dottie

Bored last night, played around with fireworks a bit...colour beautiful.. this is what I think

and i'm off

yes.. I did mention riding in my previous post. I did it after all..Made up my mind to go for it..and got a bike.. not my dream one... not the lovely Princess or Victoria.. but alas..

Welcome Valerie to my family.. :)

As the story goes.. I can't ride. I wasn't allowed to while growing up, and just never got around to it now that I am grown up..until now..

I'm certain it's a frightening thing for pedestrians to see a grown woman, on a less than conventional bike (in these parts anyway) barrelling down the side walk...barely slowing down- for fear of losing her balance (I'll call it 'vibe')- before rushing across side roads.
But that's kinda what I look like..haha..

My first ride was from the building where I live..to a nearby park..almost adjoining the estate. I did two laps in the park, and decided I was brave enough to attempt the canal path..

Canal path = narrow.

Canal path = bordering large body of water.

Learner taking her first ride along canal path = disaster waiting to happen.

or so you would think..

I would like to dispel that..and say.. I did fine!
and was so proud of myself as well.

Apart from my runnings with quite a few bushes...and emergency braking every time I headed straight for the water..(I had to come up with a just-in-case strategy as well...I'd leap off the bike and defy gravity..in my attempt to stay on solid ground instead of drowning with Valerie)

It felt like..small steps to some sort of freedom. Getting something done, that I had always wanted to do.. and doing it on my own..with no support..and no encouragement. I just did it, on sheer determination.

But that brave move..I had to accept, might have been a bit foolhardy and too much for my first time.. so I decided to tone it down a little..
I've taken to night time riding.. firstly to avoid all the curious stares and occasional kind/apologetic smiles- they can be embarrassing :).. and secondly..well, that's the only reason really.

My second ride..I did a few laps around the estate..plenty of parking lots and walkways..

Third ride, still at night...and impatient with being a learner (as I've always been)..I took to the road.. but stayed on the sidewalk. I rode all the way to my uni.. now that was an accomplishment..
I'm still not confident enough to ride next to pedestrians though.. so if anyone is approaching, I get off the bike..as stylishly as I can..and walk

My fourth ride.. and this is where it's getting serious.. I rode to the hospital for an early morning appointment. I didn't know the way..not exactly.. since I was trying to avoid the highway, and wanted to stick to as many back roads as possible..

I set out, armed with a map..stopping every 5 minutes to figure out which direction I should be heading... another thing I'm hopeless at..directions. I can get lost in the same place 5 times before I get it right.

Anyway..

Long story short.. I made it to my appointment..on time.. then rode allll the way to uni..and then into town.. where very proudly, I locked Valerie up (that doesn't sound right does it) and went shopping....
It's liberating.. I don't have to wait on anyone- transport or traffic- just pop in, pop out.. and stick everything I buy into my basket..luvly..
Had a nice ride home afterwards...

Bear in mind..this was all done on side walks.. as much as possible.. I tried riding on the road once, but literally freaked out when I realised there was a car behind me (where else would it be..that's what the road is for), and nearly lost balance.. So until I'm confident enough..I'll stick to sidewalks.

I already have my list- and it's growing- why I'm loving this..

1. mentioned above...time is in my hands now. No waiting on the bus..

2. comfort...no more being squished up against the heavy breathing man who blows through his mouth on the bus (why is it always me)

3. health benefits..which I suppose I'll talk about a little more when I actually ride a useful amount of time.. for now lets just say, I have a nice feeling in legs and arms every time I'm done..

4. toasty...much much warmer than walking in winter. I can already tell. I've had to take layers off because I've been too warm. What are he chances of that happening while I'm stuck at a bus stop freezing waiting on a late and crowded bus, or walking to school.

5. I'm loving the looks I get (I'd like to think I don't only get scared- oh god she's going to crash ones). I've had a few people stare, openly, at the bike- and comment 'lovely bike', 'oh how lovely'.. and me on it..dressed in my everyday clothes, and not at all like a 'cyclist'..I'd hope I carry that cycle chic banner fairly well

6. freedom. nuff said.

I won't be able to do any riding for the next couple weeks- Doctor's orders- not until I get my stitches out at least (yeah..alot's been going on).

So for today.. I'm indoors.. listening to the rain hit my windows.. it's a lovely sound.

winter and all her cozy thoughts

Winter is here..

Rainy lazy days..gray, dark days that almost seem muffled..bright bright days with few clouds, you instinctively know it's going to be freezing on those days... difficult mornings for waking up..the sun only brightens up the world on my way to school.. more excuses to stay indoors.. I love it..

I had to replace my beloved gloves this week.. I had some old and very faithful fingerless ones with a happy colourful pattern..pity my fingers after the briefest exposure almost always felt like they might break off. I replaced them with a cozy brown pair..also with happy colourful patterns haha..not very adventurous, but very creative.

On creativity..

I was planning on an evening ride last week...here's the order in which it went..

I got dressed..maximum layering in effect
Pulled on my trusty canvas shoes, one size too small..
Put on my very thick and very very comfy hooded parka..faux fur lined
Pulled on my oversized beanie..
and then decided..a flower would look lovely..

hmmm..how to solve this?...well.. I decided to make a flower ofcourse..

I mean.. time wasting?..new level here..

I got out two pieces of fabric I kept from my wedding preparation debacle back in March..

A lovely light pink silk dupioni, and cream satin..
and proceeded to cut and sew the loveliest corsage.. which I might add, in the end was too big for a headpiece, and went unworn that night.

After my sudden creative spell... I carried Valerie down the stairs and out into the lovely crisp night air..

I can't help but smile while riding.. and especially I laugh out loud to myself everytime I wobble, or everytime I lose complete balance..or when I have to brake suddenly to avoid running right into a wall or something hard and stationary..I've had one gentleman leap off the sidewalk and nearly run into a wall himself..I think he realised the speed at which the shakey light was baring down on him wasn't being controlled by a professional.

More on the riding later.

Today is..as was yesterday.. beautiful