Inspiration for Change

Specialized Hard Rock, outfitted for travel.

The older some people get, the more they're resistant to change. I get it, to an extent. I can't imagine moving again, living through another pandemic, necessitating finding a new job - that was quite the ordeal - all three at once! But because health and travel is precious  -we're in our 60s and 70s - I've become more flexible with route choice, even with limited vacation time. 

Choosing local travel helps, barring, of course, unpredictable weather. I'm willing to deviate from a planned route if an opportunity arises. We did just that in 2023. Current thoughts involve switching this summer's planned in-state vacation (flooded trail for 2 years), pivoting to attempt the VTXL. 

My husband and I recently attended an inspiring presentation on bike travel. Among other adventures discussed, I'd known about the VTXL, on my radar for a while, but didn't think I could pull it off until I was retired. It's hilly and mostly dirt, with elevation thrown in, but it's not particularly difficult terrain or remote, and lends itself to wild camping. I've been encouraged that my Hard Rock should handle the route just fine. Ample vacation time, Amtrak, a bus, and pedaling may help access the start/finish, as neither end is served by public transportation. While feasible, we always have the fallback east/west loop route option. It's wonderful to have choices. Either will provide the flavor of self-supported touring as a couple - something I always look forward to!

5 Years after The Pandemic - the Beauty of Exploring

The Trek Marlin 7 continues to provide comfortable meandering on nearby wooded trails. It's a perfect vehicle
for discovering flowers.

Since 2020, I've learned to take nothing for granted, a feeling that still resonates: not our health, our 2020 move to a beautiful location, the ability to travel, or the natural world that continues to provide peace and connection. I have so much to be thankful for. 

Riding with my adventure buddy on the Colchester Causeway; our home and backyard view.

I love to travel by bike, whether driving to ride rail trails or carrying gear for multiday excursions. 

Brewery in North Hampton, NH. Tacos at a food truck in Fort Collins. Real maple creemees only 3 miles from home.

Stops for food and beer are destinations themselves.

Visiting our son in Fort Collins, Colorado, and riding Soapstone Prairie's trails. Riding Pine Creek Trail with my husband in Pennsylvania.

Riding with family is always an opportunity to connect and explore.

After work or on weekends, rides rejuvenate me, whether pedaling along Lake Champlain during daylight or at sunset, even year-round. I frequently visit an icefall to watch its spring-fed metamorphosis. We discovered a local sugar house this spring!

Amtrak fuels adventure opportunities. Take the train to a new locale or use the service one-way and pedal back.

When our axis shifts and world events spiral faster than seems possible, I try not to feel hopeless. In some respects, we've been here before, 5 years ago. Instead, I remind myself, how truly lucky I am.

Will Tariffs Jumpstart the Used Bicycle Market?

Entry-level mountain bikes (like the one in the photo) - or any new bicycles - may become prohibitively expensive because of how tariffs will affect the bike industry.

I've been considering resale, repurposing, and reuse lately because I've been donating bicycle clothing to a local Radical Adventure Riders organization for an upcoming fundraiser sale. They are pricing items fairly to encourage others to equip themselves and their bikes for outdoor adventures. This is the same group that educates and leads no-rider-left-behind boombox rides - always a good time! And, it's not lost on me that many members are at risk of increased discrimination, so I help when I can.

With the projected increases in the cost of living, I wonder what impacts may ripple through the economy and how this specifically relates to cycling. Rene Herse presents a comprehensive picture of how tariffs might affect cycling manufacturing - an interesting read. 

With spending more on necessary goods and services, will consumers spend less on travel and vacations? There's a difference between voluntary cutbacks and forced stay-at-home orders - like during the pandemic - but there are also similarities. Costs continue to climb. We have experience with cutting back. Will society resort to recreating locally again? Will the used bike market see a resurgence? 

I research used Dahons. While looking for a specific model, my 2003/4 Boardwalk frequently pops up. I got it for $75 in 2017; it spiked to $300-350 in 2021, and is back to around $100. 

I remain hopeful that we will, at a minimum, reduce unnecessary purchases and rediscover our enjoyment of the outdoors. 

2025 Philly Bike Expo, via Amtrak

The Brommie Ride, allowing other folder brands in 2025 - one of the
Philly Bike Expo's organized bike rides.

Why do I attend the Philly Bike Expo? It's the experience: organized bike rides, after-party, seminars, and vendor booths. It's also an excuse to connect with friends from around the country.

One of the Brommie Ride stops. A race on grass. I ogled the pristine Raleigh Twenty.

Memento Cycles is so creative! Check out the racks and "internal" cable routing.

The exhibitors range from frame makers, accessories, jewelry, bag makers, recumbents/adaptive cycles, bike clothing, and art, to advocacy. There's something for everyone! The two-day event is small enough to see in 3 hours, leaving room to attend morning and evening rides, and seminars, or get outside for fresh air and sightseeing.

A Bilenky - same colorway as my Hard Rock - and a colorful Velocity Wheel. Pink and Purple bicycles are popular.

Seminars attended: The Impossible Routes Q&A by Jeremiah Bishop, and How to Make Your Life into One Big Bike Adventure – a workshop by Pamela Murray.

I like checking out options at the Schwalbe booth. I noted an all-road tire that might provide more traction on Rachel.

Testing the Tern Spartan rack with front panniers.

What I did right

• I'm rocking two front panniers instead of the former large bag on the handlepost. It's more stable handling all-around, and the Dahon folds nearly as small as before.
• One bikable footwear option was perfect with slipper socks for AirBnB wear.
• I was so happy to stay at the same place as last year. My accommodation came with a full kitchen which meant comfortable evenings and breakfasts before setting off for daily activities.
• A foldable tote bag that also doubles as a backpack, adapts to grocery shopping, picking up souvenirs, or as extra storage on the train. Arriving at 8 pm Friday evening, I'd made a grocery list, then hightailed it to a store soon after check-in. I'm efficient - I bought enough for 3 days, and nights of breakfasts and dinners, while leftovers provided two meals for the return trip. 

View outside from the Expo windows, and the same view at street level.

Sunday afternoon exploring with lunch/dessert at the Italian Market.

Sunday morning gravel ride meetup. I opted for the shorter distance, navigating a stretch of single track on 20" wheels, though I knew most of the route was paved. A local guy named Patrick personally escorted me back to the Expo, avoiding a chunky section of the path. He turned out to be a history buff, explaining places en route. Thank you, Patrick!

AirBnB entryway and a homecooked meal.

What I learned

• Normally I fold and store the Dahon in a tote bag. This works well for one train journey, keeping me and the bike clean. But, it was an arduous transfer between Penn Station and Moynihan Train Hall in NYC - I'd forgotten how arm-busting the distance had been the previous year, reminded again this time around!  There had to be a better way. At the Expo, anyone entering with a folding bike was required to fold it to save on bike parking space. By accident, I discovered that once folded, I could gently roll the Dahon by grabbing the seat, slightly extended, initially to move away from a crowded line and unfold it to get my stuff situated to ride. However, I practiced rolling it on the polished floor, because, I figured it could ease my return train connection. I found that as long as the fold is a bit loose, otherwise, the brake lever rubs on the spokes - not a pretty sound - but I was fairly sure that I could make the arrangement work. And I did! As it turns out, I keep the bike fairly clean anyway, and wearing black pants helps. The fold needs to be a bit loose, otherwise, the brake lever rubs on the spokes. There might be a way to improve the fit of the fold so that it doesn’t rub. In the future, I’ll figure out something to attach to the bars—perhaps a small block of foam—that will prop the bar in the perfect position. I'm always learning!
• Once in Philadelphia, especially after dark, it's not intuitive access from the station to the Schuylkill River Trail. But in daylight, it made more sense (as the photo below shows). Two years in a row I had difficulty getting to the AirBnB. Next year I'll get it right.
• Pack less next year. Two pairs of tights are fine, not three. And no need for two jackets. One is adequate. 3 lightweight top layers. It helps to wash items after the first day so they're dry and usable for the latter portion of the trip.

A visual reminder of directions so that next year I can do it correctly in the dark. Crossing Market Street Bridge (arches) I need to exit onto the ramp in the opposite direction to double back, traveling underneath the bridge to find the AirBnB. The Amtrak Station is the historical, square building on the left.

Late afternoon ride along the Schuylkill River.

Slowly heading to the train station on Monday morning, soaking up more sunshine. We were lucky again to have perfect weekend weather.

Left: Dahon folded in the Philly Amtrak Station, ensuring the seatpost is lowered enough to protect the crank. Middle: on board the train. Right: unfolded in the Moynihan Train Hall because as a solitary traveler, I needed to wheel the bike and my stuff around, including visiting the bathroom!

The Mittens that Everyone Needs

My hands suffer when it gets cold. While I have bar mitts attached to my commuter Peugeot, that bike is also decked with studded tires until the weather gods decide it's really spring, so alternative mittens are required to keep my digits from freezing, especially if I ride another bike on dry roads. Or, walking, shoveling, etc. 

I'd read how leather mittens with wool liners are some of the warmest outdoor wear you'll find, so I took the opportunity to replace some failing synthetic lined mittens with LLBean's version.

Call them what you will: double layers, choppers, chopper mitts, work mittens, or leather mitts, ultimately, they're the warmest mittens I've ever used!

The leather shell blocks the wind, grips the handle bar, while the wool liner is warm and replaceable, should one eventually need to. Critical is the air pocket between liner and shell that traps warmth. And if both get wet, just air dry separately. 

There are many brands available in this type of arrangement. And not to worry, I can grasp the shifters and brake levers just fine.

I'm reminded of the Dr Seuss book, The Lorax and  Thneed - the thing that everyone needs!