Our Gang

Here in Portland, we have what some might call fitness clubs.  There are running clubs, cycling clubs, rowing clubs, possibly even climbing clubs.  People joining together to participate in some common activity that they all enjoy, and share similar experience level.  Well, we have what we like to affectionately call, our bike gang.  Most of our friends are car-free, or car-light so if we go places together we're riding our bikes.  It's just a great way to experience the city together.  It sure beats being stuck in a car, or taking 2 cars, or riding the bus.  We find free boxes, see who can ride with no hands, see who can ride with no hands and stand on their pedals (I can), and judge people in cars.    

Lately, we've upped our game a bit.  Instead of just being for transportation a few of us have been getting up and riding for a couple of hours in the early morning.  We don't go too fast.  We're not out there in full kit monitoring our cadence like we should.  We're also not fully loaded down with bags and panniers headed to work like the commuters.  We don't run stop signs and blow through red lights like the fixed gear hipsters in tight pants.  We ride cause we love it, not cause we think we're fast or even really to exercise.  The exercise is just a bonus.  The hardcore cyclists would probably mock my homemade fingerless gloves, and inexpensive components, and they'd drop us the first chance they'd get, but we have fun out there.  It's tough getting up sometimes, but I definitely feel better when we ride.   

Yesterday morning, a few of us went for a short ride around the river in the rain.  It was a good time, as always.  Then later we met up for $1 vegan corn dogs and afterward rode home together.  There were 5 of us riding to our house from across the river.  The weather had cleared, and it was so nice out.  It was definitely one of those days that make the long, wet winter worth it.