After the warmest
February ever, with weeks in the 60s and 70s, it was a shock to have snow
and ice in March. So when the Errandonnee started with a few temperate days, I
hastened to complete bicycle errands whilst the weather was favorable.
March 20, 2017
In a classic trip chaining scheme,
I planned a route with many errands in a 10-mile loop. From my home in
Arlington’s Westover area I rode to George Mason and Lee Highway for the post
office and bank; then along 22nd St and Lee Highway to the yoga
studio. From there I took Quincy St to the central library and then along
Fairfax and Clarendon Blvd. to Trader Joe’s. I returned along Wilson to the
Ballston Sport & Health, looping around to the Glebe Rd entrance to park my
bike. I then took Glebe Rd to the entrance to the Custis Trail, where I exit on
John Marshall Dr. I like the challenge of working out the most efficient route!
#1 – personal business – stopped at the post office to mail
a letter.
#2 – non-store errand – stopped at the bank to deposit money
in my daughter’s account.
March 21, 2017
#7 – arts and entertainment – rode to Courthouse to see Get Out. Definitely worth the 9-mile
ride.
#8 – personal care – Drove up to Philly on Thursday, so
Friday morning took the tandem with the Cycling Yogi to Magu Yoga for class (2 miles round trip).
Forgot to take a photo, but am including a link to the studio, where I had a
great class to get out the kinks from my car trip. That afternoon took the
train up to NY to see the Paul Taylor company and spent the night at my friend
Sarah’s house in Brooklyn.
March 25, 2017
#9 – social – In Brooklyn, Sarah and I rode from her
apartment near the Cortelyou subway stop to Coney Island – my first visit there
– 10.5 miles round trip. I borrowed her partner Kevin’s bike, which I found to
be supremely comfortable. The illusion of me standing on my bike seat was
unintentional, but quickly noticed on Facebook by an astute Coffeeneur! Took
the train back to Philly that afternoon.
#10 – wild card – When my daughter moved to Philly she took
over use of my Philly bike. The Cycling Yogi had the good fortune to win a bike
in a raffle, but I had never ridden it. It is really a bit too large for me and
has drop handlebars, which I never use. They make me nervous! So I totally
miscalculated how long it would take me to ride from Mt. Airy to Center City.
My hands were cramping because the reach of the brakes was really too much and
the ride into Center City is predominantly downhill – something I enjoy under
normal circumstances, but was a bit hair-raising on an unfamiliar bike. Long
story short – plans had to be adjusted because it took me so long. So I found a
nice coffee shop (a little Coffeeneuring scouting) and had an espresso and a
snack while waiting to meet my daughter for a later movie than we’d originally
planned.
#12 – personal business – After driving home from Philly
that morning, I decided to take a walk trip to complete the Errandonnee, giving
my dogs a chance to finally get in on the act. We walked just over a mile
(round trip) to the Westover library, where I had Lisa See’s new novel on hold and then to the
post office to mail in my taxes. It was 68 degrees and sunny, making me believe
that Spring is here to stay.