The triples came out yesterday and we aired up the tires. We had to raise everyone’s seats — pretty cool to see how much the kids have grown just since last summer.

On our shake down trip we rode over to Gateway Movie 12 for a cheap night out. One the ride there we were cruising along when I heard a chain popping sound just after a little blip in the pedal feedback. Interesting, but Dare’s Van’s shoes got caught up in the triple chain and that caused it to get too tight… and it just broke apart. We sat there for a minute wondering if we had a chain tool with us. We did not. I have everything else, but no chain tool.

The back chain from Torrent’s spot to the rear wheels was still working. So he alone pedaled the whole rig. Me, Dare and Sanguine were all just sitting in as Torrent stood up and pounded us up and over the I-5 Bridge to Gateway. Once we were there we went on in and starting looking for a tool at Cabela’s and Target, but no luck. We ended up having a meal out then watching the movie. As the movie ended, we loaded up – with a bit of re-distribution – and headed back home with Torrent again powering us as I just sat back and steered.

On the way home, We asked everyone we saw if they had a chain tool. Finally on Coburg Rd. just under the I-105 overpass, we found some kids that had a chain tool. Within minutes I removed the a link from the rear chain and had the timing chain tied back together. We were on our way. Torrent was proud of himself for using hiss trength to help the whole family.

We made it home without another incident. We will not leave the chain tool home again on any triple rides from here on out.

Walk+Bike day at ATA/Family School was a big success yesterday. We had the 4J Superintendent, George Russell, and Mayor Kitty Piercy join the walk from Albertson’s over the 18th St. bridge and south through the Westmoreland Park. The bike racks were overloaded, with bikes locked to every post and anchor around. We even brought in two extra bike racks for the expected boost in need. On a regular day we are busting at the seams of the current bike rack capacity. We had hot cocoa, incentive prizes – shoe laces, stickers, ribbons, and the pear slices were a delight. We got good media coverage and I think we may see more coverage in tomorrow’s RG. An excellent time was had by all.

Just this last week – as part of Bike Commute Challenge – we installed a new bike rack in the front yard of Organic Haus. We are also beginning to set up a rain water catchment system with four 55 gallon barrels. And we are beginning planning to convert more of our front yard into more of a berry patch or herb garden or both. We may even plan a stone patio as a place to sit our and enjoy the gardens. The bike rack is set-up just in time for the Car Free party coming up on September 19th. We hope to see you here for that.

We are erecting a sign post with lots of destinations—all reachable by bike. From Florence, OR to New York, NY and from Hope, AK to Missoula, MT. As cross-country bike riders, Monica and I are stoked about being able to establish such a monument to bike travel and human power! Continue Reading