Monday, July 16, 2012

the illustrated lady

hey everyone!  hope everyone had a great weekend. we spent ours up north again hanging out with kelly-anne, working out and dying my hair. it was very fun!


on to the fun news! tom has a flickr account and is friends with a few bike industry peeps and last year when we went on one of our a tandem bike camping trips, swift industries (an awesome bike bag & accessories shop) favorited this picture.

then a little later, they contacted tom to ask if they could use the picture for their summer ad campaign!! i was more then thrilled because what an awesome opportunity and how cool that someone liked the picture so much that they wanted to use it! and this is how it turned out!! 
TandemBicycle

drawn by karl addison
i really really love how it turned out. the colors are awesome and it just really rocks all around. they are having a essay contest about riding a bike and the winner receives 15% off their next purchase and tom and i have been eyeing  another pair of bags for our camping trips, so i took the opportunity to submit something. here is what i wrote and the picture i submitted........wish me luck!


Riding has changed me. It has changed how I see the world, where I want life to take me, and what truly is important to me. Being able to power my own way through life and feeling independent from what the mass majority of what society thinks and does is such a freeing feeling. Cycling started as a way to better my health & to be happy about my body by feeding it what it needed, and then it grew the more I rode, the further I went and the harder I pushed myself to tear down mountains that I thought I could never climb. It has put into prospective what matters: living life to the fullest, trying and challenging myself, not just on the road, but in other areas of my life. Now more then ever I feel like I am on the right path to where I have always wanted my life to go. I have a partner who shares my goals and who pushes us to keep going and when that hill is super steep and we are in our granniest of granny gears, to put your head down, keep breathing and keep pedaling. There is nothing like conquering that hill, looking back at what it took to get there and then flying down the other side to reap that oh so sweet soothing breeze. It is so easy to jump in a car, put it in cruise control and be taken on a ride but nothing is more satisfying & empowering to truly earn that final resting place.

And there is no better resting place then that of the ancient redwood forests. Touring has opened up so many wonderful worlds and so many other places that are yet to be explored. There is a warmth on that open road that I often do not feel on my everyday commute, a solitary nod from my fellow cyclist acknowledging that in that single moment that we are both out for the thrill and joy of living an awesome life. Although I have had my run in with unfriendly motorists, it doesn't stop me from living how I want to live. It is more important to preserve rather then to hide when the road gets a little bumpy. That is what riding on two wheels is all about.




is there anything in your life that has changed you and your perception on life?


xo,
cb

28 comments:

  1. Wow! This is amazing - I love what they did with that picture and your essay is great.

    I think the main thing that changed my life and perception on life was living in Korea and Taiwan. When you're in a country where you're truly a fish out of water - life can be tough, but also rewarding. For over a year, I only spoke to three other New Zealanders - and one of them was Rich! There's something about being so far away from home for so long that makes you appreciate what you have.

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    1. thanks trees! i want to hear more about your time in korea and taiwan! it sounds soooo interesting! if you have a blog post about it let me know! i would LOVE to read it! such an awesome experience it must have been!

      i felt like that when i was in high school and it is tough but totally rewarding when you can really be yourself and not care about what others think!

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  2. Awhh I love you lady, you're so real and wonderful.

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    1. aww i love you too!!!!! you are the same for me too kate! i love how amazing you are and how motivating you are. you are an inspiration and i am very happy to know you!

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  3. That is TOTALLY awesome!! My boyfriend is an avid cyclist. I've been batting around the idea of taking it up. I love my beach cruiser a lot, but he would like to join me on his "real" bike rides. Maybe I will...some day.

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    1. thanks, we are both totally excited! the ad is also going to be in adventure cycling which is a HUGE magazine! i am so excited, i will have to go buy a copy!

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  4. First, that drawing is awesome! I love the second blue one the best I think. Second, your essay is beautiful. It makes me feel like I'm right there with you, peddling and pushing up that mountain. I hope you win the discount because you definitely should!

    Last, but not least, the thing that changed my life the most was having my girls. Before my first daughter was born my husband and I were in a very dark place she brought so much light into our life. I couldn't be more happy to have them in our lives.

    Thanks for sharing your story! I'm trying to save up for a bike ( and a new computer >.< ).

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    1. thanks kat! i was a bit scared to share it but i really wanted to! i am glad i did.

      your girls are sooo lucky to have you! you are the best mom and i am so very glad they came into your life!xo

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  5. wow, cb, you're famous! that's so exciting to think you're in their ad campaign! good luck with the contest, i hope you win!

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  6. Hi. Cool images!
    I posted last week about buying my Raleigh traveller bike. Well, iv got her, named her Beatrice and am in love! I bought a helmet too, cars seem big and scary when I am cycling next to them. Google "tsg evolution flower helmet" - I think you will approve hehe!
    Laura x

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    1. i love that you named her beatrice! naming bikes is my favorite, makes them even that more special! the helmet is cute! i can't rock that style but i love it so much! my head is too small so they look ridiculous on me. have you seen public's polka dot one? SO CUTE!!!!

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  7. Do you get a copy of the ad? I hope your essay wins! It's very touching (and very california!)

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    1. i asked for one! they are gonna send me some goodies!

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  8. wow, that is fantastic!! So cool! Good luck with your essay-I hope you win!

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  9. Look at you, all famous and stuff. Please dont forget me when Hollywood comes a knockin. PS if you dont with the contest there will be riots.

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    1. of course i will remember you when i am famous! you will be right there with me ;D oh man if i don't win, people better run!!!!!!!

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  10. How cool that they used your picture! I love how the drawing turned out. I feel the same way about running...though my love is a little faded in these hot months. It's difficult to run when it feels like you're swimming in the humidity. haha

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    1. yea biking isn't too awesome in heat either but neither is riding in the freezing wet cold but it is super awesome when it is perfect out!

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  11. that's so awesome, the ads look fab - congratulations sweetie! And what you wrote is beautiful (and a gorgeous photo to choose too), wishing you every bit of luck I can send you x

    I think one of the things that has changed me and my outlook somewhat is blogging, meeting amazing people like you who have become such cherished friends. It helps to restore my faith in life and people when things get bad. Thanks sweetie! xox

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  12. love the way the illustration turned out. how cool for you! i love what you wrote about biking, it really makes me wish i had a bike :)

    -erin

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  13. reading that made me miss riding my bike to work. i wish the deadliest stretch of road in pennsylvania wasn't between me and my job right now!

    i love you and i hope you win!!!

    <3

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  14. I LOVE what you wrote, CB! And the images are great, too - you are a total cycling pin-up girl!

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  15. I love those images of you and the tandem bike! The colors are super deluxe!

    I appreciate so much that you share how cycling makes you feel. The only thing that ever impacted my life in a profound way is teaching. Perhaps I should be riding my bike more to keep things exhilarating.

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  16. Ah- MAZE_ING!!! I love the drawing of you and the colros are awesome! Wow! So very awesome! :D
    and I love what you wrote! wow~!
    xoxo!
    Des.

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  17. oh my gosh Cristie! that artwork is incredible!!!! ah...new header or blog button perhaps?! they did such a fab job and i do love that photo of you a bunch, no wonder they asked to use it. RADNESS! what you wrote is fantastic, i hope you win!!!!! xo ♥

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thanks for commenting! it fills me with joy that you have taken the time to stop by!
xo,
cb