Thursday, August 26, 2010

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!

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

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

Monday, August 23, 2010

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!

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

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!

Friday, August 13, 2010

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.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

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!

Wednesday, August 11, 2010