Missing Out

As I stated in the previous notes, I like to bike. However I find that I'm usually alone on the scene from the African American standpoint.  I tend also to do a lot of traveling to historic sites, battle fields and the like. Again, I'm alone. What is the problem I asked myself? It seems that we as Black people aren't interested in history, or beautiful scenery. I like to day hike and it kills me to hear the negative comments I get from black people who eschew the outdoors!! Granted I know there is a  group of Black Scuba divers in Florida, there is a Black cycling group in Kansas somewhere, but here in the DC Metro area where there is close proximity of beautiful mountains, lots of cultural things to see for FREE, the attitude is that "we" don't do those things. Its shameful. I drag my son to a lot of out of town history sites (Harpers Ferry, Antietam, Gettysburg) and he impressed his teachers with what he as a black child knew of these sites and the events behind them. 

Now the question becomes: How do I get black people involved. I'm not talking about the older people who were taught and appreciate history, but the younger generations, my age group. Just a day hike (since I admit, I love a hotel and hot shower, although I'd like to at least try to rent a rustic cabin as long as its not too rustic- gotta have indoor plumbing!) There is a "mountain" that is close to my house and its free to whomever most of the year. I day hike there all the time. Great spot for meditation. I hope that the craziness of gas prices will at least drive more black people to consider biking and get them in the habit. One can only hope

Confessions of a Fair Weather Cyclist

Well, it  appears that Spring has finally decided to show up for good. This means its time to dust off my bike for the warm weather and have another go at being semi-green or whatever the current popular thought is on environmental issues. Why am I a fair weather cyclist? Well, I'm not good in rain, snow sleet and hail and since I don't work for the U.S Postal Service, have no need to prove anything by riding in such weather! Another thing is , I live in the DC Metro area. While cyclists are tolerated, there is still the pervading sense that we don't belong on the road. I'm also more of a utility cyclist when I do ride. The occasional trips to the store, movies, noodling about my neighborhood at a leisurely pace.  What I have found is that I appear to be a rare breed in these parts. I have noticed that I tend to be the lone African American (ok, I'm tired of being politically correct, black is still safe to say around me without getting beaten, people) woman who dares to ride. I'm still trying to wrap my head around this. While there are more black people as you get into DC proper and Northern Virginia apparently, as you come North the numbers lessen shockingly. I'm lonely out here people!!!! Oh yes, I do occasionally don the spandex but more often than not I'll be in regular clothes for the bit of noodling I do.  I was pondering another bloggers post about riding gear earlier today. We Americans get in such tizzies over the littlest matters. Who cares what people are wearing when they ride. If they are comfortable in it and it isn't violating any laws, why get in a snit over their business?  Another issue, sidewalk vs. street. Lord what a war this one starts. If you are Lance Armstrong and can blast along in traffic at 20+ mph, hallelujah for you, go right ahead. As for me, my heart starts getting very anxious at high speeds for the moment so a leisurely (and courteous to walkers that I encounter) 10 and under it is for me, thank you very much. I would really like to see more people bike commute in my area though for real. I have a coworker who bought a bike with me last year and hasn't ridden it yet. I'm gonna have to get my bat out I think! This neighborhood is relatively safe for bikes, as we have a fair amount of sidewalks to accommodate the state's "50mph+-take the sidewalk laws" Since I work in a healthcare facility, I'd like to challenge folks who live less than 10 miles away to try cycling in now that gas had gone through the roof. I've been blessed to live next door to my job so I walk around the fence. Maybe I'll try again with Bike to Work day coming up.

Well folks, whatever your pleasure, racer, utilitarian, or noodler, be safe and happy as you peddle about.

Mac Attack

Well, I've officially joined the ranks of Mac user. I bought a 15 inch Mac Book Pro 2 weeks ago. I'm quite enjoying it. The reason for this switch was I was not in any way enthralled with Vista even though I hadn't used it personally. The negative reviews I was reading kept me from the cheaper Dell I was looking at. So now I have to learn new keyboard short cuts which is n't a problem, and buy some new software. I have also resolved to not put anything Windows on my new baby. I've had good luck finding replacements for word processing and several games that I like. The only problem now is when my still-lost-in-windows friends call and ask for help I hae to remember what to do for them!!! There is a thought going about that Mac's are getting more popular due inpart to Vista's nightmares. I think this is good and bad. Good because the barriers can finally come down between the two camps. Bad, because with more market share comes the greater potential for malware, hacks, virii (??) and other malicious attacks on the system, which up till now has enjoyed somewhat of a carefree life (the recent "hacking" of the MB Air not withstanding) We Mac lovers will lose the badge of nerds and geeks and antidisestablishmentarian people as others join on and see the intriguing things this OS offers.