8 Places To Ride Your Bike This Spring

Have you guys ever heard of the hashtag and Instagram account "I Have This Thing With Bikes"? Sadly I am not the creator of that account but I wish I were. I am obsessed with bikes. When I think about visiting my Mom in Virginia Beach over the summer, the mental picture that pops into my head is of us cruising down the boardwalk on a long early morning ride to breakfast. 

I get horribly car sick and despise being in a car. When you live in a city with terrible gridlock traffic like Dallas, if there is an alternative option to riding in a car, you take that alternate option. When I was living in Deep Ellum, I took my bike everywhere but haven't gotten the chance to ride much since moving to our house in Oak Cliff. Now that the Spring weather is here -- it was over 80 on Saturday! -- I want to spend as much time as possible outdoors. I'm so ready to start biking again. 

My excitement for riding bikes escalated quickly when I learned that the classic bike company Columbia is relaunching their iconic brand. Back in 1877, Columbia started selling some of the most beautiful bikes ever crafted, before any other company in the US. Columbia invented the tandem bicycle, the bike built for two, and the "Playbike" which became the most popular kid's bike of the 60s and 70s.

When looking at Columbia's newest bike designs, I had selection anxiety over picking just one. They were all so ridiculously beautiful. I knew I wanted a vintage inspired ride, but durable enough to handle the bumpy Dallas city sidewalks. I chose the gorgeous Columbia 700c Westfield Vintage City Design.

The Westfield can be purchased at Dick's Sporting Goods and has a ton of features. With unparalleled quality and styling, it is one of the smoothest rides ever built by Columbia. Included on the Westfield is a durable Hi Tensile steel frame, alloy chain guard, seat post, brake levers and brakes, pedals, kickstand, and fenders. It also has an Internal Shimano Nexus 3 speed, LED Headlight and attached fender taillight, an extremely comfortable Columbia Embossed seat, a rear steel rack and brushed steel fenders with full coverage. The 700c x 32MM Gumwall 700c tires are outfitted with 36 whole aluminum rims. Taking a ride on this bike is quiet and not to mention it photographs beautifully.

I still have my garage opener for my old apartment in Deep Ellum (shhhh.. please don't tell them that) so CB and I parked his truck, pulled out our bikes and spent an entire day exploring downtown Dallas by bike. I compiled a list of the places we went on our day of adventure, as well as a few other spots I plan to ride to during these beautiful Spring Months. 

Dallas Farmers Market

I love the Dallas Farmers Market year round, but all of the beautiful flowers they had for sale on this trip left me wanting to do a total yard transformation. I'm going to get a basket to add to my bike just so I can fill it with some new plants from the Farmers Market.  

To the Dog Park

There is a dog park just a mile away that I can get to by taking only quiet, neighborhood streets. As long as we can ride and safely keep the pups on a leash, the dog park would be a great bike destination. 

Romantic Picnic

There is this little spot that CB and I drive by every morning on the way to work that has a breathtaking view of downtown Dallas. We always say we want to ride our bikes and setup a picnic and watch a sunrise or sunset from this exact spot. 

Take A Dallas Wall Art Tour

I love Street Art and Dallas has no shortage of beautiful murals. Walking would take you forever, so cover more ground and see more street art by riding your bike instead!

To Our Neighborhood Dive Bar

Because if you aren't rewarding all of that pedaling with a cold beer, you're doing it wrong.

Coffee With Friends

But first, coffee. Sleep in, ride bike, drink coffee.

A Local Park

CB and I rode to my favorite park here in Dallas, Klyde Warren Park. Klyde Warren has wifi, lots of food truck options and even a little dog park.

To Dinner With Very Few Parking Options

I can't tell you how many times I've either given up and left somewhere because I couldn't find parking, or opted out of plans with friends because I didn't want to deal with finding a place to park my car. So many places in Dallas are valet only, save your money and just tie up your bike. 

If you're in the market for a new bike this spring, I highly recommend Columbia bikes. They are beautiful, timeless and a fun ride. Be sure to check Toys R Us, Target, Amazon, Walmart and Dick's retailers where Columbia Bicycles can be found!


This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Columbia Bicycles, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #RideColumbia http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV