Author Archives: arletelouise

by - 0 comments

Learn 2 Ride

Kathy and I taught a Learn 2 Ride class on Saturday morning at Miller Park. Theresa last rode a bike in 2011 but lost confidence after a crash. This is always a good sign for success: she knew how to ride before, we only needed to rekindle her muscle memory. Yup, within an hour, she was pedaling. Good job, Kathy and Theresa. At the end of class, she told her husband, “We’re going to buy a bicycle this weekend.”

Aries came to a previous class and almost became an independent bike rider. Today, he was quickly pedaling but needed practice. Soon, he was ready to ride the very safe roads in Miller Park, then short rides on the Sacramento River Bike Trail and finally around the block on streets. Excellent progress.

by - 0 comments

After school

I picked up the boys from St Ignatius after school. Avery is definitely getting better at popping a wheelie.

Carson and Hudson were doing their homework together via FaceTime (I think). I couldn’t help but hover a bit, out of curiosity, as they worked on a grammar assignment. Hudson’s mom was on the other end advising him. LOL – she and I both got stuck on sentence 7: find the “noncount noun.”

So .. we left it up to the boys to decide. 4th grade grammar has higher learning expectations than I remember.

by - 0 comments

Jibe appreciation

Kicking off the holiday season, Jibe organized a gathering at

Volunteers, Bike Doc mechanics, League Cycling Instructors were invited.

Lots of long-time bicycling friends and a few new ones. Such good little visits. I’ve been a League Cycling Instructor for 12 years – a very fun side job.

by - 0 comments

Monday – last day

Single elimination today, another early start.

Avery’s Omni team came in 9th in their division.

Grab a taxi, head to the airport. Thank you Air Traffic Controllers for coming to work today.

Our flight arrived in Sacramento at about 7p. Super fun trip!

by - 0 comments

Tournament day 2

Every morning was an early start. The boys had to arrive by 7:10, first game at 8:00.

The team always has to ref a game before they can leave which means someone stand in opposite corners with a red flag to call a ball in or out. Later, while Avery went with his friends to Michael Jordan’s Steakhouse, Thais Carson and I went to the Field Museum.

The exhibit halls were to the left and right of the main hall on two levels.

by - 0 comments

Why Chicago?

at the McCormick Place – a huge convention center. Saturday was day 1 of the tournament.

Teams from all over the US were there. 14 and under played in the Skyline Ballroom with 14 courts. Two other huge ballrooms also held games. There were a total of 92 courts, 2000+ players ages 12-18.

After dinner at Beatrix, we went for a walk – no slow-walkers in this group!

A five-story, 35,000 sq ft, Starbucks.

A visit to the Nike and Lego stores, then ride-share back to the hotel.

by - 0 comments

Exploring

Cold morning!

After breakfast at Goddess and the Baker, we walked along the riverwalk to the starting point of an architectural boat tour.

The Wrigley building:

Next stop: Millennium Park. The Bean:

Looking up from under The Bean:

A sculptural bridge across a busy wide street

to a huge “Play Garden.”

Early dinner at Giordano’s known for their (serves 2-3) deep-dish pizza!

Should say “serves 6”.

by - 0 comments

To Chicago

Thais, Avery, Carson and I arrived late afternoon – just in time for rush hour traffic. What could be a 15-minute drive from O’hare to the hotel turned out to be over one hour. The taxi driver was quite knowledgeable and shared a lot of facts and information about Chicago.

Dinner at Ramen-San.