Baa!!!!

My husband has all the luck.

( My Star Wars Horoscope: )

( His Star Wars Horoscope: )

It could be worse, though. ( My daughter's Star Wars Horoscope: )

Sucks to be you, Erin! But then again, it explains a lot about your relationship with your ( sister: )

Bike to Work Day

I did it! I biked in today!

Got up this morning and the weather forecast was "AM Showers." Looked out the window and saw that it was gray and gloomy, a bit breezy. Wavered for just a few minutes. Then thought, what the heck! Got ready and headed for Starbuck's, the meetup place. Got there just a couple minutes before the time we were supposed to leave. Rode all the way around the building.

Hmm. No bikes. An employee walked by me and I asked, "Isn't today a Ride to Work day?" He said, "Is it?"

Uh oh.

Walked inside, and another employee beamed at me. "Are you here for the Ride to Work?"

Phew!

Got my free coffee and waited around outside. A lone, lanky biker pedals down the street. He looks at me hopefully. "Are you here for the Ride to Work?" This is Brendan, the organizer. He's both relieved and worried that I am. He's tall and thin, I'm tall but zaftig. He's got a skinny-wheeled commuter bike, I'm sporting a fat-tired mountain model. I can see him thinking Hell, I have to be at the Lakewood Starbuck's in half an hour!

He has me fill out the "if I fall on my head and die my family won't sue you" paperwork. Another fellow rides up. Wanders inside for coffee. Wanders out and chats. Brendan is looking anxious. "If we're going to get the to Lakewood Starbuck's on time, we really need to get going." Oh, Mr. Chatty isn't riding with us - he works just around the corner.

Ah.

Brendan and I hit the road. He asks if I want to set the pace. I tell him naw, I know he's in a hurry; I'll keep up. He starts out going about 12 mph and I'm on his bumper. He ramps up to 14 and I'm still with him. We hit a steady 15 and I'm there. We stop at a light. He tells me that he's amazed at the speed I'm maintaining, particularly on a mountain bike. "You're working about twice as hard as I am - probably a little too fast."

Panting, I agree. But, I point out, we're pressed for time and for now I can keep it up.

It's a bit of a struggle, but we make the Lakewood Starbuck's right on time. Meet up with three more riders there, two men my age or a little older, and a blond girl who tells us she's a college student. The older guy is clearly an enthusiast, all spandex and sinew. The other guy is a chubby lawyer who's wearing his work clothes, including a tie, his pant legs tucked into his socks. It's kind of endearing.

After a few minutes of chatting, we consider route possibilities. I say that I wanted to learn how to get to the Edgewater paths. No one is in a huge hurry, so this slightly longer route is chosen. We hit the road and pedal at about a 12-13 mph pace. It feels downright leisurely.

We get to Edgewater. The sun has come out. I am now officially hooked on the notion of riding to work - it's a beautiful view of the lake, green park, the cityscape. Damn.

About halfway through the park College Girl, who was lagging behind, turns around and heads back. We climb up out of the park and head into town, getting to the BP Building at 8:30. I thank Brendan and head inside. I ask one of the security people how I get to the freight elevators.

"Oh," she says. "Bikes aren't allowed in the building."

I do not have a lock. I make whimpering, begging noises. They make an exception this time.

I bop upstairs in my biking gear. Everyone thinks this is cool. I have a ton of energy.

The best part? I get to ride home again tonight!

(I need a biking icon.)