Week 4 (Day 26)

Mileage (Week): 109

Mileage (To-Date): 541

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WEEK #4

I could see the faces of the people as I passed them on my bicycle. Some were amazed, some were frustrated, and one special young man was digging for gold. I could tell that they were all jealous, except for maybe the guy picking his nose, he looked like he was enjoying himself.

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This week I may not have put on the miles, but I passed some cars. 72 cars in total (of course I counted)... and they didn't even pass me later.

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Go ahead, say it. I am the man.

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Well that or they were stopped waiting to park at the hot air balloon festival. Interpret as you see fit.

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Bikes are the way to go in traffic jams. Wink.

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I also experienced my first two bike sacrifices. #1) Katie's parents came to visit this weekend. Friday night we all stayed in Meadville and Saturday they arranged to see our cabin, which is about 10 miles away. There was only a couple hours between events, so it was a short trip (no big deal for people who ride in cars). It only took them about 15 minutes by car each way. It takes me about an hour. It means I would have been at the cabin with them for about 15 minutes, and would have cycled for 2 hours. I ended up staying in Meadville and waiting for them to get back. Not a big deal, but I thought I would mention it.

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#2) A local business helped to organize a bicycle drive (Juniper Village... Thanks again!). It was a lot of fun, and we ended up gathering 25 bikes. Awesome! But the business was downtown and it was up to me to get them 3 miles up the hill. For those people that have cars and trucks it is no big deal to toss them in the back and take a few trips. It is much more daunting on a bicycle. I had to ask for help. I like to be independent, so it was tough to ask at first. Katie, Mom, and Mr. Smith helped to transport the bikes. They were all very cheerful and very helpful. THANK YOU KATIE, MOM, AND MR. SMITH.

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THIS WEEKS REASON TO RIDE

#8

One bicycle ......................................................................: 948 dollars (Hey, its made out of Bamboo)

Clothes to wear................................................................: 38 dollars (no birthday suits)

Bungee cord......................................................................: 3 dollars (hold my bag on the rack)

Seeing the looks on peoples faces as you pass them...: 989 dollars (Shove it VISA!)

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RIDE ALONG

A shout out to Juniper village for helping put on the bike drive. We now have 75 bikes (depending on what you classify as a bicycle) in the basement. Need to work harder on getting them out there.

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A shout out to the volunteers and people who donated their time and bicycles this week. It was a good time. Thank you!

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One revolution at a time.

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Ben

Week 3 (Day #19)

Mileage (Week): 154.2
Mileage (To Date): 432
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WEEK #3
This week I took my first day off. This does not mean that I rode in a vehicle, just means I didn't ride the bike. I sat around, and just kind of relaxed. Felt kind of weird. Sunday was my first day in three weeks that I didn't ride.
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Most of the days I go about 20 to 30 miles. If I go less I feel like I am slacking. It is a really strange sensation. My purpose now fully revolves around biking.
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I bike, therefore I am.
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Its a simple philosophy, and I like it.
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THIS WEEKS REASON TO RIDE
#7 People love to wave at bikers. Kind of like people smiling and cooing at babies. This week I have waved to and said Hello to 37 random people... and all of them said hi back. Its kind of like being famous.

RIDE ALONG
Props to Erin at the bike shop. Her car broke down and for the last week she has been riding to work. She even had a chance to get a car yesterday, but she said "Nope, I am keeping it real and riding my bike."
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Well Played.
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One revolution at a time
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Ben

Week 2 (Day#12)

Mileage (week): 169.6

Mileage (to date): 277.8

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WEEK #2

I saw it coming. Who didn't? It was right in front of me and sweeping my way. There was no way around this one. It was time. I put my head down, told myself it would be ok, and cranked.

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It was time to get drenched.

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On a long enough time line, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero. (Fight Club) Kind of reminds us that life is temporary, enjoy it while you can. In the same theme, if you bike enough days you are bound to get wet. I will appreciate those dry and sunny days with the wind at my back and the time to take the long way home (I swear). But when it comes time to get wet, I will put my head down and endure.

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Mind you, I am not talking about a sprinkle that superficially gets you uncomfortable. I am talking about the rain that seeps into your soul. The kind that just doesn't let up all day. The kind you would be better off jumping into a pool, maybe then there would be a floating island with the drinks that have small umbrellas in them.

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Needless to say, this weeks theme is rain. It came down in one form or another five out of the last seven. But onward I ride.

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This morning was particularly acute. I had to get to work by 9:00am. No way around it if I want to be gainfully employed. It was raining when I started, and was poring when I finished. Made me question whether it was worth it. In Zambia, rain is a perfectly legitimate excuse for just about anything. If nature isn't predicable why should I be? Seriously.

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But it is worth it. Cycling is worth it. I feel good, full of energy. Ready to give all to the idea that people can get around without a car. Sure, you will have to reorganize a few things, but it will be worth it.

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Even if you get soaked.

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THIS WEEKS REASON TO RIDE

#6. Monday was beautiful. I took the long way. The wind seemed to be with me both ways. The sun was out, but not too hot. People came out of their houses just to wave. Monday the road was mine and even the woodchucks stopped to cheer me on. The birds seemed to follow me with their song. I would have missed it in a car.

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RIDE ALONG

Giving a shout out to Katie and Annie, who cycled along for several of those miles. They loved it, at least when it didn't rain. Katie and I even jumped a fence, lived on the wild side, and crossed the forbidden bridge. I think she has the pictures. Turned out to be a great ride. Even saw a guy in the middle of nowhere building a bicycle wheel.

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Let me know how your cycling adventures are going.

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One revolution at a time.

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Ben

Week 1 (Day #5)

Mileage (week) : 108.2
Mileage (to Date): 108.2
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WEEK #1 BREAKDOWN
Do you remember when Barack Obama was sworn in? I do. A bunch of us watched it together in Hawaii. It was monumental, glitzy, and people cried.

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My first ride to ride work was quiet, slightly overcast, and tearless (Ok, that isn't true my eyes did water on the first cold downhill, but it was the wind... I swear). The average morning ride was the perfect way to start, because that is what this year is all about. Doing exactly what all of us do everyday, just on top of two wheels.
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On the second-day-of-the-rest-of-my-life Katie (my wife), Liz (her sister), and I went for a bike trip to Sugar lake. Nice weather, nice company, and a good time. Felt bad for the suckers in the passing cars. This was Liz's first ride in a long time and it was a total of 28.5 miles. No worries!
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On Memorial Day we went to a picnic and encountered rain for the first time. Now, being the hardcore cyclists we are... we waited it out. We didn't have a time we had to be back, so we just took a chance. Luck was on our side, only a drizzle at the beginning of the ride.
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Yesterday brought a little more rain, but just enough to test the metal. It passed in the afternoon and we had sunny skies in the evening. This was my volunteer Bike-it day so we went for a fun ride around Meadville and could not have asked for better weather.
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WEEKLY REVIEW.
All in all, it has been a blast. I have not had to alter my life in any meaningful way, I have been on time for the things I needed to do, and three out of the four days I had people riding along with me.

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It was kind of short, so I was hoping that I could include in week 1 some reasons to ride.
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REASONS TO RIDE.
There are a lot of things going on in the world that make a lot of people unhappy. I think the bike can help. I don't think it can solve all the world's problems, but for some people (like myself) it is a great start. Here are 5 big reasons to ride, each week I will add one or two.

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1) Healthy. Many of us don't get enough exercise. We don't have time, our knees hurt, gym memberships are pricey, we don't have the motivation, there is something good on the TV... If we just use the bicycle to get around, then we magically get our exercise without having to make a special time for it. It can be as easy as walking or as intense as running. You pick it, but you are still getting the movement so many of us need.

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2) Economical. I read somewhere that the typical American car costs about 8,000 dollars a year to own and maintain. That doesn't included fuel. You can buy cheaper cars, but they still cost more than a bicycle. A decent, brand new, commuting bicycle starts at about 500 dollars. This will last you years. Buying a used cycle will be considerably less. Maintenance is cheap if you do it yourself, and if you pay somebody it will be way less than changing your car brake pads. If you already own a car, riding your bike once or twice a week will save you lots in gas money at the year's end.
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3) Social. Pass up your neighbor in a car and a wave will be more than most. Pass up a neighbor while on a bicycle and just try to not say "hi". Riding a bicycle slows down the pace of life, gives you a chance to be social (and we are social animals). Daily commutes have become ridiculously long, which means you don't live and work in the same place. Cycling promotes a community in which you live, work, and recreate in the same place. You may actually get to know your neighbors.
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4) Tree-hugger approved. Cycling doesn't give off many bad pollutants. Sure, manufacturing a bicycle takes some resources, but not as much as a car or house. If you really want to make an individual difference in cutting back the amount of stuff you put in the air, then ride your bicycle for transportation on a consistent basis.
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5) Fun. Every little kid knows it. Riding a bicycle is tons of fun. My 4-year-old friend Mac just learned to ride his bike last weekend. He was loving it. While still learning he ran into his parents' car. We asked why he didn't just use the brakes. He said, "I didn't want to use the brakes, I just wanted to ride." I feel the same way. My morning ride to work and evening ride back are high points of the day. I guess we all have a little bit of kid in us.

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RIDE ALONG

Last thing. My friend Marcus (who may be a genius) came up with a great idea. In the spirit of this experiment, maybe people can sign up for upcoming days or weeks. It will get more people out on bikes, and I will get a warm, fuzzy feeling knowing that you are riding along with me for a couple days. I think Marcus took week 3, and you can post your week in the comment section below. Email me how it went and I will try to post your views here. Lots of different people means lots of different views.

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Why not?

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ONE REVOLUTION AT A TIME.

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Ben