Dear So and So

[ny biker]

It's been crazy on our coast, too. One day I'm sick from trying to ride in the hot sun without being acclimated, then it's cold and windy, then back to feeling sick in the hot sun again. I don't know how badly the farms here are being affected. But I'm pretty sure they had to buy lots of non-local strawberries for the strawberry festival that I attended last month when the weather was more like March than May.

[smilingcat]

Dear chipmunk,

I'm sorry I caused your death earlier today. It's bothering me a great deal. Sure, one of your friends have gone through my germination table and dug up many a seed and had a feast. Seeds meant to be grown into plants then bear fruit (vegetables such as squash, zucchini, cucumbers and such). and other times, one of your friends went through and dug up many of the seedlings still in the 128 plug trays (128 plants in a tray). Or when your friend went through and feasted on sunflower seeds being germinated for microgreens. You and your friend have cost me much. But still, these are not a good reason for you to have lost your life.

I do more than my share of butchering chicken. There is no such thing as humane way to kill an animal. It's all euphemism. Because of it, I'm sensitive to unnecessary death. And now, I've caused your death. you were healthy, vibrant and full of life one minute then next you were no more.

I wish it didn't happen.

Rest in peace dear chipmunk

[Pax]

Aw, smilingcat, that is such a sweet thing to say.

[Sky King]

At the risk of sounding a bit smug but it was quite ironic. Attended a talk of one our customers last night. He rode and completed the Ride the Divide Bike Race and had a slide show to share his experience. Was at a local library about 4 miles from our house. We were surprised to roll up on our bikes and see the entire bike rack completely empty. The room was full but we seemed to be the only ones who arrived via bike. It was 100 degrees but we accounted for that in our trip and didn't "race to get there" Talk was interesting but if I ever ride the divide it won't be a race pace Took a meandering way home and rode along the river on the MUP - easily 15 degrees cooler than city streets.

[ny biker]

Around here traffic would also be an issue -- it can be hard to get to things after work on weekdays. It used to be that I would walk from my home to condo association meetings, but since my job moved further away I either drive there directly from work or miss the meeting altogether because of rush hour traffic. But I don't know if that's as much of a factor in Boise.

[Crankin]

At certain after work times of day, traffic could be an issue, too, even here in the suburbs. It is for my measly 2.5 mile commute. I have a go-around, but sometimes I wonder if it's worth it. If I had to go to a presentation at a local business, I would probably think about riding, but most likely I would drive. I really don't feel comfortable riding in regular clothes, although I am better; I have cycling clothes that don't look lycra-ish, so that helps, but generally, I think about this when I go to meetings or other events. My bet is racer types wouldn't think of riding for transportation. I ride for both fitness and transportation at times, but for a lot of people, this is not the case.

[shootingstar]

At certain after work times of day, traffic could be an issue, too, even here in the suburbs. It is for my measly 2.5 mile commute. I have a go-around, but sometimes I wonder if it's worth it. If I had to go to a presentation at a local business, I would probably think about riding, but most likely I would drive. I really don't feel comfortable riding in regular clothes, although I am better; I have cycling clothes that don't look lycra-ish, so that helps, but generally, I think about this when I go to meetings or other events. My bet is racer types wouldn't think of riding for transportation. I ride for both fitness and transportation at times, but for a lot of people, this is not the case.

I work for govn't and we are responsible for public cycling infrastructure, transit in our city..and also roads for building, maintenance. So part of employer's action plan has been to provide some better bike parking facilities for employees in secured areas at same workplace and at bigger, very select buildings, provide a small group of pool corporate bikes. Not exactly a bikeshare but strictly internal for signup and use. So cycling, transit or corporate vehicle is encouraged. Latter is a problem for very small fleet of cars. I have cycled to some internal meetings located less than 6-8 km. away from where I work with approx. 50% of route on pathways, not on road. The meetings involve others who are technical folks (actually GIS, drafting and surveying technical staff) so it's better I don't look overly girly/corporate 2-piece skirt-suited. There are some women in these groups and they are professional casual in attire. I show up at these meetings after biking, wearing black blazer and black jeans (for cycling).

Car, traffic and pedestrian traffic for past 12 months has been noticeably lighter...because there have been over 20,000 worker layoffs (just in our city alone) because of the dropping oil and gas economy in Alberta. Alberta is the lead Canadian province in this industry and our city is where most of such companies' head offices are located.
So yes, cycling is a lot easier along with availability of installed separated bike lanes.

From what one observes at least, in the building where I work (over 2,000 employees), I actually think signals that you are paying to your health by taking noon hr. classes, going for jog, walk or biking to work is viewed as a plus for an employee. Not a negative. While, yes women are still judged more harshly if they look too sloppy at work, overall if she is visibly engaging in any form of exercise outside of office time, it's seen as very good. We do have employee profiles several times per month on highlights of certain work one does, hobbies and....any favourite exercise activities. Yes, employees who do cycle to work have been profiled on our intranet --including myself. This intranet reaches over 10,000 employees.