Black Friday on a Bike

Well, I didn't actually bike ON Black Friday...but I did this weekend! I did my Christmas shopping by bike, and what fun!

Picked up some garland and lights at the hardware store & took them home to decorate, then headed to the shopping center for some more goodies (somehow I seem to have only shopped for myself!), and ran back home.

I have to say, biking is way more pleasant than driving among the holiday crazies! I stuck to the back streets, used my signals, and enjoyed the cool weather (thankfully we got a cold front this week, so everyone's now in the Christmas mood). Even better, I didn't have to mess with traffic!

Gearing up for the season, I'm hoping for this adorable Nutcase helmet and will probably treat myself to the fantastic Dahon commuter that I keep rambling about.

Any fantastic new toys or tools on your Christmas lists?

Temptation

Oh goodness, what to do!

I was saving up for a new computer...my old one is 5+ years old now, and showing its age.

BUT.

My dream bicycle is on sale.

So the question becomes: do I treat myself to an early Christmas present with my cash, or go ahead and buy the bike? It's not like I actually need either of them, but boy do I want them both.

Sewing s'more!

I've recently started sewing, and since my initial project of a bike basket tote bag I've been hunting bike-themed fabrics for a purse and/or clutch to take along on my shopping excursions.

This multi-colored bicycle fabric is actually a body pillow cover I picked up on clearance from Target. Assuming I can finish all of the Christmas tote bags I'm making, this is going to be the fabric for a handbag. I may make it a smaller tote sort of bag to fit in the front basket, which would be a trick. All it really needs to be able to handle is: keys, glasses, phone, and credit card/I.D.

...does anyone else craft specifically for their bicycle, or am I insane?

Biking to Better Health

We had a health screening at work today, which I generally take part in because it saves me money off of my health insurance.

Since my health screening last year I've changed very little: I'm a big fan of eating junk, and that continues to be my largest problem. I'm not fond of fruits & veggies, I eat way too many big, greasy hamburgers, and I am known to drink Dr. Pepper like a fiend.

The only thing that's really changed is that I a) started riding my bike to work more and b) bought the "errand" bike for quick trips to the store, etc.

Granted, I've never really had a problem with my weight, but: my weight's gone down, my BMI is lower, and the only thing I can attribute this to is bicycling.

That certainly provides a little more incentive for me to train for the MS 150, too!