It’s a new beginning!

As you have noticed, the next cycling unconference for librarians and library lovers is going to take place in the Baltic States. The route and dates are not endorsed yet. But it’s for sure now that you need to allocate a spot in your busy schedule — the end of July/beginning of August — for Cycling for Libraries!

That is the reason I decided to put in order my blog. And today I will start with the blogroll. I’m going to take away the links that are not up-to-date and step by step I will replace them with other useful links. Here is the list of those links I have collected previously just in case you might want to use them:

• 100. Deutschen Bibliothekartags
• Bikeway Berlin-Copenhagen [in English]
• Bikeway Berlin-Copenhagen [in German]
• Cyc4Lib official website
• Cyc4Lib: accomodation [the page does not exist anymore]
• Cyc4Lib: catering [the page does not exist anymore]
• Cyc4Lib: map
• Cyc4Lib: overview of the journey
• Frame size calculator: mountain bike
• Frame size calculator: road bike
• Frame size chart: mountain bike
• Frame size chart: road bike
• How to determine frame size for a bike
• Packing a bicycle for air travel
• Public transport in Berlin
• Public transport in Copenhagen
• Second hand bicycle purchase in Berlin (1)
• Second hand bicycle purchase in Berlin (2)
• Virtual tour

A ride to Chaddesden

I’m a little sentimental today. Maybe it’s because I’m listening to Latvian classic popular music and some of the singing festivals’ songs. Sun, Thunder, Daugava is a really great song. Every time I’m singing it, I feel touched:

Well, maybe the topic of Latvian folk singing came into my blog just because on Saturday I had a Latvian choir concert in Rowfant House near London Gatwick Airport. And I sang a lot!

Anyway, the main point is – I haven’t cycled since ages (since 14th of August to be exact). And today I finally did it! A day was really warm and sunny (+17 degrees Celsius). So I managed to get back on my bike. Funny enough, I was cycling in my tight jeans skirts. I felt just like Poppy of the Happy-Go-Lucky (it has 7.0 rating on IMDb). You will understand what I’m talking about, if you have watched this cheerful film.

Today I cycled for one hour and five minutes and managed a distance of 12,7 km. My average speed was 11,7 km per hour and maximum – 27,8 km per hour. Aha, I enjoyed a slow ride through the city.

This time I cycled to Chaddesden, locally known as Chad. It’s a large suburb of Derby. I just followed the cycle path downstream along the River Derwent. After I reached Pride Park Stadium, I crossed the river and went on exploring Chad. Unintentionally I stumbled upon a really nice recreation ground in the middle of Sussex Circus. Of course I took a chance and swung for a while. Afterwards I cycled back to the city center via Darley Abbey.

I must admit, it was a nice ride. October in UK is a suitable month for cycling.

Cycling for libraries – The Documentary

I invite you to participate in
“Cycling for Libraries” Documentary première!

Watch online
on 16th of September, 2011 at 5 p.m. GMT

Directed by: Tuomas Lipponen
Film crew: Tuomas Lipponen, Panu Somerma, Ate Silvo, Mikko Helander
Actors: more than 80 librarians and library lovers
Filming place: Denmark/Germany
Filming time: May/June, 2011
Runtime: 00:27:27