Wow, I am accumulating bikes.  First living in the mountains it was a mountain bike.  Upon moving to Denver years ago I began the gradual accumulation of a skinny tire cruiser bike, a road bike, then a fat tire cruiser bike, then restored my old mountain bike from college (everyone needs a “no one would want to steal this” bike) and now a single speed.

What can I say, I love bikes.  I love the idea of not driving.  I love the freedom from traffic.  I love getting around on my own power.  I love the sun on my back and a cool morning breeze.  I’ve accumulated messenger bags, horns, lights, reflectors, racks, and more as part of this lifestyle.  Yet lately I haven’t been riding as much.  Excuses excuses excuses… here they come.  My felt cruiser bike is perfect for cruiser bike rides but the truth is the darn thing is heavy.  I found that out when I tried to put it on a wall rack.  Not my brightest moment.  My road bike is too over the top.  It’s a road bike with clip in pedals.  I don’t want to carry around a change of shoes for running errands and I also don’t want to leave it out on the street even with a lock.  I figure it’s only a matter of time before it disappears and I’d prefer to save it for long weekend rides.  My skinny tire cruiser bike (a black Electra Amsterdam) is for sale on Craigslist (if you are interested I’ll cut you a deal) to make room for the single speed.  I’m babbling but the fact is I’m hooked on a low maintenance light weight single speed for buzzing around town.  I’m checking out the bikes around town (Pearl Velo has a pretty cool local shop to check out btw) and have pretty much made up my mind.  Soon it will be in.

So ONE MORE bike.  I’m making the leap more official this time.  My own vehicle has just been gathering dust.  Except for the occasional dog transport, mountain trip, or heavy errand I really don’t use it.  So I’m giving it up and renting out my parking space (more than pays for a single speed) and embracing a car free lifestyle.  I’ll still have access to my vehicle (I’ll have to bike to it) but it will be in far better hands most of the time.  They say downtown life is car optional.  I’m going to give it a shot.  Of course I still have my $1 to fill up the tank scooter to buzz around on as well but for the most part it will be bicycle wheels or my own two feet that will get me around.  Summer is a great time to start and get some healthy habits in place before the winter returns.  At that point I’ll be spending that parking money on winter riding gear.

So fellow cyclists wish me luck.  I’m taking the next step.  Bye bye car.

And for those of you who are as upset as I am with this whole BP debacle this follows a philosophy of reducing dependence on oil.  They say that boycotts don’t do anything because BP doesn’t own the stations.  The way I look at it, and this is just my opinion, we are all guilty in the situation we are in.  As a society we have ignored our own responsibility as consumers who have created such incredible oil demand and support the irresponsible action of oil companies and government with our dollars every day.  If we really want to make a difference we need to look for a different way to live.  This is a small step.

P.S. Can we please build a train to the mountains now.

It’s that time of year again.  Summer is definitely here.

It’s a time when the warm rays of sunshine warm us up and remind us of those beautiful beach vacations.  It’s also a great time to enjoy a nice margarita and your favorite Mexican meal and remember those great beach vacations.

Yesterday someone who is relocating to Downtown Denver in a few weeks asked me if I could recommend the best Mexican restaurants in town.  I have my own opinion’s of course but I thought I’d share his question with everyone.  So let’s hear it Denver… where is your favorite Mexican Restaurant spot.  If I missed one let me know but I am trying to keep the list to those either in Downtown or the very close surrounding areas.   Enjoy!!

I couple friends and clients are in the world of real estate downtown and I suggested they post construction photos of the Union Station Neighborhood as it develops because I think over time it will be cool to look back on the progress. I’m following my own advice and adding the pictures I’m taking to my own blog so feel free to stop back and see the growth of Denver.

I love to laugh.  Roughly two years ago I took a Second City writing course at the Second City Los Angeles training center.  I was looking for a creative kick start and something that unusual and different from my status quo seemed perfect.  The roller coaster that is life had been a little bit crazy up until that point.  I wanted to design my own ride to fulfill my own passions.  Needless to say, I loved it and after receiving an invitation to continue on in the program I vowed to pursue this dream.

Fast forward almost two years and a variety of twists and turns and I still had not returned.  It’s funny how time moves so quickly when you are doing something else.  My writing hadn’t progressed, the book I was planning had dematerialized, and in my gut a longing for that promise I made to myself pulled at me. While I had taken a few improv classes at the Bovine Metropolis on Champa (so much fun.. more about that in a future post) I had never returned to my Second City writing.

So I acted.  I developed a plan.

To my friends and to myself I think the plan sounded a bit off the wall.  Okay it sounded a lot off the wall.  Los Angeles was a wonderful experience [Read more →]