I once again participated in the Chasing Mailboxes Errandonnee and once again I challenged myself to complete each errand on a different bike.
This year’s Errandonnee is complete. I rode 12 errands on 12 different bikes for a total of 63 miles using 7 of the 9 categories. I wish my errands would have been a little more varied and glamorous but this was real life during that time period.
Errand 1
I rode to the bank to get some cash for the Midwest Bicycle Swap this Sunday.
Date: 04-12-2019
Category: Personal Business
Miles: 3
Observation: Temperature was in the low 40s. I think I prefer that to the 80s we had a few days ago.
Bike Ridden: Schwinn Klunker.
Errand 2
Out for a test ride on the new old bike I built up from a frame I was given at the swap meet. Took along some coffee and took a break under a bridge..
Date: 04-17-2019
Category: Wildcard
Miles: 8
Observation: My second shorts ride of the year. Need to get some sun on my legs. Oh… and the bike rode great.
Bike Ridden: Ratrod.
Errand 3
In the evening I rode to the monthly meeting of the Bike/Ped advisory board on which I serve.
Date: 04-17-2019
Category: Volunteer
Miles: 2
Observation: Seems the board just rehashes the same things over and over. Actual progress is slow.
Bike Ridden: Western Flyer rat.
Errand 4
Back to the bank to deposit the money I made at the swap.
Date: 04-18-2019
Category: Personal Business
Miles: 3
Observation: Aside from the teller and I the bank was empty. Guess most banking transactions are done electronically now.
Bike Ridden: Dumpster bike.
Errand 5
Rode to Mom & Dad’s for coffee and conversation.
Date: 04-19-2019
Category: Social
Miles: 4
Observation: It was really windy. Glad I didn’t need to ride any farther than I did.
Bike Ridden: Monark Klunker.
Errand 6
We rode to go visit with friends who had a booth set up at a flea market in the city. We had no intentions of buying anything and we didn’t. One of the friends is moving soon so we’re trying to see her as much as possible.
Date: 04-20-2019
Category: Social
Miles: 21
Observation: Good weather means the bike lanes were busy today.
Bike Ridden: Specialized hybrid.
Errand 7
I led our monthly old bikes group ride. This ride is of course entertaining and we always make an effort to look for public art, many times in the form of murals.
Date: 04-21-2019
Category: Arts and Entertainment
Miles: 6
Observation: So many new murals being painted. I wonder if it’s just a phase or if it will continue?
Bike Ridden: Western Flyer.
Errand 8
Once home from the group ride I went to the store for some popcorn.
Date: 04-21-2019
Category: Store
Miles: 2
Observation: The Dollar Store (my first stop) doesn’t have the selection of popcorn that Cost Saver (my 2nd stop) does.
Bike Ridden: John Deere themed Schwinn.
Errand 9
I volunteered to video all of our city’s bike paths for a wayfinding project our bicycle and pedestrian advisory board is working on. This morning I shot a short section.
Date: 04-22-2019
Category: Volunteer
Miles: 2
Observation: It felt a little funny riding with the camera mounted so conspicuously.
Bike Ridden: Schwinn Heavy Duti.
Errand 10
I rode to have a picnic lunch in celebration of Earth Day.
Date: 04-22-2019
Category: Wildcard
Miles: 8
Observation: So much trash everywhere here mostly left by fisherman.
Bike Ridden: Diamondback.
Errand 11
To the store for an onion and tofu for tofu scramble tonight. I assume this category is meant to show off something ridiculous or akward that you carried on your bike. I took an opposite approach with my giant basket being overkill for my task.
Date: 04-22-2019
Category: You carried What?
Miles: 2
Observation: On the way I observed a friend on his bike out fertilizing and mending some of the newly planted trees along the bike path which he volunteers to do.
Bike Ridden: Homemade cycletruck.
Errand 12
To the store for hot sauce for tonight’s cauliflower tacos.
Hot sauce for tonight’s cauliflower tacos. 
Date: 04-23-2019
Category: Store
Miles: 2
Observation: Today I observed the same friend I did yesterday but this time he was riding to the store like me.
Bike Ridden: Schwinn.
One thought on “Errandonnee 2019”