After a little research I realized that my cruiser saddle is probably the issue–the wide cushy back of the seat puts pressure on my coccyx.  The rest of my nethers are fine FYI, or TMI perhaps–but I’m reluctant to buy a more ergonomic saddle because, well, let’s face it: ergonomic saddles with cutouts for your tailbone don’t come in cute painted patterns like the saddle that came with The Bridal Bike.

How Can A Cruiser Be Such A Bruiser? A Fat Saddle Does Not Always A Comfy Ride Make.

So I tried moving my seat forward a little today, and it did seem to help–rode ten miles with reduced pain, though this might also be because I’m riding more frequently and building some strength/endurance, even around the bony bits.

Also experiencing reduced thigh pain this week; I have implemented a post-ride protocol that I believe helps.  As soon as I get home, I lie on the floor with my legs up against the wall or on a chair, for 5-10 minutes.  I learned this from a marathoner back when I ran some; the theory is “draining” the legs after exertion helps move soreness agents out (the lactic acid theory of soreness has been debunked, but some other mechanism might be triggered by reversing the blood flow after a long haul, I dunno.)  Maybe it’s a blood pressure thing, maybe placebo, who knows, but I like it.  After a ten-miler you deserve to lie down for a few minutes, don’t you think?

So listen you other oldtimers: get out there on the road!  Don’t worry if your bones bark a little at first–that’s going to happen with any new exercise once you’re over 30.  If a nearly 50-year-old broad with previous injuries and orthopedic problems like myself can start a cycling program, so can you.  Roll on, and see you on the bike path!

You’ll see from the photos below that, true to form, we’re having our usual “June Gloom” at the beach, but L.A. County has taken it upon themselves to liven things up a bit with their Portraits of Hope “Summer of Color” program.  It’s the largest public art project in the U.S., spanning 31 miles of Southern California beaches; the panels were painted by over 6,000 kids  from schools, social service programs, and hospitals–some of the kids with disabilities using special telescoping paintbrushes or shoe-brushes to do their part.

The artwork will be on the beach until October, after which the panels will be donated to the various orgs that participated to beautify their workplaces; some will be shipped to shelters, hospitals, and senior homes in Haiti as a message of hope and continued inspiration.  Is that not total coolness???

I vote yes for my tax dollars going to public art like this!! You can make a donation through the Portraits of Hope website too, if you’d like to support future projects (**and don’t forget to vote on Tuesday, I know it’s only a primary but it matters, thanks.)

So check out these vibrant guard towers at Will Rogers State Beach and Santa Monica: they are so beautifully symbolic on so many levels, why not pick a favorite for your bike wedding site (I like the one with the daisies myself) and then you can take uber-cool photos afterwards, dude!

It's so "Baywatch," I can hardly stand it

Summer of Color, Yellow

Summer of Color, Green

Summer of Color, My Fave

But don’t stop there–add some more color with wedding kites!  Kites are an excellent distraction for young’uns who may be attending your beach nuptials, and they’re fascinating for adults too…and festive!

There Be Dragons in the skies of Santa Monica!....and flying koi too, apparently

Butterfly kite on the beach, with child attached

Annenberg Center, Santa Monica

Now it’s time for me to sit down on the couch–CAREFULLY, as the tailbone gets a wee sore after these longer cruises–and work on my wedding book.  Ride on, and see you on the bike path!

If you haven’t seen our main webpage, you can find that at BikeWeddings.com, along with all the information about our bike wedding services.  The awesome bike wedding shown on the site was awesomely photographed by the awesome Mr. Steven Lam of Steven Lam Photography, who is also BikeWeddings’ awesome exclusive photographer and a big bike nut–check out his blog to see not only his photos but his bikey news as well.

Aforementioned awesome photos by Steven Lam Photography

Last autumn was busy for BikeWeddings.com: we went to the Venice Custom Bike Show Community Ride and met lots of cool cyclists from The Chopaderos, the Compton Kings of Schwinn, etc.  Then we had the opportunity to be part of the new “bike expo” at AltCar Expo, the first time cycles and cycling advocacy groups were part of the mix.  One of the bike advocacy ladies walked right up to Governor Arnold Schwartzenegger and harangued him into coming to see the bike area since he was going to end his photo-op stop at AltCar without taking any heed, so he breezed through but didn’t even pretend to be interested.   Boooo.   One more reason to vote someone bike-friendly in the Governor’s mansion this year!

Taking Off from Dockweiler: Venice Bike Show Community Ride 2009

Cool Wood Bike @ Community Ride 2009

Compton Kings of Schwinn, Community Bike Ride 2009

Buckboard bikes, Venice Bike Show 2009

I don't know how you ride it, but it must sound cool.

Fixie Dude, Venice Custom Bike Show

Bike Expo @ AltCar2009

The Governator Actively Avoiding Paying Attention To Bike Advocacy (right: The Contessa)

It’s a beautiful holiday weekend and now that summer’s here I’m hoping to be out and about on the Contessa marrying up some folks!

Geoff and I rode up to The Rose Cafe, a very bike-friendly Venice establishment that sports not only a brand new back patio and a finely-appointed gift shop, but a CHOICE of bike racks–hanging, wide, or narrow wheel.  Impressive!  Looks like they do catering and events too (and hey, they have wedding cakes available too–hmm, this has possibilities!)  It would be a great place for a bridal bike party to meet up afterwards for some cakery and gifting, or maybe I could learn to ride balancing a couple of their party platters on my head….

It was a gloomy overcast day, very autumnal, so Geoff and I both had oatmeal–yum for a gloomy-day tum!–and we talked about marriage, divorce, and weddings for a long time. There was much food for thought in addition to the breakfast, and I’ll have to cook up a little Examiner column on our conversation soon (and thanks, Geoff!)

The Contessa performed well today–now that the rubbing tire and loose chain have been Bicycle Repairmaned by the boys over at L.A. Brakeless, all blessings upon their mighty Allen wrenches and willing hearts.  It was a productive ride–liked the Rose Cafe, Geoff laid out a lot of thoughtful ideas about his experiences of marriage, and hey! I even earned a new monikker from one of the Venice Boardwalk fixtures!  As Geoff and I rode over to the bike path on our way home, a vendor guy saw the heart on my bike flag and cried out jubilantly: “Hey!  The Love Lady’s here!” I waved and chinged my bell, and he continued, “When I find me a girlfriend and get married, I’m calling you!”  I shouted back, “I’ll be there!”  and laughed.

Guess the smile-starting cuts both ways on the boardwalk bike path.