To the side of the main article, there was a side-panel called "Pedaling Through Time" by Sharon Frickey (I couldn't find a copy on line), but I'll share the opening paragraph, because it struck a chord:
"Whether it's a gentle pastime, main transportation or challenging adventure, cycling is a sustainable, leaves-no-carbon footprint, good-for-you tradition. As you roll out your bicycle, check the tires, strap on your helmet and pedal out into the nearest bike lane, you're connecting with millions of like-minded riders before you." |
How many of the world's problems would be solved if everyone rode their bike instead of driving whenever possible. Just think how the drop in oil demand would affect gas prices. Just think about how much less pollution we would be producing. Just think about the health benefits; diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and type II diabetes (#1 and #6 killers in the US) would be greatly reduced.
As for my day-to-day, the last several days have been eventful; here is a rundown in brief:
- Friday: Flat tire on the way to work. Fixed it and went on to work feeling like a man.
- Monday: Starting to rain (usually an advantage of riding 'cuz its fun) and noticed tire was low on the way to work so stopped to pump it up. Stem snapped off and I didnt' have any extra tubes. Tried to call Amber but she didn't answer. Carried bike about a mile through a thunderstorm before someone stopped and took me to the closest bike shop where I bought three new tubes.
- Tuesday: Went by a couple of bike shops on my way to work to look for a bag for my bike rack but couldn't decide which I wanted, so went on to work. At work I decided which bag I wanted so left in time to get to the bike shop before they closed at 5. Thunderstorm the whole way. Just before getting there I tried to pull off the road, but because the road was covered with water I didn't see that there was a big lip leading up to the sidewalk, which my rear tire slid across instead of going over, causing myself and the bike to fall and slide across the pavement (just a few scrapes and bruises on both me and the bike). Got to the bike shop at 4:45 to find a sign on the door saying they decided to close early. Continued home but about 1 mile from the bike shop got a flat tire (glass on the road). Still pouring down rain so imagine sitting on the side of the road trying to put a patch on a tire when everything you own is sopping wet. By some miracle the patch held long enough for me to get home.
- Wednesday (today): Upon leaving to go to work discovered that the patch didn't hold and my tire was flat again. Applied another patch with appeared to be holding, but about 1/2 way to work the tire went flat so decided to replace my new tube with another new tube. After work (in my lab at UB) stopped by bike shop to buy bag---they were open this time. Poured down rain the whole way there and most of the way to my teaching job in South Buffalo.
- Thursday (tomorrow): Cannot wait to see what the day will bring, but the forecast is for more rain.
You crack me up Jason!!! Your week so far is not encouraging for non bike riders to start riding. And....do you enjoy riding in the rain? Seriously???
ReplyDeleteWell I suppose you are right; unfortunately I didn't think about that. In perspective, however, In three months of riding, I've only had one other flat tire (and that was about 2 months ago) and been rained on only one other time, so this week has been VERY unusual. Don't let it put you off.
ReplyDeleteOH...and I do enjoy riding in the rain. Its exhilarating. I guess I must admit that it gets tiring after a while, but so do the hot days with no respite from the heat. All that aside, soon enough a Buffalo winter will come and I will neither have to worry nor be able to enjoy either. We'll see what happens then.
ReplyDeleteAlso, along the lines of my initial comment: Is there anything good and worth while in life that doesn't come with a little opposition? I think the point I would make is that in spite of the "difficult" week I've had, I would still rather ride than drive...its worth it.
**Setting The Record Straight**
ReplyDeleteIt was not that I 'did not want Jason to ride to Palmyra'. For starters, I NEVER said NO! I simply agreed with 1 condition - he had to find someone to ride with him. I didn't want him riding 90 miles there all by himself, what if something happened - and let's face it, he would never have let me ride it alone either.
YES, it's true that secretly I hoped he would not be able to find a riding partner (although, I did give him some suggestions of who to ask). Why? I wanted to spend the time TOGETHER, as a FAMILY (the pre-trip, getting ready and riding in the car - something he would not have been there for if he were riding).
So, yes dear, you can call me selfish but you cannot say I wasn't supportive!!!
;)
Er...I'm going to have to take Amber's side on this. Not that it matters one bit, but she my homegirl....
ReplyDeleteYou should check into century rides. Organized races of 100 miles. Good company, good experience, and Amber would be supportive of that one. Just make sure the course is mostly flat. I'm impressed you ride in the rain. That would discourage me!
ReplyDeleteOk...so riding in the rain is fun. But how do you "look" when you get to work? Do your students wonder why you look like a drowned rat. I can just imaging you lecturing the class waring a 300lb pair of wet blue jeans...rain drops running down your face, and a puddle under the chalk board. I could see a student walking in the room and slipping the the large puddle you leave. Ha Ha! Seriosly...do you take a change of clothes and a towel. You know I love you! Angela
ReplyDeleteWell, Angela, your image of me teaching is quite funny, but I do take a change of clothes with me (there is even a shower which I have used on occasion) so with the exception of the occasional grease marks, there isn't much in the way of signs that I had ridden through the rain to get there. But my students are all well aware that I ride to work.
ReplyDelete