Bike Ride to Harpeth River

Wednesday Night Ride

Sometimes I'll make a Flashback Friday post, and I was gathering some images to put one together this week, but I figured it was fitting to post tonight, on a Wednesday, to commemorate the Wednesday Night Ride.

I touched on it a bit last summer while I was still testing the waters of food blogging (which I realized was not my thing), but I want to touch on it again. Because it was important.

Most Wednesday nights for the past two summers our friends, and our friend's friends, would meet up in Sayville for a 14 mile bike ride around the beach town. It was always such a positive, motivating and fun experience. Probably one of the most healthy things I've ever been a part of. Sure, we'd stop at 7-11 on the way back and pick up beers for tailgating, but what's a summer night without that? My friends Ross and Vanessa would usually be here for a few weeks during the summer and whenever they joined, I was the most excited. They once rode from San Diego to Long Island! Isn't that incredible? Vanessa is one of the most refreshingly original and inspiring people I've met. Maybe that's why I photographed her most. Ross is a long time friend who I will always love dearly. Anyone who joined usually made my night.










These nights provided me with some of the best summer memories ever. The route we took through town, the pit stop at the beach, and the ride back up through main street at night was perfect, the company was perfect, the after party was perfect.
These are some of the things I will really miss.


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Weekend Warrior

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I am THE weekend warrior. On opposite day. My ability to just relax and do very little has to break some sort of world record. Especially this weekend, since I'm having the brakes of my car worked on. Just spent the day in a cut-off Shook Ones t-shirt and yoga pants. Though I did go for a bike ride, since it was about 55°. In January, on Long Island.

Spent some time straightening up my room today. Hung up those framed pressed flowers that I thrifted earlier in the week for a buck. And played around with my new tripod!

The better part of my evening was spent enjoying the sunset with Andrew. I sat on the lawn fiddling with my camera while he did 180's over and over again on his bike. We then ate homemade mac & cheese while watching Regular Show. And giggling. Because we're adults. And on that note, I just got quite the look while buying some Blue Moon's in my raccoon hat. Gonna go spend the rest of the night with my beer and my boy.

Life feels so colorful lately. I really really like it.

Ride night & Flo's

I just wanted to take the time to address something REALLY SUPER FUN that about eighteen to twenty of my friends and I do sometimes. It's is a fifteen mile bike ride along part of the south shore of Long Island, and it rules. Last summer this was a weekly occurrence, and this summer it hadn't been until Andrew organized a night for us all to ride together again. There's something really positive and powerful about riding through the streets and to the beach and in high traffic areas in a pack this big. Stephanie and I were talking about it, how not everyone hangs out all the time but when we come together and do this we're all pretty united and have light, happy conversations and leave with such a biker's high, it's wonderful. And hopefully happening again tomorrow night!
The first leg of the ride takes us to Corey Beach in Blue Point, and in order to get there you have to pass Flo's Famous Luncheonette. Which is basically a little shack that people serve delicious food out of that's been around forever. It's always packed when we roll up during the ride, and eating before riding another 12 or so miles isn't really appealing anyway. But recently, three of us went to eat lunch at Flo's (my first time!) and it was everything that I expected it to be, which is delicious.
I had been told that as a first timer I should try the Bates wrap, which is basically a cheeseburger, waffle fries, and some fancy barbeque sauce that tasted homemade. This. Was. Awesome. Not something I'd normally go for at this point in my nutrient-focused life, but it was totally fun and worth the splurge. Another thing you NEED to order, should you find yourself at Flo's, is the "summer blend". Half pink lemonade, half iced tea. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Flo's is open seasonally, so I'll definitely be making another trip before the summer ends. If you're ever in the area, definitely check it out.