Pictures from my trip to CABDA East and Philly Bike Expo
I flew to LGA. American offered me a first class upgrade for about $20 more than the cost of the fees for 2 bags (one bag, bike) so I took the upgrade. Bag fees are $35 for the first bag, $45 for the second bag. The bike is one bag w/in the size limitation and < 50 lbs.
The best part was being able to see my bike and my bag loaded onto the plane. It took me a while to put my bike back together. I had plenty of room and it was cool in baggage claim. The maintenance lady discarded my box for me. I kept all my packing material to reuse it on the way home. My duffle bag that I checked had one pannier and everything else for my trip. I packed light since I’d need to bike everything with me in NYC and Philly. I only had one pair of shoes. Once I reassembled my bike, I had already looked at satellite and street view maps to figure out how to bike from the terminal. The key is walking down to the intersection of La Guardia/94th then using the ped crosswalk to cross La Guardia Rd. and again 94th St. then you bike from 94th no problem. If you want to see the route, all the routes are here.
My bike box being loaded onto the planeReassembled and Ready to rollCABDA East w/John Schubert and John AllenCentral ParkGeorge Washington BridgeStaten Island Ferry TerminalHeather, Leah’s sisterBrooklyn Bridge718 OutdoorsBrooklynManhattan BridgeReturning to Manhattan
I planned most of my routes at home before I left. CABDA was 2 days at the Meadowlands in Seacaucus, NJ just over the George Washington bridge. There was a great view of the city from the bridge. I had a few days to explore NYC on bike and got to ride both the Harlem River Greenway, the Hudson River Greenway, Central Park, Brooklyn. I didn’t go to all the boroughs but I did ride in Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn. I skipped Staten Island and the Bronx. And I got to take Leah’s sister, Heather for her first ride in NYC on her Rivendell Clem. We rode on the Hudson River Greenway to the Staten Island. In Brooklyn, I stopped in to see Joe at 718 Outdoors. He leads bike tours and microtours. What a wealth of knowledge and what a great idea! Then to Penn Station to take Amtrak to Philly.
Philly Bike Expo
PBE is always fun. I was scheduled to present Sun, lead ride Sat night to the Keystone Bike Party and lead a Sunday morning ride. There was a Sat ride scheduled that we rode too. I stayed w/Leah and her one of a kind, raspberry Platypus. She loves her bike as much as I love my Betty. There are no other bikes as well loved as our Rivendells. There are so many bikes, all the great bike parts and the best bike people.
LeahMost loved bikesEric MarthRiv SistersRivendell BoothSylviaBelmont PlateauSkyline view11 days on bike
One example of the best bike people is Eric Marth. He volunteered to fix my broken shifters when I lamented I wish I could repair them but didn’t know how. I’m so glad I got to meet him and thank him in person. Next are the Riv Sisters. We all love our Rivendells and we got to meet each other at PBE. Next are the folks from Rivendell HQ – Will, Vince, Rich, James. We’re so lucky they put so much attention to each and every part to make our bikes useful, long lasting, dependable, beautiful and enjoyable. Old friends like Sylvia who lived in Charlotte several years ago and met her late husband on a bike ride I led many moons ago came to the Sunday ride. And we had a unseasonably warm day to enjoy riding to the Expo. I brought my bike to my presentation about how you can do everything on your bike and what you need. I’d been living off my bike for 11 days so it had everything on it. For my flight home, I actually saved money by upgrading to first class since I was prepared to pay the fees for my bag and bike anyway. It goes without saying how eternally grateful I am to Rivendell for making my bike. It does so much for me. Taking me to NYC, Philly and everywhere in between.
Thank you to Julian and Roberto of C&L Cycles for putting together a Snack Ride from the Rachel store while I was in town. I’d met Julian and Roberto at Philly Bike Expo a few years back. I finally found the time to ride there! The ride was the highlight of my trip. I’d ridden in from Brossard about 30 miles outside of Montreal on my way from VT. It’s always great to ride w/locals. They always know the best ways and the cool places to go. And they invite their friends. It’s always fun to get to meet people. They were all so nice and I got to ogle all the cool bikes. C&L is a Rivendell dealer. Their shop is filled w/all the best bike stuff you can imagine. I’m so bad remembering all the names but I know all the Rivendell bikes, Swift bags, Carradice bags, Nitto racks…. IYKYK. It’s all the good stuff that look good, wears well and makes your bike so much more FUNctional. Julian took us on a tour of Montreal using the REV which connects bike lanes through the city. We rode to get Falafels then to get ice cream. Montreal has many streets that have bike lanes, 2 way cycle tracks but the REV has wider lanes and are like a bike highway. But it’s not the gear that stands out, it’s the pure joy of riding around on bikes and getting a snack. Pure and simple fun. Just like riding around on your bike when you were a kid. It was the best way to meet people and have fun. And still is.
Mt. TremblantManoir Shawbridge, PrevostMt. TremblantRiviere NordFellow Warm Showers guests Elise and SidCape May (NJ) lighthouseWarm Showers host in Vergennes, VTLocal Motion Bike Ferry, S. Hero Island, VTBurlington, VTCamp Skylands, S. Hero Island, VTPulp Mill Bridge, Middlebury, VTChambly, QCChambly, QCFort ChamblyFort ChamblySt. Jerome, QCP’tit Train du NordLaske Champlain overlook in VT
Inspired by my Warm Showers guests, I had the idea to ride to Montreal. Warm Showers is a website that connects cyclists who host and request a stay. I first met a Warm Showers guest when a friend was hosting a gentleman from Canada. I offered to make him lunch. It was such a pleasure to meet him, hear about his travel and to provide a small meal. The world I want to live in is one filled with people riding bikes all the time, including traveling by bike. I’ve been a Warm Showers host for a few years. My first guest was Klaas from Belgium. He was riding the NC BBQ trail. He loved whole hog BBQ and told me his favorite was Skylight in Ayden, NC. A few years ago, I went there while on a bike ride. It WAS the best BBQ!
So, over the years, I’ve hosted and been inspired by many cyclists – Christie, Javid, Emily, Michel, Cindi, Maren, Kay, Pablo, Katie, Ian. This trip was the first time I’ve used Warm Showers for the majority of my trip. I requested many stays over several days. I was able to be hosted for 5 of the 8 days on our trip. What a great experience. Meeting each host added a new dimension to the trip. Furthered fueling my desire to ride to discover more places by bike.
My friend and I drove to Brandon, VT then biked 175 miles to Montreal. The P’tit Train du Nord rail trail starts outside of Montreal and goes north to Mt. Laurier. We rode as far as Labelle which was about 2/3 of the total trail. I was hosted by some warm and gracious people in VT and Quebec. We camped at most places so we had our tent and sleeping systems. The bike is the best way to travel, meet people and really feel immersed in each town and city. The pictures are sadly out of order b/c I have no idea how to resequence them.
How I packed:
I took 3 outfits plus the mosquito outfit and rain gear. I washed every fourth day. I wore my one pair of sandals. Most of the room was taken up by my camp gear, clothes, plus some snacks and my iPad for route planning, communication.
Things most used: paring knife to cut fruit, cheese, etc. water bottle dry bag
Things I’d like to take for next time: butter cinnamon, nutmeg for oatmeal sugar for tea, oatmeal
Things I’m glad I took: my Opinel paring knife outfit treated w/permethrin to keep mosquitos away route cards, plastic bag padded gloves sunhat, sun sleeves chair John’s Irish straps Rain jacket and rain skirt
The CyclingSavvy course is the one thing you can do to help you ride your bike more. It will help improve your bike handling skills, show you how to ride to any destination, and build your situational awareness. I challenge you to come see how much you can learn. Read what past students have said about the course.
The photo above is from a mid March 2024 at Central Park, NYC. With the skills and strategies I learned from CyclingSavvy, I was able to ride my bike from LaGuardia airport to Manhattan, Brooklyn and Seacuacus, NJ. I didn’t need to call a cab, take a taxi, pay tolls because I brought my bike with me.
Come join me for a class to learn how to ride in all weather conditions, how to shop by bike and how to ride with your children. Each class will consist of a discussion, bike skills and a short bike ride. Here’s the link for more details. Registration is required.
Contact me with any questions Pamela Murray 980 288 4801 pamlikestobike@gmail.com
The Events:
All-Weather Bicycling Monday, April 18, 7 PM Midwood Baptist Church 2029 Mecklenburg Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
Buy By Bike Friday, May 3, 10 am – noon St. Martin’s Episcopal Church 1510 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28204
Kidical Mass Family Bike Ride Sun, May 12 (Mother’s Day), 10 am – noon Piedmont Middle School 1241 E 10th St, Charlotte, NC 28204
Please keep in touch for future events. Send me an email to be added to the email list.
Full Moon Ride – July 3rd – 8 pm from Cheat’s Cheesesteak
Fancy Women’s Bike Ride – Sept 17 – 2 pm from Moxie Mercantile
Photo: Jeff Cravotta
Sub 24 Hour Overnight – Sept 16 – 2 pm
What is it? Here is the link to the Fall 2022 trip to Copperhead Island. This time we’ll camp at McDowell Nature Preserve since Copperhead isn’t available. Let me know if you’re interested and reserve your spot today.
May is Bike month. Here are the events I have planned. Come join me for any or all of them! Contact me at pamlikestobike at gmail for any questions.
Tuesday, May 2
Plaza Midwood Tuesday Night Ride
PMTNR is a fun bicycle ride for everyone! Riders meet at the Plaza Midwood Common Market at 7:45 PM every Tuesday night. The ride is from 8:00PM until 9:30PM and usually covers 15 miles. Lights and helmet required. This ride is NEVER canceled.
Location: Common Market, 2007 Commonwealth Ave., 28205
Time: 7:45 pm meet time, leave at 8 pm.
Cost: FREE!
Who Participates: Open to Everyone
May 3
CyclingSavvy Ride Awesome : Live Discussion
Join Ride Awesome.
Ride Anywhere. Ride Awesome!
This premium membership provides lifetime access to all current and future online courses (excluding professional certification courses).
Benefits include:
Instant Access to Premiere Online Content: CyclingSavvy Basic & Mastery
Lifetime Access to All Online Content
Smart Moves Content
CyclingSavvy Essentials Short Courses
Savvy Cyclist Newsletter
Our Gratitude
Join CyclingSavvy Instructor, Pamela Murray, discuss Modules 1 and 2 via Zoom. Link will be sent the prior day. Sign up here.
Time: 7 pm
Cost: FREE! with Ride Awesome Membership ($100)
Who Participates: Ride Awesome Members
May 5
Full Moon Ride
Route will be about 20 miles. Lights and helmet required. Rain or shine.
Location: Zada Jane’s, 1601 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
Time: 8 – 10 pm
Cost: FREE!
Who Participates: Open to Everyone
Tuesday, May 9
Plaza Midwood Tuesday Night Ride : Bikes on a Train ride
PMTNR is a fun bicycle ride for everyone! Riders meet at the Plaza Midwood Common Market at 7:30PM every Tuesday night. The ride is from 8:00PM until 10:30PM and usually covers 15 miles. Lights and helmet required. This ride is NEVER cancelled.
This week only. Bikes on CATS is free. 10 and 20 mile ride options this week. You can ride both ways or opt to put your bike on the light rail for one way. Get on at the JW Clay station and get off at the Sugar Creek Station. Or you can choose to ride the whole way.
Location: Common Market, 2007 Commonwealth Ave., 28205
This is the 3 part workshop that includes 9 hours of bike fun!
Enhance your cycling experience!
What makes CyclingSavvy different from any other course is our deep dive into unique strategies for mastering even the most intimidating and complicated scenarios. You’ll be blown away by the places you can ride a bike without being a road warrior!
Truth & techniques is a virtual classroom session offered over Zoom. Train Your Bike is a bike handling skills class taught in a parking lot. The tour is an experiential on-road session where it all comes together. The classroom and bike handling sessions are required for participation in the tour.
On the Tour of Charlotte, we’ll travel as a group, stopping to survey and discuss each exercise location. After observing the feature, discussing the traffic dynamics and the best strategies for safe and easy passage, participants ride through individually and regroup at a nearby location.
Location: various
Time: Fri 4-7 pm, Sat and Sun 2 – 5 pm
Cost: $95 for all 3 sessions (scholarships available)
Truth & techniques is a virtual classroom session offered over Zoom. This class is a pre-requisite to taking the on-bike sessions (Train Your Bike and Tour).
You can take this class now and choose to take the on-bike sessions at a later date.
Location: Virtual via Zoom (a link will be emailed to attendees)
Hone your bike handling skills by joining our Train your Bike class on May 13 in Charlotte NC. This on-bike class is taught in a parking lot. Even experienced riders always learn something new.
Location: Midwood Baptist Church, 2029 Mecklenburg Ave., Charlotte NC 28205
Time: 2 – 5 pm
Cost: $45
Who Participates: Open to Everyone
May 16
Plaza Midwood Tuesday Night Ride
PMTNR is a fun bicycle ride for everyone! Riders meet at the Plaza Midwood Common Market at 7:45 PM every Tuesday night. The ride is from 8:00PM until 9:30PM and usually covers 15 miles. Lights and helmet required. This ride is NEVER canceled.
Location: Common Market, 2007 Commonwealth Ave., 28205
Time: 7:45 pm meet time, leave at 8 pm.
Cost: FREE!
Who Participates: Open to Everyone
May 18
Route Planning Workshop
Learn how to plan a comfortable route using Ride with GPS, Google Maps, and the Explore Charlotte GIS Map. Learn how I can ride anywhere in Charlotte and anywhere I travel. This will be an interactive workshop. Need a route? We’ll figure one out. Email pam for link.
Location: Virtual via Zoom
Time: 6 – 7 pm
Cost: FREE!
Who Participates: Everyone
May 20
Bicycle Day trip to Greensboro via Amtrak
We’ll ride to the Amtrak station, have lunch and a bike ride in Greensboro then return to Charlotte. Add your bicycle reservation when purchasing your train ticket. There is no additional bike fee between Charlotte and Raleigh. Only 4 more spots available. Make your bike reservation when you book your train ticket.
Ride with a Cycling Savvy Instructor – Plaza Midwood & Elizabeth History Bike Tour Historic Landmarks ride
Discover historic landmarks in the Plaza Midwood, Elizabeth, Belmont neighborhoods using cooperative and mindful bicycling and strategic route planning riding with a Cycling Savvy Instructor. This will be about 15 miles with over 15 historic landmarks.
Location: Betty by Moxie, 1219 Thomas Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
Time: 2 pm
Cost: FREE!
Who Participates: Open to Everyone
May 23
Plaza Midwood Tuesday Night Ride
PMTNR is a fun bicycle ride for everyone! Riders meet at the Plaza Midwood Common Market at 7:45 PM every Tuesday night. The ride is from 8:00PM until 9:30PM and usually covers 15 miles. Expect a crowd! Lights and helmet required. This ride is NEVER canceled.
Location: Common Market, 2007 Commonwealth Ave., 28205
Time: 7:45 pm meet time, leave at 8 pm.
Cost: FREE!
Who Participates: Open to Everyone
May 30
Plaza Midwood Tuesday Night Ride
PMTNR is a fun bicycle ride for everyone! Riders meet at the Plaza Midwood Common Market at 7:45 PM every Tuesday night. The ride is from 8:00PM until 9:30PM and usually covers 15 miles. Lights and helmet required. This ride is NEVER canceled.
Location: Common Market, 2007 Commonwealth Ave., 28205
Time: 7:45 pm meet time, leave at 8 pm.
Cost: FREE!
Who Participates: Open to Everyone
Photo: Olly Yung 050223
Come ride with us!
Send me an email with Subject: Add me to your email list and I’ll send you an email of upcoming events. Here are some ideas for future events. Let me know if you have other suggestions or would be able to help me bring these things to life.
Copperhead Island at McDowell Nature Preserve on Lake Wylie.
Sept, 24, 2022
I used this trip as my shakedown ride for the Cycle NC Mountains to Coast ride since it was the preceding weekend. The weather was perfect. Not too hot and cool at night so I slept well. I always enjoy this trip to introduce people to bikecamping. It’s good to see that you can easily live off your bike. And you realize you really don’t need much to have a really good time. Photos: Eric Supil
The next trip will be Spring 2023. March 25, 2023. Mark your calendar and save the date. We leave Sat at 2 pm, bike out 19 miles then stop to buy food for dinner then set up camp, eat dinner and hang out til we burn all the wood. $20 per person or $15 with your Bike Benefits sticker. Email me with any answers or to reserve your spot.
Everyday carry — what to take with you. Tools, straps etc. Packing to travel what to take on the train, 24 hour tour, lights, self-supported tour
I attended the Philly Bike Expo this year with Tim Cherry and John Allen, 2 fellow CyclingSavvy Instructors. We teamed up with the Coalition of Appropriate Transportation. Scott Slingerland who is an integral part of CAT is also a CyclingSavvy instructor. Our goal was to build some awareness and interest for CyclingSavvy. John hosted a ride to the Expo Saturday morning, presented a seminar on riding Philly streets using CyclingSavvy strategies and techniques. I gave a demonstration and introduction to my Rivendell Betty Foy. I discussed items I carry everyday to make her bike more practical. I pulled everything out of my bags and purse. My bike is over 10 years old and has over 68,000 miles on it. It’s set up as a do it all bike. I ride daily. Later I hosted a Party Pace ride to the Keystone Bike Party. We had the distinct pleasure of riding with about 25 people to the party. Notably Leah Petersen on her raspberry Platypus and Will and James from Rivendell among others. Keystone threw a great party and had raffle prizes. I won a sweet Reload BRAAP bag. Thanks to everyone for such a fun weekend connecting with all the fun bike people.
