Joyride

Meet Mia Birk, founder and CEO of Alta Planning and Design. I stumbled across Mia's book Joyride in Amazon.com and love it!Very cool! 

Keeping Moving

This image and quote from Einstein remind me to keep moving, keep biking, keep on keepin on. The weather has been so cold the past few days that I am tempted to slow down, grow sluggish and quit being very active (or retreat entirely to the gym). Let it not be!  If Dervla Murphy can bike with icicles on her nose, then I can easily ride in 25 degree weather. If you don't know who Dervla Murphy is, then you are missing out. The woman knows how to live life---her book Full Tilt is a cycling/traveling classic--her depiction of a 1963 Afghanistan is worth the price of the book alone.


Ride on People!

The Great Energy Equalizer: The Bicycle

“Bicycles let people move with greater speed without taking up significant amounts of scarce space, energy or time. They can spend fewer hours on each mile and still travel more miles in a year. They can get the benefit of technological breakthroughs without putting undue claims on the schedules, energy or space of others. They become masters of their own movements without blocking those of their fellows. Their new tool creates only those demands which it can also satisfy. Every increase in motorized speed creates new demands on space and time. The use of the bicycle is self-limiting. It allows people to create a new relationship between their life-space and their life-time, between their territory and the pulse of being, without destroying their inherited balance”  Ivan Illich, Energy and Equity, 1973

Car-centricity and Christmas

In the film What Would Jesus Buy the other night, Judith Levine, author of Not Buying It: My Year Without Shopping, is interviewed and makes some interesting remarks that intersect the U.S. obsession with shopping and car culture. 

In WWJB, Levine states: "There are many places in America where there are no sidewalks. What does this say about us? It says that we have to be either in our cars or in our house....or in the mall. There are only commercial spaces in almost all of America.... or private spaces. You are either trespassing, or you are buying."

I am always amazed during Christmas by how car-centric the holiday is. It is not that shopping requires a car, but that people seem hardwired in the U.S. to view navigating from point A to point B as car-necessary no matter how small the distance (statistics show that 40% of urban travel in the U.S. occurs within 2 miles). Then they complain about the cost of gym memberships, obesity, and the inevitable weight gain during the holidays. Even holiday activities are geared towards car-culture rather than an activities that are, well, active. At least in Copenhagen they are finding ways to be active during the holidaze. :-D

Ride on people!

What Would Jesus Buy?

I don't agree with all of Reverend Billy's ideas about religion but I feel he uses the iconic street preacher effect to good use in a satirical look at the cult of buying in North America. The film What Would Jesus Buy is funny, engaging, and thought-provoking. It really examines the Christmas Season as it has been co-opted by Big Business, Big Banking (read: massive credit card debt) and even in some ways Religion, and encourages the idea that "you don't have to buy a gift to give a gift". 


Amen.

The Joy of Giving

The Christmas Season is one of my favorite times of the year---the spiritual aspect of the season the crisp air, Christmas decorations, hot coco, and time with family. One of my chief pleasures though is gift giving. However, I agree with Rev Billy on this one who says, "You don't have to buy a gift to give a gift" which is so true!

However, I do enjoy giving to people in this world who don't have much to begin with and who struggle to meet their daily needs. Through World Vision I give a bicycle for a girl each year so that she can get to school safely as well as do things for her family. Given how much most of us in North America spend on bike gear each year, this is a small expense that makes a HUGE difference in someone's life. 

Ride on people!

If I balk at riding in the cold, this song always gets me going....

Mark Ronson is creative, smart, and eclectic. I love it!

Thanksgiving Thought: What does it mean to See?

Blindness from Michael Snowdon on Vimeo.

Car-free in Atlanta for a Year

Atlanta is my old stomping grounds so this video from CNN's Urban Planet by Chris Hrubesh drew my attention. Hrubesh writes:

"My first big change toward "greener" living was my purchase of an early 1900s loft less than a mile from CNN. Ditching my automobile has been one of the best decisions I have ever made, despite some of the challenges. Without a car payment, insurance, gas or maintenance, I save at least $300 to $500 a month, even after I factor in car rentals and bike maintenance. I have lost and kept off 10 pounds of weight since I made my lifestyle switch and I have made many new friends that choose to pedal instead of drive. I exchanged my coveted parking spot at work for a free gym membership and five monthly round-trip passes on Atlanta's mass transit system. CNN gives this, as well as other perks, to employees who walk or ride a bike to work. To me, this deal was a "no brainer" and I took the bait."

If you have ever ridden a bike in parts of the South (major car country) you will understand how impressed I am with this guy taking the lane! I also LOVE that Atlanta has Zipcar now. Very cool.

David Goggins: Human Machine

I have posted on David G. before but I saw this video and was, once again, really impressed. His dedication to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation which provides college scholarships for the children of Special Ops warriors who have fallen in the line of duty is humbling and encouraging in an age of passivity and cynicism. Many people see problems each day but do very little, if anything, to contribute to solving them. Dave continues to push the boundaries of what is possible and it really encourages me.

One Less Car

Biking around town with Randy “The Ethicist” Cohen from Streetfilms on Vimeo.

I wheelie like Randy Cohen---after seeing this video, you wheel too. You should also check out a wonderful video, One Less Car, at CineDulce that is awesome! A virtual "ballet" of modern commuting juxtaposed with bike commuting.

First tumble from my bike

Today I fell off my bike---the first time in several years and the first time in Columbia. It was really stupid. I had just come from Ellis library with a pannier on my right side filled with books. That was the side that I had my foot slipped into my Power Grip strap. I had to stop (right in front of Noodles) and wait to get around a truck and when I went to mount and ride off, the bike started to lean to the right due to the weight of the books and I could not get my foot out of the strap for love or money and down I went. I hurt my right elbow and knee but got out of the way of traffic. It is always weird how it is like slow motion when you realize you are going down. Yuck.

The guy right behind did not stop but the next car stopped and asked me if I was OK. I said fine but I was shaking a little. So embarrassing---not even a real wreck but a stupid one.

Ah well---now I've inaugurated COMO! :-D

Hero of Running David Goggins

This guy's story is amazing. While I don't want to live on 3 hours of sleep a night his motivation and discipline are compelling. You can read more about his story at runnersworld.com.

The Freedom from BP Machine

I was perusing the blogsite Bike When You Can and came across this post which I thought was a hoot! The following song was posted there and is to be sung to the Beatles' Baby You Can Drive My Car:

You Can Ride a Bike
Asked my girl what she wanted to be.
She said Daddy, can't you see?
I wanna be healthy,
Have planet that's clean,
But you can do something in between...

Daddy you can ride a bike.
Pedal power's what I like.
Daddy you can ride a bike,
and we can be car free.
Ding ding a ling ling, yeah!

Told my girl that my prospects were good.
She said Daddy, it's understood.
A clean environment is more than just fine,
It gives me a chance to live a long time.

Daddy you can ride a bike.
Pedal power's what I like.
Daddy you can ride a bike,
and we can be car free.
Ding ding a ling ling, yeah!

I told my girl I can start right away
When she said listen Dad I got something to say
Just one less car is a fantastic start,
and lets get our friends to take on their part.

Friends you can ride a bike.
Bad balance? You can get a trike.
Friends you can ride a bike,
and we can be Oil free.
Ding ding a ling ling, yeah!

Cars make us weak

Image from Change Your Life, Ride A Bike
I rode home from the District last night and it was a mild, breezy, beautiful night. I cycled all around town yesterday running errands and it was more difficult physically than I thought it would be, but that is what 3 months without regular cycling will do for ya. Even with all the walking I did over the summer--working out 5 days a week--I still panted uphills and felt really tired when I got home. I am convinced that walking on a treadmill is nothing like cycling up *real* hills with 40 lbs or more of stuff. I am always amazed at how my blood pounds and how alert I feel--very different than doing all those same errands in a car.

Cars DO make us weak. I am always reminded when I am on the bike of all the stuff you miss when driving a car: The human contact (total strangers waving and stopping to talk to me), the realization that I can only go where I have the physical fitness to propel myself, the need to pay attention to those around me which, rather than being limiting, opens up a whole other world. Cars just make us think we are free. They mask our physical weakness, encourage us to remain within a cage that puts distance between us and other people, and encourages us to be wasteful on every level.

Food for thought :-D

Gonna Ride My Bike Until I Get Home....

I saw this video over at ibikelondon and really loved it, as much for the vision of normal people going about everyday things on a bicycle as for the song. I think that many people are put off by bike commuting because they view biking as recreational but might not have a framework for viewing cycling as transportation that does not require tons of equipment, flashy clothing, etc. I love how much more flexible and convenient cycling is when I want to get around town. The other day I wanted to run to the movies at Forum--I just jumped on my bike and in 4-5 minutes had the best parking in the place---right in front of the theater. I did not use any gas to get there and burned off the calories from a few peanut M&Ms :-D

Today I am headed to the District for dinner and a movie. I did not go to the gym today because I will bike a fair bit so don't need the redundancy of a "workout" at the gym. This has saved me an hour at the gym and gas money, parking hassles, and being inside all darn day long. It's all good!

I Wheelie Like You

I saw this image over at Change Your Life, Ride a Bike and luved it! I'd like this image on a t-shirt.

I haven't ridden much this month due to the weather. I have had to go places that required a fresh appearance and felt daunted at the humidity and heat. I have been inspired though at Dottie over at Let's Go Ride a Bike. Her post on commuting in excessive heat is quite good. She has bike commuting down pat. However, I cannot wait for cooler weather so that I can commute everywhere again. Bring on the fall!

Mental Health Day

As the semester gets underway it has come to my attention that many of the people I know are under a LOT of stress. Reductions in staff and other resources are leaving quite a few people frayed at the edges. And this is *after* the summer "break".

My solution? Get your bum on a bike!

Head off down the trail for an hour of cycling, or better yet, cycle to that stressful job and home again and you'll forget why you wanted to whack so-and-so or give em' a piece of your mind. Your stress will be gone. I promise.

World Bicycle Relief

As anyone who knows me can attest, I am fascinated by the potential of bicycles to greatly contribute to the empowerment of people all over the world. Bicycle technology is easily as advanced as auto technology and far more efficient. I have been amazed at the difference a bicycle can make: the difference between being able to attend school or not attend, of getting water without being raped, of providing for a family where there are few roads and no money for more expensive transportation. World Bicycle Relief is one organization that contributes to relieving the struggles of peoples in need all over the globe through bike donations. I love their mission and what they do to help others. Watch this brief video and you'll see how much bikes really do rule!

Be a Bicycle Hero!

I loved this advert and wanted to share.
Cycle on people!

The Gulf Oil Spill and Alternative Transportation

Today I read an article in the LA Times by Bill McKibben, Mr. President, Lead Now on Fossil Fuels where he takes the President to task for his weak response to the Gulf oil spill. I then read an article in the NYT entitled, Imagining Life Without Oil and Being Ready.

Both articles make it seem as if "alternative energy" is the answer to all our problems. However, creating an alternative transportation infrastructure so that people can safely and efficiently get to work, home, stores, etc by bus, bike, or walking was not mentioned EVEN ONCE. Am I missing something here?!

The amount of money that these folks are pressuring Obama to put into "alternative energy" when, let's face it folks, we are flat broke and getting deeper into debt every single day (national deficit is in the TRILLIONS) is irresponsible and downright stupid. It is amazing to me that no one has the guts to tell the American public we are going to have to USE LESS. Are we so weak and disabled by our own "lifestyle choices" of obesity, sedentary behavior, personal debt for crap-we-do-not-need that we cannot see the forest for the trees anymore?

Sometimes I feel like I am living in a nation that has lost the ability to count.

Hilarious and *Perfect* Bike Awareness Advertisement

I found this ad on the ibikelondon blog and was totally smitten! It is very, very clever. You will need to watch it twice to really *get* it. Do so, it is worth the time.

Ode to Chris Balish

I ran across a Planet Green video of Chris Balish showing car-centric LA city dwellers how convenient and doable life without a car can be. Chris Balish's book How Live Well Without Owning a Car was one of the books that started me thinking about relying less on my car and possibly even going car free in the future. I have nothing against cars for certain kinds of use but they can be a real financial drain over time. Before tallying up all the costs related to my car, I had never realized how much my used Honda Civic had really cost me. I was astounded to find out that most people will pay about $150,000 in car related costs over the course of their life time. That is a HOUSE. *gulp*

Since moving to Columbia I rely less and less on my car. I bike many places that I never thought I'd be able to and spend far less on gas and car maintenance than ever before. I am far more aware of how many times a day I am tempted to buy something or go somewhere simply due to the "convenience" of jumping in my car on a whim. While the varying weather here has not made it easy all the time (I still don't care for riding in the rain but do it anyway), I love having more freedom and physical ability due to my bike. I also love saving money and realizing I have driven exactly half the miles than from the previous year. This has resulted in less wear and tear on the car, only one oil change, and only one afternoon wasted as I got the car tires rotated and balanced.

Ride on people! :-D

Grown-Up Cyclists Need Helmets, Too

Read another interesting article in the Times online today about helmet usage among adult cyclists. I am among those that think they are a good idea if you are cycling along with cars. While they are not on par with a motorcycle helmet in case of a high speed/high impact crash, for the stuff I face day-to-day, I wouldn't be without one. I am always amazed at what seemingly minor head injuries can really do to a person so I try to protect my melon. I also am glad to see so many interesting and sassy helmet options out there---maybe I'll become the Imelda Marcos of helmets? :-D

Floyd Landis Admits Doping

I was really sad to see an article in the NYTs today where Floyd Landis admits to doping during his cycling career. He has also claimed that Lance Armstrong and George Hincapie, among other of his cycling teammates (such as Tyler Hamilton who tested positive for blood doping in 2004), also doped, etc.

I find the allegation against Armstrong a bit hard to believe since he is considered one of the most drug tested athletes on the planet. I openly admit to crying when he won his 7th Tour.

On the flip side, other than cycling and swimming, I stopped caring about professional sports a while ago. Too many overpaid, crybaby, rapists for my taste. Now so much of it is simply about greed.

This is why I like community cycling including the bicycle as alternative transportation. This is about the personal, humble-yet-effective, methods for countering the greed, speed, waste, and often pointlessness of modern life (where people drive to the gym!). This form of cycling does not require that I wear someone else's name on my jersey and pay $80 for the privilege of doing so.

I am sorry to hear all this from Landis (if it is true) but it only reconfirms my commitment to local, grassroots efforts to increase the real freedom of people and move away the false idols of this world.

Cycle Recyle

The weather today was too good to pass up. Matter of fact, the last two days have been exceptional. I biked to work yesterday and then downtown tonight for Cycle Recycle and the high-spirited antics of that motley crew of bike mechanics at GetAbout. I fixed one and half bikes tonight. It only took two hours but hey! it's free labor people! I was harassed a bit by some dude who thinks he knows everything about bikes, but I'm not that easily fooled T.K.

Riding home tonight was phenomenal. The wind and weather were perfect---I am always so amazed at all the sensations we experience on a bike that we have no access to in a car. So many details that we whiz right past. The breeze and wonderful smells of fresh grass, flowers, and trees. The sounds of nature at night. Awesome.

Ride on bike lovers!

Miles: 6

American Idle

When Mary Collins had a bike accident that laid her up, she got interested in the sedentary nature of U.S. culture and started researching and writing about it. This book is the fruit of her labor. She argues that in 99 percent of human history, humans have lived as "a species on the move", but with modern inventions and life has we have literally be "stopped us in our tracks".

I have become convinced that humans need quite a bit of physical exercise in a day and the amount of time we spend sitting in front of screens each day is vastly contributing to our mounting health crisis---which has led Dr. John McDougall to state that we are at a point in our history in the U.S. that we are so obese and out of shape that we could not defend ourselves from an invading nation!

Another reason to GET IN THE SADDLE! :-D