Birth of the Virtual Bike Club-Reach Out

On another forum I started the Virtual Bike Club-a marathon ride in January for members of the forum worldwide (it's a lap band forum so no one else here is probably a member). No, I didn't want to tell you all this so I could say nah nah, you can't play, you aren't fat...or whatever.

What I wanted to do was challenge everyone here to reach out in some way today. For me, biking is such a feel good, kumbahya thing, that I even offered to send a Target bike to the first person on the forum who wanted to ride but didn't have one. I am also meeting with a local bike shop to set something up for people on the Southside of OKC, we have trails that no one uses because all the clubs in the area are elitist-not everyone can ride 50 miles or afford $3000 bikes. The owner is a "native" southsider who wants to improve his business and his community. I just want to get a new group of folks to ride with.

For our first ride, I offered to do graphics for 10, 20, 50 and 100 miles (in a month) rides-they can toss them, print up their own t-shirts, whatever. I just wanted the chubby masses to feel like it was a real bike ride, and maybe, just maybe, they'll sign up for the real thing in the spring (I know I will....).

I'm not suggesting we all start virtual bike clubs. I am suggesting we all figure out something we really enjoy and find a way to share that with a group of people. And, in keeping with the brave thing motto, make it be people you don't already KNOW..........

I set the ride to begin January 1st to give people time to get their bikes out of the garage, etc. Post back here if you decide to share something with a group of people and let us know what you did. Remember-sharing doesn't have to mean giving-it doesn't have to cost a thing.

Trailer Porn

Look at my new three ball hitch....nanny nanny boo boo.

A co-worker also called to let me know they rearranged the office again and I have been moved, closer to my boss (well that makes sense) but not in a window cube. Strangely enough, I couldn't care less. Someone was worried I would be upset but it pretty much takes stopping my paycheck to upset me these days.

Ok, I do admit, I look at some idiots who have offices and wonder "why them and not me" in much the same manner as you look at someone with a Mercedes and wonder the same thing. In my case, it's just idle wondering, I don't really want either.

Now, in the corporate world, this can lead to exploitation and having people walk all over you. THAT I definitely do not want, but since I don't tolerate it anyway, it sometimes tries to happen, but rarely comes to fruition.

Between Uncle John and my leg I've had a good six months of flexible working conditions, so I am not going to shout about moving to a different cube. The co-worker was concerned I would be upset because they didn't unpack my stuff for me. I looked around at the UPS boxes in the living room with my trailer jacks and upside down tomato garden (yet to be assembled) and thought about my back bedroom full of my stuff and John's stuff, now combined since so many people have helped me clean the room. I don't think the unpacking thing will upset me either.

Community Scotty

Someone on the yahoo group suggested a communal Scotty, or Scotty sharing. I think it's a great idea-I would love someone to help me figure out what the next phase is for the little Scotty in the driveway.

But at the moment I see this as a solo trip-although I would like to encourage other people in the area, especially women, to take up Scotty Trekking. Part of my current angst, though, is that I've been doing a lot of shoulds and people pleasing-the Scotty is a selfish little pleasure just for me. And I'm not quite ready to share.

I got this fabulous CD on EB with scans of old Scotty ads, etc. some of which came right off some of the websites I've visited, but it was nice to have them organized.