To get the word out about the next round of classes, Jibe decided to place some 15-second (40 words max) ads on radio – local stations and Pandora, etc. and asked me to be “the voice.” I had an appointment at a recording studio on Tuesday morning.
Suggestion from the producer: “More enthusiasm even if you think you sound over the top. Like a teacher in front of her class first thing in the morning, she had a few cups of coffee and she LOVES her job.”
Nailed it. What a fun first-time experience!
Usually this is the day to go to the BEST Christmas party of the season, right? And I went to two – 2020 style. #1: Four Season Westshore offered a free meal from Buckhorn Grill.
The best part was the champagne greeting – with an invitation to come back for refills!
I rode my bike to Party #2 at N Natomas Regional Park: it was a Bike Doc party given by Jibe. Because Bike Doc is sponsored through SABA and I was the receptionist several times, yay, I was invited.
Covid-19 is worse and there isn’t a lot for a person to do. Outdoor activities, however, are encouraged which means … lots of bike riding. Thank goodness.
Wed Dec 9: 7 of us rode to E Levee Rd for a winter view of Hansen Ranch Park. The loop that I’d planned ended at this point on the levee improvement project (a sign would have been nice), we turned around and rode back to Sorento Rd.
A very good ride! 18 miles total.
Fri Dec 11: 8 of us rode a route called Tour of N Natomas. All the major bike trails are included – Jackrabbit, Redbud, and Fisherman’s Lake Parkway – plus N Natomas Regional Park. Our longest group ride yet – 21 miles.
Mon Dec 14: 8 of us rode to Old Sac, then crossed the Tower Bridge to explore the Riverwalk going in one direction and the Riverwalk Trail going in the other direction (south) which ends here. The word WEST swivels 180 degrees by the way.
Wed Dec 16: 3 of us rode 4 cold miles to see the 12 homes on the Four Seasons Westshore Christmas lights tour. Our last stop was at Kirk and Holly’s on Crete Island Lane.
Today: 3 of us rode around Hansen Ranch Park to the Sacramento Northern Bike Trail and home. 24 miles! Woo-hoo!
Making the best out of difficult times.
This was one of our biggest rides. There were 10 of us! It was just 8 miles, then we took a 30 minute break before heading back.
This SABA program gives away front and rear bike lights to anyone riding a bike (or scooter, even a pedestrian walking with her children). The pop-up stations show up in various high-bicycle-traffic areas in every Sacramento City council district. Today it was in S Natomas on W El Camino Ave at Ninos Parkway. Two friends volunteered to join me. We met Robert from SABA at 4:30.
We gave away several sets, but there was very little bicycle traffic so we called it quits after an hour. Thank you Barbara and Lorraine for coming out to help.
Sunday Nov 29: Tour d’Arlete
Monday Nov 30: Jackrabbit Trail +
Tuesday Dec 1: Bannon Creek Parkway Loop
Since we all started riding regularly on Nov 22, 12 people have ridden 484 miles! Woo-hoo.
To celebrate the end of Better on Bikes, Jibe organized a get-together at Blackbird Park – a recently opened park next to Four Seasons Westshore. Mellissa demonstrated how to change a flat tire.
Mellissa hoped there would be enough time for everyone to pair up and change a tire on one bike. But lunch arrived – time to eat. One diligent student, Lorraine, did indeed change the tube in her tire with a bit of coaching along the way.
See the orange fanny pack on the table behind Lorraine. Every Better on Bikes participant received one filled with more goodies as a thank-you for participating.
Tonight was the final Zoom class – whew! Done. You might be able to tell from this picture what might be coming next. Yes, I had a glass of champagne after the final sign-off at about 7 pm. Yes, my sewing machine sits nearby on the floor ready to finish the next sewing project.
Our Zoom moderator, William took this group photo:
Last Thursday, Barbara and I went for a 9-mile ride to check out the new trail which isn’t quite finished.
Today Leo and I went for 19-mile ride to the end of Jackrabbit Trail plus a few added loops through parks and other trails.
Barbara and Leo are Better on Bikes participants who asked for one-on-one rides that also come with a bit of coaching from me.
This was the final Sunday office hours for Better on Bikes. Today we practiced a major bike route through the neighborhoods between Arena Blvd and San Juan Rd – if you want to get to the other side of I-5 or ride into Sacramento, you must use these streets.
