The Destination is the Journey, or the Journey is the Destination: Enjoy!

The off-season affords endless opportunities to research and experience what other bicycle enthusiasts are accomplishing in the industry within the U.S. and abroad. To me, the tourism industry is fascinating and unique in similarly subjective ways as art with endless niches, preferences, and perhaps I'll get more into that train of thought at a later date. It turns out bikes pair well with just about anything: beer, wine, friends, language barriers, fine cuisine, endless dirt trails, coordinated paved pathways, sustainability, photography, mountains, beaches, plains, summer, winter, spring, and fall just to name a few! They even pair well with motors and rain. Really - I wouldn't lie to you

Tourist "Bike Gang" in the Misty Rain!

So there we were, all ten of us choosing to snuggle up with our significant others on motorbikes to self-guide a tour of a new city. We didn't really know the laws of traffic, or how to operate our motorbike bells/whistles/lights/brakes/etc... but we were determined to get farther and see more than walking allowed. Diving into city traffic totally clueless is terrifying, so naturally we headed out of town!

What we toured:

• "Lady Budha" at an enormous (hindu?) temple (slap my wrists, I failed to research this beautiful site)
• A yellow sandy beach without a soul in site
• The teasing promise of monkeys... alas our bikes lacked the capacity for the steep climb to see the living creatures - not just a pedal-power issue afterall!
• A mountain of marble
• An incredibly scenic coastal highway connecting all the above

Monkeys?!

Unexpected Private Beach!

Reinforced ideas that stuck with me from this adventure:

• the journey is the destination... and... the destination is the journey
• A dusting of rain and a cheap poncho make for a most memorable (and pleasant!) experience
• Three or four major attractions in one tour is satisfying...
• ...and so are the little unexpected stops revealing gems of culture and delight along the way
• I would be a sad, sad lady without sharing the travel experience both near and far!

Hindu Temple

The Little Engine That... Um... Well... *smile*

Naturally, these thoughts and experiences have played a role in how this 2016 tour season shapes up for Leisurely Pedaling. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised the subtle yet monumental adjustments coming down the road, and hope you all will get to come experience them with us!

Cheers for now,

Adventure Jes

Pedaling with Cats: A Daydream

Sidecars.
Aviator goggles and leather helmets.
That one time we saved ourselves from sure destruction!

As you might expect, I find daydreaming about bikes a common occurrence. The chilly winter days and ice-covered streets and bike-ways understandably stimulate thoughts of sunshine, warm laughter, and summer afternoons filled with exciting discoveries and visiting "oldie but goodie" favorite places.

I wish... I really wish... my cat enjoyed biking as much as I do and would tag along without any fuss. Perhaps it's just his nature: he doesn't really like meeting new people, has a healthy fear of the Great Outdoors, and finds joy in sleeping in the sun. I hear this is pretty typical for cats.

Dream with me a moment, though: imagine a cat in the front basket of a bike! Better yet: a cat in a bicycle side-car wearing aviator goggles and a leather helmet!

We could explore nearby parks (he'd nap in the sunshine or climb the trees), play in the river (he'd keep his paws dry until a fish swam by), or enjoy people-watching at a local brewery's patio - maybe even make a few new friends! It would be endless fun!

Oh well, it was worth the daydream.

Cheers for now,

Adventure Jes

Home: When Was the Last Time you Played Tourist?

 I love daydreaming about my next vacation or weekend getaway! Who doesn't? My bestie and I have on-going emails speculating epic bike routes, races, and bike-friendly city wanderings on this continent and the next. Getting away is always the goal, but who says you can't get away at "home"?

It didn't take more than a few memorable, jovial journeys in other hemispheres to open my eyes to the biking wonders right here in my backyard. Home: the stay-cation in Fort Collins!

When I was feeling stressed and pressed for time in grad school, the easiest getaway was grabbing my bestie, my camera, and designing routes to explore my own town. There's always something to be experienced: a new museum exhibit, new restaurant, new beverage joint, new construction, new (free) live music, and new combinations of all the above to create a beautiful day on the bike!

When was the last time you glanced at your home town as a tourist?

Cheers for now!

Adventure Jes