Got the bike on the road!

I bought this bike on ebay at the beginning of winter, it is a 1989 Cannondale 'Black Lightning'. It is a special edition color, and it is supposed to have all black components...I'm kind of glad it isn't complete (and kind of beat up) though, I'm already nervous about locking it up on the street. I finally put the new tires on (Continental Gatorskins, MUCH better than the old ass tires that were on there) and went for a real ride - from Sunnyside in Queens to Chelsea to meet with Y. I hope to ride to work at the gallery in Chelsea frequently, and after the trial run it seems very possible that I will be able to do it. It should take about 40 minutes, about how long the train ride is on a good day. I have little experience with road bikes, and this 13 mile round trip was by far my longest ride. I had to walk a little on the Queensboro bridge, the full mile uphill was rough! I'm also getting used to dealing with traffic, it's completely different from walking and driving, and it is actually kind of fun.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore Beach Access

I went on family vacations to Hatteras Island for many years. I have very fond memories of driving on the beach, finding the perfect spot and pretty much having your own space on the beach. My dad is a surfer, and he spends some time there every summer - I haven't been back in years, but I would love to. He forwarded me this website, and he has been telling me about this proposal for a while...the Audubon society, and North Carolina Park Service, are trying to ban most beach driving (and beach access in general), to protect Piping Plover and sea turtle breeding grounds. I'm sort of conflicted about this, because I'm all for birds, conservation of habitat, etc, but I feel like there could be a compromise worked out that would keep the beach accessible. This whole chain of islands is seriously threatened by rising sea levels and climate change, so people and animals should try to share until it is lost to both. 

Even if you haven't been to Cape Hatteras, send a 'plea cast' to help keep the beaches open.