#sdcbc

What a whirlwind of a month this has been!!!  I have so much to say-- but I will break this up into several segments:  Road Trip to MECCA (Ft. Collins, home of New Belgium Brewing Company and Tour de Fat as well as Black Sheep Bicycles where my Nubian princess hails from); Hoopla and Excitement BUILDING towards my 1 year anniversary on the bike; and STOP the Presses!   

September is often one of the BUSIEST times of the year for me because it's crunch time to Tour de Fat.  I want to do everything I can to promote this event because it and the bike in general have made such an impact in my life and it pains me how such a simple concept can't happen to the rest of the world faster ;-).  But I digress. Great change takes time, as this test of the car trade has proven to me. 

Before I do, I want to do two things:  One, I want to share a cool photo with you.  Never in my wildest dreams did I think or know I'd be on television and the local papers talking about my transportation transformation, but I can tell you that this week, I did it!  I got to be the epitome of bipedal evangelists!  Our local paper, the Union-Tribune, invited me to be interviewed, photographed and then televised during a live newscast about trading my car for a bike and Tour de Fat. I'm super stoked!

From Twitter @aweesan:  About to get interviewed re: #carforbiketrade and @newbelgium #tourdefat!!!! (@ UT San Diego - UT TV) [pic]: http://4sq.com/TUvSEF (video feed to come soon)

Secondly, and in my next post before I start my September Series I discuss above, I want to share with you a story much more inspirational than mine, about my neighbor who has embraced biking more and driving less. Marybeth is truly an inspiration. Retired, she has taken on things people only make excuses about but put into action. I'm very proud of her and her story and can't wait to share that with you in my next blog post.

In the meantime, despite the heat, keep on pedaling and keep that smile on your face.  Practice makes perfect and "if you make that face, it'll freeze like that!"  :-)

North of the Border Bikes (@NBBIKES  www.nbbikes.com) just announced that the person who wishes to trade their car for a bike and have them build up their bike will get an additional $300 to spend on gear /bike parts on top of the stipend given by New Belgium!

Itsa Bike Shop (www.itsabikeshop.com) was the first shop to jump into the ring and invite the person who trades their car for a new commuter ride at their shop and get an additional *$250 to spend!* *Itsa just matched the $300 Ante NoTB brought!!

Are you interested in donating your car in exchange for a bike?  I'm more than happy to get you up to speed on this event and the Car for Bike trade concept New Belgium put together.   ** NBB Link for the basic event:  http://www.newbelgium.com/events/tour-de-fat/tradeyourcar.aspx

You are invited to share your knowledge at a two-day regional strategic planning event where you will help guide the framework and future strategy of the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition (SDCBC). We need your input to help improve biking in the San Diego Region for generations to come. The San Diego County Bike Summit is your chance to strengthen your bicycle advocacy organization to better serve you.

Saturday: Dream up the future of riding in San Diego through group engagement. Gain and share an awareness of issues the SDCBC faces. By the end of day one we will build a new strategic plan for making riding better in our many communities.

Sunday: Work on the strategic plan continues as we create an action plan built on our shared and separate priorities, what needs to be accomplished and timelines.

Saturday, March 31, 2012: 9:00am to 5:30pm Sunday, April 1, 2012: 10am to 4pm   Omni San Diego Hotel 675 L St, San Diego, US, 92101

Breakfast and lunch will be served both days. Secure bicycle parking will be available on-site.

event page. sdcbc. free—no registration fee or anything.