Errandonnee?

Testing, testing...is this thing still on?

One of my favorite challenges (or more accurately, things I do for the approval of Internet strangers) from last year was The Errandonnee, 12 days in which participants complete 12 errands by bike or by foot. This year it runs March 20-31, right around the corner!

Anyway, I looked back at my log from last year's challenge and thought it might be interesting to copy it down here. So this is that!

1. Work to Bakery to Home

Category: You Carried WHAT On Your Bike?

Observation: Carrying something as delicate as a cake works best when you can keep an eye on it. I put a front basket on for this trip, and the cake survived nicely.

2. Home to the End of the Road and Back

Category: Personal Business

Observation: It feels great to roll along at a casual pace. I usually ride faster than I need to, and probably miss a lot.

3. Home to Gas Station and Back

Category: You Carried WHAT On Your Bike?

Observation: Pulling a trailer with a fuel can on it handled just fine. It didn't seem to make a difference whether the can was full or empty. Climbing is slow and descending is fast with a trailer either way.

4. Work to Documentary Screening to Home

Category: Arts and Entertainment

Observation: In dense fog you can still hear cars even if you can't see them. Another eerie but awesome bit of weather to bike in.

5. Home to Dentist

Category: Personal Care

Observation: Biking to unexpected destinations is a good conversation starter.

6 & 7. Work to Credit Union to Feed Store to Home

Categories: Personal Business, Store

Observations: (6) I think a bike is faster through a drive-up ATM than a car, even with fumbling around with gloves and my wallet being hidden somewhere in my frame bag. (7) We were out of wet cat food, not the dry food I bought. Oh well.

8 & 9. Work to Post Office to Food Co-op to Work

Categories: Non-Store Errand, Store

Observations: (8) Lunch drivers are in a hurry. (9) I buy more when I've biked to pick up lunch.

10. Work to Shelter to Grocery to Work

Category: Non-Store Errand

Observation: There were at least two other bags of donated goodies waiting outside the humane society today (they were closed this morning). It's great to see so much support for the shelter.

11. Home to Hancock to Run

Category: Wild Card

Observation: Don't count on the forecast.

12. Work to Grocery to Home

Category: Work or Volunteering

Observation: I'm really looking forward to seeing more people out riding and running and walking. Definitely getting to be the season.

See you out there!