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