Category Archives: Commuting

Early Monday dry cleaning run

I’ve been entirely too busy lately. I haven’t even had time to get my shirts over to the dry cleaners, which is less than a mile away. Now that the bike rodeo event is over, I feel like I have more time. So I woke up a little early this morning and decide to head over there on my bike.

I would normally throw all my clothes in a side pannier, but with my trunk bag and u-lock on my rack, that just wasn’t an option. (As you can see, clipping another bag would be nearly impossible.)

I could have hooked up my trailer and thrown my laundry bag in there, but the trailer seemed like a little overkill. Instead, I opted to throw my 14 dress shirts in a backpack, even though I normally don’t like to ride with a one – It makes me sweat more and I was on my way to work. But the morning was cool, so even with a full backpack I rode pretty fast, and I didn’t sweat at all.

Looking at this photo, I realize how small my backpack looks on my back. I think I need a large messenger bag. My birthday is coming up…

Outreach

Bike Edinburg wants to be your voice, so the only way to get your concerns addressed is well, sharing them. This is what these gentlemen did on Tuesday afternoon when they spoke with one of our members. Awareness was the key word as one of them had been run off the road at least three times. What is really awesome about these guys is they commute to UTPA. One of them commutes from Elsa. Thanks guys for your time.

Around Town

Saw these bikes parked outside of La Pesca over on 107 a few days go. Two bikes and a child’s trailer = AWESOME.

david moreno’s profile

Name: David Moreno

I’ve been riding since: Like most everybody, I rode when I was a kid. I stopped riding as I got older, but I wish I hadn’t. I started riding again in May of 2010 – by far, one of the smartest things I’ve done.

About my bike: I wanted a bike that was comfortable, dependable, and was capable of doing whatever I wanted it to. My bike was almost all the way there, but I added a few things. Now I can do everything I want to on this bike: commuting, long rides, and light touring. I have a plethora of bags for my rack and a trailer to haul my goods. This bike is a beast.

Places I go on my bike: I commute daily to UTPA, and I’ve been places far and wide in the valley. I’ve even ventured all the way to SPI.

Why I ride: I started riding to get healthy; now I ride because it’s fun. Who knew kicking the car habit would be healthy for me, my wallet, and the environment?

jamee cole’s profile

Name: Jamee Cole.

I’ve been riding since: Jimmy Carter was president.

About my bike: I’m a bi-cyclist and split my time between an Xtracycle modification of a Trek 4000 and a Surly Long Haul Trucker. They both get plenty of lovin’.

Places I go on my bike: HEB, UTPA, SPI, Pizza Rustica, Roosevelt’s, Sal Del Rey, the southern side of the border wall…

Why I ride: Because if Jamee doesn’t ride, Jamee goes crazy.

deby g moreno’s profile

Name: Deby G Moreno

I’ve been riding since: July 2010. My husband, David, taught me how to ride.

About my bike: Ramona was a Silver Trek step-through frame with fenders and collapsible baskets. She is currently wrecked.

Places I go on my bike: Anywhere and everywhere: City Hall, restaurants, other towns, and of course to the homes of dear friends. Since I learned to ride, I have commuted daily to UTPA.

Why I ride: Why not? I wanted to learn how to ride for so long. Now it is more than just riding a bike, it is a lifestyle.

jorge trujillo’s profile

Name: Jorge Trujillo

I’ve been riding since: My first memories of riding a bicycle are in the Morelos Plaza in Morelia at the age of 5. I remember the hardest thing about learning to ride was actually looking up. I’ve only recently started commuting to school on my bike.

About my bike: I found my Cannondale Bad Boy at a local bike shop in McAllen (Bike World). I didn’t know exactly what I was looking for, but when I saw this black beauty I knew it was love at first sight. I usually ride a pair of Schwalbes and a very fashionable red crate to carry my payload.

Places I go on my bike: The versatility of this bike has served me well in social night rides downtown, morning canal cruises, long distance rides, and swerving through students at UTPA.

Why I ride: Because of all the beautiful people : ) Never have I felt so happy and in tune with my own spirit and persona than when I ride with all my friends (whom you’ll get to meet on here too!). Thank you, amigos y amigas.

debbie cole’s profile

Name: Debbie Cole

I’ve been riding since: I learned to ride when I was 11 or 12 years old. I’ve commuted by bike to school and/or work since 1992.

About my bike: In the late 90′s, my husband found us a pair of matching Trek mountain bikes for sale at a local bike shop in Tucson. It’s still the bike I ride most, loaded with an Arkel backpack and briefcase. I also love riding our yellow Schwinn Twinn and our Batavus Intercycle Dutch bike.

Places I go on my bike: Mostly, I commute between home and UTPA. It’s only a 10-15 minute ride…but I don’t have to worry about finding parking, and I feel so zen when I arrive. I also go grocery shopping and do other errands with my family by bike.

Why I ride: I ride because it feels good – because it’s great to be outside and feel the wind and smell the air, because my body is grateful every time I make it get me where I’m going on its own energy, and because I see people, creatures, and places I wouldn’t see if I was in my car.