br />
2. Get your gear<br />
3. Ride your bike<br />
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Got it? Good. Now go out and ride!<br />
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<br />Megumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497402301830103021noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086568115515623316.post-26395370141459722412014-07-14T01:24:00.000-07:002014-07-14T01:24:05.940-07:00The Fourth of July and the Tout TerrainI hope everyone enjoyed their fourth of July! The parades, the fireworks, the family and friends, and here in Texas, for those meat eaters out there, lots and lots of hotdogs and burgers (or veggie dogs and veggie burgers for my fellow veggies out there).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZZHqV3nhYoX7TpOzhk9RIxhRP7fsB5R_g_KCfK0fFT3Mas5PVMg0gQWcjD8E0lfL816TD6Sj-Y4uEuXWK9KwCU4GJOEDwM-wzv039BwUZ7NqkpJqDM9TSZ1UEGrExp9dSdVOXsMo9B2T/s1600/P7040168.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZZHqV3nhYoX7TpOzhk9RIxhRP7fsB5R_g_KCfK0fFT3Mas5PVMg0gQWcjD8E0lfL816TD6Sj-Y4uEuXWK9KwCU4GJOEDwM-wzv039BwUZ7NqkpJqDM9TSZ1UEGrExp9dSdVOXsMo9B2T/s1600/P7040168.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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It's hard to believe that last year at this time, Neva and I had biked about 1000 miles on the Great Divide and were in Aurora, Colorado visiting friends.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VoMUsAxQ53w/U8Nr9wwopFI/AAAAAAABlP8/unXZMKf4m3k/s1600/P7040147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VoMUsAxQ53w/U8Nr9wwopFI/AAAAAAABlP8/unXZMKf4m3k/s1600/P7040147.JPG" height="296" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Fourth of July, 2013 spent with the Branson's in style, a rooftop view of the fireworks (shown above).</td></tr>
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Since our family likes to do things the bike way, and we are preparing for another Great Divide bike tour later this month, we decided it would be a great time to take out the Tout Terrain Single-Wheeled Trailer and see how it handles on different trails in the area. Our friend and upcoming tour companion, Laurie, joined us for the festivities and mayhem of biking around a new spot.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ATHe5xSzWGg/U8NkVspU-dI/AAAAAAABkXQ/Q5Ps9YIV9PE/s1600/P7041141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ATHe5xSzWGg/U8NkVspU-dI/AAAAAAABkXQ/Q5Ps9YIV9PE/s1600/P7041141.JPG" height="305" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meet Laurie, she's awesome.</td></tr>
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The destination was Lake Ray Roberts, which is about 15 miles outside of Denton downtown. It's a state park that has miles of equestrian, biking, and hiking trails, and every now and again, you might bump into a Lake.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixdN5Xz3geAqTTvDY8Cu7jinVQE4BCRKcg8-4wWpS__8ydGujP2ckA2HK1Vw6N0NFxSb4VT4IAyNRg9PxWGHkqNkU_cBXWtC5TM8vxA5jNXi2YHq6K6hhw3uEuiHZjpMkxBAl-xkWGwy7l/s1600/rayroberts.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixdN5Xz3geAqTTvDY8Cu7jinVQE4BCRKcg8-4wWpS__8ydGujP2ckA2HK1Vw6N0NFxSb4VT4IAyNRg9PxWGHkqNkU_cBXWtC5TM8vxA5jNXi2YHq6K6hhw3uEuiHZjpMkxBAl-xkWGwy7l/s1600/rayroberts.gif" height="325" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You are here...ish.</td></tr>
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The Tout Terrain Single Wheeled Trailer (which from here on out will be termed 'the Single'), is a little awkward to attach to the bike by yourself, but doable, and just takes some getting used to. You have to finesse the bike being upright, and straddle the Single which has a center of gravity much lower and further back than where it attaches to the seat post, so it wants to tip to one side when you're trying to mount it. This is standard with all single-wheeled trailers such as the <a href="http://www.bobgear.com/bike-trailers">B.O.B.</a> or the <a href="http://www.extrawheel.com/">Extrawheel trailers</a>, but those cargo trailers are mounted at the axle instead of at the seat post so it's easier to stand over.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Khs947G2yc/U8NkVokexSI/AAAAAAABlLA/cPtIaNbB0PY/s1600/P7041132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Khs947G2yc/U8NkVokexSI/AAAAAAABlLA/cPtIaNbB0PY/s1600/P7041132.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So the hitch is that silver thing on the bike post, and the hitch arm is the long black thing which has an articulating knuckle that slides over the hitch and is secured by a lock pin and quick release.</td></tr>
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My small, frame mounted <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Greenfield-Stabilizer-Mount-Kickstand-Packaged/dp/B000AOA434">Greenfield Stabilizer Kickstand</a> will not hold bike, kid, and trailer up. The Single has it's own kickstand, but with my bike frame being so small, either my back wheel lifts off the ground and crosses the hitch arm, or the trailer wheel lifts and is quite precarious if a child is in it. I think taller people (with bigger bikes) would have more space on their seat post, and mount the hitch higher, making the trailer kickstand more effective, lifting the rear wheel of the bike and acting like a double kickstand (without the interference of the hitch arm, of course). My suggestion would be either get a double kickstand (which needs the appropriate flat bottom bracket to mount, and mine is round) or use a <a href="http://www.click-stand.com/">Click Stand</a> (which I tried in the past on the Troll, but it wouldn't stay put since my triangle has such a steep angle to it). Leaning against trees is what I'll do for now, until I can figure out a better kickstand method.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ey0AIZApiLE/U8NzNeLEPsI/AAAAAAABlQE/gnx_as5EiWo/s1600/Tout+Terrain+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ey0AIZApiLE/U8NzNeLEPsI/AAAAAAABlQE/gnx_as5EiWo/s1600/Tout+Terrain+2.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see how the rear wheel of my bike interferes with the hitch arm when the kickstand is up.</td></tr>
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Okay, now that we're all set up, now we can ride! After toting around the <a href="http://www.thule.com/en-us/us/products/active-with-kids/multifunctional-child-carriers/single-child-carriers/thule-chariot-cx-1-blue-_-10101221">Chariot CX1</a> for so long, weighing in at 35 pounds by itself (Neva adds another 30 pounds), weight felt like weight to me, whether using two wheels, or one. Then we climbed some moderate hills (for Texas) and the trailer followed behind like a trusty puppy dog. At only 19 pounds, I was thinking I may be noticing a slight difference on the pavement. But then we went off-road...<br />
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And the difference was obvious. The load (being trailer + Neva) felt so much lighter. I felt so much more sleek and capable, and climbing up and over rocks was hardly noticeable. I felt for the first time that I've ridden with a child trailer over dirt, that the trailer was an extension of my bicycle, rather than an anchor. It was reminiscent of riding with the Extrawheel trailer which is basically a 26" wheel with a rack attached to it. The turning radius is as tight as you can make it, as it's easier to turn a U since backing up is a little bit of a chore without practice. After a few hours of fun, we stopped for a snack and some rest.</div>
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Wait, did I say rest? I meant : we decided to stop, shove some food in our mouth quickly, and right when the feeling of calm overtook us, were dragged by a precocious four-year-old into the extremely crowded Lake Ray Roberts for an hour of swimming and sandcastle-building. Luckily, we had come prepared with all of our food, swimsuits, and towels under her seat which has a good amount of space to fit a medium-sized backpack filled with stuff.</div>
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So, after sun and sandcastles, we explored more trails, trying some single track after warming up on the gravel paths. I asked for trailer feedback from the little rider as to whether she noticed the bumps, she replied, "Not reay-ye". Shortly thereafter, I find this...</div>
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Now, I do recommend the child wear a helmet with this trailer. She had one with her, but we forgot to put it on after lunch. The trailer also has a pillow attachment which we didn't bring this trip, but is shown in the kickstand picture above, which is also a good idea. The Chariot trailer was not equipped with adequate space for Neva to wear a helmet, and the helmet bulge would push her chin near her chest and she would be looking down. When asking Neva whether it was comfortable to ride in the Tout Terrain with her helmet, she said it was "good" and she looked very comfortable in the cockpit. She remained asleep for the rest of the ride while we took pictures near bikes and trees.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FlzgtI_v7oc/U8NkVgvlORI/AAAAAAABlT8/yfUFVFU7RsE/s1600/P7041257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FlzgtI_v7oc/U8NkVgvlORI/AAAAAAABlT8/yfUFVFU7RsE/s1600/P7041257.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laurie showing off her muscles!</td></tr>
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<br />Okay, maybe we biked a little, in addition to picture taking...<div>
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Taking some of the single track paths, I noticed right away that the trees were very narrow for such a long load. Impossible with a 2-wheeled trailer, and iffy with a single-wheeled trailer if you don't know how dense the forested area is. Capability-wise, I think the Single trailer can handle anything a single-wheeled cargo trailer can handle, but I personally feel more comfortable with scouting out an area first before trying to ride single track. <div>
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After a full 6 hours of play, and only 12 miles of riding under our belt, we left Lake Ray Roberts happy, tired, and a little sun kissed. Until next time Lake Ray Roberts...</div>
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Megumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497402301830103021noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086568115515623316.post-90134785742487083502014-05-21T00:08:00.002-07:002014-05-21T00:16:02.739-07:00All Around China - Famous shows from the North, East, South and WestDuring our short 16 day stay in the Middle Kingdom, the family and I got to see the most famous shows in China. They all had an incredible amount of talent, and each had their own strengths. Some were more culturally relevant, while others oozed young talent. Here's my take on the shows of shows in China.<br />
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<h3>
1. NORTH - The Legend of Kung Fu, Hebei Province, Beijing </h3>
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The Legend of Kung Fu is the most popular tourist show in Beijing showing at the Red Theatre. But for a show labeled "The Legend of Kung Fu" there is less Kung Fu, and more attempt at telling a stereotypical story of a man, who happens to be a monk, who is tempted by an [evil] woman and ends up overcoming his trials through a montage. <br />
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The story is about a boy, Chun Yi, who is dropped off at a Shaolin Monk temple when he is 5 years old, and he doesn't want to leave his mother, but relents at the coaxing of his new peers. He grows up in the temple and excels to be the best, when his ego takes hold of him, and he begins thinking of his mother again which distracts from his practice. He has an inner struggle about this, which is portrayed as a scantily clad seductress fairy, which he eventually overcomes. He passes a final test to show his devotion, and the headmaster passes the torch to him before he dies.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-yEF8F15W9Re_Lnd2cXD2GZ6eGaWexRzsgkf32ATTCIFVVBo2A4XdUarbQlv7lQEbIRxXzmxR0E6oqKYeXpHlIUmmpBgM4kwEu-wnko2cANB50YKYojEt8sBKMi2T2PSWb53B7fQMg1SD/s1600/P5080626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-yEF8F15W9Re_Lnd2cXD2GZ6eGaWexRzsgkf32ATTCIFVVBo2A4XdUarbQlv7lQEbIRxXzmxR0E6oqKYeXpHlIUmmpBgM4kwEu-wnko2cANB50YKYojEt8sBKMi2T2PSWb53B7fQMg1SD/s1600/P5080626.JPG" height="304" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Actor posing before the show starts.</td></tr>
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This show was obviously meant for a western audience. Not only is the show in English, but the western style of big production and lazy storytelling was distracting to me. The acrobatics were impressive, but repetitive and more dancing-gymnastics than kung fu. I personally would have rather seen people practicing kung fu rather than dancers and actors simulating what kung fu is. The actors did an impeccable job in their roles; but with the pretense of having a story, the show fell short.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiadgVZLInQNhZAu0rRPU5aTy13nVPmdfPWM2buWYhECAaPAAyLXPLhdbJ-9R6xp4vXvxluIOKbjKFC4dyzg0NWhNSuNfXslZ0Og9JJKGP79HsDZzoz3F5BPJVQd9THIundGBfGSBlQKj6D/s1600/beijing_kung_fu_show.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiadgVZLInQNhZAu0rRPU5aTy13nVPmdfPWM2buWYhECAaPAAyLXPLhdbJ-9R6xp4vXvxluIOKbjKFC4dyzg0NWhNSuNfXslZ0Og9JJKGP79HsDZzoz3F5BPJVQd9THIundGBfGSBlQKj6D/s1600/beijing_kung_fu_show.jpg" height="224" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Main character, Chun Yi showing his strength before being taken down by ego.</td></tr>
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We saw some of the actors earlier that day at the Temple of Heaven practicing. These young boys are very devoted and struck a pose for me when they noticed me taking a picture. Their acting, dancing and kung fu are fun to watch, but realize the show is made for westerners and does not portray an accurate cultural story, nor a well told story. The show is worth seeing for the dedication of the actors who provide stunning choreography and acrobatics, but you will not gain any cultural insight or better understand local folklore. If you're a person who enjoys glitz and glam, and doesn't care much for storytelling, or you enjoy big production CGI movies without much plot, you will enjoy the Legend of Kung Fu.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FJqBBVShZeg/U3nTW39JwjI/AAAAAAABWZA/eUM9rmz_mYU/s1600/P5080353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FJqBBVShZeg/U3nTW39JwjI/AAAAAAABWZA/eUM9rmz_mYU/s1600/P5080353.JPG" height="223" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Devoted practitioner and main child actor on stage. Most of the boys are under 17 years old.</td></tr>
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<h3>
2. EAST - ERA : Intersection of Time, Jiangsu Province, Shanghai</h3>
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If you are expecting Cirque de Soliel, you are going to be disappointed. The acrobatic show we saw at Shanghai Circus World was the ERA - Intersection of Time, which is considered the best <a href="http://www.shanghaiacrobaticshow.com/index.htm" target="_blank">acrobatics show in Shanghai</a>.<br />
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It's not for the lack of talent, but rather the show is just not Vegas big. It is, however, a show none like I have seen before. The acrobatics in Broadway's Pippin was equally impressive, but the way this show incorporated modern, urban culture with hints of traditional past (hence the name Intersection of Time) was a delight to see and kept me guessing.<br />
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I think what makes this show seemingly less BIG than something from Vegas is that there are only about 20 people or less who perform the entire show. These aerialists are so multitalented that some can perform in every act, doing flips one moment, and throwing and balancing heavy pottery the next. The small number of people make the show seem small, but it really makes it that much more impressive to realize that these dozen people carry an entire show for 100 minutes. Every seat in the house is a good seat which also gives a small feel, but draws you in that much more.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Portrayal of China's first manned space mission in 2012.</td></tr>
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There were bicycles on stage, break dancing acrobatics, and the famous finale of caged motorcycles with flashing lights, honking horns, and a moving background of the city : perfectly portraying what it's like to be amidst the hustle and bustle of Shanghai traffic or any city.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQH5foWb42Kcvyi21sbgj1kfrFyXF6RKuZFYDmXheqGuOcq6y0kcS1lxOtUNElNxJidmAHilOx9fnDlLqqSxgD_ZBb9wb_jd6fy8Z5KxLwfN-v1pyjtXWXCXp8hdnmvxbTMWo_lMFaIA1X/s1600/P5130434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQH5foWb42Kcvyi21sbgj1kfrFyXF6RKuZFYDmXheqGuOcq6y0kcS1lxOtUNElNxJidmAHilOx9fnDlLqqSxgD_ZBb9wb_jd6fy8Z5KxLwfN-v1pyjtXWXCXp8hdnmvxbTMWo_lMFaIA1X/s1600/P5130434.JPG" height="187" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Mats facing every direction with road marks give a clear visual of "jumping through hoops" in a bustling city. </td></tr>
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This show really gave me a sense of the city, and though it is not Cirque, there are not nearly as many people, and it's not nearly the spectacle, but it is a stunning art piece all it's own.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjMjHz1V1MOGsCjkPpHYVP8k85lKkFkppfsDbb9JwvRfhFXvGXe3vrgKuypOpeYivWDGFLxz4BOyEjJT2CqrnqGReLg8SlcSY3FIPexWHFw7VBuPPF6yQ1fVTHXPIj2thzyjZMjlhyLq3e/s1600/P5130453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjMjHz1V1MOGsCjkPpHYVP8k85lKkFkppfsDbb9JwvRfhFXvGXe3vrgKuypOpeYivWDGFLxz4BOyEjJT2CqrnqGReLg8SlcSY3FIPexWHFw7VBuPPF6yQ1fVTHXPIj2thzyjZMjlhyLq3e/s1600/P5130453.JPG" height="248" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">7 motorcyclists were in the cage on the left all at the same time. With flashing white and blue lights and a Maglev train multimedia background image, you feel right in the thick of traffic.</td></tr>
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<h3>
3. SOUTH - Show of Impression : Liu Sanjie, Guanxi Province, Yangshuo </h3>
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This show is set on the biggest natural theatre in the world, with the beautiful backdrop of the Karst mountain range, on the Li River. Created by famous Chinese director Zhang Yi Mou who also directed and choreographed the opening ceremony for the 2008 Beijing olympics. There are 600 people who perform in the show, most of whom are local farmers and fishermen of the Zhuang minority who get a chance to tell their own history and sing their folk songs which is an integral part of preserving their culture.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-chGSNGtL9Og/U3nTW7186aI/AAAAAAABWdM/FMMlsofwk0Y/s1600/P1013301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-chGSNGtL9Og/U3nTW7186aI/AAAAAAABWdM/FMMlsofwk0Y/s1600/P1013301.JPG" height="251" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Show of Impression is about the Liu Sanjie, who, in local Zhuang folklore, would inspire the local people with her captivating voice and limitless beauty, as she is believed to be an incarnation of the lark. The choreography in the show gives an impression of daily life for the locals. In the 7 parts, each part has a color to demonstrate different feelings of the everyday life of the Zhuong.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QOKNJ2Fw6_c/U3nTWz5FTsI/AAAAAAABWo8/GewzCmAOaWQ/s1600/P1013356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QOKNJ2Fw6_c/U3nTWz5FTsI/AAAAAAABWo8/GewzCmAOaWQ/s1600/P1013356.JPG" height="203" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">First Chapter : Red Impression - The red symbolizes the enthusiasm and labors of the local people.</td></tr>
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The story goes that Liu Sanjie falls in love with a village farm boy (Wesley?) and a warlord, Mo Huairen, plots to kidnap her to make her a concubine and keep her lovely voice to himself. When Liu Sanjie resists, he hires an assassin to murder her but the farmboy and her village band together to save her and she escapes. Liu Sangie and farmboy Li Xiaoniu sang as they travelled, and turned themselves into larks so more people could be inspired by their melodious voices. <br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YvjjS90shzM/U3nTW5EvQnI/AAAAAAABWpE/uSDSLQ8m4DU/s1600/P1013367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YvjjS90shzM/U3nTW5EvQnI/AAAAAAABWpE/uSDSLQ8m4DU/s1600/P1013367.JPG" height="280" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Chapter 7 : Silvery Impression - Local Zhuong girls come out wearing traditional silver dresses. The show ends with all 600 people coming on stage and proudly singing their folk songs.</td></tr>
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This show was relaxing with a bucolic backdrop of misty mountains on the lake, but remember to bring mosquito repellant and a poncho; all of that beauty comes from lots of rainfall. The water illusions were colorful and impressive, the props are large and creative, and the lights in the show are used to help tell the story and drive emotion. To really get an understanding of local culture, see this show. This story is so intertwined with local culture, it would be a shame to visit the Guanxi region without having the perspective of how Liu Sanjie pertains to the local people.<br />
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<h3>
4. WEST - Sichuan Opera : Sichuan Province, Chengdu</h3>
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The Sichuan Opera blew me away. Not only me, but my 4-year-old was captivated for the entire 1.5 hour long show. Let me repeat, my 4-year-old stayed up from 7:30pm to 9:00pm after a full day of seeing the sights, without a nap; and watched, laughed and clapped for the entire show. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbngHZn148FM0cY0-HTrVXuODfOuulX3Rqj-QQSCu_TazifjnNCV9D7d974wvpKjjUrQddQI0DXJOOVDvgZ3BaWawTpc4v30BTdU1XzH_cMLIIY3FbG6KILxes67VlcG7hFVJLzLvEE_O7/s1600/P1014719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbngHZn148FM0cY0-HTrVXuODfOuulX3Rqj-QQSCu_TazifjnNCV9D7d974wvpKjjUrQddQI0DXJOOVDvgZ3BaWawTpc4v30BTdU1XzH_cMLIIY3FbG6KILxes67VlcG7hFVJLzLvEE_O7/s1600/P1014719.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neva and I in front of the Sichuan Opera House</td></tr>
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The Sichuan Opera is a compilation of talents that is prefaced with ladies dressed in red, and pouring tea from large pots in mirrored synchronization.<br />
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After the audience is served tea and has a chance to settle in, the bright colors, costumes and make-up hit the stage along with the high notes from the leading lady. The first act of opera is jaw dropping not only from the talent, but from the immense energy coming from all of the professionals on stage. The show is both visually and otically stimulating with lots of fun movements and an heir of comedy.<br />
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With such a strong beginning act, you might expect the rest of the show to pale in comparison, but the acts stay strong; one after another, after another.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1v3OJO73dxI/U3nTWxAxyuI/AAAAAAABWgo/vWQjMy6vlHI/s1600/P1014799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1v3OJO73dxI/U3nTWxAxyuI/AAAAAAABWgo/vWQjMy6vlHI/s1600/P1014799.JPG" height="363" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chinese violinist. He shredded the Chinese violin, playing fast, fiddle-like songs for his second set.</td></tr>
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From the Chinese violin player, to the female puppet master, to the shadow puppet man, and the husband and wife comedy routine, each act hits strong.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VNtKE6xErzQ/U3nTW-2GsOI/AAAAAAABWiU/FDGkiZupWLw/s1600/P1014811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VNtKE6xErzQ/U3nTW-2GsOI/AAAAAAABWiU/FDGkiZupWLw/s1600/P1014811.JPG" height="400" width="315" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The puppet master was seamlessly able to articulate the hands and wrists of the puppet, enough to pluck out a hair pin and wave her handkerchief at the crowd.</td></tr>
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With so much going on, the last act sneaks up on you. After all, the Sichuan Opera is known as the "face changing" act. After an incredible display from multiple actors, artists and singers, the finale is still breathtaking.<br />
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There is fire breathing, face changing, and even full wardrobe changes in the blink of an eye; not only from one actor, but a well choreographed line of 8 people moving as one with giant fans waving in front of their face, and after each wave, a new face appears.<br />
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If there is one show that you want to see in China, THIS is the show.<br />
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I hope you enjoyed that synopsis of my thoughts. Do you have any thoughts to add on the shows I listed, or know of any famous shows that I excluded? Let me know in the comments. Stay tuned for a list of our favorite temples in China!<br />
<br />Megumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497402301830103021noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086568115515623316.post-71833299901267802632014-05-17T01:59:00.001-07:002014-05-17T02:10:04.068-07:00Top 7 Touristy Spots in China - To Go or to Forego?As a first time tourist to China, we wanted to see as much as possible. We hit a lot of the tourist sites and some were more whelming than others. Here's my list of the top sites in China, and whether they're worth all the fuss.<br />
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1. The Bund/Jin Mao, Shanghai<br />
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Shanghai is a very young city that had a cultural come-back in 1989, after China's industrial revolution. Jiang Zemin, a prominent member of the Shanghai Clique, promoted Shanghai as the financial hub of Asia and posed it as the gateway into Asia after China opened it's gates to the rest of the world. The Bund was the center of the financial district : now it resides as a tourist spot in the middle of Shanghai amid the hustle and bustle of millions of people, as a reminder of the economic boom in the early 90's.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIpvJzZ7N3aiVI8vzVeTSogxuBLzhlqVD_W1Gb0Zz4flx3NeWy0zClgGjhx9kb-I76JpPYYVhZgb0LDpQ9JiBtDPLEOSGwl0eCNp5vtDDD7Jw0yoq5lKyGKnM5HSaofc2TF_nv1q5RagcF/s1600/P1011555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIpvJzZ7N3aiVI8vzVeTSogxuBLzhlqVD_W1Gb0Zz4flx3NeWy0zClgGjhx9kb-I76JpPYYVhZgb0LDpQ9JiBtDPLEOSGwl0eCNp5vtDDD7Jw0yoq5lKyGKnM5HSaofc2TF_nv1q5RagcF/s1600/P1011555.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The view from the Bund as we headed to the railway station</td></tr>
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Now, if you're an economist, or very interested in the history of finance, this is the spot for you. For city views, you can't beat the Jin Mao tower as one of the tallest building in Shanghai.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qlHdA1nG_uA/U3ci8DKs7kI/AAAAAAABWUU/8sgk4xH8IwU/s1600/P5140476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qlHdA1nG_uA/U3ci8DKs7kI/AAAAAAABWUU/8sgk4xH8IwU/s1600/P5140476.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Neva pointing at the Jin Mao Tower from a cab. It's the one on the left.</td></tr>
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It's about $20 to go all the way to the top and look over the city through a large glass window at 88 stories up. <br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cdcQvpp-Xdg/U3ci8EHj3SI/AAAAAAABWUU/wIhlSxbANI0/s1600/P5140492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cdcQvpp-Xdg/U3ci8EHj3SI/AAAAAAABWUU/wIhlSxbANI0/s1600/P5140492.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">There's only 2 buttons for this elevator, B1 and 88. It takes 9 seconds to go 88 stories up.</td></tr>
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The problem is the view is going to be foggy if it's a bad pollution day, and most days are bad pollution days. In the 16 days we were in China, we checked all of the cities we had been in every day. Shanghai never got below 150 ppm. If neither of these experiences sounds intriguing to you, you may want to forego it as the prices for everything are going to be the highest on the Bund, and Shanghai is already the most pricey city in all of China.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk1198l0Biau6ED_Ch5phVhB6VXJSwNBwboQMUiXA8VayORkUv_U_GU2nCWobuij4OQKt8TBsBQ2TDyWGurOJ74b0W6N8wPf5uvkQ-5fAWlTl43J3JnBkMvdjfkdDvmDeKkercM_nqtDCp/s1600/P5140577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk1198l0Biau6ED_Ch5phVhB6VXJSwNBwboQMUiXA8VayORkUv_U_GU2nCWobuij4OQKt8TBsBQ2TDyWGurOJ74b0W6N8wPf5uvkQ-5fAWlTl43J3JnBkMvdjfkdDvmDeKkercM_nqtDCp/s1600/P5140577.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">View of Shanghai from Jin Mao Tower. Pollution was 158 ppm this day.</td></tr>
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What to do instead?<br />
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Propaganda Poster Museum<br />
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A gem hidden outside of the French Concession, nestled in the basement of a residential apartment building, you get all of the post WWII history of China via artistic interpretation through propaganda posters. The powerful images and intense perspective of interesting times was a favorite for me.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ksb85nRIf7k/U3cDGW6DbXI/AAAAAAABV6E/hUJXAcU32ko/s1600/P5111206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ksb85nRIf7k/U3cDGW6DbXI/AAAAAAABV6E/hUJXAcU32ko/s1600/P5111206.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Each wall had the different images in chronological order.</td></tr>
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Yuyuan Gardens - A favorite tourist destination for nationals, the Yuyuan Gardens is a great spot to escape the concrete jungle and enter into the serenity of abundant foliage, peaceful waters, and hungry coy with mouth agape, anticipating falling corn from casual passersby. If you're the type who enjoys sitting in the park and taking in the scenery while sipping on some tea, you will enjoy a trip to these gardens.<br />
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2. Terraced Rice Fields, Longji<br />
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Going to the mountains in Longji was a nice change from bustling, smoggy Shanghai. The whole family could run around without having to worry about the pollution. The views are pretty, but not overwhelming. <br />
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The draw to Longji is the large amount of indigenous people that live there. The Miao, Yao, Dong and Zhong live very modestly and till the terraced rice fields by traditional means. The grandeur of looking at the fields is from the realization that this massive amount of land is still cared for by the strength of local hands : from the planting of the seeds to the harvesting of the crops.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Horses are the Mao's main source of transportation around the mountainous region of Longji.</td></tr>
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3. Li River Cruise, from Guilin to Yangshuo<br />
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You may have caught a glimpse of the back of the 20 yuan bill, it depicts the view of the mountains outside of Yangshuo which can only be seen from the water.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Our very informative tour guide, Bruce, holding a 20 yuan bill with the pastoral scenery matching that which is in the background.</td></tr>
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The mist dances with the long train of mountains that tower above the lake. Four hours of beauty from an extremely touristy cruise ship. The buffet food was terrible, and the only locals were guides, but the view is a one of a kind and not to be missed; just make sure to bring mosquito repellent, a light rain coat and small snacks.<br />
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If you're up to it, you can also get a bamboo raft ride at the end of the cruise in Yangshuo.<br />
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4. Pandas, Chengdu<br />
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What's the cuddliest thing you can think of? A big bear cat? Well that's the direct translation of what the Chinese call the Giant Panda. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">China's national symbol.</td></tr>
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As an animal lover, I could not resist this and enjoyed my time taking lots of pictures of these extremely lazy quadrupeds. To be honest, they do just sit there and chew on bamboo for the most part. You're lucky if they move at all.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-pOwZS3r2bLUnp2E0-mC1p54wH7hLya_lNghZ9DHG0wNnWM32NAT7rHilQlCNRp_mOOufXRPpdI7b9Q3bakzyHn2IyV8dZj39l-NYKhDTmS-jSx9ioLUxPypfTNEonr7ICOa62JJhPBA/s1600/P1014094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-pOwZS3r2bLUnp2E0-mC1p54wH7hLya_lNghZ9DHG0wNnWM32NAT7rHilQlCNRp_mOOufXRPpdI7b9Q3bakzyHn2IyV8dZj39l-NYKhDTmS-jSx9ioLUxPypfTNEonr7ICOa62JJhPBA/s1600/P1014094.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">This panda posed only for me. Once I walked away, he sat right back up and chewed bamboo. Pandas have poor vision and his back was turned when I walked up, so he must have liked my smell...or I got very lucky.</td></tr>
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If you have some disposable income, you can pay 2000 yuan (roughly $330) to actually hold one. That was too rich for our blood, but we still had a good time. There are red pandas at the sanctuary as well. They are cute too, but super aggressive and a little scary, I wouldn't want to hold one of those.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHeZsyvFBAsihDz9ajwwZVGCNWOiSmgwq2Am15EdvMbGeoaMEha50mPqCZ4NOAEVg1muNCtLqD8WPFurkKJk7YQqRbhyphenhyphenk6nQxF5zRrbBYucOXWodemKYzwaON4xc7j7oHnsIo1YhXf2HDR/s1600/P1014346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHeZsyvFBAsihDz9ajwwZVGCNWOiSmgwq2Am15EdvMbGeoaMEha50mPqCZ4NOAEVg1muNCtLqD8WPFurkKJk7YQqRbhyphenhyphenk6nQxF5zRrbBYucOXWodemKYzwaON4xc7j7oHnsIo1YhXf2HDR/s1600/P1014346.JPG" height="248" width="400" /></a></div>
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If you really love pandas and have the time, there is a panda center 2 hours north of Chengdu where you can volunteer to take care of the pandas. Mostly you will be cutting up vegetables for feeding, and cleaning up panda poop. These animals poop as they eat, and they eat continuously from the lack of nutrients in bamboo; but, you will probably have a good chance of getting up close and personal with China's national symbol.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5gVzOdw3Ouw/U3cTJ735GyI/AAAAAAABWRs/vhdKlPSKEHw/s1600/P1014019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5gVzOdw3Ouw/U3cTJ735GyI/AAAAAAABWRs/vhdKlPSKEHw/s1600/P1014019.JPG" height="390" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">This could be you!</td></tr>
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5. Terracotta Warriors, Xi'an<br />
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I know it's tempting to say, "I've seen pictures of that hundreds of times, why should I go in person?" but the amount of art and history in China is seemingly endless and always more impressive than expectations.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinDwXWuID-NDX8nFedCpxZgmCwlBSQx4T9zNWgpeo8rYPP51_zLQscPczKL2joEb03oiCmT_5RoHVXGfZPOrcjxS7Mi6mLPIc8VHswOQwJLU8r418s21RO03pFHnP1bl_qi1Ibiyo4myGt/s1600/P1015087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinDwXWuID-NDX8nFedCpxZgmCwlBSQx4T9zNWgpeo8rYPP51_zLQscPczKL2joEb03oiCmT_5RoHVXGfZPOrcjxS7Mi6mLPIc8VHswOQwJLU8r418s21RO03pFHnP1bl_qi1Ibiyo4myGt/s1600/P1015087.JPG" height="238" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The line up of 1000 dug up soldiers. They were all painted in bright colors originally, but once dug up, the oxidation destroys the color. This is why the remaining soldiers are in the ground still, at least until a good method of extraction is discovered.</td></tr>
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Think about this : the terracotta warriors are a hand-made terracotta militia of 6000, including men of different ranks, horses, chariots and weapons. Each piece had its' own cast, each of which was destroyed after the piece was created; one cast, one piece and then back to the drawing board. The level of details from the hairstyles of the generals, to varied facial expressions and features, to the fingernails and hand positions, is both visually impressive and thought provoking.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7HfvE59RR7s/U3GBWCYW5oI/AAAAAAABWSs/LSxxHxn8e9Q/s1600/P1015167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7HfvE59RR7s/U3GBWCYW5oI/AAAAAAABWSs/LSxxHxn8e9Q/s1600/P1015167.JPG" height="263" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The mini horse-drawn chariot built to carry Emperor Qinshihuang's soul to paradise.</td></tr>
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6. Great Wall -Mutinayu section, outside of Beijing<br />
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The Chinese say that one is not a true person until they have climbed on the Great Wall. I'm not quite sure what that means, but as one of the 8 wonders of the world, the Great Wall does not fail to deliver. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU3KYhGIybRPIm7iCSsyjFwwX0rz9QE91QxFcPPEtMcC8PUe__r3MbxVK39UDqxNsIg2Dkw1wHUmI-9GgTfCWhWKXtGRw2Y-6bT1MUSMbREwO4SYDhhQtXv6NF9oK_042EceJXBK8n_LrO/s1600/P5080476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU3KYhGIybRPIm7iCSsyjFwwX0rz9QE91QxFcPPEtMcC8PUe__r3MbxVK39UDqxNsIg2Dkw1wHUmI-9GgTfCWhWKXtGRw2Y-6bT1MUSMbREwO4SYDhhQtXv6NF9oK_042EceJXBK8n_LrO/s1600/P5080476.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Standing on the great wall is quite breath-taking as you look down the snaking path as far as you can see, and the wall disappears into the horizon. It took over 200 years to build and 2500 years later, you can take a cable car to the top and admire the view.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UGJwmeTOgzU/U3b5FWb1tRI/AAAAAAABUPk/1LUyhdYrQis/s1600/P5080362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UGJwmeTOgzU/U3b5FWb1tRI/AAAAAAABUPk/1LUyhdYrQis/s1600/P5080362.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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If you are really a fan of running, stairs, and the Great Wall, there are 2 different marathons that take place on 2 different sections of the wall in the month of May...I wasn't ready this year, but my hard-core friend Shannon is, she ran it today!<br />
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7. And the last wonder in China... Neva Jeanne.<br />
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That's right folks, Neva Jeanne is a star in China. We couldn't go anywhere without the paparazzi showing up. Don't believe me? Here is a taste.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOZ2kEnscC6GvpviNLZ-osmmM-PWhzTNzeTFJrXRrAxfZx2Xb_MlUO-A3QsvCGFCKwWD96rh2z0trraTFNjfgZLaVB0R-VqbWpS2nNPlwn7Gk0DGGyhkdJETc93s-wJkkBIJ0heC7knheO/s1600/P1011407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOZ2kEnscC6GvpviNLZ-osmmM-PWhzTNzeTFJrXRrAxfZx2Xb_MlUO-A3QsvCGFCKwWD96rh2z0trraTFNjfgZLaVB0R-VqbWpS2nNPlwn7Gk0DGGyhkdJETc93s-wJkkBIJ0heC7knheO/s1600/P1011407.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Neva, with some fans at the Yuyuan Gardens in Shanghai.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3nVa8nCZFO4/U3cbmc_vY5I/AAAAAAABWT0/EAV_K9hq8W0/s1600/P1012142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3nVa8nCZFO4/U3cbmc_vY5I/AAAAAAABWT0/EAV_K9hq8W0/s1600/P1012142.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The Mao women charge 10 yuan to take their hair down so you can get a picture. Not for us, THEY wanted a picture with Neva.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgelNr9qBFwgCgEybhhHqrowuzqMiPACag_dXZCzaTKS3GKxDOoYLzofG_lMHWTYi6Av5fq8btRFzHmzePD6xk8u8-K6jZcoNI8OzwnSxtWXLby4wa03UEWsNLp9qBqS5vQIsO-QHQ8E96f/s1600/P1013785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgelNr9qBFwgCgEybhhHqrowuzqMiPACag_dXZCzaTKS3GKxDOoYLzofG_lMHWTYi6Av5fq8btRFzHmzePD6xk8u8-K6jZcoNI8OzwnSxtWXLby4wa03UEWsNLp9qBqS5vQIsO-QHQ8E96f/s1600/P1013785.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">She had a line of people waiting for a picture at a stopping point from rafting on the Li River in Yangshuo. You can stop to get your picture of yourself going down the "rapid" but everyone just wanted a picture with Neva.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3J0ghuC266EXIsvLeN4ywVHSWUIm0bJHi-PPdXOIw1-R_8WqJ7RV8_WqOF3_N2gm8RBHFx9FrCMY6pJYQhS44g22fCtPemi6n4Ubb5TQugtAz7vU9vmNIRQeRc6vecyYqW5xjtcShXu8C/s1600/10277137_10152459056459766_6766957154495994324_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3J0ghuC266EXIsvLeN4ywVHSWUIm0bJHi-PPdXOIw1-R_8WqJ7RV8_WqOF3_N2gm8RBHFx9FrCMY6pJYQhS44g22fCtPemi6n4Ubb5TQugtAz7vU9vmNIRQeRc6vecyYqW5xjtcShXu8C/s1600/10277137_10152459056459766_6766957154495994324_n.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The hordes continue in Beijing at the Temple of Heaven, before we went to the Great Wall.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc5JwWYGoZhMdPXSz_1XgwDAUwt_qjmiqaXZ1y3zaaRe740LHFMHSnQcJgSKlENIJ32FDTJetko-NowS4Y4Cql7IF7OyNqOW4JpJ1b-LX02Gw6_I1o9D2wAdf3nNnhaFMgCIMUmWrV8wq5/s1600/P5080483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc5JwWYGoZhMdPXSz_1XgwDAUwt_qjmiqaXZ1y3zaaRe740LHFMHSnQcJgSKlENIJ32FDTJetko-NowS4Y4Cql7IF7OyNqOW4JpJ1b-LX02Gw6_I1o9D2wAdf3nNnhaFMgCIMUmWrV8wq5/s1600/P5080483.JPG" height="400" width="387" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">And then on the Great wall. Neva working on international relations and world peace.</td></tr>
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Since there are so many people in China, the personal bubble does not really exist. People would pick her up and grab her if they wanted a picture. At one point on the bullet train, she was playing with a woman behind us who ended up pulling her over the seat with Neva's feet holding desperately on to the seat to prevent it. Neva usually draws attention, but I could have never predicted the response she elicited in China. The middle kingdom is a fairly safe place, possibly safer than the US, as far as random acts of violence are concerned; we always knew her 'fans' meant well, but the cultural difference can be alarming for an unsuspecting American mother. So if you have a cute, large eyed child in China, know they may get LOTS of attention, and though it can be awkward, cute kids are a universal language.<br />
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Megumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497402301830103021noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086568115515623316.post-41123585671384849292014-05-12T09:02:00.003-07:002014-05-18T19:08:32.907-07:00Things You May Not Know About China<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Heading to a foreign country the biggest question on everyone's mind is, "How are we culturally different?" In fact, the draw to experience and understand the unknown is a pretty common human trait, and connecting with people where there is a language barrier is the best way to remember that everyone is human and smiles are universal. There are, however, some things that </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>aren't</i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> universal, and here are a few cultural differences I noticed between the US and China.</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bathrooms - </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Chinese toilet vs European toilet</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you grew up in the US, you probably have never used a squat toilet. It's a </span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 17.25px; white-space: pre-wrap;">porcelain</span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"> hole in the floor. This may be a foreign concept in the US, but the squat position is helpful for massaging the colon when in the loo. Children get the short end of the stick though because I have yet to see a child size squat toilet and when you're a little person in jean pants, it's almost impossible to negotiate the wide stance. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lJPuofpj2xw/U2366Ww2dDI/AAAAAAABOAM/XINdHKwRNJw/s1600/P1011989.JPG" height="300" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical squat toilet</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">In hotels, the showers are also right next to the toilet, with a drain, and no barrier; I think this is a way of maximizing space. So, how, you ask do you go to the bathroom without finding yourself in a Chinese hospital with a concussion from slipping on wet tile? That’s what the shoes are for. All of the hotels/hostels include rubbery or wooden shoes in the room so that you may enter the bath area post shower without it ending in tragedy. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">When in public, you may find that there is one stall that has a European tioilet, so you may look for those for the little one. And don't forget to carry TP with you, the bathrooms that have it are few and far between!</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical Chinese shower/toilet set up.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Don’t drink the water </b></span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As an American, we are always told to be extremely careful of drinking water in any other country. It’s no wonder too, with our western stomachs that are sensitive to everything : gluten, lactose, soy, etc. We worry mostly about local bacteria which locals are used to, but which are foreign to us and can act as pathogens; this is also true for people who visit the US. China poses a different problem in that most buildings have lead pipes, and the cities are so big that it would be an astronomical cost to uproot a city of 120 million people in order to change the plumbing. Boiling your water will not take out lead, so it’s best to drink well known brand named bottled water, or bring a handheld backpacking filter which cleans out heavy metals.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Women dress highly inappropriately for the occasion most of the time</b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You will notice right away when you get off the plane in Japan, Korea and China that women are dressed to a nine. Whether they’re older and dressed modestly, or younger and looking like they’re about to head to the club, a good percentage of the women are wearing 4 inch heels. I sat in the airport in my comfy travel clothes : jeans, t-shirt with flannel and sneakers, and watched women walking by trying not to hobble...they can’t fool me though, I’m a woman, I know what it’s like to wear those things! You may think, “well, maybe they need to be dressed up for when they get off the plane” but as you visit many famous attractions and engage in outdoor activities for the beautiful view and history, you will continue to see the asian women, hiking up rocky and grassy hills, poking holes in the ground with their stilettos as they go. The heels do come in handy when it rains though, so I will give them that.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Different body types</b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Everyone knows the Chinese stereotype of short and slender (</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>very slender)</i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> but just like in the US, where different regions have different lifestyles, so does China. It is noticeable that in the south, people seem to be much shorter and more slender, while in the north, people are taller with a thicker body type. When you go out to eat, the portion sizes also vary from north to south, as northerners have large plates of food, while southern dishes are more modest in size.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With such a big country and lots of different climates, there are many different styles and flavors of food in China. So far, we have experienced Shanghai, which has a sweet notes to it, and various places in the Guanxi province, which is in the south and has lots of lakes, and are known for their rice fields; rice noodles, fresh fish, and chili paste made from local chilies (which is absolutely divine in every way) and that's what’s for dinner in Guanxi. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV_PAaG7wb7zJbYOROyWHRHiravtt9rzV6gTju5_1MNwd9LysSIlTRtyUaE8fv5-IHlSRuF0fNHBaKxF4S9x378cY_6jdtlEjeT7BTFhAzJMLKDOlbrsWkYztZNT7ZweFlREGBrewFUpIc/s1600/P1013179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #444444;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV_PAaG7wb7zJbYOROyWHRHiravtt9rzV6gTju5_1MNwd9LysSIlTRtyUaE8fv5-IHlSRuF0fNHBaKxF4S9x378cY_6jdtlEjeT7BTFhAzJMLKDOlbrsWkYztZNT7ZweFlREGBrewFUpIc/s1600/P1013179.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;">I bought chile paste from this lady. It was scooped fresh off ther new batch.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Chengdu, in the west, at the bottom of the Himalayas, is famously known in China for their spicy food, but not in the same way you might think of spicy food. “Ma po” is the phrase used to describe this type of spicy which actually makes your mouth go numb. The plant creates a similar numbing experience to that of </span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 17.25px; white-space: pre-wrap;">novocaine</span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW4CnGN6GjVcK_ti11H8y6vAVPFFPafpNeLjFoW6BRH8yjYjflZ5JoL6xFcz_jsnHp3REif_M1okWznr1lnW5Es81Nrl9Wr42caTHfelOoQhnLbMLmvcYWw8ZFyrAqCtZ2wkFthgQ1fjW5/s1600/P1014446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #444444;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW4CnGN6GjVcK_ti11H8y6vAVPFFPafpNeLjFoW6BRH8yjYjflZ5JoL6xFcz_jsnHp3REif_M1okWznr1lnW5Es81Nrl9Wr42caTHfelOoQhnLbMLmvcYWw8ZFyrAqCtZ2wkFthgQ1fjW5/s1600/P1014446.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;">Spicy fish soup, sweet potato noodles, and bok choy with peanuts in Chengdu.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In Xi’an soon, which is in the flatlands; think Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska weather and terrain, but with mountains on 3 sides. They are known for their wheat fields, so noodles are the prominent dish here. I'll do a full food post later, but for now, this is just a </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>taste</i>.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Street vendor making noodles in Xi-an.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Dining etiquette</b></span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No napkins or forks, so if you’re a messy eater or not schooled in chopsticks, bring your own. Don’t stick your chopsticks in rice and leave them there, it symbolizes death. If someone says to you “gan bei” that means “slam it!” and you must drink your full cup, and place it upside down to show it’s empty. There is more, but these are the basics.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Planes serve food</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you have flown within the last 10 years, you know that the meals have dwindled to nothing. The minimum length of time for a flight to serve food in the US is 6 hours, anything less and no food, so you may notice an increase in layovers. However, every flight we’ve been on in China, even the 1 hour flights, served food and it's actually pretty tasty. If you have have a special diet, you just need to make sure to request your special food 24 hours prior to the flight.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: white; font-size: 15px; line-height: 17.25px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Great Public Transport</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 17.25px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Whether you want to take the bus, train, subway or the fastest train in the world : the Maglev, it's possible in China to get anywhere on the mainland. Some railway stations are more hectic than others, and some destinations are popular and infrequent, so just do your research to find out what the appropriate time frame is to get tickets. Things like the Maglev and bullet trains you should be able to pick up an hour before, whereas trains which only run a few times a day will fill up quickly, especially the long distance train soft sleeper seats.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Possibly no sandals, depending on which temple you go to and who you're asking. On our first day in Shanghai, I was scolded by an elderly woman who only spoke to me in Chinese while in line for the Jade Buddha Temple. I somehow understood most of what she was saying with only catching a few words a sentence, but when I shrugged my shoulders in an attempt to tell her mercifully that I was no where near fluent in Chinese, she persisted her endeavor to talk to me like a child and point to my naked feet in dismay. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 17.25px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Her Chinese-Grandma-esque tones made me feel like she had me by the ear. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 17.25px; white-space: pre-wrap;">She tried to cut us once we got to the window to purchase our tickets at the Buddha temple, but Christian at 6’2” gently (but firmly) nudged her (at about 4’11”) to the side.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another no-no, for all temples is to not step on the thresholds. There are two reasons for this : to make the devotees look down in reverence upon entering the temple, and to keep out ghosts that tend to shuffle their feet. Apparently I may be part ghost because there are thresholds in most every building in China, and I trip over every darn one of them!</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I hope these cultural tidbits are helpful. I know there are many cultural differences in this world, so if there are any that you came across that helped you to understand another culture better, please share!</span></span></div>
Megumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497402301830103021noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086568115515623316.post-81742190361232666852014-05-03T16:07:00.003-07:002014-05-25T16:49:29.756-07:00Finding a Breath of Fresh Air in ChinaAir pollution : everyone hears about it, but as a problem that is across the world, it is easy to not understand the full picture. China's air pollution is the world's problem, so here is my experience from the few days we have been here. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first day in Shanghai, taking the shuttle from the airport to the hotel.</td></tr>
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I bought the family masks to use in cities like Beijing and Shanghai, but the pollution is much more pervasive than I had expected. If you look at this <a href="http://aqicn.org/map/china/" target="_blank">real-time pollution map</a>, you will see that the average numbers are in the red zone (refer to map above), with the worst city at 750 aqi (air quality index). There are many different ways to gauge pollution and air quality, but we will stick to aqi to make it easy. To give you an idea of what that means, LA might experience 12 days a year at 150, but it's very rarely seen anywhere else in the US.<br />
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We arrived in Shanghai with the pollution scale at 175 aqi, and this is the good season. The winter months are worse because heating an entire country using air will put lots of additional particulate matter in the air. The haze was so thick, the long distance visibility was limited. The following day in Shanghai the index was at 165 aqi, and the air looked so much clearer; the thought of this was disturbing to me because of the drastic effect 10 points can make.<br />
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We expected Guilin to be better with a population of 800,000 people, but it was in fact worse than Shanghai that day. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elephant Trunk Hill : a child engages with the famously trained Cormorant fishing birds which assist fishermen with their daily catch.</td></tr>
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The lake views are deceiving of the 180 api index for the day, but being around the water and trees helps quite a bit.<br />
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Within minutes of being in Guilin, my whole family developed throat irritation, a persistent cough, allergy-like symptoms, and mucus build-up in the throat and lungs; the body's way of lining our lungs to protect them from harm. We put our masks on immediately. Once we climbed up Elephant Trunk Hill, we saw why our symptoms were so bad.<br />
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I read that buildings have filtration systems, so during really bad days, it is safe to be inside. I should have expected that this was not the case because the filtration systems are quite expensive. I have yet to be in a building with clean air, most notably, none of the hotels we've stayed in have had them, so I wonder if there are any that are willing to invest in the filtration system. <br />
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The other thing that surprised me is that hardly anyone we saw wore a mask. The weather has been in the 70's and humid, so it's not comfortable to wear a mask and your face may have a layer of sweat, but the nagging cough we get forces us to even wear them when we sleep. <br />
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You will hear people hocking loogies constantly, so much so there is a basket in the bathrooms filled with phlegm. They are obviously experiencing the mucus build-up as we are. This has become everyday life, and no one wants to wear a mask everyday, so most people are unprotected most of the time.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not a mask in sight.</td></tr>
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I bought us the <a href="http://www.vogmask.com/" target="_blank">Vogmask carbon filter masks</a>. They are cotton with a carbon filter on them and a bendable nose bridge so you can adjust it to your face. They are comfortable in their small size and the way they just loop over your ears. They are reusable and washable, available in kid sizes, and they're the most stylish masks on the market. They have helped quite a bit, but I think next time I might get one that tightens to your face better, though there are only 3 companies that make masks for children. This <a href="http://www.myhealthbeijing.com/children/pollution-masks-children-n95/" target="_blank">MyHealth Beijing blog</a> gives a quick overview of what to look for in a mask. I would still recommend the Vogmask at least for sleeping in because it is comfortable and not bulky.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking the subway to the airport. Neva commutes like a champ.</td></tr>
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We have had one opportunity so far to go mask free for part of a day. <br />
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In the Ping An village of Longji, where the Longsheng terraced rice fields are, you are in the mountains, surrounded by trees and the majority of the population that live there are indigenous people : the Yao, Dong, Zhuong and Miao people.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indigenous Yao women unwrapping their long hair. It is customary to not cut it as long hair is a symbol of beauty. They are also known for having very black hair into their 70's. They wash their hair with home made fermented rice water shampoo as their secret to keep the grey away.</td></tr>
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We were able to hike and even run on the cobblestones and it felt nice to breath fresh(ish) air.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The main transportation is by horses or walking.</td></tr>
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Though it may seem obvious, being around lots of foliage really helps. Even in Shanghai, when we visited the Yuyuan Gardens, I felt much more at ease and didn't notice a heavy chest. In the north of China, the pollution gets worse. I imagine this is because the weather is more arid, and the land is flat, think of the midwest in the US, or anywhere that wheat will flourish, those areas don't have the foliage to assist in the pollution.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yuyuan Gardens in Shanghai.</td></tr>
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The take home message is that when you're visiting China you will be much more comfortable wearing a mask. We wear them most of the time except when eating, drinking, in a conversation where we want to convey emotion better and be heard more clearly, or if we are able to breathe without a scratchy throat and mild headache. For us, I think the threshold is around 100 aqi (the smaller areas don't have aqi postings, so that's a guess), but your tolerance may be more or less.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xCE8Q1LEK2A/U2V1-K_IrsI/AAAAAAABN0k/weRx7xwZeUU/s1600/P1011583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xCE8Q1LEK2A/U2V1-K_IrsI/AAAAAAABN0k/weRx7xwZeUU/s1600/P1011583.JPG" height="251" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We got to ride the Maglev fast train in Shanghai. It got to 431 km/hr while we were on it!</td></tr>
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Try not to contribute to the pollution and rent a bike, carpool, use the amazing public transport system or walk places when you can. There is so much to enjoy in China, so make sure you are comfortable and prepared, otherwise you may miss the grandeur over the sound of your own hacking.<br />
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<br />Megumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497402301830103021noreply@blogger.com3