Category: Cycling

Sew BikeChic™ — Sewing a Recycle/Upcycle Bike Tube Coin Purse

Today I spent the day playing with rubber…rubber bicycle tubes that I recycle into usable items.

So I decided to try making a cute little zippered coin purse that is fully lined. I used my I-Zip Wallets sewing pattern as a guide for determining size and basic construction (note: sewing with rubber instructions are not provided in this pattern).

Here is what I came up with:

Recycled Bike Tube Zippered Coin Purse -- fully lined
Recycled Bike Tube Zippered Coin Purse — fully lined

Here’s a peek inside:

Inside the coin purse
Inside the coin purse…see, fully lined! 🙂

 

Working with recycled rubber–especially recycled bicycle tubes–presents a number of challenges.  One must collect it, clean it (many bicycle tubes are filled with SLIME™ or other sealants), cut & prepare it (it curls, stretches and bulges in places due to the circular shape of the tube) and you need to know how to sew it.

Sewing rubber can be tricky in a number of ways.  For example, once the needle goes in, there WILL be a hole (that will be seen if you have to remove stitching).  Additionally, the rubber likes to “grip” and stick to many sewing machine beds as well as the presser foot.

I find it extremely worthwhile to make the effort in order to keep the tubes out of landfills.  It’s especially rewarding to turn toxic trash into an attractive, functional item that is super durable and FUN to carry.   🙂

If you like the style of this coin purse and would like to make one for yourself out of fabric, you may be interested to learn more about the I-Zip Wallets sewing pattern by clicking here (note: sewing with rubber instructions are not provided in this pattern).

Santa Fe Century 2011 – bicycle 100 miles or more in one day

Heartbreak Hill -- about 41 miles into the 103 mile ride

Brief summary of the Santa Fe Century: My heart said, “YES!” My knee said, “NO!” My head said, “Remember what happened the last time you didn’t listen to your body? Yes, that’s right, you tore your ACL and you were out for a year.”  Knee/head/wisdom won. I quit just shy of making 40 miles. Very disappointed, but I know it was the right decision.

On the bright side, I was able to be present to watch my two riding buddies finish their first century rides–YAY for Connie & Alee!!!

Nearing the finish line...
Turn the corner to find the finish line!

It’s true that I was sad and disappointed that I had to pull out short of my goal.  Clearly this outcome is a perceived failure.  Yet, how much worse would I feel if I had not listened to my body and damaged my knee to the degree that it would require serious medical intervention or even surgery?  Possibly being out of commission and off the bike for an entire year (like when I tore my ACL).  Perhaps, taking a step back and looking at the bigger picture, the wisdom I gained weighs heavier in the success column.  Afterall, I will be back on the bike and there will be more century rides to complete THIS year.

I have learned so much more about my body and myself…and about what I need to do to get stronger and prepare for next time.  Why is it that I seem to learn the more from perceived failures than expected successes?