#sdmba

So this is Happening in Coronado, Ca right now.

Today is my first grocery shopping trip on a bike. Big props to all those that have been doing it for years. 

I still haven't gotten my new bike and my car is stilling sitting on the street, but I am trying to take this challenge seriously. So i am riding my trusty white bike I have had for years. 

It made me realize a few things. 

I need a front rack

I need front panniers

lugging stiff on your back sucks

What a day! It all went by too fast. 

Once we got up and rode to Tour de Fat, about 11 miles from my casa, we were already starving. Luckily we brought plenty of food and some Pizza. 

They call this Cannibalism

I felt pretty special on that stage

Today is a big day. All those weeks of preparation, lead up to this. Below you will see several pictures from past Tour de Fat Events. 

As you can see it is a pretty big day for me. My husband calls it my highlight of the year. And it is. More this year because we want it to be bigger and better than years past and because I got selected as the Car for Bike Trader. YAY!

It all started with a bike ride to Downtown to meet Andy and Matthew for a morning news segment. I was warned I may not do or see anything, but simply going made me feel pretty involved. Turns out we had one great segment, and one that was totally cut thanks to some politician with too much spray tan. You can see the good one here.  Thanks to Mixte Communications for all your had work on Tour de Fat.

After this I rode back home, boooo, ate and headed over to help setup for Tour de Fat. The New Belgium Staff works their butts off. Big props to them for getting this up and running in a different city every week. 

Let us starts in the beginning...... I have been a Board Member with the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition for many years. I started out as the Education Coordinator, left briefly and came back as a board member and now as the Board Secretary. For years I would meet Car-Free people and thought, I could do that. I never did though. I never took the challenge on. Then last year Andy Hanshaw, the Executive Director of the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition, asked if I would be willing to be the Car for Bike Trader. The thought crossed my mind, but I never went through with it. For an entire year after that I kicked myself for not accepting. Then something amazing happened. New Belgium decided to bring Tour de Fat back to San Diego. After working on and enjoying the event for years, I would finally accept the challenge in front of an entire audience. That is, if I was lucky enough to be accepted. They asked that I make a 2 minute video stating why I would like to be the Car for Bike traded. There were so many thing to say like; the environment, the money, the exercise, the community etc, etc. But the truth was, I have been ready for a while. I always felt guilty for driving less that five miles anywhere and I already had many car-free friends, it just felt natural. All I really needed is my husbands support. My husband is a pretty legit guy, as in, has a real job, is responsible, lives like an adult. I on the other hand feel like a hot mess compared to him, and occasionally he reminds me that I am. When I first suggested it he shot me down bad. He through I was crazy, but then again he always thinks I'm crazy.  I had to talk about it nonstop for a year, for him to actually see that I was serious about it. He talked about selling my car, and it brought me to tears. I have had this car since I was 19 years old. I couldn't just toss it aside for something new and shiny. That was my first major purchase as an adult. I bought that car with my own money, and I took care of it. I always thought I would run it into the ground. We talked about donating it instead, since we could use that tax break. (Legit adults talk about tax breaks, I've learned that since being married to a legit person) Donating it didn't seem so bad. When New Belgium decided they would bring Tour de Fat Back, I knew I was meant to be the Car for Bike Trader. After looking at many videos, I decided to do a something a little more cheesy

I know...It's a little goofy, but I left it was like a breakup. 

On Thursday morning, I looked online to see if anyone else submitted a video and would you know it, some guy submitted a video Thursday afternoon. After the deadline. My heart just about broke. Prior to that I was the only submission and was already looking into a new bike. 

Thursday Prior to Tour de Fat was a Tour de Fat pre-party. We do it every year to get every one pumped for the event. I knew I had to go check out the competition. Except I was the only person that submitted a video present.  

Well, after a few New Belgium drinks, I forgot about the whole thing and let the would decide. Not that I didn't plead my case, but the beers let me relax a bit. 

Mid sandwich, with a mouth full of food, they announce that I will be this years Trader. I ran up paper towel and everything. I was so excited. Like I won the lottery.

I’ve been remiss for not blogging more often, so I’m sending a little blog full of tasty photos to get you prepped for what 2015 has in store!

Jason and I just returned from the 2015 New Belgium Brewing Bike Summit, held in Ft. Collins, CO, ever other year, to get the NPOs (non-profit orgs) who are involved in Tour de Fat together to 1) make it a better show for everyone and 2) collaborate on other biking projects, both on and off-road, to make it a better place for everyone!

No board meeting would be complete without powerpoint presentations, but intermixed were scavenger hunts on bike, taking dollars stamped with bikes on them to businesses and spending them in town to show that biking brings boosts to local economies from tourism and to locals alike-- just by being biking friendly!

We wrapped up a glorious 3-day conference with an amazing party which was also a benefit for the Fort Collins Bicycle Library, complete with rideable art bikes and costumes.  **Take note, these costumes should help you plan out the Tour nearest you!  ( link!  http://www.newbelgium.com/Events/tour-de-fat.aspx ) The first one kicks off in Yards Park in D.C., May 30th!!  Don’t delay!

**Tour de Fat is for all ages, bringing everyone closer through bikes and fun.  No need to say “I’m a roadie!  I’m a strava-geek! I’m a weekend pedaler! I’m a Mountain biker!”  We convene with fun in mind, cavorting with others while costumed and commissioning others to consider cycling more - for short trips, errands, and even longer commutes!  It benefits you and your community! 

**New Belgium is our benevolent benefactor.  They put on this show in over 10 cities nationally and every dollar goes towards the NPOs that help put it on.  It’s a charity event that’s free to participate in, and we hope you find the even and a better biking community of import to hopefully make a donation to perpetuate it!