Bex rides!

After a few days of drama while practicing with his dad, Bex drew up enough confidence to take off on his own! He goes over bumps like a pro now and can start and stop all by himself. Way to go kid! Now we can finally go on family bike rides. 

the transformation

Dora gets a face lift,

and comes out looking pretty Super.

All due to Matthias' handiwork, some Goo Gone, a can of paint, and stickers.

Oh, and a few parts we picked up from a kind neighbor.

Pretty spiffy, huh?

Can't wait to see Beckham's eyes on Christmas morning!

before

after

re-CYCLE

I know I've said that I love Bloomington more than you want to hear, but I really do. I love the Bloomington community and all it has to offer folks to help make life better. If any of you are considering grad school or contemplating relocating to a quaint and homey town, I would yell from the rooftops, "COME TO BLOOMINGTON!" You would love it, I just know it.

Another B-town gem I have recently discovered is the Community Bike Project. It's found in a little orange, red and blue garage located across the street from the Farmer's Market of downtown B-town. Their mission is simple and serving: they "provide bike transportation to the people of the city. They focus on teaching bicycle maintenance in order to ensure that bikes on the streets stay on the streets." Their tools and bike parts are free for public use, they have an "Earn a Bike Program," offer workshops for adults and kids, support recycling bikes, all of which are completely free (although donations are needed and appreciated yo)!

Ty's pedals were busted up due to the fact that he jumps off his bike mid ride and lets his bike crash. Needless to say, he was in need of some functional pedals in order to keep on riding. We took his little bike over and found some used but solid pedals to replace the old. We were the first customers there, but soon the garage was hoppin' with cyclists of all types. Volunteers were there to help with any needs, and we were quickly finished. It was great. We made our small donation, picked up some free greens that a farmer brought over who was unable to sale all his stuff at the market. Good Day.

Kudos to the Community Bike Project.

riding the countryside

We rather enjoyed riding our bikes in Bloomington.  The rolling countryside was gorgeous. Ty rode many miles, building his endurance to about 5 miles.  Quite a feat for a 5 year old. Beckham always rode in the bike trailer, screaming about his buckles.   I treasure these pictures.

Bex needed periodic breaks to run around.

me and my bike

I mentioned earlier that I got a new bike for my birthday! This is the reason I have been a little lazy blogging lately. I have been using my bike as much as I can, infact, my physical therapist told me that I need to lay off of it for a while (my knee is not getting better but worse). We have been running errands and commuting with our bikes mostly, and have also gone on several recreational rides. Yesterday we rode out to the Farmer's Market then went straight to the water park, then rode out for lunch on the other side of town, then headed home, I think we were gone about 5 hours - it was so refreshing to be outside all day!

Last week I rode Ty and Beckham out to Summer camp which is about a 7 mile ride one way. Seven miles one way doesn't sound like that big of a deal, but the hills out here are never ending. If it is not going up, then it is going down, no flat. I rode around town doing my errands with Beckham for the 5 hours Ty was in camp. By the time I picked him up and started to head home, I was out of gas. The boys were fighting in the trailer, the hills were too big and steep, it was too hot, and I was too tired. One hill I encountered, in the easiest gear may I add, I had to stop 3 times going up to let cars pass and catch my breath. My legs felt like they were going to fall off. I collapsed when I got home. I am definitely going to have to strengthen my legs before I make an all day ride like that again. I think I calculated I went around 25 miles that day pulling 110 pounds in kids, supplies, and trailer. Won't be doing that again for a while.

Here are some pictures of a bike ride I took early one morning with the boys.