New Orleans Bike Rides

As some of you may know, I'm an avid bike rider around Durham.. and have been for the past 2 years.  Honestly, I didn't want to bike to work.. ever.  But, after getting over that initial hump, I absolutely love it.  It really does help clear my mind after a particularly crappy day at work (and those are quite often) and it's great exercise that I don't have to really commit to (getting myself to the gym some days is an effort!).. so all around positives.

In New Orleans, biking is a lot different than the biking here.  There are no, and I mean not even one, hill there.. and Durham, is well.. a killer glutes workout on the multiple uphill climbs between the 2 miles I travel each morning.  I never understood people who bought "cruiser" bikes or the fixed gears all the hipsters around here use.  But, down in NOLA, a cruiser is the perfect kind of bike.  We spent one day biking around my new neighborhood, and from the Marigny (where we were staying) it was an easy bike through the French Quarter (a little hectic albeit) but so quick.. and then before you knew it we were through the CBD and into the Garden District.

This is absolutely superb, especially since I already have a friend in Marigny, and I'm sure to have others there and in the CBD.. so easy access is key.

Here are a few that I have my sights on... and believe I'ma put a wicker basket on the front.  My current bike will be used for the heavier haul days when I have a ton of work/books/etc to get done at school.  

Electra Bikes

 

 Cadillac Bikes (who knew?!)

 Ladies Nirve Bikes

Spring Biking.

[Urban Weeds]


[The Sartorialist]

This weather is so lovely -- I'm glad I get to bike around in it.. especially to work!

I love bicycles.

{Three Buttons}

{The Sartorialist}

{Let's Go Ride a Bike}

They're never out of style -- and while sometimes I'm a (little) sweaty at the start of work, it actually is a lot of fun and it destresses me in the best way. I love the classic looks of these cyclists.

Biking to work..

It's true that when I originally starting biking to work, I believed it was out of necessity. Living 2 miles away from work had its perks, however, since I worked at the hospital, the employee parking was 2 miles in the opposite direction as where I lived. Driving to the parking lot (which was an overpriced surface lot) and busing it in took about 30minutes.. the same amount of time I could walk it. After 2 (yes two) scooters being stolen.. I decided to buy a bike. A white Trek commuter. Brown leather trim, and just my size.

Let it be known, months 1 and 2 of riding was hell. You don't realize how many hills there are until you're working your ass off to make it up them. But it got easier, and I got more savvy with the road and navigating around cars (only once have I been knocked off my bike.. and into a bush. great.). And now, I love it. Especially on mornings like this one, where I had to be on the road at 6am, no cars in sight, and it was a very cool for being the end of July. Me and my thoughts, planning my day.. and chilling out before work. It feels very urban..

..and then there's a huge road block because someone is getting arrested on the sidewalk.. typical Durham morning. There's nothing like it.