Liv-ing in a Vel-cro world

As cyclists, we take some things for granted. Velcro might be one of them. How is it produced? Who makes it? What is it made of? Apparently it was invented in 1948, and it has made its way onto many cycling accessories such as shoes, ankle bands, and panniers (aka., a "shopping bag" that hangs on a bike rack). We may not often stop to appreciate it but as the song could go, "We are liv-ing in a Vel-cro world. Vel-el-cro!" (sung to Madonna's Material Girl).

Who has a spare bike?

As a regular commuter, one might consider having a "spare" bike. This can be a cheapo - just something you can grab in a pinch when needed. Case and point: Yesterday I rode to meet someone, had my meeting, and when I came back out to leave - flat tire! I started walking and then called my wife who was home and who picked me up (nice to live in a small town) . . . when I got home I grabbed my trusty spare (a single-speed Schwinn I paid $80 for - used - many years ago) and got back to work. I strongly recommend a spare bike for everyone, especially if you rely on cycling throughout the week.

Cycling can be dirty

Commuting by bicycle does have its downfalls. "Yes, that's yet another reason not to do it." Feel free to use that excuse if you want to, but this one is my own fault. Long story, short: Awhile ago, my chain was having some issues, so I ended up shortening it -  a bit too much. Now when I forget about it and shift into my "big-big" combo (the big chair ring on the front, and the big chain ring on the back, sorta like this) my chain is basically too short, and the chain get's stuck in that position. The only real way to get it working property is to help it down by hand ... yes, cycling can be dirty!

Women on bikes

Right at about minute 27 of run #2 of my 1/2 marathon program, I saw something like this photo. It was a woman riding her bike on Main Street - no helmet, wearing a skirt, looking pretty content. A good sign? We can debate about her lack of helmet as part of her attire, but she reminded me of something I heard a few weeks ago that went something like this: "If you want to know how bike friendly your community is, you don't need detailed bikeability indexes - just measure the proportion of cyclists who are female." Score 1 for the women - yes, even riding helmetless on Main Street, she is relatively safe in Blacksburg, I would say. Any guesses on our ratio of women-to-men cyclists? 5 to 1?  3 to 1?

Cross-training

Erik playing rugby, circa 1986-1987

Cyclists should run; runners should cycle; weight-lifters should run; swimmers should lift; you get the idea. Mix it up. Even elite competitors cannot sustain the same activity every day. Today on my day off of running, I got in about 13 miles from commuting and sprinting to/from a meeting. Then I got in a crossfit workout (in part, including 45 pull-ups!). I am tired, but my mood is good. I think I hit the right balance of activity, food-intake, and now, time for sleep!

Commuter starts running again

Well I did it. Just ran run #1 of a 17 week training program. This is intended for runners and walkers, so I think it is pretty accessible. Today I was at two meetings in Radford and had a break so I ran/walked 2.46 miles from the NRV BusinessCenter to the Pete Dye River Course at Virginia Tech and back. I talked to the nice gentleman at the top of the lookover, and he said it would be ok to walk down to holes 1 and 10. Nice day for it – about 81 degrees and the humidity is coming back (51%)! The Hokie Half Marathon is 17 weeks away on September 15, 7 am!

1-handed ride on the sidewalk

Oh man! I just took this *awesome* video of this dude riding his motor-scooter in the fast lane going like 8 mph as cars raced around him! And I did it while I was riding 1-handed and video-recording with my phone and riding my bike on the sidewalk along the left side of the road ... oh wait, what the hell am I saying? ... If only I had been able to push the record button ...

Cycling excuses

Bike Kitchen Director James Glass has few excuses!

I have a good excuse for not attending the Ride of Silence yesterday in Radford. It was both my mother-in-law's birthday and my step-mother's birthday - umm, yea, that's it. Not that we did anything last night, but oh yea, and, well ah, I went to a 4:30 pm crossfit workout, but oh yea, it was too hot, well the Ride was too far away, it started too early, yada yada yada.
     We all have our excuses. Not that they are "bad" per se but I am asking you to look at them when you say them either out loud or to yourself. I heard a great one today as a passed a gentleman walking along the roadway, as I biked up Clay Street. "Good morning!" I huffed. He responded, "I don't ride down the hill because I don't want to ride up it ... " Hmm, "lazy" I thought. Instead I responded, "Have a nice day!" - Or then there is one of our all time favorites, "I have a bone in my leg!" What's your excuse?

Bicycling during Allergy season

Allergy season hits me pretty hard. I think it is oak tree pollen that starts my eyes to itch and water in May of each year. I've resorted to wearing a "safety mask" or "sanding respirator" while riding sometimes. At issue is riding while wearing glasses. If I slow to under about 10 mph, my glasses start to fog up. A posting on Facebook resulted in one interesting suggestion - that of considering Anti-Allergy Nose Filter. I've yet to place an order, as there are 2 other choices out there - seems like something to try. What are your thoughts?

Fat Monday

Fat Monday is here. If you missed Fat Tuesday, here's your chance. Get on your bike; walk; stand up every 20 minutes; take a dance class. Full disclosure: I've been using the car more and am off my game. The result? I am up a good 4 pounds. One less cookie, one more mile, 10 more minutes a day of walking. See what incremental change you can make right now. Don't let Fat Monday happen to you. At least not too many of them in a row . . .

I could never do that = “I’m not willing to do that”

Just as I finished kicking the kick stand down on my bike, she started talking. “Hey! I see you all around town riding your bike – at night, in the morning, after work. I could never do that.”

Yes you could I thought. You’re just too lazy but you’ll drive your car over here 2 miles each way to come and workout and pay over 100 bucks a month for a CrossFit coach to lead your workout. Instead I said, “Well you could too . . .” she smiled awkwardly and entered the door.

You probably did not know this, but May is National Bike Month. My soap box is short and small. I ride to work most days about 3 miles each way. Not very much you must admit. But those little 3 miles add up.

Let’s do some math! S = MT x 0.5 x D
Savings = 3 x 2 x 0.5 x 200 = $600

If you want to gloss over the details, I save an estimated $600 annually just by riding my bike to work most days.

This assumes, miles (M) = 3 miles, trips (T) = 2 trips (one each way), $0.5 cost per mile, D = days worked. Given that driving a car is reimbursed at about $0.50 per mile and I work about 200 days per year, I get 3 miles x 2 trips x $0.5 x 200 days = $600.

We can continue the conversation by discussing the finding that the cost to operate a car is about $8,000 annually and about the added benefits of bicycling and about the benefits to the environment.

It’s too difficult.
I cannot do it every day.
I don’t want to wear spandex.

Yada yada, blah blah blah.

I could never do that.

Yes you could. Start by walking part way. Start with 1 or 2 trips a week. Carpool? Think creatively. Ok so maybe it’s not about saving your planet, really. It’s about taking care of yourself and helping out a little bit. Just as you do when you work at eating healthier and by investing in that gym or CrossFit membership each month.