Kitty Bikes Brazil (…probably)

[Kitty]

Hello all!

I’m sure many of you have noticed that my activity on the forums and in general has been way down the past couple of months. This is because in May I was offered a limited-time appointment to the Foreign Service, and have been in training ever sense.

We’re now getting toward the end of that, and its time that I announce my (expected*) impending departure. I have been assigned to Sao Paulo, Brazil for 2 years. If everything goes according to plan*, our ship-out date is December 19th.

This will not be a goodbye, but a “see you later.” After this, and if/when I make it into the career service, DC/Arlington will be our home base. Like the Consular Rider, Boomer, and others, I’ll be back from time to time–for some stretches longer than others.

Hopefully I’ll be able to see folks here and there between now and mid-December. With any luck, I’ll be able to ride once I’m there and you’ll see me on Strava.
(I really need folks’ ideas on how to get my bike down there though)

Anyhoo, that’s it for now. I’ll update this thread with any farewell rides or “last chance to see me” opportunities, but until then, I’m on the training treadmill.

(*I hedge with expected/probably because there is still a chance that I will be offered a slot in the career Foreign Service, which could mean pushing things back another couple of months. Who knows? ¯_(ツ)_/¯)

[Sunyata]

Congrats! I hear that Brasil is a beautiful country and has some pretty epic cycling.

If you want some first hand information, I recommend visiting Dancing Mind yoga in Falls Church and chatting with Paula, the owner. She is from Brasil and just took her son back for a visit this past summer.

As for getting your bike there: Bike Flights is probably your best bet. If you need someone to ship it once you are settled, let me know.

[Starduster]

Might still be time to ride Megabeth’s Hains Point 100 one more time…

[VA2DC]

Parabens! I’ve ridden in SP a few times on the weekends when I was down there for work the past couple of years. There’s a pretty decent networks of bike trails. Apparently, a former mayor made a big push several years ago to encourage biking and improve the infrastructure. Some of that push got rolled back by subsequent leadership, but there still seems to be support for maintaining the trails that are there. On Sundays, a number of the major roads (or lanes on roads) are shut down exclusively for cycling, which is sweet. I haven’t ridden there during commute times, so I’m not sure how that goes.

Theft is a big problem in SP and most of Brazil, so you might want to think about just buying a bike on the cheap down there. Certainly for running errands or getting around town, I’d be inclined to use a beater that you wouldn’t mind losing. A couple of the banks sponsor bikeshares, so that’s an option too for short trips.

If you’re interested in some restaurant or other recommendations, contact me offline. I know a few of the folks at the embassy and can give you some contacts there too.

Boa sorte!

[Kitty]

So life is crazy! Two days after I said my “see you laters” to family over Thanksgiving (and bought a foldy bike), and the day before I was going to formally kick-off the government moving process, change of plans!

The invitation to join the career foreign service came through in the nick of time! Despite all of the crazy that’s going on right now nationally/internationally, this is a dream come true. (15 years in the making.)

In short, that means I’m not going to Brazil this month. Instead I’m chilling out here until “Diplomat Boot Camp” starts up in January. From there, who knows? (Probably Brazil, but we’ll see.)

My apologies with not sharing the news earlier. The training treadmill plus this drastic change of gears has made the typical holiday lead up even more crazy!

[Kitty]

Welp. And so it’s come to this. At the end of grueling, riding-time eating diplo-boot-camp, I was reassigned Sao Paulo. This wasn’t a surprise.

What was a surprise is I just learned they want us there ASAP. As in, they wanted me to leave next Tuesday. 😮 Long story short, I was able to get it pushed back a bit, but my new departure date is Monday, March 18th.

Sadly, this doesn’t leave much time for the goodbye tour I would’ve liked to have arranged, but hopefully I’ll be able to see some folks before I go–I should have more time to do that next week.

[Sunyata]

@Kitty 188251 wrote:

Welp. And so it’s come to this. At the end of grueling, riding-time eating diplo-boot-camp, I was reassigned Sao Paulo. This wasn’t a surprise.

What was a surprise is I just learned they want us there ASAP. As in, they wanted me to leave next Tuesday. 😮 Long story short, I was able to get it pushed back a bit, but my new departure date is Monday, March 18th.

Sadly, this doesn’t leave much time for the goodbye tour I would’ve liked to have arranged, but hopefully I’ll be able to see some folks before I go–I should have more time to do that next week.

I am both happy and sad about this. This is an exciting adventure and I know you will have an amazing experience. But I am super sad that the region will lose you (at least for a while). I am hoping to catch up with you before you leave, but if not, safe travels and please keep us updated on things!

[Steve O]

So what are you doing next Tuesday or Wednesday? Wednesday is the Rosslyn open house at the CEB Tower. We could meet nearby for happy hour that evening and people could check that out if they wanted.
Monday is BPAC. Thursday a whole bunch are leaving for the weekend to ride in the Croatan Bick Fifty.

So Tuesday/Wednesday seem to be the best candidates.

Give us a couple hours of your time, Kitty, and we’ll try to give you a proper send off.

[consularrider]

As my old NIV chief in London used to say, “It’s a happy time, it’s a sad time …”

[Kitty]

Thanks so much you guys! I really wish I could’ve been more engaged these last couple of months, but I’ve been burning the candle at both ends as it is. That said, I agree that a send off should be had!

@Steve O 188266 wrote:

So what are you doing next Tuesday or Wednesday? Wednesday is the Rosslyn open house at the CEB Tower. We could meet nearby for happy hour that evening and people could check that out if they wanted.
Monday is BPAC. Thursday a whole bunch are leaving for the weekend to ride in the Croatan Bick Fifty.
So Tuesday/Wednesday seem to be the best candidates.
Give us a couple hours of your time, Kitty, and we’ll try to give you a proper send off.

This is super helpful! I had been eyeing the end of the week as it will be post moving day, but seeing more folks is more important. Tuesday is my best bet.

With the 3 jurisdictions, it’s hard to choose one (espcially that has bike parking and a broad beer list)… but I’ve heard good things about High Line in Crystal City?

[Sunyata]

@Kitty 188372 wrote:

…but I’ve heard good things about High Line in Crystal City?

If you can wait until Wednesday, a few folks will already be at High Line for a happy hour Q&A/meet&greet for Croatan.

[Kitty]

Dang! I’m afraid I’m already booked for Wednesday evening. T_T

Since I need to stay close to home for packing purposes, then I’ll swap it to the Quarterdeck… on the hopes that someone will buy me a beer and a crabcake.

Here’s the post with the deets~

[jrenaut]

I can’t make your happy hour, but best of luck on your new adventure. It sounds awesome.

[Kitty]

@jrenaut 188546 wrote:

I can’t make your happy hour, but best of luck on your new adventure. It sounds awesome.

Thanks for the best wishes! I know this is short notice, so I totally understand.

[jrenaut]

The short notice I could have dealt with, it’s combining it with a non-weight-bearing leg that puts it out of reach

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

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