Bike Month is Every Month

A while back, when I went to this Bike Month planning meeting at TA headquarters, there was brief discussion of how Bike Month would become obsolete as Every Month is Bike Month. Every day is bike to work day. 

Strategy: Bare legs dry off quickly. They do. 

Thank goodness, because May 1st was a little sprinkly.


Trusty bandana to soak up some rain.




It's all good if you don't get rain in your eyeball to ruin your makeup, no taxis splash you, and it's not too cold. It was a great success!

New Bikes, New Tricks

Saturday morning I left the house at 6am to grab coffee and vol. at PP. 

It was rainy and I had to wear a backpack because this bike doesn't have a rack situation...yet.
At the store, they tried to give me some fugly rack but I'd rather suffer than put ugly accessories on this bike. I'm also never trying to put a front basket because it's just too beautiful and tidy up there. 

Sunday I got wise and put this L.A.M.B. neon pink satchel with short handles on the short handlebars of this bike and it went much better than the sweaty-back-inducing backpack of Saturday.

I also put my lock on like this and I'm not in love with that placement.

Despite feeling lazy throughout this weekend, it was actually big and full. 

1. Volunteered at the Planned Parenthood. Pretty uneventful shift. That's a good thing!

2. Rode the new bike to scope out exactly where but I'm still not sure I'm going to hold my Bike Month Ladies event. Save the date coming soon! 

3. Gave Matt a haircut. 

4. Rode the Viva Bike to MoMa to meet Josh, the sweetheart who runs the best John Waters fansite.

5. Took in the magnificent Cindy Sherman exhibit and utilized the audio tour. 

6. Sewed a bunch of my old necklaces. The Martha Stewart ones. 

7. Rode the Viva Bike to meet Matt and friends for our anniversary dinner. 7 years! 

I'm so happy there's a giant Cindy Sherman banner that I get to see every evening on my ride home because I never ever make this red light. 

She's so fresh and bright, she sticks out. 

Sticking out at Astor Place Saturday in the foggiest fog. 

Clear Raincoat Friday

Friday night I got pretty rained-on coming home. My waterproof eyeliner (MAC Penultimate) stayed through, though riding with raindrops pinging my face was quiet miserable. Soaking wet shoes too!  I came home to a surprise package at my doorstep. Thanks, Wynn!


I made a messy crazy little video. My hair isn't wet but the rest of outside of my raincoat got drenched.
   
Wynn is my play-brother who lives in Nashville. Inside the box was a Gloria Steinem Fan Club Care Package.

The clear plastic rain jacket debuted on the commute Friday morning. I think I look like a flight attendant today with my neck scarf and navy jacket.

The errand-man at my office warned me that he was playing hookie, so I was dressed to run errands with flat shoes.

Sidenote: I am not cut-out for all this errand-running because I end up in stores like Claire’s Boutique buying cute belts. 

Semi-prepared for a rainy day

I swear up-close my tights didn't look this intense. 
I looked at the forecast and dressed in a way that would tolerate being rained on. Layers of light jackets and tights because they dry quickly. -No wet jeans. I have clear garbage bags in those panniers :)

Here's my tripod/glove for self-timer trickery.


After work, I parked my bike at the Ace Hotel, which I knew had nice bicycle parking from that Levi's event over the summer. I went to get a sandwich at No.7Sub but I had no idea they have no seats. It's a grab & go spot. So I walked over to a church and sat on the steps and ate my delicious sandwich. I had the Filet o' Fish. Loved it. 

Then I went to the offices of TA, where I attended a meeting on the planning and social networking needs of NYC Bike Month, which happens in May. They showed us this very cute new website. I think it's safe to say that everyone at the meeting does Bike Month all the months, but May is a great time to introduce new people to the loveliness of the bicycle life. I'm happy I got to see a bunch of my Bike NYC friends. I couldn't hang out afterward because I had to get home to walk Bonnie-dog. 

My slightly rainy, night ride home tonight was very pleasant. I'm really happy I have use of the East Side Esplanade again. It was closed for construction for a while. I'm talking East 60th - 78th Streets.

Here's a pretty montage.


I didn't even have to put on a garbage bag!

A Sea of Light

The first day of the New Year was fantastic. We rode our bicycles...


Our lunch ran really late and I had a special event to attend. I thought I was going to a small, dark, theatre, so I wasn't uptight about my outfit.

Even the day after New Year's Eve... still so many people.


Turns out I was going to a private penthouse party in a fancy doorman building and I was terribly under-dressed. I was greeted by one of my lovely drag friends. I was thankful I knew someone.

The event was small and intimate and mysterious. I enjoyed everyone who I spoke to while we waited for the performance to begin. This made me feel even deeper belief about what a truly good-hearted person the host and performer was- The fact that she surrounded herself with lovely people affirmed my admiration and confidence in what a nice person she is.

The view from this apartment was pretty spectacular. It overlooked a very flashy part of Times Square and yes- there were blackout shades installed.


The performance put me in a place where I wanted to turn myself into a sponge and absorb every moment. It was very This is my New York City life. And I wanted to remember everything about it. I loved the anticipation of the performance. The excitement of waiting for the hostess to appear! The seriousness at which the boys she had assisting her carried out the steps of the performance: A special mix cd was to be played promptly at 5:30, candles were to be lit at 6pm sharp... 
I did not take photos because I didn't want to be rude and we were being photographed. We had been advised that this would all be video taped and I didn't want to trash it up by taking pics with my little pocket camera. 

We were instructed that we could watch the performance on the television screen, or we could watch out the window. We were on the 25th floor. The hostess did not appear in person - she first appeared to us on the TV screen.  She was live downstairs and it was a thrilling treat. She had on a dramatic gold cape and was carrying a big lighted ball in her hands.

She walked to the TKTS red, glowing stairs and gave a really lovely speech about re-dedicating herself and her life as an artist. We were cheering for her and reveling in our love and admiration and just a little bit hoping she would not be arrested for breaking past the barricade and going to the top of those red, glowing stairs.

Remember- an apartment full of people were watching this unfold live on a tv screen upstairs.

When she made it back to the apartment the crowd burst in applause. I told her she really is a sea of light and I think she thought I was being corny, but I wasn't at all. She really is a positive energy and a ray of sunshine in everything she does.

It was a very magical way to start the new year. 

Sultana, on the left was the assisting "hostess" who greeted me at the door and fixed us all cocktails and the real hostess and performer is Linda Simpson on the right.
I'm happy that I told her I have Blind Faith in her entertainment value and I was so happy to attend this festivity.

The performance was video taped and if I find it online I will share it, because it was really cool and precious and it really did make me want to morph into a sponge and record all sights & sounds for a few minutes.

It made me looove my New York City life. Appreciate. Soak it in. This is your life. 


Then when I came out- it was raining. The drug store was closed and I did not have a garbage bag. It wasn't that cold so I even stopped at some pretty windows and took Kate Middleton's photo. 



Even though it was dark out, I thought I would appreciate the eye-protection the sunglasses would give and I sure did! 

I didn't have to ride very far in the rain. It was also amazing to enjoy our mild weather and be physically comfortable riding in rain in January.

Here's hoping for the magical times to continue... 

Garbage Bag Raincoat Going Strong

Tonight's conditions entertained me with several pedestrians umbrellas being blown inside out. This evening was extremely dark, rainy and windy and I maybe shouldn't have done it, but of course an older male who is unaware of my experience level or particular route advised I not ride... so...

I pulled out the old garbage bag raincoat and things went just fine. 

I mean, my shoes and pants got soaked... but they will dry out.
My turquoise jeans' dye turned my socks and feet blue, but that's no big deal.

Luckily, my panniers are waterproof and protected my goods. My coats forearms and my gloves got quite wet. They'll dry. I have more coats and gloves.

Matt came out and filmed me talking about my ride. Nothing fantastic here other than showing good spirits despite being soaked on a late December bike ride in New York City. This time last year we had like, 2 feet of snow or some crazy nightmare. I'll take rain.

Lazy or Brave?

Was I lazy or brave when I rode the bike in the rain today in December?


- Was I too lazy to go get a Metro Card and ride the bus and absolutely be late for work?
- Or am I just tough and brave? And it's not really cold yet.

Either way- I was well-prepared with my clear sunglasses, helmet with visor and proper raincoat.
My thighs/knees were kind-of wet but not a misery. Things would have been more pleasant had I a handkerchief for hand-drying but I was in good spirits all day so I think I fared well. 

This was definitely a brave choice:


On my way home it was dark- as always and I did a little stop & shop. I chose not to use Central Park to get home. Instead I used Madison Ave. where there was serious grid-lock and traffic clusterfuck. That was excellent for me and my bike shimmy through with ease.

I felt safer because even though the street was jam-packed with cars... Those cars couldn't move for the most part. Or they could only move slowly.

Not that I don't feel safe in the park- I just did an errand and was happy to spice up my commute. 

Bike Rain Poncho

I've been keeping my eye out for a rain jacket or poncho for myself for months but just can't pull the trigger on one. Today it was rainy and I knew the perfect thing- A garbage bag!

This is a big 30 gallon that our office uses in the kitchen. My co-worker decorated it and put it on  me and cut it.


Fits perfect!


Ready for action leaving the building. Bicycles have to use the freight elevators. It's more VIP.


I made it! I loved it.


It's a keeper. I also can leave it in my panniers forever and ever and not really worry about it getting stolen. 

Umbrella Bike

I've seen photos of people doing this-


Stupid? Probably. Helpful, yes! The raindrops falling out of the trees in Central Park are major, so I went ahead and popped the umbrella. It was pretty nice. I rode at a coast-pace. I knew my route extremely well.

This video re-enactment took place in the confines of my apartment building alley.

I got DRENCHED running out during lunchtime. We attempted to go to the Beauty Bus but it was a Beauty Bust and we got drenched.

I started the day in sporty Converse- I might venture to say the best bicycle shoe in my opinion-

But since these were sopping wet- I was lucky to have some new Gap booties on-deck

I also added leggings because I was freezing. I have a file drawer in my desk at work that has nothing but clothes in it. 

Under my unbrella-ella-ella at a stop light. 

It was fine. I used it through Central Park where the raindrops can put your eye out (huge because of the trees) and I used for several avenues til the rain slacked off. I only went at a coasting pace, if that makes sense. Luckily- I do not have hand brakes so I don't have to worry about working those. 


Hands-free Coaster Brakes + Umbrella = Good stuff! 

Biking in the Rain Unexpected Sabotage

Biking to work in the DRIZZLE was fine. It looked like this-

Pretty prepared, right?
Something terrible happened on my way home. I made it home safely, but not without interruption and betrayal. 

Biking in the Rain Fail from JPH on Vimeo.

Sorry if it gets a little loud. These bike in the rain videos happen when I get home and have no one to talk to and feel the need to document my misery/triumph. 

Started Out Sunny

My day started out sunny.

Here's a video of me when I got home from getting majorly rained out this evening.

Rained Out Bicycle Commuter from JPH on Vimeo.

That's how I tell stories. Arms flailing! 


I swear I'm getting some cute, but serious rain gear asap. 

Biking the Brooklyn Bridge - I Loved It!

I biked the Brooklyn Bridge for the first time last night and it was awesome!
Here's a post from the first time I walked it a few years ago.

I got an alarming phone call yesterday from a friend letting me know she was in the hospital. I think she's going to be OK, but she was in for observation. I mapped the hospital and saw that it was near the Brooklyn Bridge. I'm slightly intimidated when it comes to biking in Brooklyn. I just don't know it very well. It requires a little map-studying, and that's what I did.

I prepared directions and used clothes pins to clip them to my basket.


This is my round-trip route.


It was raining a little and that cleared out some of the tourists, I'm sure. I had consulted friends on Twitter and I was advised to get in a tourist mindset and I was, so I was happy. It was also my first time biking over this bridge so I was really into the scenery. For a long time I've recommend walking over the Brooklyn Bridge at night my favorite NYC attraction because it's so beautiful and it's free. 


I got poured on in Brooklyn. Drenched and then some, but I was fine. I dried out on the way home.

This pic is blurrr-city but I was happy and a guy in a bike-tour group took it. They were on a paid bicycle tourism tour. I was happy to tell them about a cool, free ride  tonight (and every last Saturday of the month.) 



When my clip-on directions got me back to the Brooklyn side entrance handily, you have no idea the relief I felt. Getting on that bridge meant I could get myself home and at this point, I could forget the directions. My Brooklyn geography is very poor.


I was relieved to pull it off so easily, but I was prepared. At one point, I opened up my emergency parka but decided that I would rather be wet than wet and covered in plastic.

I loved this ride. I love that I biked about 20 miles and totally deserved to stop at Shake Shack and get a sweet Root Beer Float. I was also exhausted and slept very well. 

Happy Rain Ride

I don't have anything negative to say about getting rained out on the way home because:
I was dying to get out of work like a caged animal. Get me out of here! I'll happily bike in the rain! Yeah! Set me free!

It's been so freaking hot in NYC- It was like a cool-off party surprise! I didn't consider leaving the bike at work and taking the subway for 3 seconds. Not even 3 whole seconds. 

It's also extra-friendly in the rain. Pedestrians just seem more inquisitive to a drenched Julie.

The basil bag is waterproof! It kept my purse/bag dry.

After yesterday's naked bike ride, I felt so civilized in this get-up. Even though I'm channeling Punky Brewster.

I hope these shoes recover from the rain. They were the ultimate in soaked plastic shoes.

My camera may also have some new special effects. She needs a moment to dry out.
I used PhotoBooth to document the damage when I got home.

I look so pissed, right? 

Pink Friday!

New pink bicycle tires and highlighter pink L.A.M.B. bag.


Pink rainslicker. I got splashed by a taxi from head to toe on my way in to work, but luckily dried by the time I arrived thanks to a simple/lazy, cotton-y outfit and summer temps.


The major news of the day and maybe the week is that the Pink Bicycle Tires arrived from Fyxation!


I stayed up late making an outfit to wear to The Coney Island Mermaid Parade, but I can't go... this year. I'm going to use it for Halloween and keep it and it will be ready for next year's parade.


Some pinky-purple outfits from the other day. The dressy look on the left was deemed impractical for the ride ahead of me. The shorty outfit won and was a smart decision. I rode way downtown, attended a benefit concert and then a night-ride home.


This ride with all this crap on my handlebars & basket was my first with the pink tires. I'm in love!

And I'll be changing the grips and seat asap! I want this black saddle and the pink grips to match the tires. Kate Middleton is going to get abducted she's becoming so sexy!

PS - You are smoking crack if you think I'm going to even try to have a Brooks saddle for a week in NYC.  Unless you want to send me one for free.