Go Biking, or Die Trying

When I first subscribed to Capital BIXI (a bike sharing program) I figured one of two things would happen: I wouldn’t use it, or I would die trying.

I’m happy to report that neither of those two things has happened. Not only have I gone out bike riding the past two weekends, but I have avoided death on both trips. Bring on the yellow jersey, I’m ready for the Tour!

This past Sunday I only narrowly avoided death. Twice while riding I let my mind wander and ended up trying to ride into the canal; apparently the old adage is true – you do go where you’re looking.

My other near-death experience came at the hands of a child. I was trying to pass them (because nothing makes you feel like you’re riding in the Tour de France more than passing a kindergartner on training wheels) when suddenly they swerved out into the left lane. Thankfully my reflexes were good and I was able to wobble my way around them. It was intense, let me tell you.

 To treat myself for escaping death, I came home, read my book and took a nice long nap. There’s nothing quite like a lazy Sunday for this senior citizen.

This story really has nothing to do with today’s outfit; I just wanted to share my weekend adventures. 

Dress - BCBG; Belt - Jacob; Wedges - Aldo

 This outfit was completely inspired by Pinterest. Have I mentioned how much I love that website?! Because I do; a lot.

Follow Petite Adventures:
TWITTER | FACEBOOK | BLOGLOVIN | PINTEREST

Urban Safari Biking Adventure

I find trying new things to be slightly awkward. Okay, extremely awkward, but that doesn't stop me. I'm just strategic about it. I always have a plan.

Take Sunday, for example, when I embarked on my first ever BIXI bikes adventure in Ottawa. I wasn't sure how it all worked, so I researched a location that had a lot of bikes (I didn't want to walk all the way out there to find there was nothing to ride), and was somewhere that wasn't too out in the open, so I could struggle, walk around the station eyeing my "enemy" (I do this when I get frustrated, glaring solves everything) and figure things out, without too much of an audience.



Well, sometimes things don't go according to plan.

The closest location with a lot of bikes just happened to be on Elgin Street right in front of city hall, so I had quite the audience while I desperately tried to pull and wiggle the bike out of it's parking space (it's not as easy as it sounds, either that or I have severe issues; most likely the latter). And of course, because I like to look cute when I'm out and about I wasn't exactly wearing the most appropriate outfit for this sort of endeavour. But I made it work.



Finally, after multiple attempts, and a lot of strange glances, the bike was free!

Top - Song from Off the Wall; Shorts - Old Navy; Sandals - Jules & James; Bag - Aldo; Sunglasses - Ray-Ban

But this was only the beginning. You see, I haven't actually ridden a bike in years - I can't remember the last time I was on a bike. I knew I'd be wobbly, so I walked the bike away from the street and once I knew no one could see me I was off, wobbling down Nepean Street.

My view - don't worry, I wasn't biking and shooting.
I was standing awkwardly half resting on a bend and shooting

It took about ten minutes of riding for me to feel comfortable (and to figure out how to change gears) but it's like they always say, it was just like riding a bike! By no means was I going fast, distance wasn't the goal of this adventure; it was all about being out in the sunshine, cursing along the canal and feeling the wind in my hair. 


It was glorious! I can't wait to take the bike out again next week!

Follow Petite Adventures:
TWITTER | FACEBOOK | BLOGLOVIN | PINTEREST